Jazz River Festival
Join the Morgantown Board of Parks and Recreation on Saturday, August 26th for the Jazz River Festival! This all day, live jazz event will span the Wharf District of the Caperton Rail-Trail and incorporate five different venues, including Hazel Ruby McQuain Riverfront Park. Each venue will host a unique jazz experience, all open to the public. From “Jenny Wilson’s Stone Soul Picnic” in the park to the late night jam at Morgantown Brewing, it’s a great opportunity to enjoy the best in live jazz music and great dining with friends from far and near. Jenny Wilson Trio with Adam Loudin – 1:30-4 pm at the Riverfront Park. Jenny Wilson Trio provides classic jazz arrangements, interpretations of favorite songs, and originals from one of the busiest and most popular jazz ensembles in the region. Veronneau – 7-8 pm, 8:15-9:15 pm, 9:30-10:15 pm at Oliverio’s Ristorante. Veronneau is an acoustic guitar quartet featuring Lynn Veronneau providing vocals in four languages in a high energy act with lots of audience repartee. This act is thought to be a perfect complement to fine dining. The Cool Cats with Reggie Watkins – 10:30 pm- 12 am, 12:15 am-1 am at the Waterfront Place Hotel. The Cool Cats are an organ quartet with a powerful yet subtle sound that is accented perfectly with Reggie Watkins trombone skills. Dave Braham B3 Trio – 7-8 pm, 8:15-9:15 pm, 9:30-10:15 pm at Morgantown Flour & Seed. Dave Braham is a recognized master of the iconic Hammond B3 organ who will be playing with two life-long friends and musical collaborators, Mark Strickland and Morgantown’s Mark Cappelini. The Jared Sims Funk Band – 7-8 pm, 8:15-9:15 pm, 9:30-10:15 pm at Morgantown Brewing. WVU’s Director of Jaxx Programs, Dr. Jared Sims is bringing in one of his favorite “funk” bands featuring a trombone, guitar, baritone sax, drums and organ to perform some great tunes out of the New England jazz scene. Dan Baker Quartet – 7-8 pm, 8:15-9:15 pm, 9:30-10:15 pm at Mountain State Brewing. Dan Baker is a sought after guitar virtuoso who’s known for his “comps” and his ability to blend his sound in with the sound of his contemporaries. Sharon Clark & Chris Grasso – 6:30-7:30 pm, 7:45-8:45 pm, 9-10 pm at the Waterfront Place Hotel. Sharon Clark has gained a national and international following for her pitch perfect, soulful renditions of classic jazz standards. She is bringing one of her favorite piano players to create a special evening reminiscent of the “piano-bar-in-hotel-lobby” tradition.