Gahanna continues one of its proudest traditions June 18-20, as the Gahanna Convention & Visitors Bureau (GCVB) presents the 12th Annual Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival at picturesque Creekside Park and Plaza.
The event brings together local, regional and national blues and jazz musicians in Olde Gahanna, with more than 90 hours of live music on four stages. It also includes plenty of activities, food and activities for all ages.
This year's event features an inaugural pub crawl to maximize musicians' exposure. The crawl is set for June 12 and will provide a sampling of some of Central Ohio's musical acts, as well as Gahanna businesses. Also, during the festival on June 19, amateur musicians will have the opportunity to learn alongside these musicians at special clinics and workshops.
On June 19, blues headliner and swamp-blues master Tab Benoit will take the stage to bring his brand of bayou blues to Creekside. He won the Blues Music Association’s Contemporary Male Artist of the Year Award in 2007 and 2008. In addition to his work playing and singing the blues, Benoit is also co-founder of Voice of the Wetlands, an activism organization advocating the preservation of the Gulf Coast.
Additional Blues headliners include:
• The Jimi Vincent Band — For more than 20 years, crowds have been buzzing for this high-energy blues-rock band.
• The Sonny Moorman Group —This Cincinnati-based power trio has continued to collect awards and recognition over the years, including a win at the Columbus Blues Alliance Challenge in 2009 and as a finalist in the 2010 International Blues Challenge.
• Sean Carney Band — The Sean Carney Band has taken blues music around the world, performing at festivals across North America and Europe.
And All That Jazz
Critically-acclaimed jazz trombonist and Pickerington native Sarah Morrow will headline the Jazz Stage on June 18. Morrow holds the distinction of being the first female instrumentalist to become a member of the Ray Charles Orchestra, touring with the music legend in the mid-1990s. She has also toured with other jazz greats including the Duke Ellington Orchestra.
Morrow will team up with fellow Central Ohio native Bobby Floyd and his trio on stage. He has shared the stage with the likes of Dionne Warwick and Doc Severinsen, as well as being a featured performer with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, Columbus Symphony Orchestra and ProMusica Chamber Orchestra.
Additional Jazz headliners include:
• Urban Jazz Coalition — Praised by the Las Vegas City of Light Jazz Festival as the “best-kept secret in smooth jazz,” this Columbus-based septet of musicians has been wowing U.S. audiences for 14 years.
• Columbus Jazz Orchestra (CJO) — For more than three decades, the CJO has been regarded by many as a model musical organizaton, as well as one of the finest jazz orchestras in the world. Hosting nearly 50 subscription concerts each season in Columbus, the CJO teams with internationally-known guest artists to champion the big band jazz format for thousands of fans each year. The CJO is led by former Count Basie Orchestra lead trumpet, Byron Stripling, who has also performed and recorded with the bands of Dizzy Gillespie and Lionel Hampton.
Additional attractions and activities at the festival include:
• Rising Stars Blues & Jazz Contest: Gahanna’s version of American Idol for budding blues and jazz musicians.
• Jog for Jazz: The Third Annual “Jog for Jazz,” a 5K run/walk event, will be held on June 19, in Olde Gahanna.
• Musical Discovery Zone: This free, hands-on blues and jazz musical learning experience is for the entire family.
• Mini-Midway: Amusement rides including a fun house, giant slide, ferris wheel, merry-go-round, climbing wall and rides for small children.
• Paddle Boat Rides: Boaters can enjoy the music as they take a leisurely paddle along a branch of Big Walnut Creek.
• Street performers, festival food, artisans and crafters.
The festival location spans the area from the eastern banks of Big Walnut Creek with its Creekside Park and Plaza into historic downtown Olde Gahanna.
Admission is $3 for adults (ages 12 and up). Children under 12 are free. Members of the military will also receive free admission, ID required.
For more information, visit www.creeksidebluesandjazz.com or call the Gahanna Convention & Visitors Bureau at 614-418-9114 or 1-866-GAHANNA