Free Jazz Festival Is September 22 in U City

The University City Jazz Festival announces a dynamic collection of local and nationally renowned jazz artists showcasing the best in contemporary, straight-ahead, and funky music from noon - 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, in

"In many ways, putting together this year's line-up was enjoyable and easy, but it was also a balancing act," said producer and co-artistic director Michael Silverman.

Spotlighting diverse talent from the St. Louis area is an important part of the festival. Silverman went on to say, "The depth of talent was the real impetus to start the festival in the first place. I've been all over the country, and nobody sounds like St. Louis. We have our own language of jazz, or at least our own dialect. There are some highly technical players in town as well as those with pure soul, and everything in between. It's as good as it gets!"

This year's festival programming approach is based on a strategic template from the first year of the event. Local legends are honored as the headliner, a tribute to a jazz icon is planned, and the Jazz Education Initiative, sponsored by Silverman Brothers Music, awards the next generation: St. Louis Metrobones.

The roster includes:

"We want to honor the jazz heritage of with this event," says co-artistic director Robert Silverman, "But we also want that tradition to continue."

The U City Jazz Festival is founded by Mike Silverman, Rob Silverman and Dawn DeBlaze. It is produced by Silverman Brothers Music and Jazz Midwest to stimulate interest in, and awareness and appreciation of, jazz in historic University City.

Its mission also facilitates cross-cultural interaction, provides performance opportunities, and educates young people and adults about the important role of jazz as an indigenous American art form.

For more information about the U City Jazz Festival, artist biographies, and its sponsors visit www.UCityJazzFestival.com. The events go on rain or shine.

*The schedule is subject to change.