Westben has been presenting Jazz since 2001 but this year, celebrating new traditions, Westben is launching a new Jazz Fringe Festival. Let’s celebrate Jazz before and after The Barn performances in the eateries and retail stores in Trent Hills and at the Clock Tower on the August long weekend! Thanks to Arif from MacLaren IDA Pharmacy for encouraging us to get this idea off the ground. Your friendly smile and great service Arif lead the way!
The weekend starts Thursday evening with Brian’s Pick, the electronic, gypsy jazz meets les Quebecois group MAZ at 7 pm at The Barn. Friday at 7 pm TGIFiddle! Welcomes Kelli Trottier & The Mushy Peas back to The Barn. The pre-concert barbecue must be ordered today (July 28) by 2 pm. Kelli is amazing but so are The Mushy Peas. If you have noticed an increase in quality of the sound this year at Westben it is due to the talented Andy Thompson who plays keyboards in The Mushy Peas. Andy is a genius at sound and has an amazing recording Studio called Studio 29 near Warkworth. Brian and I made our Lullabies for Benjamin and Christmas of Love and Light CD in Andy’s studio.
Saturday at The Barn features the award winning Jane Bunnett and her group Maqueque at 2 pm. I can’t wait to dance to their beat. Rising star (not bias at all) Chelsey Bennett will open for Jane Bunnett.
And now to the Jazz Fringe Festival. After the 2 pm concert at The Barn, you have your choice of restaurants in Campbellford (Capers, Apollos), Hastings (Banjo’s Grill) and Warkworth (Garden of Eatin’) to enjoy Jazz Desserts from 5 pm to 8 pm. But it doesn’t end there because at 8 pm, pull out your saxophone in the car and join Chelsey Bennett, Rob Phillips, Howard Baer and Harry Ellis at the Clock Tower in Campbellford for a Jazz Jam (8 pm to 10 pm). No cover charge, just a free will donation and wine will be available to purchase.
The Campbellford Waterfront Festival will be on all day on both sides of the Trent River by the bridge with lots of new activities including a wine tent by the Clock Tower. At 10 pm will be fireworks over the Trent River by the Clock Tower.
Sunday morning from 10 am to 1 pm is Jazz, the Morning After, brunch with area jazz musicians at Be My Guest and Capers in Campbellford and Our Lucky Stars in Warkworth. At 2 pm at The Barn is the final concert of the summer season, Sunny Day and Sinatra featuring Dean Hollin, myself and the Brian Barlow Big Band. Brian Barlow is the Prince Edward County Jazz Festival AD so be sure to visit http://www.pecjazz.org for details.
So, with great anticipation bring on this week!