Jazz on the Square (JOTS) is a non-profit organization based in Woodstock, Illinois. JOTS promotes live jazz in McHenry County and provides jazz education opportunities to the community. The organization works to ensure that jazz music remains vital in the region. JOTS provides a portion of its proceeds to local charitable organizations such as Home of the Sparrow, Hospice of Northeastern Illinois, McHenry County Community Foundation, McHenry County Habitat for Humanity and Woodstock Morning Rotary.
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History
Jazz on the Square was founded in 2007 by Robert Honesty, Judith Honesty, Randy Robinson, Erin Denk and Billy Denk. The first annual Woodstock Jazz Festival was held August 22-24, 2008.
August 22 through August 24, 2008 Woodstock was the center of jazz music in northern Illinois. The 2008 Woodstock Jazz on Festival featured jazz musicians playing on the Square during the day and in restaurant and club venues around the Square in the evening. The purpose of the Woodstock Jazz on the Square Festival was to promote appreciation and understanding of live performances of jazz music and to increase participation in the art of making jazz music. Venues participating included Courthouse Grill, La Petite Creperie, Liquid Blues, Pirro's Restaurante and the Woodstock Public House as well as the Woodstock Farmer's Market. Musical acts included the BBJ Project, Doc Brown, Juliano Gypsy Jazz, Johnny Weber Trio, Jud & Judy Brown, Mike Louie Quartet, Music Mavericks, MCC Jazz Combo, the Billy Denk Trio, the New Fuse, SRV Trio, Summer Hallenstein, the Mike Louie Trio and Toots.
On September 11, 2008, Jazz on the Square began hosting the Monthly Jazz Jam Series at Stage Left Café in Woodstock. Starting in 2009, the jazz jams were held bi-monthly due to increased demand.
The 2009 Woodstock Jazz Festival took place August 21 and 22, 2009. Participating venues include La Petite Creperie, Liquid Blues, Odd Fellow's, Stage Left Café, Woodstock Farmer's Market, Herban Fare and O'Leary's Pub. Musical acts included Roger Panella Duo, GLAZZ, Paul Abella Trio, Conductive Alliance, Johnny Weber Trio, McHenry County College Jazz Combo, Doc Brown, BBJ Project, Jeff Matz, London Thomas Duo, Blue Skies, Music Mavericks & Juliano Milo Gypsy Jazz.
Events
Jazz on the Square sponsors jazz events hosted by various organizations and venues throughout the community including Stage Left Café, O'Leary's Pub, La Petite Creperié, Mixteca Grill & Tequila Bar and Emerson Lofts.
2010 Jazz Festival
The 2010 Woodstock Jazz Festival is scheduled for to take place August 20 and 21. Participating venues include: Herban Fare, La Petite Creperie, Liquid Blues, Odd Fellows, O'Leary's Pub Stage Left Café and the Woodstock Farmer's Market.
Jazz Jam Series
The Monthly Jazz Jam series began September 11, 2008 at Stage Left Café. The jam provides an opportunity for all levels of musicians to express themselves in the jazz idiom. As well as providing entertainment, the jams can be educational. A recent event saw recording artist Daniel Villarreal pay tribute to jazz pioneer Max Roach with special commentary and performance.
Music
Styles
The styles of music are as varied as the performers who participate at Jazz on the Square events including jazz standards, Bebop, Latin Jazz, Cool Jazz, Hard Bop and Swing are the predominant styles. Sometimes events take on a more experimental feel featuring funk, fusion and blues interpretations of jazz standards.
Musicians
Several local jazz performers have participated in Jazz on the Square shows including:
- Phil Ciancio (saxophone)
- Billy Denk (guitar)
- Daniel Villarreal (drums)
- Dave Reilly (bass)
- Bob Lubecker (bass)
- Al Skaronea (keyboards)
- Chris Angelos (guitar)
- Rick Brabeck (drums)
- Don "Doc" Brown (guitar)
- Judith Honesty (vocals)
- John Nelson (trumpet)
- John Weber (drums)
- Dave Childress (keyboards)
- Todd Skaraonea (guitar)
- Gabe Hammer (drums)
- Jim Hecht (saxophone)
- Jeremy Montoto (bass)
- Heather Moran (vocals)
- Jud Brown (guitar)
Sources
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
