By Will Roper
April 27, 2018
The month of June is just around the corner, and the headlining bands for Lincoln’s illustrious jazz series have been announced.
Put on by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, this year’s Jazz in June performers will be Jamison Ross, Jazzmeia Horn, Mwenso and the Shakes and Huntertones. The concert series begins at 7 p.m. on June 5 and will run every Tuesday evening during the summer month.
Last year, incredible performers like LaFrae Sci and Victor Lewis helped make Jazz in June a memorable one for the thousands of Lincolnites who attended.
This season’s first performer, Jamison Ross, got his professional start in jazz when he won the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition back in 2012. While known for being a gifted drummer and instrumentalist, Ross has also been garnering large acclaim as a jazz singer. He released his breakout album Jamison in 2015, which features an eclectic mix of blues and jazz. Ross’ range on the kit and with vocals is exemplified, and he continues that into his newest album All For One which he released earlier this year.
Following Ross on June 12 is Jazzmeia Horn, who won the same award as Ross but as a vocalist in 2015. Known as a rising jazz star in both performance and name, Horn began her career in the prominent musical New York City before she began appearing in numerous jazz festivals across the world. As people have begun to learn, Horn’s voice speaks for itself – being both rooted in a traditional sound while staying completely unique and modern. The Grammy-nominated artist has one studio album released in 2017, A Social Call.
On June 19, the space outside the Sheldon Museum of Art will feature Mwenso and the Shakes. This group is a collection of global artists who’ve formed a jazz band that plays a wide range of styles similar to artists like Muddy Waters, James Brown, Fats Waller and others. While the group is now based in Harlem, members come from Sierra Leone, London, South Africa, Jamaica, France, Hawaii, Greenwich Village and Madagascar. Their distinct take on classic styles is what has made them a favorite across the jazz world.
Following Ross on June 12 is Jazzmeia Horn, who won the same award as Ross but as a vocalist in 2015. Known as a rising jazz star in both performance and name, Horn began her career in the prominent musical New York City before she began appearing in numerous jazz festivals across the world. As people have begun to learn, Horn’s voice speaks for itself – being both rooted in a traditional sound while staying completely unique and modern. The Grammy-nominated artist has one studio album released in 2017, A Social Call.
On June 19, the space outside the Sheldon Museum of Art will feature Mwenso and the Shakes. This group is a collection of global artists who’ve formed a jazz band that plays a wide range of styles similar to artists like Muddy Waters, James Brown, Fats Waller and others. While the group is now based in Harlem, members come from Sierra Leone, London, South Africa, Jamaica, France, Hawaii, Greenwich Village and Madagascar. Their distinct take on classic styles is what has made them a favorite across the jazz world.
The last band to perform for Jazz in June, on June 26, will be the Huntertones. This group from Columbus, Ohio, is known for their high-energy mix of horns and brass to deliver a fun performance anywhere they go. This dynamic performance style also features beatboxing and a sousaphone, qualities which always keep their audience on their toes. The band has collaborated with several top musicians groups, like Snarky Puppy, Stevie Wonder, Ed Sheeran and others
For more details, visit jazzinjune.com.
Will Roper is an editorial intern with KZUM.
