Saturday, Sept 16-17th, 12-10p - Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill | Saturday, Sept 15-17, 12-10p - Old Fort Harrod State Park | Ten Year Celebration! Be sure to check out more FREE Jazz events starting in June below!
Adrian Crutchfield is known around the world for his neo-soul sound. His smooth, unique timbre reflects his proficiency in a wide variety of genres including jazz, funk, hip-hop, R&B, rock, and many more. Known as the last horn man to perform and record (2012-2016) with Prince. Adrian is featured on many of Prince’s final masterpieces including the 2017 Grammy-Nominated Hit-N-Run Phase 2, and the unreleased, but highly anticipated “Black Is The New Black” a l bum.
Adrian also has played sax for many of today’s brightest stars such as Lionel Richie, Bette Midler, CeeLo Green, R&B icon Anthony Hamilton, Fantasia Barrino, K-Ci and JoJo, The Gap Band featuring Charlie Wilson and hip-hop superstar Young Jeezy. In jazz, Mr. Crutchfield has been featured by artists including Kim Waters, Mike Phillips, Alex Bugnon, Jeff Lorber, and Branford Marsalis. He also has performed with the legendary group Fourplay. Find out more by clicking here.
The Campbellsville University Faculty Jazz Band is a crowd favorite at the KHJF. The ensemble features Saulo Mouro (piano and bass), Denis Santos (sax and flute), and Chad Ford (percussion). During his early twenties, Mr. Moura was performing with some of the finest bossa-nova, jazz, and samba musicians in Brazil and in Europe, as well as being in the cello section of the Brazilian National Symphony Orchestra. An accomplished and versatile performer and music educator, the multi-instrumentalist Denis Santos (Saxophone and Flute) is originally from Ceará, Brazil. Throughout his career, he has participated in several groups and ensembles such as Bellas Artes Quintet, Camerata da Unifor, and Eleazar de Carvalho Chamber Orchestra. In 2011, Denis formed the Almeida Duo, creating an original sound that has captivated audiences in Japan, South Korea, Brazil, and throughout the USA. Chad has performed throughout the United States, Brazil, China, Ecuador, Japan, South Korea, and Trinidad and with multiple international tours as drummer for the Brazilian-based group, Almedia Duo.
Jamey Aebersold
Saturday, Sept. 16th at 3:45PM
The KHJF is honored to welcome back renowned jazz educator and saxophonist Jamey Aebersold and his quartet. Jamey is joined in his quartet with Doug Elmore on upright bass, Jonathan Higgins on drums, and Wade Honey on piano. Jamey is the recipient of the 2014 A.B. Spellman NEA Jazz Masters Award for Jazz Advocacy, bestowed upon an individual who has contributed significantly to the appreciation, knowledge, and advancement of jazz. For over 60 years, Jamey has been the leader in Jazz Improvisation and Jazz Education. Jamey’s renown weeklong summer Jazz Workshops have been held in 7 countries. His jazz quartet has preformed dozens of programs which encourage students to play music and make healthy lifestyle choices. Jamey’s company, http://www.Jazzbooks.com has produced 133 book/audio jazz Play-A-Longs. Jazzbooks.com also sells thousands of jazz related items to encourage musicians of all ages to explore playing jazz. Jamey is a driving force in jazz, and continues to kindle the fires of musical imagination in those with whom he comes in contact.
https://www.sphericalagenda.com
SPHERICAL AGENDA is a jazz-rock fusion band consisting of the midwest region’s top musicians. Hailing from Cincinnati, OH, their sound not only draws from the cutting edge of today’s fusion but harkens back to the reckless abandon and pure energy of groups like Tony Williams Lifetime, Mahavishnu Orchestra, and Return to Forever. Featuring Matt Wiles on bass, Brandon Coleman on guitar, Ben Tweedt on keyboards and Devon Leigh on drums, Spherical Agenda is a powerhouse band whose unique chemistry gives rise to infectious grooves, daring solos, and captivating energy. Despite the band itself being fairly young, the collective is cultivating an ever-growing list of accomplishments. The band’s members have credits including performances with the Snarky Horns, The Drifters, Fareed Haque, Grammy-Nominated Dan Pugach Nonet, and Sam Blakelsee Quintet and Large Ensembles, clinics and masterclasses both nationally and abroad, and recording credits such as the television series DC’s Legends of Tomorrow soundtrack and the upcoming “For the Love of King”, a compilation series by the Bootsy Collins Foundation benefiting the restoration of historic King Records.
BiGG SuGG and the JaZZ Funkers featuring the Lex. Soul & Funk Collective All Stars, make music that has roots in Jazz-Funk Fusion, New Orleans Music, Memphis Soul, and Chicago Blues. Each member of the band is a phenomenal performer, but what happens when the band comes together is transcendent. The undeniable groove and soul flowing off the stage takes everyone bearing witness to another world at every show. Whether it’s the mind-blowing virtuosity of the solos, the brute-force of the band’s funk grooves, or the heart-wrenching blues there is something for everyone every time they perform. Members include Matthew Polashek – Saxophone, Dane Sadler – Guitar, Ellis Waddell – Bass, Bill May /Troy Messina- Drums, Scott Wilson – Harmonica, and Joseph Linville – Saxophone.
Under the direction of Harrodsburg native Larry Griffin, Capriccio Columbus Choir will be back by a jazz ensemble and performing Will Todd’s Mass in Blue. Their last performance at the Kentucky Heritage Jazz Festival was in 2015, we are excited to have them back!
Blue Groove Jazz Quartet is a classic jazz ensemble with members from Harrodsburg and Danville, KY. The band is comprised of seasoned musicians, collectively having very diverse and extensive musical experiences, all with a common love for jazz. The musical genres of BGJ are equally diverse, ranging from swing, bebop, and Latin, covering artists ranging from Miles Davis to Steely Dan. BGJ has already garnered a loyal following in central Kentucky and has performed at gala events for the Norton Center for the Arts at Centre College and Talon Winery’s annual Jazz on the Porch Series. The members of BGJ are Sam Carr (Alto and Tenor Sax), Eben Henson (drums), Pete McCaffery (bass), and Mark Gardner (keyboards).
Paladin
Paladin was formed by the gifted New Orleans trumpeter James Millard Poole III in 2013 to perform “Organa” or free-spirited improvised jazz. The stellar rhythm section of Paladin consists of equally gifted musicians including drummer Brehnan Miller, a Harrodsburg native currently residing in Louisville, bassist Joseph Schlaak from Lexington, and keyboardist Mark Gardner also residing in Mercer County. Paladin has played to enthusiastic audiences across Kentucky, including the “Jazz on The Porch” series at Talon Winery.
Led by drummer and composer Sofia Goodman, The Sofia Goodman Group is a jazz fusion band based in Nashville, TN, U.S.A. The group performs original music, as well as arrangements of tunes in the jazz genre. Sofia had the honor of performing in a youth ensemble led by teacher and Grammy award winning artist Esperanza Spalding in Boston in 2005 and Esperanza’s encouragement motivated Sofia to keep perfecting her craft. Sofia has been described as “brilliant” by Tony Rounce of Ace Records and radio host “Wildman” Steve Bronson had this to say after the group’s performance at Alex City Jazz Fest: “The surprise of the night was The Sofia Goodman Group. Excellent band, jazz-fusion fun!” They have performed at notable festivals like The Elkhart Jazz Fest, The Alex City Jazz Fest, USM Jazz and Blues Fest, Fort Harrod Jazz Fest (3x), West Georgia Jazz Fest, and Jazz on the Point (2x). In 2018, the group released their debut album “Myriad of Flowers” and it has been streamed worldwide. In 2019, the album was nominated by NIMA for Best Jazz Album. In 2020, Sofia was nominated by NIMA as Best Jazz Instrumentalist. Currently, Sofia is working on a new album and completed her Master’s degree in Music Composition at Belmont University.
Brooks Giles III is an international saxophonist and vocalist. Brooks has taken his high energy musical mixture of Jazz and Blues Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Myanmar, and Santiago, Chili where he recorded his CD, “Romance de Los Andes” with “The Pancho Aranda Trio”. His first CD, “Somewhere on the Earth, The Bangkok Sessions” was released in 2002. That same year Brooks and his ensemble were featured on the first ever “Hennessy X.O. Smooth and Mellow Jazz Tour.” After rave reviews the ensemble was invited to perform again in 2003. Brooks has performed with Donald Byrd, The Drifters, Martha Reeves and The Vandellas, Charli Persip, Eldee Young, Ron Affif, and Peter Duchin. After obtaining his M.F.A. from Queen’s College’s Aaron Copland school of music in Queens, New York, Brooks toured Europe with the Broadway musical “Bubbling Brown Sugar”. In 2005 he performed on the soundtrack and appeared on the DVD of the original stage play “It’s a Hard Bop Life” by Gregory Charles Royal. Brooks continues to perform in large and small ensembles throughout the United States of America and The World.
Destiny L is an international recording artist and singer/songwriter. Her rich, hypnotic, sultry sound shape her alternative RNB flow. This multi-talented artist has opened for artists such as Musiq Soulchild, Warren G, and Bobby Valinto. She’s also performed in historical venues such as the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and performed the National Anthem at Paycor Stadium for the Cincinnati Bengals December 2022. Destiny L has two hit singles out on all major streaming platforms called “Numb” and “Spacetime.”
Adrian Crutchfield
Adrian Crutchfield is know around the world for his neo-soul sound. His smooth, unique timbre reflects his proficiency in a wide variety of genres including jazz, funk, hip-hop, R&B, rock, and many more. Known as the last horn man to perform and record (2012-2016) with Prince. Adrian is featured on many of Princes final masterpieces including the 2017 Grammy-Nominated Hit-N-Run Phase 2, and the Unreleased, but highly anticipated, “Black is the New Black” album. Adrian has also played sax for many of today’s brightest stars including Lionel Richie, Bette Midler, Ceelo Green, R&B Icon Anthony Hamilton, Fantasia Barrino, K-Ci and JoJo, The Gap Band featuring Charlie Wilson and Hip Hop Superstar Young Jezzy. In Jazz, Mr. Crutchfield has been featured by artists such as Kim Waters, Mike Phillips, Alex Bugnon, Jeff Lorber, and Branford Marsalis. He has also performed with the legendary group Fourplay. Learn more by clicking here.
Sunday Sept. 24th
More Bands TBD!
University of Kentucky Jazz Band
Thursday, Sept 21st from 4:00PM-6:00PM at Beaumont Inn
Blue Groove Jazz will be performing on the lawn.
Friday, Sept. 22nd from 5:00PM – 7:00PM at the Mercer County Public Library
Walnut Street Ramblers will be performing at the Swing Dance! More details to come!
September 16-17
September 23-24
This event is made possible by the
Mercer Chamber of Commerce
