In his youth, Somerville Mayor Joe Curatone blew some trumpet in the Somerville High School Jazz Band. In tribute to those days, he’s invited the city’s High School Jazz Ensemble to kick off eight hours of free, live jazz and blues at Powderhouse Park, this Saturday, June 19, from 12PM-8PM. Encompassing a broad range of styles, the line-up includes Professor Harp, Brendan Hogan & Band, Evan Marien Trio, The Ben Powell Quartet, Eric Hofbauer and the Infrared Band, Peter Parcek 3 and the Camelia Latin Jazz Sextet.
The Powderhouse Park event is just the kick-off. Local jazz and blues talents will be featured throughout the following week at Somerville venues, Bloc 11, P.J. Ryan’s, Precinct, Johnny D’s and Sally O’Brien’s. On June 27 at 3PM, at the Nave Gallery, the blues will turn to green, as a set by the Ruth Ristich Trio with The Sisters of Swing, serving as a fundraiser for environmental group, Groundworks Somerville brings the festival to a close.
You can find a complete schedule with artist profiles, here.
–Jason Rabin