Friday, June 9, 2017
The Elders
Kelley Hunt
DOTSERO

Saturday, June 10, 2017
Richard Elliot
​Steve Cole
Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal

 

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Richard Elliot  Saturday, 9 p.m.
The reigning merchant of Soul Jazz, Richard Elliot invites loyal fans and newcomers alike to celebrate 25 years since the release of his debut album Trolltown. Where’s the party? Where else—In the Zone, a grooving, funked up, horn-splashed collection that finds the energized-as-ever tenor saxophonist paying homage to the pioneering instrumental artists of his formative years (‘70s-early ‘80s) whose brilliance and musical innovations inspired his own.

Drawing on the influences of legends like Grover Washington, Jr., Bob James and David Sanborn, Elliot fashions the perfect contemporary jazz complement to Rock Steady, his 2009 recording that was inspired by the great R&B artists he grew up listening to; that collection debuted at #5 on the Billboard jazz album chart and remained on the list for over 40 weeks.

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Richard Elliot Official Website
Richard Elliot Facebook Page
Richard Elliot on Twitter

 

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Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal  Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal's combination of soul, funk and R&B is in a word, electric. Best displayed in their high-energy live show, the blend of Hoyer's honest lyrics and his soulful (sometimes in-your-face) vocals merge with his top-notch band to create an undeniable chemistry.  Hoyer formed Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal in 2012 in famed blues town Lincoln, Nebraska. The award-winning five-piece band includes some of the area's most revered and accomplished musicians. Joining Hoyer (keyboards/vocals) is Mike Dee (sax), James Fleege (bass), Benjamin Kushner (guitar), and Larell Ware (drums). Inspired by the sounds of Stax, Motown, Muscle Shoals, New Orleans, Philly and San Francisco, the band continuously crosses musical boundaries both in style and era, and joins forces each show with a common goal - to have the crowd dancing so much they forget even their smallest troubles.

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Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal Official Website
Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal Facebook Page
Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal on Twitter

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Kelley Hunt  ​Friday 7:30 p.m.
In some ways Roots R&B/Americana singer/songwriter/piano player/guitarist Kelley Hunt is a rarity and a challenge to the music industry's penchant for easy artist definitions -- a woman who has muscled her way onto the scene on her own terms with an identity steeped in blues/roots/gospel traditions and a refreshing originality. She makes music with it's righteous roots intact that also crosses boundaries, has an open-minded, exploratory attitude and takes on social and political issues. Together with a commanding, passionate stage presence and superior vocal, keyboard and songwriting skills she has earned the respect of critics and fans across North America and Europe.  Born in Kansas City, Hunt’s love for her craft was ignited listening to early blues, R&B, roots rock, jazz and Gospel influences.

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Kelley Hunt Official Website
Kelley Hunt Facebook Page
Kelley Hunt on Twitter

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The Elders  Friday 9 p.m.
​The Elders were founded in 1998 by six individuals with a passion for music rooted in Americana and Celtic folk rock. From the beginning The Elders seemed to be channeling something ancient and enduring – something unaffected by fads, trends and the giant maw of mind-numbing commercialism. Their ability to bring together the art of story telling with elements both musically progressive and rooted in tradition, has won them a broad international fan base, as well as critical acclaim in numerous publications such as PASTE Magazine, Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange, Music Row Magazine, Goldmine Magazine, TRAD Magazine (France), Chicago Sun-Times, Kansas City Star and many more.

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The Elders Official Website
The Elders Facebook Page

 

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DOTSERO  Friday 6 p.m.
Taking their name from a small mountain town in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, DOTSERO means “Something Unique” according to Ute Native American legend to some. It means DOT-ZERO on the earliest geographical railroad maps to others, but to jazz fans worldwide DOTSERO  means Contemporary Jazz at its best, full of life energy and spontaneity that few artists in the genre have been able to match. A no nonsense sax and guitar driven thrill ride of energy and excitement. As much fun to watch as they are to listen to.

Official DOTSERO Website
DOTSERO Facebook Page

 

Steve Cole  Saturday 6 p.m.
Saxophonist Steve Cole is one of the most celebrated players in contemporary jazz.  The Chicago native exploded onto the scene in 1998 with the album “Stay Awhile” that was produced by fellow Chicagoan Brian Culbertson. The disc scored two #1 hits and earned Cole the Oasis Smooth Jazz Award for best new artist shortly before his sophomore set, “Between Us,” was released in 2000. His catchy singles made him an instant radio favorite and he cranked them out with regularity on subsequent albums “NY LA” (2003), “Spin” (2005, “True” (2006), "Moonlight" (2009), and "True" (2013).

Official Steve Cole Website
Steve Cole Facebook Page
Steve Cole on Twitter

Click here for a list of past Jazz in the Woods performers