Gerald Dunn and The Jazz Disciples are the second Tuesday concert during the Jazz in June series. Dunn, the entertainment director for Kansas City's American Jazz Museum, has earned and maintained a spot as one of the city's premiere saxophonists. The concert begins at 7 p.m. today at the Sheldon Museum of Art.
Dunn has toured and played with the world-renowned Illinois Jacquet's Big Band based in New York. Kansas City artists like Oleta Adams, Kevin Mahogany, Bobby Watson and Karrin Allyson are among those who have also given Dunn performance opportunities.
According to Joe Klopus of the Kansas City Star, "The Disciples are four of Kansas City's best players: Gerald Dunn on alto and tenor saxophones, a passionate player who's also music coordinator for the American Jazz Museum, in addition to his disc jockey work and musical performances; pianist Everett Freeman, a player of wide experience who makes his solos into soulful adventures; Tyrone Clark, a bassist of tremendous skill and taste who gives the music a solid, melodious footing and excels as a soloist; and drummer Mike Warren, who brings a volcanic energy to everything the band does."
For more information, go to http://www.myspace.com/thejazzdisciples.
Organized by the Sheldon Museum of Art and many other sponsors, the concerts begin at 7 p.m. and will draw thousands of revelers to sit under the trees on the plaza west of the Sheldon.
Concertgoers are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs.
Jazz in June concerts are free of charge to concertgoers, but they are not free from expense. This year, Jazz in June will rely on donations from audience members in order to make ends meet. Concertgoers are asked to make a donation of $10 per family, or whatever they can afford, to continue the series.
Activities abound before each concert. Kids are encouraged to take part in the weekly Super Sleuth hunts inside the museum, which begin each week at 6 p.m. New this year, kids can meet Josh the Otter by the fountains in the Sheldon Museum of Art Sculpture garden. Sponsored by Sheldon and the Joshua Collingsworth Memorial Foundation, Josh the Otter helps teach kids about the importance of water safety. A short program will begin in Sheldon's Abbott Auditorium at 6 p.m. and then Josh and the kids will go outside. The Joshua Collingsworth Memorial Foundation will also be doing weekly giveaways at the concerts, including coloring books, stickers and stuffed Josh the Otter toys.
The warm June weather offers the perfect backdrop to tour sites in the UNL Botanical Gardens and Arboretum. UNL's Landscape Services and Facilities Management and Planning departments run the annual tours beginning at 6 p.m. at Sheldon's east entrance.
In conjunction with the performances, the Jazz in June Market offers dinner or shopping. Dinner items, fresh produce, baked goods, ice cream from the UNL Dairy Store and many more delights are available for purchase. The Market opens at 5 p.m. on 12th and R streets and is organized by the Downtown Lincoln Association, the City of Lincoln, and UNL.
More details at: http://go.unl.edu/d9e