Jazz Crawl will get downtown jumpin’

Warren Wiegratz and Streetlife of Milwaukee is just one of the bands that plans to shake up the crowd at the 6th annual Cheese Capital Jazz Crawl for the Arts.

This live jazz extravaganza, which attracts thousands of music lovers every year, is Plymouth Arts Center’s major fundraiser and signature event.

The event kicks off at 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14, at the Plymouth Arts Center, 520 E. Mill St., Plymouth. The event is generously sponsored by Great Lakes Cheese of Wisconsin, Masters Gallery Foods, Sargento Foods, Sartori Foods, Bordens, with additional support from Midstar Printing, M.A.S. Industries, G.F.W.C. Plymouth Women’s Club, and Wells Fargo Bank.

At the Plymouth Arts Center, guests will enjoy: live entertainment by the Jill Jensen Trio, Smooth Groove Trio & the Talk of The Town Orchestra; the Bourbon Street Food & Wine Café, sponsored by the G.F.W.C. Plymouth Women’s Club, serving a special Jazz menu cooked on the ‘big cheese grill;’ a silent auction of original art, Mardi Gras Masks and gift baskets; big raffle of “Day’s Reflection” original watercolor created and donated by artist Jean Crane; a live auction on the portrait of Jazz icon “Jimmy Smith” created and donated by artist Dan Gardiner; art opening reception of the Virtual Art Gallery of Sheboygan sponsored by Mike and Pat McKenzie of McKenzie Financial Services and Jim and Mary Shields of Plymouth Furniture; free horse drawn trolley rides sponsored by Wells Fargo Bank, and more. Additionally, an exciting mix of live jazz will be featured at these participating night clubs and restaurants throughout downtown Plymouth: Antonio’s Sports Bar, City Club, Cozy Bar, Exchange Bank Coffeehouse, 52 Stafford Irish Guest House; Prima Publik House, and Turner Hall.

The 2009 PAC jazzy commemorative wristband, which is the fundraising part of the event for the PAC, is available now. Wristbands are two for $15 in advance or $10 each, the day of the event and are available with Jazz Crawl flyers at all venues and at Book Heads. Mardi Gras beads are complimentary to all wearing the wristband. Commemorative T-Shirts for $12 in advance and Posters for $10 featuring “Jimmy Smith” are available at the PAC and at the Exchange Bank Coffeehouse.

Streetlife (Antonio’s, 8:30 p.m. – midnight), widely regarded as the best ‘house-bands’ in the NBA, combines superb musicianship and vocals with an exciting stage presence in performing a unique blend of R&B and contemporary styles. The band plays at many regional and national music festivals such as Milwaukee's Summerfest and Jazz in the Park, and is well-known as the house-band for the Milwaukee Bucks

Other members of Streetlife are: Joe Jordan - vocals, Ryan Schiedermayer - drums, Leonard Adams - Bass, Peter McManaman – guitar and new female vocalist Rhonda Begos. For more information please visit their Web site at www.streetlifejazz.com.

Bay City Swing (Turner Hall, 8:30 p.m. – midnight), has created the exciting sounds of Big Band music in Northeastern Wisconsin for 20 years. From the lush, sophisticated ballads of Frank Sinatra and Stan Kenton to the frenzied jitterbug swing and shuffle beat of Louis Prima and Benny Goodman, Bay City Swing does it all. This 16-piece band features incredible musicianship along with outstanding male and female lead vocals.

Christopher’s Project (Prima Publik House, 8:30 – 11:30 p.m.) has put together quite an impressive resume.

Christopher’s Project is lead by saxophonist Chris Pipkins, a three-peat winner at Showtime at the Apollo, a prestigious Theater in New York City that showcases the best of up-and-coming talent. The rest of the group rounds out with Del Bennet on drums (Sister Moon). Eric Hervey on Bass (Darryl Stuermer). Theo Merriweather on keyboards and Darryl Thomas on Guitar (Chameleon).

Jazz 'N More (52 Stafford, 9 p.m. – midnight) is one of Wisconsin's hottest jazz duos and is an opening act for the Kettle Moraine Jazz Festival. Janice Marie is one of Wisconsin's best female jazz singers with a powerhouse voice, theatrical style and stage presence, captivating audiences with her authentic renditions of the great female jazz vocalist Ella Fitzgerald. Teaming up with Joe Scheibinger, who is called one of the most versatile entertainers in Wisconsin, Jazz ‘N More provides the very best of the American Songbook.

Jill Jensen (Plymouth Arts Center, 5-9 p.m.) is well known for delighting audiences as a jazz singer, actress, voice talent and television personality throughout Wisconsin, Illinois, and the Midwestern United States. She has gained musical fame through jazz singing engagements with various musical groups, most notably, since 1998, when she teamed up with (and eventually married!) world-renowned Wisconsin jazz guitarist, Jack Grassel.

The Dave Petty Trio (Cozy Bar, 7 – 10 p.m.) is back by popular demand along with Roger Brotherhood and Sue.

Dave’s interest in music developed in the later years of the “Swing” era. His saxophone and clarinet styling provide foot-tapping danceable music. Guitarist Roger Brotherhood has been a professional musician since 1966. He has taught professionally for over 15 years, and has extensive experience recording, playing in clubs and shows, leading his own jazz groups, conducting workshops and clinics, and playing solo.

Chris White and Playtime (City Club, 9 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.), a Wisconsin-area contemporary jazz group, artfully blends smooth jazz and R&B. With a widely ranging repertoire, from the most traditional jazz to alternative rock, the five accomplished musicians who make up Playtime represent a diversity of disciplines.

Smooth Groove Trio (Plymouth Arts Center courtyard, 4:30 – 7:30 p.m.) is a local favorite and has performed at the Final Approach Steakhouse at the Burrows Aviation Center as well as the Millhome Supper Club in Kiel. They have graced the Arts Center stage for the Big Cheese Drop New Year's Eve party and the Plymouth Arts Center Singers' annual spring concert. Their music style is smooth jazz. The trio is comprised of Vern Eliason on saxophone, Paul Epner on keyboards, and Mike Bendt on drums.

The Talk of The Town (Plymouth Arts Center courtyard, 8 – 11 p.m.), under the leadership of Kevin Van Ess, is one of the hottest Dixieland/swing style jazz groups north of New Orleans. The six-piece group consisting of clarinet/saxophone, trumpet, trombone, banjo, bass, piano, and drums has collectively over 300 years of experience.

The Galapagos Trio (Exchange Bank Coffeehouse, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.) is three independent jazz musicians coming together to perform a plethora of stylings. With each, their own specific influences and styles, The Galapagos Trio blends jazz standards, funk, blues, free jazz, and even indie/folk music into a unique sound of their own. Comprised of Michael Brooks (percussion), William Schultz (guitar) and Chris Brooks (bass guitar), these local musicians are a tight knit trio certain to impress.

For more information, please call the Plymouth Arts Center, (920) 892-8409; email paf@excel.net or visit the website: www.plymoutharts.org.