LH JAMS Festival features 11 bands over 11 hours

World class jazz music, skilled artisan vendors, tasty food and treats – all centered in a downtown community in the Pennsylvania Wilds.

On Saturday, August 17, those wishing to have a unique cultural experience are invited to attend the 4th Annual Lock Haven Jazz and Art on Main Street (LH JAMS) Festival.

The LH JAMS Festival is a block-party style event that takes over Main Street in downtown Lock Haven, a picturesque I-80 Frontier community that is situated along the West Branch Susquehanna River. Perhaps best of all, the festivities are free to the public.

The brainchild of leadership at the Clinton County Arts Council (CCAC), including current board president Carol Ann Simon Cillo and immediate past president Steve Getz, who now serves as festival director, the LH JAMS Festival is the product of citywide collaborations.

“The LH JAMS Festival was created to be a ‘destination,’ not just a singular event, encouraging tourists and local residents to come downtown,” explained Cillo. “One key attraction and effective feature is the level of charm and atmosphere provided by the different segments of the festival. Visitors keep moving throughout the city, helping to promote the historic River Town designation of Lock Haven as much as LH JAMS.”

Getz noted that the CCAC seeks to expose the region to art and music not normally seen or heard in this area.

“The primary focus of LH JAMS is to bring exceptional jazz musicians with national and international notoriety to our community. We also bring the visual arts to the street festival by including en plein air painters and juried fine artists and fine craft vendors,” Getz said. “Our simple goal is to fulfill our mission of promoting and enhancing the arts in Clinton County and the Central PA region.”

Below you’ll find the show schedule to help you prepare. For additional information about the event, including details on each performance, maps, event organizers and more, visit www.LHJAMS.org.

MAIN STREET FESTIVAL

Dick Adams & Friends – 11:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

For over 35 years, this quartet has been performing jazz, standards, be-bop, swing-era classics, and jazz rock fusion pieces. The band includes Dick Adams on alto and tenor sax, Dave Miller on keyboards and vocals, Bruce Bozyk on bass, and Pete DeSanto on drums.

Jose Andre Trio with Rob Velez – 12:00 – 1:15 p.m.

Born in Bolivia, jazz pianist and composer Jose Andrea Montano taught himself to play piano at a young age. His compositions bridge jazz, rock, blues, Bossa Nova, Latin American folklore and more.

Jay Vonada Trio – 1:15 – 2:00 p.m.

Jay Vonada plays throughout Central Pennsylvania with several bands and has released five albums. He will be joined by Kevin Lowe and Steve Adams in downtown Lock Haven.

Edgardo Cintron Latin Band – 2:00 – 3:15 p.m.

Percussionist Edgardo Cintron is a second generation Puerto Rican who has released many CDs with an affinity for Latin standards.

West Coast Cool featuring Rick Hirsch – 3:15 – 4:00 p.m.

West Coast Cool will have attendees reminiscing about the cool jazz icons of 1950s Los Angeles. The band features trumpeter Barry Long, drummer Kevin Lowe, bassist Bob Hart and saxophonist Rick Hirsch.

Eddie Severn Quintet – 4:00 – 5 p.m.

Eddie Severn moved from the UK to the US in 2005. His experience includes being a lead trumpet player in the commercial music world to innovative original performances as a soloist. He is equally at home playing rock, jazz, and classical music.

Café y Petróleo – 5:00 – 5:30 p.m.

This band blends the sounds of Jaime Castillo’s South American folk harp with Urie Kline’s percussion instruments to create traditional rhythms of Colombia and Venezuela fused with Latin crossover jazz.

Inca Tribute Band to Santana – 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Edgardo Cintron leads this Santana tribute band. The performance will feature several of Carlos Santana’s most popular hits.

VENUE CONCERTS

Gabriel Severn Trio – 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Witness the Gabriel Severn Trio at Odd Fellas, a family-friendly restaurant specializing in craft burgers and fries. Bassist Gabriel Severn has performed cost to cost and shared the state with world-class musicians, all before his 14th birthday.

Steve Rudolph Trio – 8:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Steve Rudolph Trio will be featured at Stella A’s Restaurant & Lounge, entertaining the crowd late into the evening with an outdoor patio performance. Steve’s music-making career spans 50years and several major accomplishments.

Grahm Dion and Friends – 7:30 – 10:00 p.m.

Composer and multi-instrumentalist Grahm Dion, who has performed around the world, will accompany bandmates at Broken Axe Brew House, a 21-and-older venue that features a wide selection of Pennsylvania-crafted beers and pub food.

LEADING UP TO THE SATURDAY FESTIVITIES

Rob Velez Latin Trio – 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

The Rob Velez Trio will kick off the 2019 LH JAMS Festival on Thursday, August 15th with a free performance at Avenue 209 Coffee House. A Latin percussionist, Rob specializes in congas styles, including Agro-Cuban, Salsa, Latin Jazz and Big Band.

Art & All that Jazz Reception – 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

Jose Andre, Gabriel Severn and Rob Velez will offer a special Latin Jazz performance during the Art & All that Jazz Reception on Friday, August 16 at the Durrwachter Alumni Conference Center at Lock Haven University. This ticketed event requires attendees to purchase a “passport,” and proceeds support future LH JAMS Festivals. Details here.