The 23rd annual Sioux Falls JazzFest features a diverse lineup for the diverse audience the event attracts each summer. This summer's festival is set for July 17-19 in Yankton Trail Park in Sioux Falls and remains a FREE event to the public courtesy of Sioux Falls Jazz & Blues Society and all the sponsors.

Courtesy of Midcontinent Communications, who helped bring Joe Walsh to JazzFest in 2012 and Sheryl Crow in 2013, George Thorogood and the Destroyers will make their JazzFest debut on their 40th anniversary tour this summer!

George Thorogood and the Destroyers
George Thorogood and the Destroyers
loading...

For George Thorogood and his longtime band The Destroyers – Jeff Simon (drums, percussion), Bill Blough (bass guitar), Jim Suhler (rhythm guitar) and Buddy Leach (saxophone) – their 40th anniversary is indestructible proof that staying true to yourself and the music can still mean something. And with a catalog of iconic hits that includes “Who Do You Love”, “I Drink Alone”, “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer”, “Move It On Over”, “Bad To The Bone” and more, being able to share it with audiences is what will always matter. “When I first started messing around with this thing in the early ‘70s, none of us even knew if rock & roll itself was going to last,” George says. “There were no music videos, no classic rock radio. Only acts like Led Zeppelin or The Rolling Stones were doing big arena shows. Casino gigs were for performers like Joey Bishop and Dean Martin. I thought to myself, ‘I just want to put out a couple of records before the whole thing goes away.’ Every performer of my generation – Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, Bonnie Raitt – thought the same way. We didn’t get into this because it felt like the thing of the future. I was afraid that rock would be over, and I’d miss my chance to be a part of it.” Thorogood will play Friday July 18 at 9:30pm

Also courtesy of Midcontinent Communications, mind-blowing guitarist, amazing songwriter and soulful singer, Gary Clark Jr. will perform at JazzFest Saturday July 19 at 8pm!

Gary Clark Jr
Gary Clark Jr
loading...

With his debut album Blak And Blu Gary Clark Jr. has just become the first artist ever recognized by the Recording Academy with Grammy Award nominations in both the rock and R&B categories for the same album in the same year, winning the latter: Best Traditional R&B Performance”-“Please Come Home” (from the album Blak And Blu). And the day after claiming those honors he provided one of the highlights of the
highlights-filled “The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute to the Beatles,” with sparks flying as he dueled with Joe Walsh on an incendiary “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” Dave Grohl behind them pounding the drums. But that barely scratches the surface. The album’s a rocket ride from the Mississippi Delta of a century ago to multiple points still out beyond the horizon. Rock and R&B sure, but blues, soul, pop, psychedelia, punk and hip-hop are also in Clark’s expansive musical embrace and insatiable hunger for inspiration, which he’s internalized into music all his own. And his two acoustic blues performances on the soundtrack album for the acclaimed movie 12 Years a Slave show the distinct talent and personality he brings to his music.

Another of the main stage headliners this summer has been on our wish list for a number of years and we're so proud to welcome the fantastic Gov't Mule to Sioux Falls Saturday night July 19 at 10pm!

Gov't Mule
Gov't Mule
loading...

Few bands have a reputation for making music as consistently honest, organic and daring as Gov't Mule. Gov't Mule have been blowing minds since their eponymous 1994 debut. That album found the band boldly transfusing new blood into old-school psychedelic blues-rock at a time when the genre was largely ignored. Gov't Mule's stylistic grasp has grown inexhaustibly since. Fighting the trend in a declining music industry, the band's fan base, too, has steadily expanded over the course of 15 studio and live releases and thousands of performances - at first in small clubs and theaters, then at halls and major international festivals. Today, Gov't Mule have become a human encyclopedia of great American music even while adding to that cannon. And through it all Haynes has served as not only the group's captain, but as a beacon of creativity and excellence that inspires fans and fellow musicians. Parallel to his nearly two decades in the Mule, Haynes has been the six-string mainstay and a vocalist for the Allman Brothers Band and the Dead, and performed or recorded with a diverse array of other artists. In 2011 he made his second in-studio solo album, the aptly titled Man In Motion, which paid tribute to his blues roots and found Haynes experimenting with different guitar tones and effects not traditionally associated with Gov't Mule.

Bob & Tom Show fans will recognize the name Here Come The Mummies as a "PG-13" type band that does soul, funk, and R&B music filled with double entendres but a groove so funky, you just HAVE to dance! Here Come The Mummies play Thursday night July 17 at 9:30.

Here Come The Mummies
Here Come The Mummies
loading...

From these hovering souls, who called themselves Here Come The Mummies, Professor Dumblucke learned of the powerful curse that doomed them to wander the earth, seeking the ultimate riff, the one that may allow their spirits to rest after eons of, as they put it, "banging out solid fly grooves, y'all." Without so much as a hot bath, HCTM would open for P--‐Funk and Al Green, rock Super Bowl Village 2012, become regulars at The Bob and Tom Show and massive festivals like Summerfest, and make themselves the darlings of sell-out crowds over wide swaths of North America (and little tiny strips of Eurasia). Eddie Mummy, Java, K.W. Tut, Mummy Cass, Spaz, The Pole, Midnight, Mummy Rah, and The Flu got the remainder of their minds and bandages together and realized that the world was ready for a new HCTM record. The new collection, Cryptic, suits their elusive persona down to the ground.

One of the rising stars in the blues world is a young lady from Kansas City who won Best New Artist in 2012 at the Blues Music Awards: Samantha Fish! Fish and her incredible band will perform Friday July 18 at 8pm

Samantha Fish
Samantha Fish
loading...

Kansas City-based Samantha Fish has been on a major roll ever since she teamed up with Cassie Taylor and Dani Wilde on Ruf’s 2011 release, Girls with Guitars, and fueled by the trio’s Blues Caravan tour of Europe and the U.S., created an international buzz in the blues world. Later that same year she recorded Runaway, her solo debut on Ruf, which mixed gutsy riff-blues rockers like “Down In The Swamp” with the mellow small-hours jazz of “Feelin’ Alright,” while marinating her songwriting in the groove of the Rolling Stones and even tipping a hat to Heart. “It ’s all the sounds I grew up with,” she explained at the time, “with my own spin.” Earlier this year Samantha joined labelmate Devon Allman for a sultry duet of the Tom Petty classic, “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around,” that appeared on Devon’s Turquoise CD and accompanying video. Fish's latest release, Black Wind Howlin' shows even more growth for this rising star. After seeing her live show, we know you're going to be a fan.

The Kelly Richey Band is no stranger to Sioux Falls having made several appearances at Old Skoolz. She will make her JazzFest debut this summer! Richey will perform Thursday July 17 at 7:30pm

Kelly Richey Band
Kelly Richey Band
loading...

Based in Cincinnati, Kelly Richey is one of the hardest working independent musicians out there, to date logging an extraordinary 800,000 miles touring, and at one point in her 25- year professional career, gigging a grueling 275 days out of the year. Richey started playing guitar at the age of 15. Today, at age 48 and a staggering 3,500 gigs later, she more than earns the title of Master guitarist. She has been described as “Stevie Ray Vaughan trapped in a woman’s body with Janis Joplin screaming to get out”. She has been listed as among the top 100 gifted guitarists by the Truefire Commuity (2011), and draws comparisons to blues icons Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Richey has shared the stage with such legends as Lonnie Mack and Albert King, and has opened for Joe Cocker, Johnny Winter, Edgar Winter, Walter Trout, Little Feat, Foghat, REO Speedwagon, George Thorogood, Average White Band, Warren Zevon, and James Brown. Richey is a serious, no-holds-barred axe grinder. Setting up her band as a power trio (Big Bamm on drums, and Freekbass on bass, and guitar), showcases her muscular, incendiary leads and masterful guitar chops. Playing live is where Richey shines, literally bringing down the house at every show she plays. Cognizant of the emotionality of the music in her live shows, Richey steamrolls; she hits the audience hard and fast, grabs on and doesn't let go. Hard rocking, blues-based and guitar driven, she blasts her audiences with jaw-dropping, lightening fast riffs and a muscularity of playing that even many of the best male guitarists don't possess. Her soulful voice, a big, powerful alto, provides the arc that completes the circle for a total sonic experience that is not to be forgotten. Richey’s stage presence is powerful. The first few notes from her guitar and you know you are in very competent hands; in particular, her effect on the audience is not to be missed--- those who have never seen her play are stopped in their tracks, stunned and speechless.

The Kris Lager Band's set at JazzFest 2013 was cancelled due to inclement weather, so we've asked the 'Thrift Store Funk" band from Omaha to return this summer. KLB will play Saturday July 19 at 3pm

Kris Lager Band
(Kris Lager Band/Liliedahl Imaging)
loading...

Kris Lager started playing around the Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska, area as a young teen guitar prodigy garnering the attention of the regional music scene. Entering into his adult years, Lager formed a band of friends and equally talented musicians and took his blues-based sounds to a more funky and modern place. The Kris Lager Band has seen a lot of success in their non-stop touring, playing over 200 shows each of the last five years. Kris Lager Band has developed a unique style with a varied mix of blues, funk, soul, Americana, rock and zydeco.

The Brandon Sprague Blues Band played JazzFest a few summer's ago and the Black Hills-based band is back this summer. Showtime is Thursday July 17 at 6pm

Blues guitarist and composer Brandon Sprague hails from Deadwood, South Dakota. Brandon performed at JazzFest in 2012 and has released numerous albums on the family record label. His sound is reminiscent of Jimmie Vauhgan with a bit of Springsteen tossed in. He’s performed weekly at the Deadwood Tobacco and Cigar Bar for most of the last decade and has a strong Black Hills following. The band celebrated it’s CD release of original tunes entitled, “Edge of the World.”

Josh Hoyer and The Shadowboxers have made a name for themselves around the midwest and have appeared on The White Wall Sessions. They will make their JazzFest debut in July. Showtime is Friday July 18 at 6pm

Josh Hoyer
Josh Hoyer
loading...

Josh Hoyer and The Shadowboxers is a project formed in late 2012 in famed blues town Lincoln,Nebraska. For the last 15 years, Hoyer has been very in demand as a performer in his previous bands, as a solo artist behind the piano and as a session musician and arranger. Spending much of his time booking and promoting in Lincoln at the legendary Zoo Bar and beyond, Hoyer is an influential part of the funk, soul and blues youth movement. His current 9-piece Soul band includes some of the areas most revered and accomplished musicians, many of whom have toured nationally and internationally, teach music and are asked to back up bands live and in the studio. The band’s sound and passion come from their deep respect, knowledge of and passion for blues, Americana, soul, funk, and many other styles of music.

The Jack Brass Band formed in 1999 in Minneapolis, Minnesota and have been growing strong ever since. Showtime is Saturday July 19 at 4:30pm

Jack Brass Band
Jack Brass Band
loading...

This nine piece ensemble embraces the traditions of New Orleans jazz, but at the same time adding old time blues, rock, hip-hop, pop, soul, funk and Reggae. The crack of the snare drum, the blat of the sousaphone, the blaring brass over it all tells you that the Jack Brass Band is an infectious machine, one that drives crowd to their feet and commands them to groove. A truly unique sound and experience, the band has been featured at festivals in Canada, as well as throughout the upper Midwest. If you like your music hot and spicy, the Jack Brass Band is just for you.

Vocalist & Las Vegas headliner Jennifer Keith is an American Classic and a descendent of a long line of entertainers that began with her Great Great Grandfather B.F. Keith, the “K” in RKO Pictures, one of the Big Five studios of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Keith's set is Saturday July 19 at 6pm

Jennifer Keith Quintet
Jennifer Keith Quintet
loading...

Many have described Jenny as “a pinup doll with a voice reminiscent of Peggy Lee meets Julie London”. Her fabulous quintet is led by Mando Dorame, tenor saxophonist and Co-founder of world renowned Royal Crown Revue; a band who is credited for reviving the swing movement in the 1990’s. Among other credits, Royal Crown Revue has been featured in “Gene Simmons family Jewels”, “The Mask” with Jim Carrey and have toured with Bette Midler. Jennifer Keith also traveled to Egypt as a guest of the US State Department to perform at the Cairo Jazz Festival. Audiences will be thoroughly entertained and transported back to a timeless era of music.

Dakota Jazz Collective is a Sioux Falls-based ensemble rooted in the classic and contemporary sounds of jazz. Showtime is Noon on Saturday July 19

Dakota Jazz Collective
Dakota Jazz Collective
loading...

Featuring a horn driven ensemble, members of DJC have developed a strong reputation as some of the region’s finest and most recognized jazz musicians. Celebrating the local jazz scene, committed to jazz education, and performing across the region, Dakota Jazz Collective shares their passion for jazz with every performance.

The top band from JazzFest Jazz Camp will be joining Wycliffe Gordon for a grand performance. The Jazz Campers will perform with Gordon Saturday July 19 at 1:30pm

Wycliffe Gordon
Wycliffe Gordon
loading...

Wycliffe Gordon has been named "Trombonist of the Year" by the Jazz Journalists Association nine times since 2000. Gordon, who can play 22 additional instruments, has had an extraordinary career as a performer, conductor, composer, arranger, and educator. He is one of America's most persuasive and committed music educators, and currently serves on the faculty of the Jazz Arts Program at Manhattan School of Music.

The second stage lineup is STELLAR this year offering a diverse musical buffet from jazz to blues to Americana to folk to hip hop!

Here’s the lineup:

Thursday, July 17, 2014

6:30PM  Hometown Glow
8:00PM  Union Grove Pickers

Friday, July 18, 2014

6:00PM  “Jazzed” with Bobby Gripp
7:30PM  Brian Masek & Friends
9:00PM  Mat D and the Profane Saints

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Noon     JazzFest Jazz Camp
1:15PM  Last Call Band
2:45PM  Aberdeen Jazz Quintet
4:15PM  FTX
5:45PM  Mark Cameron
7:15PM  Josh Hoyer and the Shadowboxers
9:00PM  Nikko McFadden

JazzFest is a free event, however there is a $10 parking fee per vehicle if you park in Yankton Trail Park and parking will fill up later in the evenings. You can walk in or bike in with no admission. There is also going to be shuttles running each day.

The cost is $3 round trip. On Thursday, shuttles will run 5pm-11pm from Lincoln High School. On Friday, the shuttles will run from Lincoln High School from 5pm-12:30am. On Saturday, the shuttles will run 11am-12:30am and will be available from Lincoln, Roosevelt and O'Gorman High Schools.

Trolleys will run inside the park, but will stop at dusk each night. Please plan accordingly.

More From KIKN-FM / Kickin' Country 99.1/100.5