Mark Hanauer
Carmen Lundy
The Isthmus Jazz Festival will feature nine regional acts on June 21 and 22 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Memorial Union Terrace. The headliner is acclaimed vocalist Carmen Lundy, who plays at Mills Hall on June 22. All the performances are free.
Lundy has been in the top rank of jazz singers since the 1970s, recording a dozen albums as a leader and collaborating with such stellar names as Kenny Barron, Ron Carter and Geri Allen. She holds the stage with her powerful pipes and improvisational flair, but what really sets her apart is her material. Lundy has written dozens of compositions, so expect something more intriguing than the usual evening of standards.
The regional acts perform on the Union Terrace on June 21 (4:30-11:30 p.m.) and 22 (4-11:30 p.m.). The lineup includes the soulful Chicago singer Typhanie Monique, Chicago's hard-bop group the Mike Frost Project, the Milwaukee sextet We Six, and Madison's swinging Get Down, Mr. Cat! There will be showcases for student talent and late-night sets suitable for dancing.
The complete schedule follows.
Isthmus Jazz Festival 2013
All performances are at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St., except for Carmen Lundy's concert at Mills Hall in the UW Humanities Building. All sets are free; the outdoor events move into the Memorial Union in case of rain.
Friday, June 21
4:30 p.m.: High School Jazz All Stars with Anthony Wonsey
6 p.m.: Carmen Lundy Outreach Choir
6:30 p.m.: We Six
8:20 p.m.: Typhanie Monique
10:10 p.m.: Madison Jazz Orchestra
Saturday, June 22
1 p.m.: College bands to be determined
4 p.m.: Get Down, Mr. Cat! with Michelle DuVall
6 p.m.: UW Jazz Orchestra with Marcus Shelby
8 p.m.: Carmen Lundy (UW Mills Hall)
8 p.m.: Tony Castaneda Latin Jazz Sextet
10 p.m.: Mike Frost Project
[Editor's note: This story was updated on May 14 with new information about the venue for the Carmen Lundy show.]