There’s been a last minute change in one of the headline acts for this year’s Jazz At The Lake Festival, but everything else is going smoothly as the clock counts down for the August 15-18 event.
Vibraphonist Peter Appleyard, 84, is suffering from a painful sciatica/lower spine problem and felt it best not to travel at the present time, said festival president Eric Allison.
The good news, though, is they’ve engaged Vancouver vocalist Dee Daniels to perform in his place Saturday evening, Aug. 17.
“She is a unique talent who transcends musical borders when she brings her jazz styling, infused with gospel and blues flavouring, to the stage,” states her biography. “One critic says, “Daniels’ voice has a hypnotic quality, delivering an impressive range that gives the romantic songs and verse of 50 years ago new life and raw emotion.”
Daniels will also be participating in a free jazz workshop on Saturday afternoon (Aug. 17) with another headliner, P. J. Perry.
Perry and his quartet will be back for a reprise of a past appearance, Friday evening (Aug. 16). Allison said they’ve tried for a number of years to get Perry back to Sylvan Lake but this was the first time he’s been available.
He has a unique connection with Sylvan Lake. During his formative years he played with his father’s band in local dance halls. Since then he’s shared the stage with countless jazz greats.
The weekend of eclectic musical talent kicks off Aug. 15 with the much anticipated Johnny Summers Little Big Band swing concert at the Royal Canadian Legion. Other ticketed events during the weekend include Perry’s performance the following night at the Alliance Church, Boogie Patrol performing in the Blues Bash at the Legion Saturday afternoon (Aug. 17), Daniels’ Saturday evening (Aug. 17) performance at the Alliance Church and the fabulous Farewell Jam at Meadowland Golf Club Sunday evening (Aug. 18). It will feature a new 11 piece Alberta band, Big Rocks Band, which will do the first show and be followed by the ever-popular jam.
Following the Friday and Saturday evening performances is Late Night Lions featuring the Alberta Playboys, a western swing band that includes three of the four members of the Polyjesters who were so well received last year.
Much of the rest of the weekend’s events are free for everyone to enjoy.
One of the goals of the festival society is to get young people involved.
They’ve added what they call “Project Discovery” to this year’s selection. It will include some of the winners at local music festivals who will perform at Gospel Chapel.
The H.O.T. Dixieland Band will be back performing at the Farmers’ Market, Sylvan Lake Lodge and Lions Park.
Jazz Goes to College will feature students from Red Deer College. Then there’s the Community Jazz Bands concert in Lions Park.
Sunday (Aug. 18) also features the ever popular pub crawl with performers staggering the start time of their performances throughout the afternoon at eight different locations so it’s possible to see each of the bands or just sit back and relax in one spot.
For a complete schedule, to volunteer or to purchase tickets check the society’s website www.jazzatthelake.com or find them on Facebook.