Articles & News
Top-Notch Lineup for 2018 Jazz Fest
Published: 05.31.2018
It’s Jazz Fest time! For 28 years, the Alexander City Jazz Fest has been a free event, and this year is no exception. This is one of the few remaining festivals where festivalgoers don’t have to buy a ticket! In keeping with tradition, this year’s Jazz Fest will be held Friday, June 8 in downtown Alexander City and Saturday, June 9 at The AMP on Lake Martin.
Friday, June 8
The New Devils
Friday night, on the downtown stage, we start the evening at 6pm with a band from the Birmingham, Alabama area – the New Devils. They will open the concert series with a country twang and twist of soul. New Devils’ music tells an effective story, and tapping toes won’t be able to resist the beat. The three-man band consists of Jay McCarley on bass, Johnnie Shaneyfelt as lead singer, and Joey Rudisell on drums.
Jon Cleary
Following the New Devils, Grammy Award winner, Jon Cleary, from New Orleans, Louisiana, will grace the stage at 7:30pm with his funky hits and soulful voice. Cleary has taken New Orleans by storm over the last 35 years and is an accomplished keyboardist and guitarist with a deep appreciation for R&B.
Cleary’s music draws its influence from a varied background that includes ’70s soul, gospel, funk, Afro-Caribbean rhythms and more. Originally from England, Cleary’s inspiration comes from being raised in a musical family.
Hollis Brown
Hollis Brown will rock the stage to close out the night at 9pm. Named after a Bob Dylan song, this rock-n-roll band has traveled internationally. The band formed in 2009, with Queens-natives and songwriters Mike Montali on lead vocals and guitar and Jonathan Bonilla on lead guitar. The two then recruited Cleveland-native Andrew Zehnal on drums and Adam Bock from St. Louis on keyboard and vocals. Hollis Brown has headlined with or supported such bands as Counting Crows, Citizen Cope and The Zombies.
Saturday, June 9
Yonrico Scott
Saturday night, the fun moves to The AMP on Lake Martin! At 6pm, the Grammy Award-winning drummer, Yonrico Scott, will kick off the night with a wide range of tunes. As a multi-talented artist, Scott is a musician, painter and teacher who enjoys sharing his passion through workshops for young students. Throughout his lifetime, Scott has recorded and/or performed with a long list of who’s who among well-known artists, including Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Eric Clapton, The Allman Brothers Band and many more.
Roman Street
Since performing on the downtown stage two years ago, Roman Street – the brotherly band from Mobile – has expanded its style into chart-topping jazz infusion, covering a range of musical influences. The band is named for an old Roman street in the Alps, and its members are internationally trained in the improvisational fusion of classical, gypsy and contemporary jazz, Latin and Nuevo Flamenco.
Taylor Hicks
Stick around for the closing act at 9pm when American Idol winner Taylor Hicks ‘AMPS’ up the crowd. Originally from Jasper, Alabama, Taylor got his start performing throughout the Southeast; that is, until his fame from the fifth season of television’s popular singing competition show made him a countrywide star.
His energetic performance features classic rock, blues and R&B. Hicks is a self-taught musical artist, starting with the harmonica at age 16, writing his first song at age 18, and learning to play the electric guitar at age 19.
Another great year is in store for the Alex City Jazz Fest! Don’t forget to pack your cooler and your lawn chairs. We’ll be looking for you on Friday at Strand Park in downtown Alexander City and Saturday at The AMP on Lake Martin!