The inaugural Jazz at Warm Springs concert kicks off this Sunday, July 2. A revival of the much-missed Jazz on the Green at Elkhorn, which came to an end about six years ago, Jazz at Warm Springs is brought to you by the Sun Valley/Ketchum Chamber & Visitors Bureau and the city of Ketchum.
Local artist, gallery-owner, musician and Ketch'em Alive concert series coordinator Will Caldwell has stepped up to the plate to help heat up Warm Springs this summer.
"The Chamber wanted to bring (the jazz series) back to liven up that part of town during the summer months," said Caldwell. "There are a lot of businesses that will be staying open (on weekends) down there this summer, including Apples Bar & Grill, Paul Kenney's Ski & Sports and Sturtevant's Mountain Outfitters. It's currently very quiet out there (in the summer) and it's a lovely part of town. So we're very grateful to the Sun Valley Company for welcoming us and embracing this event."
Also new this year, Sun Valley Co. will run the Warm Springs chairlift on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the summer.
The free concerts run from 6-8 p.m. every Sunday on the patio and slopes of Warm Springs Lodge. They begin this weekend, July 2, and run until Aug. 27.
"We've connected to jazz players from the old days of Jazz on the Green and they are all very excited to be involved and are bringing up their friends from Boise and Twin Falls," continued Caldwell. "There will be a predominantly classic jazz sound with some Latin jazz thrown in."
The series kicks off Sunday with the Blue J's jazz group. "This is Jeff Rew's group," said Caldwell. "He's a bass player and is one of the longest playing jazz musicians in town." The group also features John Northrup, Jens Kuross and Russel Caldwell
On July 9, it's the turn of another local favorite, pianist Paul Tilotson, who plays with Jeff Rew (Tilotson returns for the Aug. 6 concert). On July 16, long-time valley resident and Australian native, pianist Alan Pennay plays. On July 23, Boise group Sandan Mayhew take the stage. On July 30, John Northrop's Jazz Rangers entertain. On Aug. 13, Boise's Scott Risser injects some Latin flair into the series. On Aug. 20, the seven-man band from Boise, Onomatopoeia, brings their fusion of jazz and classical styles. On Aug. 27, Brent Jensen, who runs the jazz department at CSI in Twin Falls, closes the season.
As with Ketch'em Alive, concert-goers are welcome to bring chairs, blankets and picnics, although some food and beverages will be available to purchase at the Lodge as well as at Apples. Parking is available in the Greyhawk parking lot, but people are encouraged to bike, walk or take the KART bus from the park & ride lot in Ketchum.
Each week, preceding the concert, The Hemingways (one of the sponsors of the event) present A Taste of Idaho Party at their clubhouse, 221 Picabo Street, Warm Spring Village (behind Apples). The free party is from 3-6 p.m. starting July 2 and continuing every Sunday through Sept. 10. Open to the public, Idaho food and beverage products will be showcased and local artists will display their work.
