Fort Smith Jazz Festival features national, local talent

The Fort Smith Jazz Festival returns on June 4, with jazz legend Tommy Crook and local jazz players on the list to perform at the free concert held in Ross Pendergraft Park in downtown Fort Smith.

Festival organizers encourage jazz and music lovers to bring their blankets and chairs to the park for the event sponsored by The City Wire, Arvest Bank, Kirkham Systems, Halliburton, Frost Oil Co., Kevin Minks (Shield of Shelter), Classic Cleaners and Arkoma Services.

FESTIVAL LINEUP
3 to 4:15 p.m.: Northside High School
4:30 to 5:45 p.m.: Don Bailey Jazz Combo
6 to 7:15 p.m.: Scott McQuade
7:30 to 8:45 p.m.: Tommy Crook
9 to 10:15 p.m.: The Pidgin Band

“We are excited to bring the talents of Tommy Crook and the Pidgin Band to the River Valley Region for this years Fort Smith Jazz Festival,” said Tom Kirkham, a member of the festival organizing committee. To say Tommy Crook is a remarkable player would be an understatement. David Gates of Bread says Crook is ‘an unbelievable guitar player,’ and Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel says ‘Tommy Crook is the most unique and talented guitar player I have seen in my life.’ Chet Atkins once called Tommy Crook the best guitar player he knew.”

Crook was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in 2007. He was born in Tulsa on Feb. 16, 1944, and began playing guitar at the age of four. By age 10 Crook began appearing on local television in Tulsa.

Kirkham also said The Pidgin Band, the late-night act, is anything but straight ahead jazz band, and that “their blend of different genres including fuzz funk, psychedelia as well as jazz will surprise everyone.” The nine-member band, from Norman, Okla., meld their various music influences into what they call their “sonic Pidgin language.”

Scott McQuade, a favorite from last year, is a talented traditional jazz pianist. Northside High School will be on hand to showcase their talents, and the region’s own Don Bailey Jazz Combo will perform.

“Having the Northside group and Bailey is great because we get to showcase the wonderful local jazz talent,” Kirkham said.