Civic Music Association Jazz Festival to be held July 20

The Connie Han Trio and Bria Skonberg Quartet will headline the Civic Music Association (CMA) Jazz Festival, which will be held at Hoyt Sherman Place in Des Moines on Saturday, July 20.

The Festival will get underway with an afternoon of free performances on the lawn of Hoyt Sherman Place featuring local and regional artists, starting at 1 p.m. The Festival will conclude with ticketed performances by the Connie Han Trio and Bria Skonberg Quartet beginning at 6:30 p.m. inside in the theater. Reserved seating tickets are $39 and can be purchased at http://bit.ly/2DHpm0r.

Los Angeles-based pianist Connie Han has created an edgy blend of modern and traditional jazz with her Mack Avenue Records debut, “Crime Zone.” Influenced by post-bop masters Freddie Hubbard, McCoy Turner, and Kenny Kirkland, Han brings fire, passion, and maturity that belies her youth.

New York-based Canadian singer, trumpeter, and songwriter Bria Skonberg is a force in the new generation with her bold horn melodies, smoky vocals, and adventurous concoctions of classic and new. Skonberg has played festivals and stages across the world, including New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, Newport Jazz Festival, and Montreal Jazz Festival.

Free Afternoon Performances
Outdoor Lawn:
1 p.m. – Valley Jazz Combo
2:15 p.m. – NOLA Jazz Band
3 p.m. – Mitch Towne Quartet
4:45 p.m. – John Kizilarmut Quartet

Indoor Gallery:
1:30 p.m. – Chris Merz Quartet
2:45 p.m. – John Krantz Duo
4 p.m. – Blake Shaw Quintet

Ticketed Evening Performances
Indoor Theater:
6:30 p.m.  – Connie Han Trio; Bria Skonberg Quartet