Sanborn headlines Monroe's River Raisin Jazz Festival
8/11/2010MONROE, Mich. — The arts invade Monroe this weekend for the 9th annual River Raisin Jazz Festival featuring six-time Grammy winner David Sanborn and the downtown arts fair.
The free jazz festival is from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, with Sanborn performing Sunday evening at 7:30.
He's well known both as a solo musician and for standout session work backing such artists as James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Carly Simon, and Steely Dan.
Sanborn will be accompanied by organist Joey DeFrancesco and will feature music from his blues new release, “Only Everything.”
Also performing Sunday are The TNT Band (1 p.m.), Tumbao Bravo (2:30 p.m.), Urban Jazz Coalition (4 p.m.), and Chuck Loeb (5:45.)
Saturday's headliner is Detroit-area jazz man Alexander Zonjic, who takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. with the Motor City Horns and special guest Jessy. He'll be preceded by the River Raisin Big Band (1 p.m.), Steel Heads Percussion Ensemble (2:30 p.m.), Larry Lee and Back in the Day (4 p.m.), and the Sax Pack at 5:45 p.m.
The jazz festival is at St. Mary's Park on the banks of the River Raisin in downtown Monroe.
The 7th Annual Downtown Monroe Fine Art Fair will be two blocks away and will feature art work from more than 60 artists both days of the festival.
It takes place in Loranger Square at East First and Washington Streets. Painters, sculptors, potters,some demonstrations, jewelers, glass, painters, print makers, fabric, jewelers and photographers will be featured at the free event.