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Lin Rountree
The party gets started when soulful trumpeter Lin Rountree takes the stage. With 7 solo releases and 17 Billboard chart-topping singles (including three #1 hits), Lin is a musical force! His hip vibe and soulful sound will have you tapping your feet, bobbin your head, and having a real good time. Lin is an artist’s artist and his live shows are like none other. He has played with the top names in contemporary jazz and at the top jazz festivals. We are honored to have him make his Fresh Coast Jazz Festival debut on Friday, August 25, 2023.
Lindsey Webster
Lindsey is becoming the most beloved contemporary jazz vocalist of her time. Not since the venerable Sade has a vocalist garnered the coveted number one spot on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Chart, and Lindsey has done it multiple times! Since bursting on the scene in 2014, Webster has been named Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Artist of the year twice and has earned the number one Contemporary Jazz song multiple times. It has been said that if Carole King and Sade had a child it would be Lindsey Webster. That is high praise but it’s true! Her soulful and authentic sound has made her a favorite on the charts and the international touring circuit. Lindsey joins the Fresh Coast Jazz Festival’s Friday night line-up, and you are certainly in for a musical treat.
Paul Brown
One of the most sought-after producers, composers, and engineers in contemporary jazz history, Paul has crafted hits for George Benson, Norman Brown, David Sanborn, Boney James, Fourplay, and Al Jarreau (and that is just the tip of the iceberg). When he decided to step forward and share his guitar-playing skills with the world the magic continued to happen. He has had multiple top-ten albums and singles as a solo artist. He plays with a style that is funky, soulful, bluesy, and jazzy all at the same time. That is why he has amassed 75+ number 1 hits, 12 albums, and 2 Grammys over his 30+ year career. Paul and Larry Carlton will headline Friday night’s performances.
Larry Carlton
Words like legend and icon are sometimes used too liberally, but not in this case. The great Larry Carlton will grace the Fresh Coast Jazz stage with Paul Brown on Friday, August 25th. He counts stints with Steely Dan, Fourplay, and The Crusaders to his credits. Along with 36 of his own albums and some 200 others that he has played on (not to mention his work for tv, movies, and as a session musician), Larry Carlton is one of the most accomplished and prolific musicians of our time. He has been nominated for 19 Grammys and won the coveted award 4 times. Fresh Coast Jazz fans you are in for a real treat when Larry and Paul Brown’s dueling guitars tear the roof off the Pabst Theater. This is a rare show you won’t see at many places so don’t miss it. History will definitely be made!
Oli Silk
Oli Silk joins us all the way from the UK for his Fresh Coast Jazz Festival debut. This keyboardist, composer, and producer has found great success in contemporary jazz. He has 8 CDs to his credit along with several songs that have topped the billboard charts. He has also been nominated as International Artist of the Year by the American Smooth Jazz Awards. Oli’s shows are high-energy, feel-good experiences that just make you want to dance. He doesn’t get to the Midwest often, so we are excited to have Oli sharing the stage with Jeff Ryan to open the Saturday night concerts.
Jeff Ryan
Jeff Ryan is one of the best new artists to hit the scene in a long time. This saxman’s debut single Up and Up rocketed to the number-one spot on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz charts and he hasn’t slowed down since. He is becoming a regular on the festival scene across the country and we are excited to have him in Milwaukee. Jeff pairs his smooth, sultry saxophone with keyboardist Oli Silk to open the show on Saturday night. A good time will be had by all!
Julian Vaughn
The last time Julian was here he had the entire crowd dancing in the aisles. Expect nothing less when this extraordinary bass player joins the 2023 Fresh Coast Jazz Festival. Since bursting onto the contemporary scene in 2010, Julian has toured all over the world, earned 4 Billboard number-one hits, and released 10 successful CDs. This writer, producer, and stellar bassist is one of the most electric performers in all contemporary jazz. When he is on stage, he gives his all and the fans know it! We are excited to welcome Julian back to the Fresh Coast Jazz Festival. You will be glad you made his show a part of your weekend!
Rick Braun
Trumpeter, composer, and producer Rick Braun has racked up twenty #1 contemporary jazz hits. He has collaborated with the likes of Tina Turner, Sade, Boney James, Richard Elliott, Kirk Whalum, and Norman Brown (to name a few). Plus, he has been making his own chart-topping music for decades. Rick is an amazing performer! His music, passion, stage presence, and ability to bring the crowd to life make his shows amazing. If you have never seen him play live you don’t know what you’ve been missing. If you have seen him live you will surely want to see him again. Rick will be playing some of his biggest hits when he closes out the 2023 Fresh Coast Jazz Festival! You have got to be there!
Hometown All-Stars – Cosmic Endeavors
Fresh Coast Jazz Fans you are in for a real treat when the 2023 Hometown All-Stars Cosmic Endeavors take the stage. This collection of young musicians will have you dancing in your seats. Their music is a blend of jazz, funk, R&B, and well, cool. Their high-energy set opens the festival on Friday, August 25 at 5 pm. Be sure to get there early because you don’t want to miss these talented artists. We have seen the future of jazz and it is Cosmic!