2008 WHITAKER MUSIC FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
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Free admission after 5 p.m.       All concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Cohen Amphitheater

June 4 — Erin Bode
St. Louis’ star vocalist
Erin was immediately invited back this year after her rained-out booking in 2007. Since appearing on the music scene in 2001, Erin has become one of St. Louis’ favorite entertainers. Her beautiful voice and thoughtful arrangements of jazz and popular songs are well documented on recordings. Recently, she was the featured musical guest on the “Prairie Home Companion” radio show broadcast nationally from the Fox Theater, and has been traveling extensively throughout the U.S. and abroad.
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June 11 — Two Times True
Mother and son jazz duo
Carolbeth True is one of the most highly regarded jazz musicians in St. Louis, and has passed down her love and her talent to her son David. “Two Times True” is a wonderful collaboration of two generations of jazz, rooted in tradition but always looking forward with great musicianship and a “Truly” remarkable sound.
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June 18 — Le Jazz Hot!
Progressive jazz
All prominent members of the rich St. Louis jazz tradition, Bensid Thigpen, Ptah Williams, and Dan Eubanks have played in various configurations over a generation of great music-making. They list such big name collaborations on their resumes as Count Basie, George Benson, Sarah Vaughn, John Coltrane, Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock.
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June 25 — Tony Simmons Band
Jazz, Motown and funk
Tony is one of those wonders of music who has overcome blindness to become a master of the keyboard, transcending any limitations to achieve remarkable success in his field. This will be an evening not to be missed, as Tony and his band lay down a groove that just keeps on coming.
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July 2 — Anita Rosamond
Jazz and pop vocalist
Vocalist, pianist, and songwriter Anita Rosamond mixes together a blend of jazz, soulful R&B and original compositions in her diverse array of musical styles. We welcome her first appearance at the Whitaker Music Festival following acclaimed performances at venues such as the Pageant, the Sheldon Concert Hall and Jazz at the Bistro.
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July 9 — Javier Mendoza
Contemporary acoustic pop/rock
Javier’s amazingly vibrant sound comes from a rich diversity in musical influences. He combines Spanish flamenco rhythms with the American folk-rock traditions to create a style all his own. Javier’s long list of awards merit the appeal of his music to a multi-cultural audience, and highlights his international touring schedule.
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July 16 — Kim Massie
Beloved St. Louis blues singer
Kim is a St. Louis musical icon, and is at home performing jazz, blues, R&B, Gospel, pop, and funk. As a gifted vocalist, musical actress and commercial artist, she has received widespread media and theatrical acclaim. Audiences go home from a Kim Massie show knowing they have been thoroughly entertained!
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July 23 — Poor People of Paris
Vintage French cabaret music
Founded by local musician Elsie Parker, the Poor People of Paris specialize in popular French music. Elsie became enchanted by the voice and songs of Edith Piaf, and has been heralded both in the U.S. and France as a chanteuse of great ability. We bring a little bit of Paris to our garden with this evening of beautiful music.
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July 30 — FolknBluesGrass
Pulling together folk, blues, and bluegrass music into a unique blend all their own, this band’s name says it all. These gentlemen perform traditional, American music with a contemporary, all-acoustic sound. This will surely be a hand-clapping, foot-stomping evening of good-time music on the lawn of the Missouri Botanical Garden.
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August 6 — Laytham and Holmes
Las Vegas revue
This amazing duo features multi-instrumentalist, composer, and arranger Scott Laytham and Karl “Trickee” Holmes, who is one of the best vocal impressionists in the country. You will be flabbergasted at the huge musical sound produced by Mr. Laytham’s synthesizers, and by “Trickee’s” ability to impersonate great vocalists such as Louie Armstrong, Ray Charles, Barry White, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Prince, Elvis, and the list goes on…!
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August 13 — Alvin Jett & the Phat noiZ

We close the season with a big party, a night of raucous blues and funk from a down-home St. Louis band. Lots of original compositions mixed in with blues and rock standards, always at the top of the list of St. Louis’ favorite Blues bands.
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Whitaker Music Festival High Resolution Images  (300 dpi)