This eight-piece Lincoln-based ensemble specializes in jazz, blues, R&B, soul, pop, rock, and gospel-inspired sounds, drawing influence from Dizzy Gillespie to the Staples Singers, Janis Joplin, Carole King, and more.
<p style="text-align:start; margin-top:16px; margin-bottom:16px">We're excited to announce that Nebraska favorite Emily Bass and the Near Miracle will take the Jazz in June stage on June 18th! This eight-piece Lincoln-based ensemble specializes in jazz, blues, R&B, soul, pop, rock, and gospel-inspired sounds, drawing influence from Dizzy Gillespie to the Staples Singers, Janis Joplin, Carole King, and more. Performing a mix of original music and covers, the Near Miracle is known for rich harmonies and dynamic live performances that never fail to leave audiences energized and uplifted.</p>
YAYENNINGS QUARTET
JUNE 25 @ 7 PM
4-time GRAMMY® Award-winning trumpet superstar Jay Jennings leads the Los Angeles-based Yayennings Quartet adding a modern twist to the bebop sound
<p style="text-align:start; margin-top:16px; margin-bottom:16px">Jay Jennings is a 4-time GRAMMY® award-winning trumpet superstar best known for his work with the award-winning jazz super band Snarky Puppy. He has performed with artists such as Aretha Franklin, Michael McDonald, David Bowie, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, and many more.</p>
<p>Jennings leads the Los Angeles-based Yayennings Quartet as they add a modern twist to the bebop sound, inspired by the music of Chet Baker and Stan Getz. All compositions in the quartet’s catalog are written and arranged by Jennings. Quartet members include Joel Frahm, Ross Schodek, and Arthur Vint. </p>
Membership
Support bringing world-class jazz performances to the community by joining the Rhythm Club! As a community arts organization, Jazz in June relies on member dollars for up to 90% of our annual revenue, which supports performances and programs that promote education and intercultural exchange. Your membership will: create once-in-a-lifetime moments, connect you with jazz lovers and exclusive event invitations, and provide insider information on Jazz in June.
ARTS EDUCATION: Master classes taught by Jazz in June musicians for students of all ages.
NEIGHBORHOOD OUTREACH: Community enrichment programs with local partners including LPS, Malone Community Center, Boys and Girls Club, and F Street Community Center.
QUALITY PROGRAMMING: Funding for 4-5 amazing performances, reaching 20,000 patrons each season.
<p><strong>VIP - $100 Level</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p>VIP seating for two at a single Jazz in June Performance</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Name recognition in printed event programs</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Artist meet and greets</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>“Member only” events</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Invite to Jazz in June Season Reveal</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Cool Cat - $250 Level</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p>VIP Seating for two at all Jazz in June Performances</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Jazz in June merchandise</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Plus, previous level’s benefits</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Jazz Leader - $500 Level</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p>Featured on outdoor signage at Jazz in June</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Two tickets to a Lied Center jazz concert,</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>with intermission reception and potential</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Artist meet and greet</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Plus, previous level’s benefits</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Champion - $2,500+ Level</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p>Recognized in Opening Presentation</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Plus, previous level’s benefits<br />
</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a class="btn button" href="https://tickets.liedcenter.org/donate/i/15">BECOME A MEMBER</a></p>
Thanks to Our Sponsors
Thanks to Our Sponsors
History
The event that started out as a magnet for young art lovers and to share educational information about works in the Sheldon sculpture garden has become a Lincoln tradition.
Kathy Piper, the former executive director of the Nebraska Art Association, was on the planning committee during the first Jazz in June, and she said the group had no idea what to expect for the first concert. The only promotion for the event was a batch of mailed postcards.
“I had no idea who was coming,” she said.
People began to arrive. Piper estimates the crowd that first night at around 500. The board members could not have been more pleased.
The concerts began to grow from there – mostly through word of mouth. The Lincoln Journal Star wrote reviews of every concert and published photos. The event started to catch on.
History in the Making
<p>The Nebraska Jazz Orchestra was one of the first groups to play at Jazz in June. Dave Sharp, a former instructor in jazz studies and jazz history at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln School of Music spearheaded the coordination of the bands during the first several years. Because money was short, he’d cobble together groups of two or three of his musician friends or ask a local group to play for little money. Dan Ladely, now the director of the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center, also volunteered to help coordinate musicians.</p>
<p>It was not long before Jazz in June’s reputation as the herald of summer began to draw musicians and audiences from all over the country for “Great Jazz in the Great Outdoors.” In the mid-1990s, Berman Music Foundation founder Butch Berman joined the Jazz in June committee. It was Berman’s knowledge and passion for jazz and his foundation’s sponsorship that catapulted Jazz in June to the next level.</p>
<p>For more than 10 years, the Berman Music Foundation served as a valued partner, team member, and stakeholder to the Jazz in June music series. In 2004, Jazz in June began to experience record crowds with the performances of the then 14-year old jazz piano wunderkind Eldar Djangurov and his trio and the Kendra Shank Quartet. Under the tutelage of Berman, Jazz in June was able to bring many of the nation’s most accomplished jazz artists to the stage. Berman, who passed away January 31, 2008, devoted much of his final days to planning that year’s series. To show their appreciation, the Jazz in June committee dedicated the 2008 concert series to his memory.</p>
<p>As the crowds grew so did the community interest. Corporate support began to increase, as did in-kind services and the event’s volunteer base. In 2005, the Farmer’s Market which was traditionally a Saturday Haymarket event, found its way to Tuesdays in June, with the tag line now evolving to “Great Jazz, Great Food, in the Great Outdoors.” The same year, Sheldon and University Landscape Services started sculpture garden tours, and docents were stationed in the museum to encourage people to visit the exhibitions and answer questions.</p>
<p>Marthaellen Florence, who has been involved with 23 of the 25 Jazz in June concert series and has been the chairwoman of the event for more than 10 years, said she believes Jazz in June owes its longevity to the passion that it ignites in the people of Lincoln. “Where else can jazz lovers experience a front row seat to an international array of world class performers, free of charge under a summer prairie sky?”</p>
<p>Jazz in June is currently curated by The Lied Center for Performing Arts. For the past three years Jazz in June has been proud to grow a new education program for low-income community centers and Lincoln Public Schools. The family festival has also hosted many notable names in Jazz such as Terrance Blanchard, Arturo Sandoval, and Victor Lewis.</p>
Jazz in June is an indispensable celebration that brings the community together to enjoy a distinctly American art form with a broad cultural heritage. It is a vital multigenerational Lincoln tradition that thousands of people value and continue to embrace.
Jazz in June is produced by the University of Nebraska and is a 501c3 non-profit.
Jazz in June has a strict privacy policy and will never sell your contact information. Jazz in June is produced by the University of Nebraska and is a 501c3 non-profit. All contributions are tax deductible.
