University of Nebraska-Lincoln • Sheldon Sculpture Garden
GREAT JAZZ IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS
FREE • EVERY TUESDAY IN JUNE
WEEKLY FOOD FESTIVAL • 5:00 p.m. LIVE JAZZ • 7:00 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.
TERELL STAFFORD • JUNE 2
TAMMY MCCANN The Legendary Ladies of Jazz: Ella, Sarah, Dinah, & Billie • JUNE 9
JACKIE ALLEN & HANS STURM • JUNE 16
JOSH HOYER'S COLOSSAL 4 • JUNE 23
NIGHT OF WONDER: A Tribute to Stevie Featuring THE DOWNTOWN COLLECTIVE • JUNE 30
TERELL STAFFORD
JUNE 2 @ 7 PM
Hailed by piano legend McCoy Tyner as “one of the great players of our time,” GRAMMY winning trumpeter Terell Stafford combines a deep love of melody with his own brand of spirited and adventurous lyricism in his Jazz in June debut!
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<p>Terell Stafford, acclaimed trumpet player based in New York, has been hailed as “one of the great players of our time, a fabulous trumpet player” by piano legend McCoy Tyner. Stafford is recognized as an incredibly gifted and versatile player, he combines a deep love of melody with his own brand of spirited and adventurous lyricism. Stafford’s exceptionally expressive and well defined musical talent allows him to dance in and around the rich trumpet tradition of his predecessors while making his own inroads.</p>
<p>Stafford first picked up the trumpet at age thirteen, initially studying classical music. While pursuing a music education degree at the University of Maryland, Stafford played with the school’s jazz band. In 1988, Stafford had the good fortune to meet and receive advice from Wynton Marsalis who suggested that he study with Dr. William Fielder at Rutgers University. After studying trumpet fundamentals with Dr. Fielder, Stafford was inspired to play all genres of music including jazz. It was during this time that he began to immerse himself in jazz; listening to everything he could get his hands on. Stafford cites one of his most profound musical influences as Clifford Brown’s rendition of <em>Cherokee</em>. Later, Marsalis gave Stafford the opportunities to perform in his group Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, and teach at Jazz at Lincoln Center and Juilliard. Marsalis supports Stafford’s current role as Managing and Artistic Director of the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia and continues to offer his guidance and support. While studying at Rutgers, Stafford was invited to join Bobby Watson’s group, Horizon. The next five years were spent balancing his offstage education with the incredible knowledge and experience gained from performing alongside Watson, co-leader Victor Lewis and Shirley Scott. Scott invited Stafford to join her quintet and the house band on <em>You Bet Your Life</em>, where Scott was Musical Director, this gave Stafford the opportunity to play alongside Tim Warfield that led to their ongoing musical collaborations. Stafford credits these experiences to honing his skills as an effective arranger, composer and bandleader; all things that Bobby Watson himself learned from his time with the late Art Blakey while performing with the Jazz Messengers. Stafford’s time with Horizon led to his joining McCoy Tyner’s Latin All-Star Band that featured some of the best Latin jazz players, including trombonist Steve Turre, flutist Dave Valentin and percussionist Jerry Gonzalez.</p>
<p>Since the mid-1990’s, Stafford has performed with groups such as Benny Golson’s Sextet, McCoy Tyner’s Sextet, Kenny Barron Quintet, Frank Wess Quintet, Jimmy Heath Quintet and Big Band, Jon Faddis Jazz Orchestra, Carnegie Hall Jazz Band and Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Alumni Band.</p>
<p>Stafford has been an integral member in bands led by esteemed artists such as Cedar Walton, Sadao Watanabe, Herbie Mann, and Matt Wilson. Stafford has appeared on <em>The Tonight Show</em>with Jay Leno, <em>Rosie O’Donnell Show</em>, and <em>You Bet your Life</em>. Stafford can be heard along with Bobby Watson on the soundtrack for the feature film <em>A Bronx Tale</em> and in the documentary <em>Treme: Untold Story of Black New Orleans</em>. Stafford has performed as a guest artist with the Billy Taylor Trio on National Public Radio’s <em>Billy Taylor’s Jazz at the Kennedy Center</em>.</p>
<p><em>Time to Let Go</em><em> </em>(Candid 1995) was Stafford’s debut album featuring Victor Lewis, Ed Simon, Steve Wilson, Tim Warfield, Victor See-Yuen, Steve Nelson and Michael Bowie. <em>Centripetal Force</em><em> </em>(Candid 1997) was Stafford’s second release featuring Ron Blake, John Clark, Stefon Harris, Ed Howard, Victor Lewis, Russell Malone, Daniel Moreno, Stephen Scott and Tim Warfield. His third album was <em>Fields of Gold</em><em> </em>(Nagel-Heyer 2000) featuring Bill Cunliffe, Kiyoshi Kitagawa, Antonio Hart and Rodney Green. His fourth release was <em>New Beginnings</em> (MAXJAZZ 2003) featuring Mulgrew Miller, Derrick Hodge, Dana Hall, Steve Wilson, Dick Oatts, Harry Allen, and Jesse Davis. He followed this album with <em>Taking Chances</em><em> </em>(MAXJAZZ 2007) featuring Bruce Barth, Tim Warfield, Dana Hall and Derrick Hodge. Stafford released<em> BrotherLee Love, Celebrating Lee Morgan,</em> featuring Tim Warfield, Bruce Barth, Peter Washington and Dana Hall, and received a 47<sup>th</sup> Annual NAACP Image Award nomination. His most recent album is <em>Family Feeling</em>, a BCM&D release.</p>
<p>Stafford can be heard performing on over 130 albums; a sampling is included here. Stafford with the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, performed on Diana Krall’s GRAMMY nominated <em>From this Moment On</em> (2006). John Clayton invited Stafford to perform with the Clayton Brothers Quintet, Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and to teach for the prestigious Vail Jazz Foundation. In celebration of Jimmy Heath’s 80th birthday, Stafford recorded with the Jimmy Heath Big Band for the album <em>Turn Up the Heath</em> (2006). As a member of drummer Matt Wilson’s group Arts and Crafts, Stafford is featured on the album <em>Scenic Route</em><em> </em>(2007). Stafford performed on Alvin Queen and the Organic’s album <em>I Ain’t Lookin’ at You</em><em> </em>(2006).</p>
<p>Stafford was a member of the GRAMMY nominated Bobby Watson’s Tailor Made Big Band for their album Tailor Made. Stafford is a member of the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra and they were awarded a GRAMMY in 2009 for Best Large Ensemble, <em>Live at the Village Vanguard</em>. Stafford had the privilege of performing solo trumpet with the Temple University Symphony Orchestra for the premiere performance of <em>Fourth Stream…La Banda</em>. This commissioned piece for orchestra, jazz combo and solo trumpet, was written by GRAMMY winning composer Bill Cunliffe, former Boyer College faculty member. It was recorded on the university’s music label, BCM&D, and subsequently nominated for a GRAMMY in 2010 for Best Instrumental Composition. He is a member of the GRAMMY nominated Clayton Brothers Quintet for Best Instrumental Composition, <em>Brother to Brother</em> 2010 and <em>New Song and Dance</em> 2011. Another Temple University commissioned piece, <em>Overture; Waltz & Rondo</em> was nominated for a GRAMMY in 2013.</p>
<p>Stafford is the Director of Jazz Studies and Chair of Instrumental Studies at Temple University, founder and band leader of the Terell Stafford Quintet, and Managing and Artistic Director of the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia (JOP). Stafford is renowned in the jazz world as an educator, performer and leader and has received countless award nominations and accolades.</p>
TAMMY MCCANN
The Legendary Ladies of Jazz: Ella, Sarah, Dinah, & Billie
JUNE 9 @ 7 PM
Internationally acclaimed Chicago vocalist Tammy McCann brings a powerful, sultry, and deeply expressive voice that blends classical technique, gospel soul, and jazz storytelling in her Jazz in June debut.
Tamy McCann, vocals | Jeff Jenkins, keyboard | Michael Warren, drums | Hans Sturm, bass
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<p>Tammy McCann is an internationally recognized jazz vocalist whose powerful, sultry, and soulful voice paints pictures and tells stories by merging classical vocal technique and gospel aesthetic with jazz to create a sound that is completely her own. Named “Best Jazz Vocal Performance” by the Chicago Tribune, arts critic Howard Reich said of McCann, “a voice that soars in all registers, at all tempos, on all occasions...a voice that inspires wonder!”</p>
<p>McCann has performed with Ramsey Lewis, Willie Pickens, and Von Freeman and toured as a “Raelette” with the great Ray Charles. In addition, she has thrilled audiences at some of the nation’s premier jazz venues including Birdland, the Blue Note, Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola, and Chicago’s own Jazz Showcase.</p>
JACKIE ALLEN & HANS STURM
JUNE 16 @ 7 PM
Praised by Rolling Stone for her “four-hundred-dollar-a-bottle jazz,” Allen’s luminous voice has graced stages from The Blue Note to global festivals worldwide.
Jackie Allen, vocals | Roger Wilder, keyboard | Brian Steever, drums | Hans Sturm, bass
<p style="text-align:start; margin-top:16px; margin-bottom:16px"><meta charset="UTF-8" />Jackie Allen is an American jazz vocalist, composer, and educator. She has released over a dozen records as a leader for labels such as Blue Note Records, Naxos Records, A440 Music Group, and Avant Bass. Influenced by jazz, folk, and pop singers, Allen is perhaps best known for interpretations classic jazz ballads ("bringing out the beauty of the lyrics" -Scott Yannow, All Music Guide) and transformation of contemporary tunes ("her gift with more pop-oriented material is utterly distinctive and even innovative, since there isn't another singer out there who phrases like her" -Thom Jurek, All Music Guide).</p>
JOSH HOYER'S COLOSSAL 4
JUNE 23 @ 7 PM
Fresh off a win at the International Blues Challenge, the Colossal 4’s sound is raw, authentic, and impossible to resist. Get ready for an evening of gritty, high-octane soul and blues that’s equal parts Memphis, Motown, and modern fire.
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<p>Night after night at their live shows, Josh Hoyer’s Colossal 4 leave it all on the table, bringing crowds palpably authentic music. This is a real working band; music for the people, by the people. You hear the veracity in Hoyer’s voice. You hear the strife of a guitar amp being pushed to its limits. You hear keyboards hammering notes home over the top of a rhythm section akin to a freight train. The raucous Funk and real-deal Soul emanating from the stage dutifully pays homage to the past Soul/Classic R&B giants while simultaneously charging forward, piloting themselves into the modern era. This IS soul music. </p>
<p>Hoyer formed Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal in 2012 in famed blues town Lincoln, Nebraska. The award-winning four-piece band includes some of the area's most revered and accomplished musicians. Joining Hoyer (vocals/keyboards/bari sax) is Myles Jasnowski (guitar), Mike Keeling (bass) and Mike Rhian (drums). Inspired by the sounds of Memphis R&B, New Orleans Funk, Mississippi Hill Country Blues, Classic Soul of Motown and STAX and the Psychedelic Soul of San Francisco, the band continuously crosses musical boundaries and blends genres in style and era.</p>
<p>In January of 2025, the band won the 30th Annual International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN. The IBC judges highlighted strong vocals, superb songwriting and the bands highly professional, cohesive and soulful delivery of each song as the standout features that led to their win from over 100 bands from around the world.</p>
<p>The band has toured extensively in Europe and is a favorite in Spain. They have been a Guest Artist featured on Virgin Voyages in the Caribbean and played hundreds of shows across 39 states and 9 countries since 2014. Releasing 6 albums to local, national and eventual international acclaim, their latest record, “Green Light,” won Best Self Produced Album of 2022 by the International Blues Foundation. “Hustler” a single off their 5th album, “Natural Born Hustler” has been featured in an international advertising campaign for Michelob Ultra and on Apple TV’s <em>Slow Horses</em>. Josh Hoyer was a contestant on NBC’s<em> The Voice</em> in 2017.</p>
<p>In 2022, Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal released <em>Green Light, </em>their 6th studio album. The record was written and produced by Hoyer and recorded at Mighty Fine Studios in Denver by John Macy and mixed by James Fleege at Silver Street in Ashland, NE. The album won <em>Best Self-Produced Record 2022 </em>from the International Blues Awards and <em>Album of the Year 2023 </em> at the Omaha Arts and Entertainment Awards.</p>
<p>On March 26, 2020, Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal released <em>Natural Born Hustler</em>, their 5th studio album and first album with new label partner, Color Red. The album was recorded in May and November of 2019 at Color Red studio in Denver, CO. <em>Natural Born Hustler </em>was<em> </em>recorded and produced by Color Red co-owner and guitarist of The New Mastersounds, Eddie Roberts. The pairing of Roberts and Hoyer turned out to be a perfect union of sound and writing and the band has finally captured the realness of their live shows with Color Red. Recorded straight to tape with minimal overdubbing, the album is all about Soul and Vibe. Available worldwide in record stores, on CD and Vinyl, and on all streaming platforms, the album has recieved rave reviews internationally including American Songwriter, saying “fans of the retro music associated with the Daptone and Coalmine labels will gravitate to this…Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal perfected their approach on stage where it counts, infusing these performances with an electrifying, pulse pounding and well, colossal presence.”</p>
<p>On January 18th, 2019, Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal released <em>Do It Now</em>, their fourth full length studio album. The album was recorded at Silver Street in Ashland, NE and at Make Believe Studios in Omaha, NE. Upon its initial European release in August 2018, the album drew rave reviews from European publications with Blues Magazine stating, “Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal still prove to be at the top of the contemporary soul movement.” The band promoted the album on their second European tour; a 37-city outing spanning 6 different countries. <em>Do It Now </em>is available on vinyl, CD and all streaming platforms.</p>
<p>Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal hit the road again in 2018 as they traveled to over 25 states and played numerous festivals across the United States. On January 26th, 2018, Hoyer released <em>The End of the Night</em>, a 3-song EP and solo side project with veteran Nashville songwriters Jay Knowles (Harry Connick Jr, Blake Shelton), and Jon Coleman (Trace Adkins).</p>
<p>In 2017, Josh was featured as a contestant on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6k0_agNyvL0" target="_blank">NBC's The Voice</a>, and the band completed their first European tour; a 27-city stint capped with <a href="https://www.joshhoyer.com/blog/2017/5/23/live-at-ancienne-belgique">a live album release</a> from their show in Brussels, Belgium.The hard working band completed several national tours from 2015-2017, playing more than 150 shows in 32 states each year, including opening for George Clinton, Charles Bradley, Booker T Jones, and Muscle Shoals Revue.</p>
<p>In 2016, the magic of their live show caught the attention of producer Ken Coomer (Wilco, Uncle Tupelo), who joined with the band to record their third full-length album. <em>Running From Love</em>, was recorded at Nashville's historic Sound Emporium, and once again features Hoyer's trademark vocals and the band's signature groove. The album was released on April 8, 2016, on Silver Street Records, and is available on vinyl, CD, and all streaming platforms.</p>
<p id="yui_3_17_2_1_1777477294598_246">"If James Brown and Otis Redding had a love child, it would be Josh Hoyer. The Lincoln, Nebraska, soul shouter, and his band of merry soulsters, Soul Colossal, deliver a sound so big, so funky, so wring-the-sweat-out-of-you energetic that it reaches through the speakers and shakes you until you start moving to its groove." - <a href="http://nodepression.com/interview/josh-hoyer-hands-us-his-heart">No Depression</a></p>
NIGHT OF WONDER: A TRIBUTE TO STEVIE
FEATURING THE DOWNTOWN COLLECTIVE
JUNE 30 @ 7 PM
Enjoy Jazz in June’s 35th Anniversary finale with the Downtown Collective celebrating the timeless genius of Steve Wonder. Fresh off their 2025 debut at the House of Blues Las Vegas, this 12-piece band is one of the Midwest’s premier entertainment groups.
<p style="text-align:start; margin-bottom:11px">Celebrate the timeless genius of Stevie Wonder in this electrifying tribute from The Downtown Collective featuring a live 12-piece band! Fresh off their 2025 debut at the House of Blues Las Vegas, they are one of the Midwest’s premier entertainment groups performing for special events across the country with top musicians and infectious energy. Featuring both note-for-note renditions and their own creative new spins on hits like “Superstition,” “Sir Duke,” “Isn’t She Lovely,” “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing,” and “I Wish,” this concert brings Stevie’s music to life as the finale for Jazz in June’s 35th Anniversary Season.</p>
<p style="text-align:start; margin-bottom:11px">https://www.downtowncollectiveband.com</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.
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About Jazz in June
Jazz in June is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves an estimated 20,000 plus community members annually. The concert series promotes a sense of community by providing entertainment and cultural programs to people of all ages, economic backgrounds, and ethnicities. As a free event, the community is invited to support this program through Give to Lincoln Day or through the University of Nebraska Foundation. If VIP is more your jam, individual show and season passes can be purchased at liedcenter.org. You can financially contribute and/or serve as a volunteer or board member by going to jazzinjune.com or email jazzinjune@unl.edu.
Nebraska's longest running jazz festival!
<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 32 of the 34 Jazz in June concert series, 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.</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.
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