Jazz Fest 2008 - Saturday, April 5

2pm - Sherrie Maricle and DIVA Jazz -
Presidential Ballroom at The Abraham Lincoln Hotel - ($28 ticketed)
Hard-charging. Powerful. Immersed in the history of their craft and in total command of their instruments. That’s The DIVA Jazz Orchestra – an ensemble of 15 extremely talented and versatile musicians who just happen to be women. They can’t help it – they were born that way.

Headed by swinging drummer Sherrie Maricle, DIVA exudes the excitement and force found in the tradition of the historic big bands but with an eye towards today’s progressive sound of originality and verve. With New York as their home base, DIVA performs all over the world playing contemporary, mainstream big band jazz composed and arranged to fit the individual personalities and styles of the musicians themselves. Audiences can expect to hear high-energy performances packed with unique improvisation, spontaneity and fun.

5pm - Erwin Chandler -
Jazz Dinner - L'Arte della Vita
Contemporary, classical, pop


7:30pm - Regina Carter Quintet -
Miller Center for the Arts
Jazz violin phenomenon Regina Carter combines elements of funk, African, Brazilian and soul music in her performances. Hand-picked as a young artist to join Wynton Marsalis’ Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and the hit of the 4 Generations of Jazz Violin tour in 1998, she comes with her band—piano, bass, drums, and guitar—to perform classic standards and original music.



10pm - Joe McBride Trio -
Late-night Jazz Cabaret - L'Arte della Vita - ($15 ticketed)
Born and raised in Fulton, MO, keyboardist/singer Joe McBride began playing the piano at age four. His uncle Bake McBride was an outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Cleveland Indians. His earliest influences were gospel music, bebop, straight-ahead jazz, Motown, and '70s R&B and funk. As a teenager, he began singing and playing at jazz clubs. Around this time, McBride was stricken with a degenerative eye disease that eventually claimed his sight, but his passion for music didn't diminish. He continued his musical studies at the Missouri School for the Blind and Webster University in suburban St. Louis, where he majored in jazz performance. He also attended the University of North Texas.
McBride's debut album, Grace, released in 1992, instantly made him a core artist at smooth jazz radio. McBride's other albums are A Gift for Tomorrow (1994), Keys to Your Heart (1996), and Double Take (1998). A stellar guest list of artists that have appeared on his releases includes Grover Washington Jr., Richard Elliot, Phil Perry, Peter White, Dave Koz, Rick Braun, and Larry Carlton, among others.