Kelly de Haven

Vocalist Kelly de Haven consistently tops the “best of…” Madison charts in jazz categories. We’re very excited she’s opening this year’s festival. But don’t just take our word for it: “Kelly De Haven has developed into a master of her craft, achieving that ever elusive jazz goal – “a style of her own”. She’s known for hanging out with great musicians (her band always includes the best in the area, and their influence definitely shows). De Haven improvises like a horn player. She loves textures, luxuriating in a dreamy fog or articulating with shivery intensity. Her style is especially effective on love songs – few other singers bring such a yearning to a romantic lyric.” Dean robbins, The Isthmus

Tim Whalen Nonet

There are people who come into this world that are meant to be special. Tim Whalen is one of these people. His love, passion, and dedication to his art come through in everything he touches, and in a very short time he has been blessed with opportunities to write and play music with some incredible people. He has played all over the United States and Europe in many different musical situations, and has written music for a wide range of styles. Whatever the style, Tim is as versatile as they come. Needless to say, the future is bright for Tim Whalen.

Since its debut in October of 2002, this band has amazed audiences all over the region, and continues to be a fresh canvas for Tim’s fresh and innovative compositions. Whalen has formed a hardswinging, unique band that plays with the intricacy of a big band but maintains the freedom of a small group. The Capital Times Newspaper in Madison, WI named their performance at the 2003 Isthmus Jazz Festival in Madison the “Jazz Performance of the Year”.

Their new CD Magnus was recorded live over the course of 4 nights in late 2006 and 2007 and gives the listener a vivid glimpse of a truly great live jazz ensemble. There’s no studio trickery here, just a group of musicians playing complex music from the heart.

Tom Gullion v2

Saxophonist Tom Gullion brings a deep, soulful performance style, a sophisticated avant-garde sensibility, and a quicksilver technique. Now, at the peak of his musical maturity, he is launching several new projects: a solo CD Catharsis, the ground-breaking group, Aspect Jazz featuring percussionist Ernie Adams, Chicago, and has even found time to organize the Driftless Jazz Festival in Southwestern Wisconsin. “Humbly walking in the footsteps of Sonny Rollins and other who have taken time for reflection in their careers, I’ve found my path is to bring music to the people. And that’s exactly what these new projects are about.”

This performance is the record release party for Gullion’s new CD, Carswell. This recording is an ambitious collection of original compositions wrapping diverse musical influences and instrumental virtuosity within accessible grooves.