Houston’s not exactly known as a mecca for jazz, but the truth is the city has produced several internationally known artists (Joe Sample, Kirk Whalum and Ronnie Laws leap to mind). The local jazz scene might be low-key, but it’s been around awhile, with a yearly jazz festival since 1990. This year’s fete, the 24th Annual Houston International Jazz Festival, is spread over several days at several venues. While previous festivals have included out-of-town headliners, this year’s program features Texas talents Kyle Turner, Joe Carmouche, the Bayou City Brass Band, Althea René, Courtney Sanchez and the Summer Jazz Workshop All-Stars. (Each night has a different lineup, so check the Web site for details.)
Turner has been praised by one of the city’s jazz giants, saxophonist Whalum. “People want to be impacted by music, and Kyle’s music impacts people,” Whalum says. “It is both passionate and reflective. It is both ‘old’ and youthful. It is both raw and refined. And that’s the way music was intended to be!”
8:30 p.m. Thursday. Phil & Derek, 2811 Bammel Lane. 8:30 p.m. Friday. Museum Distict Bistro & Lounge, 1112 Southmore. 8 p.m. Saturday. The Indigo, 2117 Chenevert. 11 a.m. Sunday. The Wortham Theater Center, 610 Preston. For information, call 713-839-7000 or visit houstoninternationaljazzfestival.com. $20 to $125.
Thu., July 31, 8:30 p.m.; Fri., Aug. 1, 8:30 p.m.; Sat., Aug. 2, 8 p.m.; Sun., Aug. 3, 11 a.m., 2014
This article appears in Jul 31 – Aug 6, 2014.
