The Midwest Jazz Festival claims to be the largest contemporary jazz event in the Heartland. Boasting a varied lineup that blends smatterings of traditional and modern fare with an emphasis on quiet stormers such as Brian Culbertson and Steve Cole, the two-day outing takes place in the appropriately aquatic setting of Clinton Lake, on the outskirts of Lawrence. One of the highlights will be an appearance by Grammy-winning guitarist and KC native Norman Brown, a virtuoso who's been hailed as the logical heir to Wes Montgomery and George Benson. Six-string pundits will also applaud the inclusion of Ken Navarro, whose nimble-fingered amalgamation of electric, acoustic and classical flavors has made him a luminary on the smooth-jazz scene for years. Equal parts perk and pop, Berklee School of Music grad Mindi Abair (pictured) sports an eclectic résumé that includes saxophone work for the Backstreet Boys, Bobby Lyle and Adam Sandler. Capping off the weekend is Down to the Bone, a superfunky UK acid-jazz ensemble that twists the subgenre into bold new shapes.
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