Westfield makes its jazz festival last all summer long

by JAY LUSTIG
Don Braden performs in Westfield July 28, as part of the

Don Braden performs in Westfield July 28, as part of the Sweet Sounds Downtown Jazz Festival.

For the 19th straight year, Westfield is presenting a jazz festival this summer. The difference between the Sweet Sounds Downtown Jazz Festival and most other fests, though, is that it doesn’t take place over a weekend or a week, but will be composed of jazz, blues and world music every Tuesday, at four or five different locations, from July 7 through Aug. 25.

Sets will last from 7 to 9 p.m.; rain dates are the following Wednesday. There is no admission charge. For information, visit WestfieldToday.com.

Here is the schedule and locations:

July 7: Cynthia Holiday (Central Avenue), Eric Mintel Quartet (East Broad Street/North Avenue West), Richard Reiter Swing Band (Elm Street), Almonte (North Avenue West/Elm Street), the Gus Bardaji Group (South Avenue West/Westfield Avenue).

July 14: Glenn Alexander with New York Horns and Oria Aspen (Central Avenue), Jason Green & the Labor of Love (East Broad Street/North Avenue West), Lynette Washington (Elm Street), The Gold Magnolias (North Avenue West/Elm Street), Pat Cuttitta (South Avenue West/Westfield Avenue).

July 21: Radam Schwartz (Central Avenue), Daniel Ori (East Broad Street/North Avenue West), La Balteuband (Elm Street), Roxy Perry (North Avenue West/Elm Street), Gordon James (South Avenue West/Westfield Avenue).

July 28: Lauren Shub & The Trio (Central Avenue), Stringbean & The Stalkers (East Broad Street/North Avenue West), Claudio Roditi Quintet (Elm Street), Don Braden/Karl Latham Big Fun(k) (North Avenue West/Elm Street), Dave Leonhardt Trio (South Avenue West/Westfield Avenue).

Aug. 4: Mike Kaplan Nonet (Central Avenue), No Name James & Butterball (East Broad Street/North Avenue West), Marlene VerPlanck (Elm Street), The Joe Taino Group (North Avenue West/Elm Street).

Aug. 11: New-Trad Sextet (Central Avenue), The Murphtet (East Broad Street/North Avenue West), David Aaron Quintet (Elm Street), B.D. Lenz (North Avenue West/Elm Street).

Aug. 18: Abelita Mateus (Central Avenue), Maurício de Souza & Bossa Brasil (East Broad Street/North Avenue West), Carrie Jackson (Elm Street), The VooDudes (North Avenue West/Elm Street).

Aug. 25: Jazz Lobsters (Central Avenue), Ehoff/Gano/Knapp (East Broad Street/North Avenue West), Ali Ryerson (Elm Street), Watson (North Avenue West/Elm Street).

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