Frisco, TEXAS (April 24, 2011) – Jazz in the Square a new summer event in Frisco Square begins Friday evenings in June and July between 7 and 8:30 p.m., on the Simpson Plaza lawn, free to the public. Under the nighttime stars come listen to a unique, line-up of talented musicians play their version of this deeply historical music.

Jazz has been labeled the most significant form of musical expression in American culture and continues to evolve and enable these unique and talented musicians to express new and different levels of artistic expression. With over two dozen distinct Jazz styles, their music is drawn from life experiences and human emotions ultimately inspiring their creativity. Jazz is an American art form but an international phenomenon.

“We are excited to host this new, outdoor concert series in Frisco Square,” said Cathy Sweeney, Frisco Square Managing Partner. “The bands that we invited to play during our first season are some of the finest in the area,” Sweeney added. Bring a picnic, and some blankets or chairs, and come enjoy listening to the distinctive musical style that is Jazz in The Square.

June 3rd - The Frisco School of Music Jazz Combo is playing Jazz standards from the greatest names in Jazz, including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Wes Montgomery and many others. The group is sponsored by the Frisco School of Music and a community jazz band for the City of Frisco and surrounding areas and they encourage folks with a background in music to come sit in with them anytime.

June 10th - The Official Texas Jazz Orchestra, led by saxophonist, James Riggs, is an exciting jazz ensemble that performs outstanding jazz compositions.  The Official Texas Jazz Orchestra includes UNT Jazz faculty and outstanding ‘NYC Caliber’ musicians from the DFW area who have performed in the UNT One O’clock Lab Band.

June 17th - Cross Bridge is a newly formed band playing their “feel good” brand of recognized and original music that crosses musical genres and generations. Cross Bridge is a combination of vocalists and musicians from earlier bands previously known as The Black Prairie Band and Tony Vea and FM 544.

June 24th – Collin College Jazz, a premier two-year college jazz program under the direction of Kris Berg, brings their national and international performance experiences in Jazz music and has performed at festivals in Montreux, Switzerland,  the Bahamas, Vermont, Colorado, Washington, Illinois, Kansas and Missouri, as well as local performances with Wayne Bergeron, Bob Mintzer, Peter Erskine and Jimmy Heath.  The program hosts the highly successful Collin Jazz Fest and the Texas All-Star Jazz Camp.

July 1st – No concert for 4th of July weekend

July 8th – The Rebel Alliance Big Band plays the most fun, high-energy, and exciting music with flair that only a large ensemble can produce. Mix the world’s best musicians with aggressively fun music and you can’t help but have a good time.

July 15th - Imperial Brass is the premiere brass ensemble in the Dallas - Fort Worth Metroplex.  This exciting concert will feature the quintet and percussion of Imperial Brass, a versatile, small group with a wide-ranging repertoire.

July 22nd - Hunter Sullivan Big Band delivers an energetic performance and an eclectic mix of classic pop, original material, and the Great American songbook.

July 29th - The 18-piece TI Jazz Band plays a wide variety of big band charts from classic standards to modern arrangements.  The group is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.