Music in the Park returns in August

The 2010 edition of the popular summer concert series, Music in the Park, will make its debut the first Thursday in August and continue throughout the month. Three of the musical groups that performed last year will be back for an encore, joined by one newcomer, The Side Project (pictured above).

This is the rundown of the performers to be featured this year:

August 5: Two Scoops Combo, a piano-sax duo, performs a program of blues, boogie woogie, jump swing, and New Orleans jazz. The combo features Seattle pianist/singer/composer Eric "Two Scoops" Moore, who has performed with legendary blues musicians and with his own combo at blues festivals all over the United States and overseas. A critic calls his singing "soulful," his keyboard playing "ferocious," and his performances "roof raising."

August 12: The Cornucopia Concert Band, a 24-piece ensemble which performs American music of the 1890-1930 period, including ragtime, roaring 20's, and early jazz. The Seattle-based band was a big hit last year (especially with the Park Shore crowd) with its lively playing of pre-Swing Era favorites, including some engaging “hot dance” tunes. There’s a good selection of their music on their website.

August 19: The Side Project, is a Spokane-originated (but now Seattle-based) “adult alternative/pop” ensemble fronted by Suzie Bradford, a vocalist/songwriter/piano player who draws her inspiration from Sarah McLachlan, Aimee Mann, Tori Amos, Cat Power and Neko Case, among others. Bradford formed the seven-member ensemble in 2003 with bassist (and now husband) Ben Bradford, moving the group to Seattle the following year. They have released three albums to date. Samples of their music are available on their MySpace page.

August 26: Jonathan Kingham, is a country/folk/pop/jazz singer and songwriter who apparently does it all. With five albums to his credit, Kingham's music has been used in the soundtracks to films and TV shows, and he is currently on a national tour sponsored by Storyville Coffee. As to his musical influences, he places himself within the same sphere as Norah Jones. You can listen to one of his tracks, “She’s So California,” on his site.

The Music in the Park series is free, thanks to the generous sponsorship of the Madison Park Business Association. The Thursday evening musical programs each begin at 6:30 in the grassy area of the Park (near the Tennis Courts) and are expected to end by 8:00. Kids and pets (quiet ones, at least) are defininitely invited, and picnics are encouraged.

[The City park, Madison Park, is located at 43rd Ave. E. and E. Howe Street. Photo courtesy of The Side Project.]