This year's festival will feature two priceless smooth jazz collectibles for sale, with their proceeds and a to-be-determined amount of the festivals proceeds, to benefit the Wayman Tisdale Foundation.
Wayman Tisdale was a former NBA player turned smooth jazz musician who passed away on May 15, 2009 after a two-year battle with cancer. Although Tisdale showed promise on the bass from an early age, his tremendous athletic talent initially overshadowed his musical leanings. He was an All-American for the University of Oklahoma, a 1984 Olympic gold medalist, and a member of the Phoenix Suns. Before he retired after the 1997 season, Tisdale had already made the transition toward a career in music. His debut CD, Power Forward, was released in 1995, and seven more albums followed it.
In 2007, Tisdale was diagnosed with bone cancer after breaking his leg in a fall. Knee replacement surgery and months of chemotherapy followed, and in 2008 his right leg was amputated above the knee. His renewed perspective and sense of purpose was seen on his final album, 2008s Rebound. He passed away at the age of 44.
Tisdale had said, “Together we can help change the world." The Wayman Tisdale Foundation is committed to making a difference in the lives of individuals with cancer, as well as amputees. It gives funds to those who cannot afford the prosthetic equipment they need, making a difference by providing support and resources to one person, one family at a time.
The first item for sale in the festival store to benefit the Wayman Tisdale Foundation is a Limited Edition Collectible Score for “What is Hip?" which is handcrafted and autographed by Greg Adams.
The original “What is Hip?" song arrangement, created for the 1981 Tower of Power Direct LP on Sheffield Labs, no longer existed, and the producers of the session needed a score to use as a guide during the tracking date. Greg Adams handcrafted this replication of the original Grammy-nominated arrangement in his own hand. It is done in pencil and includes his signature. This score is No. 3 in a limited edition of 10, and it comes with a Certificate of Authenticity. The complete score is eleven pages long, printed on white 90 lb. acid free archival paper and presented in a museum quality, acid free archival portfolio book.
The second collectible for sale is a Multiple-Autographed, Hand-Carved Wooden Walking Stick. From 2004 to 2006, a wide range of KMJF performers signed this hand-carved walking stick in permanent black marker. The walking stick is approximately 56" in height, and “Kettle Moraine Jazz Festival 2004-2006" is carved near the top. Among those who signed are: Mindi Abair, Chris Botti, Rick Braun, Steve Cole, Kevin Eubanks, Michael Lington, and Kim Waters.
These items will be sold for $250 each.
The festival, which will once again feature internationally recognized jazz musicians and vocalists, is expected to draw more than 5,000 jazz lovers from all over the Midwest, particularly from Southeast Wisconsin and Northeast Illinois. The festival's entertainment line up follows:
Friday, September 11: 5:15 pm: Craig Chaquico; 7:15 pm: Warren Hill; 9:15 pm: The Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman.
Saturday, September 12: 1:00 pm: Davina and the Vagabonds; 3:15 pm: Najee; 5:45 pm: Joyce Cooling; 8:15pm: Walter Beasley.
Two-day tickets are $125 and a one-day ticket is $75. Tickets may be purchased in a secure online environment at www.kmjazz.com or by calling the festival's toll-free information line at 1-877-271-6903. Consumers can also send a completed ticket order form available from the festival office or the event Web site with a check, money order, or credit card number to West Bend Sunrise Rotary Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 1087, West Bend, WI 53095. Tickets can also be purchased at the gate on each day of the festival.
In addition to music, the festival has tempting international cuisine, an arts marketplace where local and regional artisans display and sell their work, and interactive sponsor exhibits. Grounds are open on Friday from 4:30pm to 11:30pm, and on Saturday from noon until 11:00pm.
In its history, the festival has contributed more than $335,000 to charitable groups in southeastern Wisconsin through the West Bend Sunrise Rotary Foundation. The Foundation has supported:
* The Albrecht Free Clinic: Support free medical clinics
* Columns, Inc.: Scholarship programs to local high school graduates
* Lac Lawrann Barn Restoration
* West Bend Library: Building construction
* West Bend Parks and Recreation Department: Maintenance and expansion
* West Bend Fire Department: Fire safety trailer
* Kettle Moraine YMCA: Acquired equipment for a West Bend skate park
* SafeZone Community Art Center: Provides an environment for children to develop their musical ability, including small group lessons, private tutoring lessons, and full band rehearsals each week, with periodic performances.
* Hurricane Katrina Relief through the national Rotary Fund
* Red Cross
* Rides & Reins
KMJF sponsors include presenting sponsor West Bend Mutual Insurance; presenting media sponsor Milwaukee Journal Sentinel; major corporate sponsors Gordie Boucher Ford of West Bend, Hilton Garden Inn Milwaukee Park Place, Key Technical Solutions, Midwest Airlines, westbury bank, the West Bend Park, Recreation, and Forestry Department, and W.O.W. Distributing Company; media partners Smooth Jazz 106.9, TODAYS TMJ4, and Conley Publishing Group; and corporate sponsors Coca-Cola, Cooper Power Systems, Roto-Graphic Printing, Ron Sonntag Public Relations, and West Bend Area Chamber of Commerce.
For more information, visit www.kmjazz.com or call the Kettle Moraine Jazz Festival's toll-free information line at 877-271-6903.
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