Join us for the second year of our Jazz on the River series in Wausau's beautiful downtown River District! Sunday evening concerts begin July 8th through August 26th for a total of eight concerts in this dynamic jazz series! Concerts are held at Kickbush Plaza (behind the Library) from 5pm - 7pm with a rain location at J. Gumbo's on Third Street.
Kickbush Plaza is located behind Marathon County Public Library, downtown Wausau. Parking is available at and near this picturesque venue. Lawn chairs and picnic dinners are encouraged and welcomed! Click here for a map to Kickbush Plaza.
2018 concert lineup:
JULY 8th ~ Denise Sauter ~ Denise surrounds herself with the finest jazz musicians in the state for a wonderful and eclectic mix of vocal and instrumental jazz. Denise and her band pour their hearts into music from 40’s jazz standards to the contemporary sounds of Norah Jones and Sting, blended in with a dash of funky rhythm and blues. Denise has been performing and entertaining audiences for over twenty years and released her first CD, Just One of Those Things in 2013.
JULY 15th ~ Erin Krebs ~ An inspirational artist, Erin Krebs has earned her reputation as a talented vocalist and skillful performer. From big stages to intimate venues, Erin continues to touch audiences with her soulful blend of Jazz and Blues styles.
JULY 22nd ~ John Greiner Quartet ~ John has performed all across the country and abroad, entertaining a very diverse audience of listeners. John and his quartet perform the music of jazz’s most well known artists, as well as original compositions reflecting the “classic jazz” sound. The music of jazz giants, such as John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk and Miles Davis are heavily featured, combined with the classics of Jerome Kern, Cole Porter and others,
JULY 29th ~ Omnos Quintet ~ Omnos began in April 2015 as a collaborative workshop with the intent of self-improvement and personal growth. With this goal in mind, they have collectively honed their skills to play a wide variety of genres at a high level. Omnos' versatility sets them apart, and are perfect for weddings, restaurants, bars, parties, and private events.
AUGUST 5th ~ Tom Washatka Quorum ~ Saxophonist, composer, arranger, recording engineer/producer Tom Washatka has been performing, producing and recording music for over 4 decades. Tom currently performs with his quartet, Tom Washatka Quorum, as well as the contemporary jazz/fusion quartet KWT and has performed all over the United States, Japan and Germany.
An acclaimed producer and recording engineer for Stellar Records/Steel Moon recording studio he has recorded over 20 CDs. Tom won a WAMI in 2018 for Best Studio Engineer/Producer.
AUGUST 12th ~ Jeff Erickson Quartet ~ Jeff's performing experience includes appearances with such artists as Clark Terry, Kurt Elling, Wayne Newton, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Frankie Valli, Bernadette Peters and the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra. He has also performed professionally with symphony orchestras, touring Broadway shows and been featured on a number of recordings. Currently, Erickson leads his own jazz quartet that performs throughout Wisconsin and is a member of the saxophone quartet Voyageur and the La Crosse Jazz Orchestra. In addition to writing and arranging for jazz ensemble, he writes for his jazz quartet,
AUGUST 19th ~ Christine Salerno & ZIJI ~ Jazz pianist, composer, and singer, Christine Salerno will grace our concert stage with her Brazilian and contemporary jazz ensemble ZIJI. She co-founded ZIJI with saxophonist and composer John Croarkin, and they perform an exciting blend of contemporary and Brazilian Jazz original tunes with vocals and unique instrumental melodies.
AUGUST 26th ~ Tim Buchholz ~ Dr. Tim Buchholz is a nationally recognized jazz singer, educator, and arranger. As a soloist and group singer he has performed at venues and performance halls throughout the US and in Europe. Tim’s vocal jazz arrangements have been performed throughout the country by college and high school jazz vocal groups, and have been used for numerous all-state vocaljazz ensembles.
