Riverfront Jazz Festival

08/29/2026

6:00pm on Saturday, 9/5 at Riverfront Jazz Festival:

Clark Sommers WaBaSH is the debut recording from a quartet that has, in various configurations, been one of Chicago's most celebrated working bands for nearly two decades. Bassist Clark Sommers traces his connections with the other members back to the late 1990s when he met tenor saxophonist Geof Bradfield and drummer Dana Hall, building relationships that have encompassed hundreds of gigs and numerous recording projects. The WaBaSH lineup itself grew out of two groups: BaSH, Sommers' trio with Bradfield and Hall first documented on their eponymous 2013 release; and Dana Hall's spring, a quartet that, with the addition of saxophonist John "Wojo" Wojciechowski, logged a two-year residency at Andy's Jazz Club and appearances at the Chicago and Hyde Park Jazz Festivals.

"The music represents a level of musical exploration built on trust only possible through many years of playing as an ensemble," says Sommers. "It embodies the full manifestation of individual and collective growth of a refined musical vision shared amongst close friends and collaborators."

All four members of WaBaSH contribute original compositions, each bringing a strongly individual voice to the program. Drawing from John Coltrane, Omette Coleman, Sonny Rollins, and Elvin Jones, WaBaSH builds on the jazz tradition while staking out firmly its own territory.

THANK YOU to this year's major sponsors: David and Amy Bakken, Bernie Hlavac, Sentry Foundation, Lee Ayers Jewelers, Ho-Chunk Gaming Nekoosa, John and Beth Omernik, David and Cindy Worth, Cobblestone Inn, North Wind Solar, Susan Henry in Memory of David Henry, and the Prais Family in memory of John & Gail Prais.

Love jazz fest? Support us by visiting riverfrontjazzfest.org and clicking "donate here"!

08/29/2026

4:00pm on Saturday, 9/5 at Riverfront Jazz Festival:

Wayne Salzmann’s Groove Society is a high-energy jazz/fusion/funk ensemble inspired by the legacy of Horace Silver, Art Blakey & Jazz Messengers, Mahavishnu Orchestra, and The Headhunters. Founded in 2010 in Austin, the group held a monthly residency at Elephant Room, recorded multiple live sessions at Monk's Jazz Club, and performed at the South by Southwest, the Austin Jazz Festival, and Dig Jazz Series.
Groove Society is a vehicle for improvisation, original compositions, and modern arrangements that blend funk, fusion, and jazz; all anchored by the versatile drumming of leader Wayne Salzmann II. A Billboard #1 recording drummer, internationally touring artist, best-selling author, and former university professor, Salzmann has toured and recorded with artists including Eric Johnson, Steve Miller, Joe Satriani, and Mike Stern. The band features a rotating cast of elite collaborators, currently drawing from many of Wisconsin’s top musicians.

THANK YOU to this year's major sponsors: David and Amy Bakken, Bernie Hlavac, Sentry Foundation, Lee Ayers Jewelers, Ho-Chunk Gaming Nekoosa, John and Beth Omernik, David and Cindy Worth, Cobblestone Inn, North Wind Solar, Susan Henry in Memory of David Henry, and the Prais Family in memory of John & Gail Prais.

Love jazz fest? Support us by visiting riverfrontjazzfest.org and clicking "donate here"!

08/28/2026

2:00pm on Saturday, 9/5 at Riverfront Jazz Festival:

Paul Dietrich's Elemental Quartet, formed originally in early 2020 and reconstituted about a year-and-a-half later, marks a shift from its leader's recent large-ensemble projects. The group's first album, 2024's A Small Patch of Earth, is Dietrich's fifth as a leader and presents a markedly different approach from the 18-piece big band used for 2019's Forward or the nine-piece group utilized on 2023's 5+4. Emphasizing simplicity, interaction, and improvisation, the album draws inspiration from nature and moves to a more intimate, folk-inspired sound that draws inspiration from nature and was recorded in the open space of a concert hall, inviting listeners to pause and take a deep breath.

To build the ensemble, Dietrich turned to three longtime longtime collaborators. Guitarist Matt Gold's diverse musical background and experience in a variety of different styles made him the perfect fit for this project. Dietrich and bassist Brian Courage have been making music together since their college days all the way back in 2007. Devin Drobka is one of the more thoughtful and interactive drummers in the Midwest, and also brought a mindset that set the tone for the group.

Praise for A Small Patch of Earth:

"A Small Patch of Earth demonstrates Paul Dietrich's compositional skills and highlights his more pastoral style... His multi-ensemble dexterity has established him as one of our regional gems." - Jeff Cebulski, Chicagojazz.com

"So one turns with some expectation to Paul Dietrich, a Midwestern trumpet player who seems less interested in yet another display of chops than an exploration of colors, moods, and sonorities in A Small Patch of Earth." - Richard J. Salvucci, Allaboutjazz.com

THANK YOU to this year's major sponsors: David and Amy Bakken, Bernie Hlavac, Sentry Foundation, Lee Ayers Jewelers, Ho-Chunk Gaming Nekoosa, John and Beth Omernik, David and Cindy Worth, Cobblestone Inn, North Wind Solar, Susan Henry in Memory of David Henry, and the Prais Family in memory of John & Gail Prais.

Love jazz fest? Support us by visiting riverfrontjazzfest.org and clicking "donate here"!

08/28/2026

alumni, faculty and current students from the jazz program will play alongside talented jazz artists at the annual Riverfront Jazz Festival on September 5 and 6. The festival also donates money back to the UWSP Jazz Program for student scholarships every year. Check it out! https://bit.ly/4g4vK32

08/28/2026

Thank you to this year's major sponsors! We are so grateful for your support to the fest, and it's thanks to you that we can keep the festival going year after year, free for all attendees! If you'd like to become a sponsor of the festival, please visit our website at riverfrontjazzfest.com. 🎶

08/04/2026

Support Riverfront Jazz Festival and receive a complimentary gift, running now through the end of the festival on September 6th! Follow the instructions in the post to save confirmation of your donation. You will then be able to claim your token of our appreciation, a custom tote bag illustrated by Jessie Crandall, anytime during Labor Day weekend while supplies last! https://riverfrontjazzfest.org

07/27/2026

Announcing our Riverfront Jazz Festival 2026 Lineup for Sunday, September 6th!

2:00 p.m. Laura Caviani Trio

Laura Caviani is a native Minnesotan who, as pianist, composer and jazz educator, has toured across the US, Japan, and Argentina. She directs the Jazz Area at Carleton College, in Northfield, MN. She also collaborates weekly with Chris Bates (bass) and Dave Schmalenberger (drums) at Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis. They recently released two recordings: Confluence and Mysterious Thelonious.

4:00 p.m. The Art Blakey Project led by Marc Jimos

The Blakey Project is a dynamic jazz sextet dedicated to celebrating the music and legacy of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. Bringing together six of Wisconsin’s premier jazz artists—Marty Robinson (trumpet), Marc Jimos (saxophone), Kurt Dietrich (trombone), Mike Kubicki (piano), David Story (bass), and Danny Lueck(drums)—the ensemble performs classic hard bop repertoire with the energy, authenticity, and spontaneity that made Blakey’s bands legendary. Featuring timeless compositions such as Moanin’, Free for All, Ugetsu, One by One, and The Core, The Blakey Project delivers a concert experience that honors one of jazz’s most influential ensembles while showcasing the artistry aof some of the Midwest Wisconsin’s finest musicians.

6:00 p.m. Matt Wilson’s Good Trouble

Few musicians embody the spontaneous energy of jazz like Matt Wilson. The New York-based drummer combines buoyant zeal, idiosyncratic style, infectious humor, joyous swing and an indomitable spirit of surprise. Whether anchoring an all-star group at the White House juggling tricky rhythmic swerves with his own quartets, celebrating the holidays with his Christmas Tree-O, exploring the poetry of Carl Sandburg, sensitively supporting vocalists such as Dena DeRose, presenting concerts at a neighborhood church or donning a superhero cape to inspire young musicians to embrace their individuality, Wilson approaches music as a man on a mission: fostering lively and passionate connections through music.

See more ensemble details on our website: riverfrontjazzfest.org.

07/27/2026

Announcing our Riverfront Jazz Festival 2026 Lineup for Saturday, September 5th!

2:00 p.m. Paul Dietrich’s Elemental Quartet

Paul Dietrich’s Elemental Quartet, formed originally in early 2020 and reconstituted about a year-and-a-half later, marks a shift from its leader’s recent large-ensemble projects. The group’s first album, 2024’s A Small Patch of Earth, is Dietrich’s fifth as a leader and presents a markedly different approach from the 18-piece big band used for 2019’s Forward or the nine-piece group utilized on 2023’s 5+4. Emphasizing simplicity, interaction, and improvisation, the album draws inspiration from nature and moves to a more intimate, folk-inspired sound that draws inspiration from nature and was recorded in the open space of a concert hall, inviting listeners to pause and take a deep breath.

4:00 p.m. Wayne Salzmann’s Groove Society

Wayne Salzmann’s Groove Society is a high-energy jazz/fusion/funk ensemble inspired by the legacy of Horace Silver, Art Blakey & Jazz Messengers, Mahavishnu Orchestra, and The Headhunters. Founded in 2010 in Austin, the group held a monthly residency at Elephant Room, recorded multiple live sessions at Monk’s Jazz Club, and performed at the South by Southwest, the Austin Jazz Festival, and Dig Jazz Series.
Groove Society is a vehicle for improvisation, original compositions, and modern arrangements that blend funk, fusion, and jazz; all anchored by the versatile drumming of leader Wayne Salzmann II.

6:00 p.m. Clark Sommers WaBaSH

Clark Sommers WaBaSH is the debut recording from a quartet that has, in various configurations, been one of Chicago’s most celebrated working bands for nearly two decades. Bassist Clark Sommers traces his connections with the other members back to the late 1990s when he met tenor saxophonist Geof Bradfield and drummer Dana Hall, building relationships that have encompassed hundreds of gigs and numerous recording projects. Drawing from John Coltrane, Omette Coleman, Sonny Rollins, and Elvin Jones, WaBaSH builds on the jazz tradition while staking out firmly its own territory.

More ensemble details at our website: riverfrontjazzfest.org.

02/16/2026

Our website got a fresh new look, thanks to our manager, Jessie! Check it out at the link below and let us know what you think—and while you’re over there, consider donating to this year’s festival! Labor Day weekend may still seem far away, but we on the board are getting busy turning the 2026 festival into reality!

A huge shoutout to CREATE Wisconsin for partnering with us as our new fiscal receiver! We are ever grateful for your services and support thus far.

Serving all of Central Wisconsin, join us for a free jazz festival filled with great music, great food, and a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere!

12/24/2025

May your days be merry & bright ✨ Happy holidays to our Riverfront Jazz Fest family! We hope this holiday brings you peace, warmth, and joy spent with loved ones!