East Town Association
Press Release

Jazz in the Park Is Back Thursday Nights starting June 1

“Milwaukee’s Original Date Night” in Cathedral Square Park celebrates over 30 years with jazzy new lineup

By - May 17th, 2023 09:00 am
Jazz in the Park. Photo by Melissa Miller.

Jazz in the Park. Photo by Melissa Miller.

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (May 17, 2023) – “Milwaukee’s Original Date Night,” Jazz in the Park, presented by Johnson Financial Group, celebrates over 30 years of the free outdoor music series starting Thursday, June 1. Each week during the summer through Aug. 31, Cathedral Square Park will feature a different band beginning at 5:00 p.m. With 12 acts, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!

“We’re so excited to return for another year of summer celebrations, and most importantly, togetherness,” said Eddie Sturkey, East Town Association’s executive director. “Jazz in the Park represents the power of the arts to bring our diverse community together to savor Milwaukee’s musical roots and talent.”

The summer concert series will open with the 2023 Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI) Nominees, The Group, with openers Kavon Cortez Jones and The Next Paperback Hero. The Group plays the “funkiest jazz on the planet,” with several members inducted into the WAMI Hall of Fame. Other notable performers include No. 3 Billboard Blues Chart winner Altered Five Blues Band on June 15, Afro-Latino group CNJ Latin Jazz on July 6 and newer collective Funk Club Wagon on Aug. 10. Jazz in the Park is again pleased to partner with Fresh Coast Jazz Festival, performing Aug. 3, and the Milwaukee Jazz Institute, created by dedicated jazz musicians and supporters to help continue the legacy of jazz in Milwaukee, who will play on Aug. 17.

View the full 2023 lineup below:

  • June 1: The Group with openers Kavon Cortez Jones & The Next Paperback Hero
  • June 8: B.D. Greer & The Gents
  • June 15: Altered Five Blues Band with opener Tommy Odetto
  • June 22: Urban Empress and The Urbanites
  • June 29: Christopher’s Project
  • July 6: CNJ Latin Jazz
  • July 27: Bill Bonifas and Friends
  • Aug. 3: Fresh Coast Jazz featuring The Jazz Men
  • Aug. 10: Funk Club Wagon
  • Aug. 17: Milwaukee Jazz Institute: WE SIX
  • Aug. 24: Caché Mke. featuring Salsabrositas Rumba Caliente
  • Aug. 31: The Kal Bergendahl Project (KBP) + “Come Together” (The Beatles Soulfully Reimagined)

OnMilwaukee will offer Jazz in the Park VIP Experiences, with three packages available for each night of the series. The experiences for up to eight people include two bottles of wine from Door Peninsula Winery, a picnic table ‘backstage’, a charcuterie board by Charcuter-Me, treats from Sweetly Baked and access to a private bathroom. Tickets for the VIP Experience can be purchased here.

“Jazz”-ed about this year’s events? Save the date for the Storm the Bastille 5K Run/Walk, July 13, 2023 Bastille Days, July 13 – July 16, and the Cathedral Square Market, operating from June 4 – July 9 and July 23 – Aug. 27.

Jazz in the Park is fully funded by sponsors, donors and beverage sales. To support Jazz in the Park, consider purchasing a beverage from one of the various on-site bars! If interested in donating or becoming a sponsor, please email info@easttown.com.

About Jazz in the Park

Established in 1991, Jazz in the Park attracts more than 5,000 concertgoers each week and offers a variety of food and beverage options from local vendors. Attendees can purchase wine, beer and cocktails from the various onsite beverage tents as alcoholic beverage carry-ins are ​discouraged​. Proceeds from the concert series support the event and are returned to the community through neighborhood improvement programs and civic events, such as the popular Cathedral Square Market and Bastille Days. For more information, visit www.easttown.com or call 414.271.1416.

Jazz in the Park is presented by ​Johnson Financial Group​. Additional 2023 sponsors ​and community partners ​include: Bud Light, Gruber Law Offices, Carbliss, Door Peninsula Winery, Milwaukee County Parks, STIR Advertising & Integrated Messaging, OnMilwaukee, Urban Milwaukee, WISN 12 and WMSE 91.7. Partner events will be sponsored by Harley-Davidson, Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel, the Fresh Coast Jazz Festival and Milwaukee Jazz Institute.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.

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