This weekend, for the eleventh-straight year, Jazz in June will be offering the community a chance to experience live music for free.

The five-day festival, sponsored by the Sony Corporation, state-wide organizations and local businesses, features four free concerts and a series of jazz clinics.

Ralph Dean, whose daughter attends OU, has attended the last six years.

"It's a unique event. It gets people involved in the community, and helps build a sense of camaraderie," he said.

The concerts will feature a mixture of local, regional and national acts. This gives local artists a chance to gain recognition and lets audiences see their favorite acts live.

One OU student said he appreciates that opportunity.

"I like that open air sound," Jamie Summers, journalism sophomore, said. "It's very nostalgic." Summers plans to attend one of the shows with a friend.

The festivites start with "Jazz Under the Stars," a mixture of blues and jazz Thursday and national recording acts on Friday. Both concerts will be at Brookhaven Village, 36th Avenue Northwest and Robinson Street. The concerts run from 6:45 p.m. to about 11:30 p.m. Some seating will be available, but concertgoers are encouraged to bring chairs.

Saturday afternoon the clinics will be offered from 1 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. in OU's Catlett Music Center. The programs will be geared to college and high school musicians, but everyone is welcome. Advanced registration at 325-1947 is encouraged but not required.

Later Saturday night, the music continues inside the Sooner Theatre, 101 E. Main Street, with the Doug Talley Quartet and vocalist Sandra Dudley.

The festival closes Sunday with an all-day concert in Andrews Park. Six bands will play, including everything from Dixieland to gospel to Latin music. The music will run from 12:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

At each of the events, vendors will offer food and drink, and Jazz in June shirts will be available. All the concerts will be broadcast on KGOU and KROU.
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