Summer Concerts

Summer Concerts 2024

All concerts are 5:00 pm – 6:15 pm.

Rain cancellations will be announced via social media between 3:30 and 4:00 pm.

Build your own bouquet 3:30 to 5:00 pm

Build a bouquet of flowers for $10. Available before all concerts. We’ll have flowers, rubber bands, and clippers. Bring your own vase and we’ll top it off with vase water. A fun way to support interns learning how to grow, harvest, and work with plants at ACG.

 

June 9 | THE DAN CAVANAGH QUARTET

Earlier this year, Madison welcomed Dan Cavanagh as Director of the Mead-Witter School of Music. Also a distinguished jazz pianist, Summer Sundays is pleased to kick off the series by introducing this fine performer who offers an engaging, sophisticated sound and skillful improvisation reiminscent of jazz great Brad Mehldau. Presented in collaboration with the Madison Jazz Festival (madisonjazzfestivalwi.org).

Dan Cavanagh, keys | Russ Johnson, trumpet | Peter Dominguez, bass | Dave Bayless, drums

 

June 23 | THE ARMACANQUI QUARTET

Peruvian guitarist Armacanqui’s newest project seamlessly blends his native music with a variety of jazz styles to form a unique sound featuring Andean, Afro-Peruvian, and Afro-Caribbean rhythms.  One of Madison’s most unique and exciting new Latin bands from masters who brought us Golpe Tierra and Acoplados.

Richard Hildner Armacanqui, guitar | Nick Moran, bass | Patric Cassidy & Yorvanis Duran, percussion

LISTEN  Armacanqui / Moran (with Golpe Tierra*) on PBS Wisconsin

 

July 7 | PANCHROMATIC CARIBBEAN JAZZ

Madison’s fusion steel band, focuses on artful, improvised music representing styles original to the southern Caribbean. Fusing island styles with pop hits, rock and jazz, PCJ offers a high-energy blend that is hard to categorize but easy to love.

Matthew Kiser, lead pan | Chris Rottmayer, piano | Tommy Mattioli, vibes | Nicholas Bartell, sax | Kevin Knapp, bass | Josh Pultorak, drums | Marcel Colbert, congas | Greg Riss, percussion

LISTEN   Panchromatic Carribean Jazz at North Street Cabaret

 

July 21 | GERRI DIMAGGIO

DiMaggio’s sultry mix of Brazilian melodies and jazz standards is as original as it is enticing. Her emotional engagement honors the traditions of Jazz and Latin rhythms. Gerri and her band are celebrating the recent release of their new recording Caravan.

Gerri DeMaggio, vocals | Bob Pesselman, guitar | Paul Hastil, keyboard / John Mesoloras, bass | Rich Larson, percussion

LISTEN  Gerri DiMaggio: Album Excerpts

 

August 4 | RAY RIDEOUT JAZZ QUARTET

Everything from post-bop, to old standards and Tin Pan Alley, RRJQ is a burst of energy chanelleing Wayne Shorter, Cedar Walton, John Coltrane, along with music of Cole Porter and Rodgers and Hammerstein.  Modern jazz professionalism personified.

Ray Rideout, sax | Paul Hastil, piano | Hal Miller, bass | Jon Becker, drums

LISTEN  The Ray Rideout Quartet at Grace Presents

 

August 18 | THE JAZZ GUYS QUINTET

The Jazz Guys return with tight new renditions of modern jazz and standards and stylish jazz arrangements of classic pop in carefully honed original arrangements first developed during the pandemic quarantine and debuted at Café Coda in spring 2021.

 Peter Mathistad, sax | Paul Muench, piano | Vince Jesse, guitar | John Schaffer, bass | Jim Huwe, drums

LISTEN  The Jazz Guys at Café Coda

There is a portable restroom in the Northwest corner of the Garden behind the West-most hedge in the English garden.