Jazz Lyrics

Jazz in June Concert - Celebrating the 20th season, the Jazz in June concert series presents a full month jazz concert every Tuesday evenings of great jazz musicians at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus.

The warm June weather offers the perfect backdrop to tour sites in the UNL Botanical Gardens and Arboretum. UNL's Landscape Services and Facilities Management and Planning departments run the annual tours beginning at 6 p.m. at Sheldon's east entrance.

The event organized by the Sheldon Museum of Art and supported by many other sponsors.  this year's free jazz series kicks off June 7 with the Nebraska Jazz Orchestra with guest Greg Abate. The concerts begin at 7 p.m. and will draw thousands of revelers to sit under the trees on the plaza west of the Sheldon 12th and R streets.

Jazz in June concerts are free of charge to concertgoers, but they are not free from expense. This year, Jazz in June will rely on donations from audience members in order to make ends meet. Concertgoers are asked to make a donation of $10 per family, or whatever they can afford, to continue the series.

Who's the performer on each Tuesday? Below are the schedules:

June 7th, Nebraska Jazz Orchestra

With special guest, Greg Abate.The Nebraska Jazz Orchestra was founded in 1975 and is one of the Midwest’s premier big bands, celebrating more than 25 years of great performances. The ensemble’s concerts feature a variety of traditional big band compositions by jazz masters such as Woody Herman, Duke Ellington, and Count Basie, reflecting the rich legacies of the Mississippi Basin territory bands. The ensemble also adds to this legacy by performing new compositions and arrangements regularly.

June 14th, Gerald Dunn & The Jazz Disciples

Gerald Dunn, the Entertainment Director for Kansas City’s American Jazz Museum located in the historic 18^th & Vine district, has earned and maintained a spot as one of the city’s premiere saxophonists. He has toured and played with the world renowned Illinois Jacquet’s Big Band based in New York. Kansas City artists like Oleta Adams, Kevin Mahogany, Bobby Watson and Karrin Allyson are among those who have also given Gerald performance opportunities.

June 21th, Susie Thorne

Born in Hastings, Nebraska, the daughter of a classically trained vocalist mother and a professional trumpet player father (who was an occasional sideman for such greats as Lionel Hampton and Gerry Mulligan), Susie Thorne was raised with a great love of music. Thorne’s second CD, “Blue Skies, Clear Day,” features 11 songs with all arrangements by Susie Thorne and co-produced by Christine Hitt. “Blue Skies, Clear Day” was released nationally and internationally in 2006.

June 28th, Joseph Vincelli

Saxaphonist Joseph Vincelli, a New Jersey native, has toured and recorded with the likes of Buddy Miles, Ice Cube, Bobby Goldsboro, Jerry Vale, and Burt Reynolds. Vincelli now lives in Dallas, Texas, where he’s recorded ten albums over a seven year period and recently finished a fifteen year project, a three volume book series entitled, "My Friend, Music." He also teaches master classes to students interested in the industry of music.