LAZ JAZZ FEST

Brothers Lazaroff will once again bend its catalog of original music into the exploratory sub-genre known as “Laz Jazz” at the 2nd Annual Laz Jazz Fest on Saturday, June 29, beginning at 4 p.m. (doors open at 3 p.m.) at The Big Top. In its second year, Laz Jazz Fest will expand its footprint with two large, outdoor stages and welcome the legendary avant garde jazz group Sun Ra Arkestra, in addition to the Brothers’ extended musical family of some of St. Louis’ top musical artists.

Sun Ra founded the Sun Ra Arkestra in Chicago in the mid-1950’s and was among the earliest pioneers of the synthesizer and the free jazz revolution of the 1960’s. Following his legacy, the Sun Ra Arkestra is known worldwide for live shows that combine big-band swing, space-age jazz, singing, dancing, chanting and Afro-pageantry. The Arkestra has been at the forefront of Afro-futurism since its inception, recording over 100 albums. Blvck Spvde and The Cosmos will host the new Cosmos Tent, a second stage next to The Big Top programmed by St. Louis great Blvck Spvde and bandmate Joey Ferber. This year’s festival marks the one-year anniversary of the collaboration between Brothers Lazaroff and the Cosmos, who co-headlined last year’s Laz Jazz Fest. Blvck Spvde and the Cosmos are co-producers of this year’s festival, curating their own lineup of music to perform between main stage acts. “After our hugely successful inaugural festival, we wanted to make the most of the momentum, and Brothers Lazaroff continued to collaborate with The Cosmos throughout last year on different projects. When it came to planning this year’s Laz Jazz Fest, it seemed only right that we partner on the sophomore event,” said David Lazaroff. “The Cosmos Tent will feature the different artists who make up the Cosmos as well as some extended family of the Cosmos network, who are putting in the good work in other cities around the country.”   The full lineup of Laz Jazz Fest performers includes: Sun Ra Arkestra Brothers Lazaroff ft. Anita Jackson Blvck Spvde and the Cosmos DJ Boogieman David Y Los Diablos (David Gomez) Mesonjixx Jawwaad Spann and the Vintage Society ft. Dee Jazz K Kudda Muzik Helena Bishop Heal Center For the Arts   Laz Jazz Fest aims to bridge the past, present, and future — the youth with the elders — creating experimental music as spirit that reaches beyond the physical plane. Proceeds will benefit St. Louis Art Place Initiative and its mission to build wealth and equity for low to moderate-income artists through homeownership. Tickets are on sale now for $28-$65 via Metrotix. Food will be available on site, and more partnering organizations will be announced in coming weeks. Stay tuned to brotherslazaroff.com for details.

All ages show. There is a $3 minor surcharge at the door. Ages 6 and under are admitted for free.