Kenosha – HarborPark Jazz Rhythm & Blues organizers announced the final performance acts joining headliner South African Guitarist Jonathan Butler for Kenosha’s most festive lakefront music event.
Chicago’s legendary Demetria Taylor Blues Band will electrify the audience with her sultry and soulful down home blues performance. She is the seventh child of eight from the family of the late blues legend Eddie Taylor Sr. and is helping keep the legacy of her father alive. Demetria started playing drums at age 14, coached by her older brothers Larry and Tim, both professional blues drummers. She played in family shows across Chicago which also featured brother Eddie Taylor Jr. on guitar. She also sang in the gospel choir at Trinity All Nations Church on Chicago’s south side. Demetria has toured nationally and internationally and performs in many clubs and festivals including the Chicago Blues Festival. Her first album, Bad Girl, is on Delmark Records. Demetria was nominated in 2012 Blues Music Awards for “Best New Debut Artist”.
She attributes her stage presence to the likes of Tina Turner, Koko, Etta James, Valerie Wellington, and Shemekia Copeland… “all these women infused me with style and passion that I bring to the stage my own way” says Demetria Taylor
The festival takes place on Saturday August 17th at HarborPark Celebration Place. Gates open at 12:00 p.m. The festival kicks off at 12:45pm with the popular “Cooking Studio”, an interactive cooking demonstration with local and regional chefs. The Cooking Studio provides the gourmet foodie and aspiring cooks a gorgeous lakefront atmosphere to learn the tricks of the trade in a mock Kitchen environment. Details on the year’s restaurant will be announced next week.
The music starts at 2:00pm with Kenosha’s very own Ben Woods & Friends. The Harbor Park Jazz Rhythm & Blues Festival will be Ben’s debut live-performance in his hometown. His music genre/style comprises a plethora of sounds such as R&B, Pop, Hip-Hop, Gospel, and Funk. Ben is a 2019 Mahone Fund Scholar
“I am so thrilled to perform in my hometown. Like my mama always said, ‘It takes a village to raise a child’. Thank you, Kenosha, for being my village. Every opportunity. Every investment. Every connection. I am truly blessed. Come on down and enjoy some great music with me and my friends. We’ve got a lot of local talent coming in for this one. Join us, as we come together to pay homage to Kenosha!”, said Ben
“We are very proud and simply overjoyed to have Ben’s premiere Kenosha performance kick off this year’s festival. He is a very talented young man with a very promising future. As a 2019 Mahone Fund CEO Scholar, having him perform brings our CEO mentoring program full circle”, said Sabrina Morgan, CEO Coordinator.
“Visit Kenosha is proud to support such an iconic Kenosha event. HarborPark Jazz, Rhythm & Blues Festival draws numerous visitors to our community and lakefront. We encourage visitors and residents to attend and support the Mary Lou & Arthur F. Mahone Fund, a very worthy organization.”, said, Dennis DuChene, President of Visit Kenosha
In support of the Mahone Funds commitment to academic achievement, event organizers joined forces with the Milwaukee Steppers and Ballroomers United (MSBU) and Racine’s DSD Steppers to highlight the popular dance segment entitled “Stepping for Academic Excellence”. Milwaukee’s Christopher’s Project will provide a mixture of old school, soul, jazz, and r&b music for the audience to showcase their dance routines. and learn the art of Chicago Style Stepping and Line Dancing; both an improvisational form of partner dancing with its roots in such dance styles as the Chicago Bop, the Lindy Hop and Western Swing.
“DSD Steppers are thrilled to continue our partnership with The Mahone Fund in support of providing educational opportunities for economically and academically disadvantaged youth. This year, we are excited to bring an exciting twist to the festival as we step to the sounds of Christopher’s Project and get the crowd up and dancing to some of the most popular urban line dances! We hope to you there!” says Sheronda Glass, founder DSD Steppers
“Whether it is line dancing, ballroom or a stepping dance style, this segment has been a major highlight for fans to have fun and participate in the art of line dancing. Having the dance floor provides more comfort and allows everyone to vibe and groove from their beautiful turns to simply gliding across the floor with a level of intimacy and sophistication. We will attract all kind of “line dancers and steppers” from southeastern Wisconsin and the Chicagoland area “on the dance floor” and “on our lakefront.” says Tim Mahone.
The HarborPark Jazz, Rhythm & Blues Festival provides a wonderfully diverse mixture of music on Kenosha’s scenic lakefront. Drawing visitors from all over the Midwest, including Michigan, Milwaukee, Chicagoland area and beyond, the event showcases the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan and highlights Kenosha’s dedication to the arts and cultural activities. The event has welcomed various national and regional jazz artists and attracted thousands of music fans to this scenic park. Previous artists include Paul Taylor, Ramsey Lewis, Alex Bugnon, Nick Colionne, Len Rainey and the Midnight Players, Spyro Gyra, Nelson Rangell, Euge Groove, Eric Marienthal, David Benoit, Richard Elliott, Norman Brown just to name a few.
“The Harbor Park Jazz Rhythm and Blues festival is one of the first annual events to bring our city together and celebrate on our beautiful lakefront. Please join me in returning to Celebration Place Saturday August 17th to be with neighbors, to be entertained and to support the MaryLou and Arthur F. Mahone Fund which has provided a generation of academic and creative achievement to our City’s Youth. It has been my honor to represent our downtown district on Kenosha’s City Council and events like this one sustains our community in countless ways”, says Bill Siel, 2nd District Alderperson
Silent Auction, Wine Pull and Raffle
Besides listening to quality music throughout the day, patrons will be able to purchase tickets for the 50/50 raffle and participate in the very popular Silent auction and “Wine Pull”, giving supporters the opportunity of winning top quality bottles of wines and fun prize packages including, weekend getaways in Chicago, a Milwaukee Bourbon Tasting experience, Jazz Experiences, exquisite dining options at Capital Grille and Bartolotta’s restaurants along with Packers, Brewers, Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks ticket options just to name a few. If interested in providing an auction/raffle item or wine for the wine pull, please visit mahonefund.org or contact Nyles Jackson at nyles.harborparkjazz@gmail.com
Volunteer and Vending Opportunities
Volunteers for the festival are needed in the following areas: Security, Ticket Admissions, Wine/Beer Garden, I.D. Verification, V.I.P Area, Volunteer Tent, Hospitality, Crowd Control, Stage Crew, Ground Crew (set-up & clean-up). Shifts will be determined by a volunteer’s availability and a four (4) hour minimum is required. Benefits include a volunteer t-shirt, refreshments during the time of your shift and admission to the festival. If you are interested in volunteering please email your request to harborparkjazz@mahonefund.org or Sabrina Morgan at phone 262-564-2362.
If interested in registering as a food or corporate vendor visit mahonefund.org or contact Anthony Kennedy at anthonykennedykenosha@yahoo.com or Michelle Nelson at thenelsonteam@yahoo.com. For sponsorship and corporate package information contact Tim Mahone at chairman@mahonefund.org.
All proceeds benefit the Mahone Fund, a component of the Kenosha Community Foundation. The mission is to provide educational opportunities for economically and academically deserving youth and to support healthy lifestyle initiatives in communities of color.
Tickets can be purchased now online at mahonefund.org or Tenuta’s Deli. General admission lawn seats are $35 in advance and $45 at gate. VIP tickets are $95 (includes concert ticket, food, complimentary beer, and wine). Alcoholic carry-ins are strictly prohibited.
Performance times and BIOs
2:00pm
Ben Woods & Friends
Ben Woods is an aspiring artist from the Kenosha Area. A former 2019 Mahone CEO Scholarship recipient, who currently holds a BFA in Theatre from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. He released his first single in 2017 called “For You”. After receiving over 21,000 Spotify streams, he continued to release more music. In 2020, Ben released a holiday project titled “Winter My Love”. Then he released another song, “New Day” in 2021. Ben was the winner of the “Youth Artist Award” by Regina Taylor back in 2021. While in Texas, Ben worked as a contracted musician and worship leader for The Potter’s House church in Dallas. Throughout his time there he worked with countless artists, even performing all over the DFW area. The Harbor Park Jazz Rhythm & Blues Festival will be Ben’s debut live-performance in his hometown. His music genre/style comprises a plethora of sounds such as R&B, Pop, Hip-Hop, Gospel, and Funk. Currently, Ben is planning to release an EP titled “Changed” in the coming year. To follow Ben and his career, check out his socials: @thebenwoods
3:15pm
Demetria Taylor Blues Band
Demetria Taylor has been performing at BLUE CHICAGO since 2010. She is the seventh child of eight from the family of the late blues legend Eddie Taylor Sr. and is helping keep the legacy of her father alive.
Eddie is best known as the rhythm guitarist in the band of Jimmy Reed but he also had his own solo career and recorded some wonderful sides for the VJ label including the classic “Bad Boy”. Her mother Vera Taylor was also a blues singer. Demetria has fond memories of blues greats and friends of the family coming by the house– including Floyd Jones, Carey Bell, Sunnyland Slim, Johnny Littlejohn, Sam Lay, Willie Kent, Tail Dragger, Eddie Shaw, Johnny B. Moore and Magic Slim.
Born in Chicago, Demetria grew up surrounded by Blues music listening on records to her biggest influences including Etta James, Bessie Smith, Big Mama Thornton and most importantly, “The Queen of The Blues” Koko Taylor (no relation to the Eddie Taylor family).
Demetria started playing drums at age 14, coached by her older brothers Larry and Tim, both professional blues drummers. She played in family shows across Chicago which also featured brother Eddie Taylor Jr. on guitar. She also sang in the gospel choir at Trinity All Nations Church on Chicago’s south side.
“I put God first and everything else will work out”, says Demetria. “I feel that singing is something I was born to do. Sometimes on the stage my eyes tear up as I feel the music I’m singing. I love to listen to all types of music, but the blues caught my ear. I’ll never give up my dream.”
Demetria has toured nationally and internationally and performs in many clubs and festivals including the Chicago Blues Festival. Her first album, Bad Girl, is on Delmark Records. Demetria was nominated in 2012 Blues Music Awards for “Best New Debut Artist”.
5:00pm
Christopher’s Project featuring all new Steppers/Line dancing set
Back by popular demand, stepping returns to the festival with a twist. Steppers will be stepping to the sounds of Milwaukee’s very own Christopher’s Project. Also, as an added treat, we will have a line dance segment! The crowd will be invited to learn some of the most popular line dances, including Flashing by Dial Tone the Producer, Feel So Right by Janet Jackson, and for those who like something a bit slower and easier, Cupid Flex by Cupid and GLU by Usher.
Christopher’s Project has been entertaining Fans/Clients for more than 20 Years. Led by Saxophonist Christopher Pipkins. A 3 Time winner at Showtime at the Apollo in NYC
7:30pm
Jonathan Butler – https://jonathanbutler.com
