Ribs and Jazz Fest: More music at 2012 festival

Staff report

More music will be in the air of downtown London with the Jazz and Ribs Festival extending into Saturday this year.

The festival begins Friday, Aug. 3 and concludes the evening of Saturday, Aug. 4.

18 hours of music will be performed by local, regional and nationally acclaimed jazz artists.

Friday bands

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — The John Vermeulen Octet is a smaller jazz/dance orchestra that has played various functions from weddings to the Galion Oktoberfest. John Vermeulen began playing swing music while attending Capital University in the late ’70s. Currently John plays in Vaughn Wiester’s Famous Jazz Orchestra and Johnny Mack’s Superband.

1:30-3:30 p.m. — The Stone Glass is a Central Ohio band playing classic rock, new rock and originals.

4-6 p.m. — The Linda Dachtyl Trio features multi-instrumentalist Larry Smith, of Columbus, organ recording artist and Kenyon College jazz piano and percussion instructor Linda Dachtyl, and Percussive Arts Society Ohio chapter president and Kenyon College percussion instructor Cary Dachtyl.

6:30-8:30 p.m. — Soul Satyr is an eight-piece blues band whose CD, “No Slackin’,” represented the Columbus Blues Alliance at the Memphis Blues Challenge and finished in the top 12 for self-produced recordings.

9-11 p.m. — Kick N Flava is a high energy Contemporary Jazz/R&B six member band featuring Mike Allamby on saxophones, Jerry Hawes on keyboards, Claude Coatie on lead guitar, J.D. Williams on bass guitar, Brian Smiley on drums and percussionist David Matthews.

Saturday bands

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — The Keepers are a four-piece band from Columbus who distill the energy from today’s rock, pop and country into something completely their own. Stir in a helping of the classics, and the band truly has something for everyone. With killer rhythms, blazing solos and soaring vocals, The Keepers have the tools to recreate (and reinvent) the music that makes all of us feel like rock stars.

1:30-3:30 p.m. — As central Ohio’s premiere all-teacher band, The Lords of Literature take schoolhouse rock to a new level. Playing a unique blend of classic rock, pop, Motown, and blues, the Lords can be found performing at a variety of festivals, events and venues throughout the Central Ohio area.

4-5 p.m. — The Shazzbots will perform a special show for our children’s area. Rocking and rocketing through the spaceways in their interstellar Winnebago, The Shazzbots are bringing cool quirky kids rock music to all the children of the cosmos. Join the crew as they jet from planet to planet and gig to gig laughing, learning, writing songs and getting into all kinds of shenanigans. All the while teaching the kids they encounter about the joys and excitement of music of all kinds. A little bit of learning and a whole lot of fun.

4-6 p.m. — From the depths of the seven seas to deepest outer space, The Sons of Neptune are the retro party band. Based in Columbus, The Sons of Neptune provide music for such events as knife-fights in dark alleys, drag races, full-scale flying saucer invasions, attacks by atomic super-mutants, and psychotic episodes. They also play at bars, clubs and private parties. They have been called “The best surf band in Columbus!” as well as “The only surf band in Columbus!” They are The Sons of Neptune.

6:30-8:30 p.m. — The Smokin’ Ham Band plays a mix of old and new country favorites, rock-n-roll, southern rock and classic rock. They’re a great group of guys who love to get up on a stage, pick some guitars, bang some drums, belt out a hit or two and entertain the crowd. It’s all about having a great time.

9-11 p.m. — Mojo Theory performs original blues music that is written, arranged and produced by the members of the band. The array of different musical backgrounds has given them a unique sound rarely found in a blues band. Their original compositions are both imaginative and captivating, conquering the blues enthusiast as well as the novice listener.