Union Park - Betsy Hickok Quartet
« Return to the July 2012 Calendar- July 8, 2012 2:00PM - 4:00PM
- 725 Thompson Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50316 (Click here for directions)
- Add to my calendar
Betsy Hickok Quartet hosted by the Union Park Neighborhood Association at Union Park East Shelter. To listen to Betsy Hickok Quartet, click here.
Union Park Neighborhood Association’s Jazz in July concert is Sunday, July 8th. Bring the family, lawn chairs and friendly pets to hear Betsy Hickok and the Standards from 2 - 4pm on the lawn near the East Shelter on Thompson Avenue. We are pleased to host this live jazz in the Union Park neighborhood and the greater East Side!
Members of the Betsy Hickok and the Standards group include Betsy Hickok (Vocals), Dave Rezek (Trumpet), Ron Roberts (Guitar), and Scott Barnum (Bass). Betsy Hickok has performed as a solo jazz vocalist, and as a member of the Iowa City-based group “Too Much Yang.” In 2006, she released her first solo jazz album featuring jazz standards, and the Iowa City Press-Citizen said in its review, “Betsy Hickok boasts a cool, clear water delivery, impeccable timing, and the knowing gift for phrasing that can only come from a long, loving immersion in classic jazz.” Hickok has appeared several times in the Iowa City Jazz Festival, the Jazz from Riverside Theatre series, and in numerous local and regional venues. Betsy Hickok has been a part of the Iowa City jazz scene for 20 years, and recently moved to Ames, Iowa.
This is the sixth year of a jazz concert in or near the park! The Heritage Carousel will once again offer free Carousel rides from 2-4 p.m. The rides are sponsored by USBank & Genus Landscape Architects. Kids can also enjoy the Rocket Slide and other playground equipment as well as the wading pool. Union Park Neighborhood Association will provide free drinks and cookies. Ice cream from Kaleidoscoops and other treats will be available for purchase.
Even if you are not a jazz aficionado, come relax to the music in beautiful Union Park and meet your neighbors; take a nostalgic ride on the Carousel; support this event sponsored by the Union Park Neighborhood Association. We hope to see lots of our neighbors at this fun afternoon in Union Park. In the event of rain the concert will be cancelled.
Band Members:
Betsy Hickok – Vocal
Dave Rezek – Trumpet
Ron Roberts – Guitar
Scott Barnum – Bass
Interesting Facts about Betsy Hickok:
- Betsy Hickok has been a part of the Iowa City jazz scene for 20 years and just married guitarist Ron Roberts last June.
- Iowa natives Dave Rezek and Scott Barnum actually met a thousand miles from here - as fellow jazz students at the New England Conservatory.
- While some vocalists may view the band as "accompanists," her vision is of a group of musicians who find energy and creativity -- and breathe new life into jazz standards -- by playing off of one another's musical ideas. The performance will also feature some original tunes.
About Betsy Hickok Quartet:
Betsy Hickok has performed as a solo jazz vocalist, and as a member of the Iowa City-based group “Too Much Yang.” In 2006, she released her first solo jazz album featuring jazz standards. Trumpeter Dave Rezek holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree with a jazz emphasis from the University of Northern Iowa, and a Master of Music degree in jazz trumpet performance from New England Conservatory. Since 1989, he has been a music educator, performed, and/or taught privately throughout the U.S. A Chicago area native, Ron Roberts worked extensively in the Chicago Jazz scene before moving to Ames to join the ISU faculty, where he is a research scientist. Iowa native Scott Barnum holds a music degree from the New England Conservatory.