Jazz afficionados will love what’s happening this weekend in downtown St. Charles.

It’s called St. Charles Jazz Weekend, and it’s a four-day event that coordinates and promotes live jazz music in different downtown establishments. Eight downtown St. Charles venues will take part in this year’s event, which features 16 jazz groups, including Grammy-award-winning saxophonist Frank Catalano.

Patrons enjoy jazz music from lunch through the evening, with the opportunity to visit multiple venues, including the 1st Street Plaza on both Friday and Sunday night.

Frank Catalano Bio

SOURCE: http://www.catalanomusic.com/

“FRANK CATALANO IS JOHN COLTRANE ENERGY FOR THE 21ST CENTURY!!!”

– Downbeat Magazine

Frank Catalano’s new Ropeadope Recording, “God’s Gonna Cut You Down” debuted at No. 2 on the iTunes Jazz sales chart and was the #1 charting Instrumental album upon its release in April 2015. “Love Supreme Collective” Debuted at No. 1 on the itunes Jazz Charts in July 2014 and is an homage to John Coltrane featuring Jimmy Chamberlin (Smashing Pumpkins), Percy Jones (Brand X), Chris Poland (Megadeath), and Adam Benjamin (Kneebody).

Catalano’s Savoy/Columbia recording “Bang!” debuted at No. 12 on the Billboard Jazz Charts. Frank’s recording, “Mighty Burner” was on the Billboard Charts for 20 straight weeks. Now 37 years old, Catalano is the only known saxman to have performed with Miles Davis, Randy Brecker, Charles Earland, Elvin Jones, Stan Getz, Betty Carter, Von Freeman, Tito Puente, Tony Bennett, Les Claypool and Louis Bellson while still in high school.

This led to his signing to Delmark Records at age 18 and a string of critically acclaimed recordings. Catalano has been heard by millions of people all over the world thanks in part to three Grammy-winning and 11 Grammy-nominated recordings with artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Destiny’s Child, and John Legend. He has also performed live on the Oprah Winfrey TV show with singer/composer Seal.

No stranger to adversity, Catalano cut off his right middle finger in an automobile accident. After several surgeries and much effort, Catalano relearned his signature technique, making him one of the most in-demand musicians today. He regularly donates his musical services to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Also an entrepreneur, Catalano has patented a devise that allows him to control his saxophone via midi components. Catalano is a spokesperson/clinician/performing artist for companies such as Yamaha, Rico/D’Addario, and JodyJazz. He can be seen in their Print Ads worldwide. Catalano’s songs have been used in the ad campaigns of Motorola, Jaguar, Land Rover, and Budweiser as well as numerous TV and Film productions.

When not on tour or in the studio, Catalano enjoys composing classical music. He graduated from DePaul University with a BA in music composition and he plays piano, drums and flute in addition to the saxophone. His non-musical interests include racing his BWM in closed course competition.

Jazz Weekend Schedule

SOURCE: www.downtownstcharles.org

THURSDAY, Sept. 8, 2016

• FRANK CATALANO — 6-9 PM – THE FILLING STATION PUB & GRILL
• CHARLIE CRUCE — 8:30 PM-12 AM – ROX CITY GRILL
• STEVE BARNES AND THE HAZY SPARROWS — 9 PM-12 AM – THE HOUSE PUB

FRIDAY, Sept. 9

• DREAMS DANCE ACADEMY — 5:30-6:30 PM – 1ST STREET PLAZA
• ROGUE JAZZ — 8:30-11 PM – MCNALLY’S TRADITIONAL IRISH PUB
• ALEX MURPHY TRIO — 7-9 PM – THE FILLING STATION PUB & GRILL
• MARSHALL NELSON — 8:30 PM-12 AM – ROX CITY GRILL
• ALYSSA ALLGOOD — 9:30 PM-12 AM – THE HOUSE PUB

SATURDAY, Sept. 10

• RODERICK CHAMBERS — 7-8 PM – THE JANK GUITAR STORE
• ROGUE JAZZ — 7-9 PM – THE FILLING STATION PUB & GRILL
• JOHNNY BURNETT — 8:30 PM-12 AM – ROX CITY GRILL
• FRANK CATALANO — 10 PM-12 AM – THE HOUSE PUB

SUNDAY, Sept. 11

• KINGDOM OF GROOVE — 9-10 AM – BAKER MEMORIAL CHURCH
• ALEX MURPHY QUINTET — 10:30-11:30 AM – BAKER MEMORIAL CHURCH
• ANDY SCHLINDER DUO —3-5 PM – THE OFFICE
• ROGUE JAZZ — 4-7 PM – MCNALLY’S TRADITIONAL IRISH PUB
• JOEL BAER QUARTET — 9 PM-12 AM – THE HOUSE PUB