jazz
music
festival
Camden's Jazz in June
2026
Artists
THE JOHN SCOFIELD TRIO
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John Scofield’s guitar work has influenced jazz since the late 70’s and is going strong today. Possessor of a very distinctive sound and stylistic diversity, Scofield is a masterful jazz improviser whose music generally falls somewhere between post-bop, funk edged jazz, and R & B.
Born in Ohio and raised in suburban Connecticut, Scofield took up the guitar at age 11, inspired by both rock and blues players. He attended Berklee College of Music in Boston. After a debut recording with Gerry Mulligan and Chet Baker, Scofield was a member of the Billy Cobham-George Duke band for two years. In 1977 he recorded with Charles Mingus, and joined the Gary Burton quartet. He began his international career as a bandleader and recording artist in 1978. From 1982–1985, Scofield toured and recorded with Miles Davis. His Davis stint placed him firmly in the foreground of jazz consciousness as a player and composer.
Since that time he has prominently led his own groups in the international Jazz scene, recorded over 30 albums as a leader (many already classics) including collaborations with contemporary favorites like Pat Metheny, Charlie Haden, Eddie Harris, Medeski, Martin & Wood, Bill Frisell, Brad Mehldau, Mavis Staples, Government Mule, Jack DeJohnette, Joe Lovano and Phil Lesh. He’s played and recorded with Tony Williams, Jim Hall, Ron Carter, Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson, Dave Holland, Terumasa Hino among many jazz legends. Throughout his career Scofield has punctuated his traditional jazz offerings with funk-oriented electric music. All along, the guitarist has kept an open musical mind.
Touring the world approximately 200 days per year with his own groups, he is an Adjunct Professor of Music at New York University, a husband, and father of two.
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The acclaimed John Scofield Trio features three-time Grammy Award winning guitarist and composer John Scofield, bass player Vicente Archer and percussionist Bill Stewart. Their music is intricate, personal and complex, highlighting a repertoire of Scofield compositions and jazz standards along with material ranging from Bob Dylan to Miles Davis.
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SAVANI LATIN JAZZ QUARTET
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Traditional rhythms of Cuba and South America are given flight with jazz arrangements that highlight the improvisatory prowess of the musicians in The Savani Latin Jazz Quartet.
The songs breathe with a deep lyricism, inviting the audience into a rich and unpredictable musical landscape.
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EDWARDS-HAINES DUO​​
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A musical collaboration between Portland, Maine-based jazz musicians Duane Edwards (bassist) and Evan Haines (guitarist).
Duane Edwards is an accomplished, full-time professional musician and jazz bass professor at several Maine institutions, including the University of Maine at Augusta and Bowdoin College.
Evan Haines is a multi-genre guitarist who performs with various groups, including the duo with Duane Edwards.
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BOBBY KATZ DUO
Bobby Katz is a saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, and producer/mix engineer from New York. Bobby has studied and/or performed with Wynton Marsalis, John Scofield, Mark Turner and more at various notable venues including Jazz at Lincoln Center, Jazz at the Kitano, and the Blue Note. In 2016, Bobby graduated with honors from New York University where he was the sole recipient of the jazz studies award for exceptional achievement, service, and leadership. In 2018, Katz was awarded third prize in the Vandoren Emerging Artist jazz saxophone competition. As a recording artist, Bobby’s projects (Bobby G, Bobby Katz Quartet, Bobbylene, and more) garner over 3 million streams each month. His original composition “Acadia” was featured on Spotify’s largest jazz editorial playlist “Coffee Table Jazz” with over 2.5 million followers.
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IG: @bobbykatz
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MYLES KELLEY
Myles Kelley is a talented jazz pianist, composer, and educator from Appleton, Maine, known for his work with the Myles Kelley Trio, performing at venues like the Farnsworth Art Museum and Bistro La Cave in Camden and has performed at several of the Jazz in June festivals at the Camden Opera House. Myles' musical style focuses on original instrumental music, blending improvisation, groove, and passion, often with dynamic visuals. Myles also teaches piano, jazz theory, and music production at the Maine Academy of Modern Music. He's a University of Maine graduate with strong roots in the mid-coast music scene.
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THE UMAINE AUGUSTA FACULTY JAZZ GROUP
Bassist Duane Edwards is based in Portland and has performed throughout New England, across the United States, and Canada -- notably at Lincoln Center. He studied jazz at the University of Maine at Augusta and completed his master’s degree in Jazz Studies at University of Southern Maine in 2020. Duane is the jazz bass professor at the University of Maine at Augusta; and Bowdoin and Colby colleges. He performs in a variety of groups with styles ranging from jazz to rock to Cuban.
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Photos by Pete Kalajian
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MIDCOAST MUSIC ACADEMY
JAZZ FACULTY ENSEMBLE
AND STUDENT ALLSTARS
info to come
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​​DAVID CLARKE
David began his musical quest on the ukelele at age 3. He started clarinet in the 5th grade, and got serious with the guitar at age 12. At 13 he was performing gigs, and played in the pit band for Waterville Opera House' production of "Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris." He did a four year stint with the Air Force Band, playing in rock and jazz ensembles in Mississippi, touring the southern coast; The Philippines, touring Japan, Korea, Okinawa, Guam and Hawaii; and at Travis Air Force Base in California. He moved back to Maine in 1986, opening up David's Music, a local retail store where he taught music lessons and performed in local bands. He started a band called DC-3, which won the Belfast Bay Festival Battle of the Bands three years running. Over the next 25 years he has played with such bands as Faceplant, Tonto Lavec, The Willy Kelly Band, The Hemmens, The Bel-Isle Trio/Quintet, and The Elevator Pilots. He completed his Bachelors in Music Education from UMA and UMO in 1995.
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​​MELISSA ELLIOTTE​
Singer-songwriter Melissa Elliotte recently moved to Rockport, Maine and has performed in the U.S., UK, Switzerland and Ireland-- notably the Rose of Tralee festival. Her original jazz album Sunshine Moonlight was co-written with David Keary, the lead guitarist for Van Morrison. Her cover of Norah Jones' "Come Away With Me" was also part of the UK gold compilation album, Songbird. She's been fortunate to open for Meteor Irish Music and RTE Folk Award Winner John Spillane and have one of her original songs, "No One Else," be covered by the Irish artist, Frances Black. She currently performs locally with long-time Belfast resident and guitarist, David Clarke.
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SHADES OF BLUE
Juliane & Chris have been playing music together since they met in the 90’s at the University of Maine at Augusta Jazz and Contemporary Performance program, forming New Shades of Blue in 2008. The duo evokes a sunny nostalgia, performing their own compositions and jazz standards.
Singer Juliane Gardner, raised on local theater and jazz greats Thelonius Monk and Carmen McRae, has also performed in the singer-songwriter folk world. As a songwriter, she has released two original albums and has had her compositions included in both regional and nationally broadcast TV shows. She has shared the stage with Chris Smither, Noel Paul Stookey, and most recently jazz clarinetist Brad Terry. Her voice is pure and smooth—perfectly suited to the old-time sound of New Shades of Blue.
Gardner’s husband, Christopher Poulin, offers soulful guitar mastery and crisp rhythmic punctuation to their sound. He draws on 40 years of experience as a performer with funky Hammond B3 organ groups in the greater Boston area, the award-winning big bands of Youngstown State University, on cruise ships from the Mississippi River to the Caribbean, and venues along the Maine coast. Their original music can be heard at www.NewShadesofBlue.com.
​BAY CHAMBER JAZZ ENSEMBLE
Bay Chamber Jazz Ensemble is a student/faculty ensemble based in Camden/Rockport that meets on Tuesday evenings at the music school. Open to all levels of players, the ensemble plays a variety of jazz music styles including swing, funk, and Latin. This year’s group features students Annegien Zuidema on cello, Neal Yetman on guitar, Nathan Perkins on piano, Jeremiah Khan on saxophone and faculty members Nate Martin on cello and Mike Whitehead on drums. The Ensemble will play on the rooftop of Salt Wharf, 3 Wayfarer Drive, on the far side of Camden Harbor.
camdenoperahouse.com
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1:00 - 3:00 pm
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