The Lake Today

After a successful kick-off performance of the School of the Osage and Lake Area jazz bands in January, the Ozark Jazz Society continues its 2012 concert season with an exciting brunch this weekend.

According to Ozark Jazz Society President Jack Schaumburg, the 2010 Jazz Brunch with Michael Vyrostek was so well received the Ozark Jazz Society decided to hold it again last year and kick it up a notch this year.

The Jazz West Trio will perform on the grand piano from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19 at Country Club Hotel and Spa in Lake Ozark.

A special breakfast and lunch will also be served as audiences enjoy the variety of music the Jazz West Trio provides.

Guests will enjoy a variety of breakfast and lunch specials during the buffet, at a nominal fee. There is no admission or cover charge to simply attend the event, and special “jazz” drink specials will also be available.

After three years away from Lake of the Ozarks, the New Red Onion Jazz Babies’ seven-piece traditional jazz band from Kansas City returns for a performance on Sunday, March 18 at Osage National Golf Resort in Lake Ozark.

Playing the West Coast style using the tuba and banjo in the rhythm section rather than a guitar and bass, the New Red Onion Jazz Babies has performed for more than 20 years, winning many awards at Dixieland festivals and traveling throughout the Midwest providing audiences with traditional and entertaining sounds of jazz, swing and Dixieland.

This event will start with dinner service from 5-6:30 p.m. The menu includes tossed salad with dressing, roast beef, jumbo cheese filled ravioli, mashed potatoes with gravy, chefs veggie and chefs dessert. A cash bar will be available from 4:30-9:30 p.m. and the concert will heat up the night from 6:30-9:30 p.m.

The dinner service only requires reservations for an optional $12, which includes tax and gratuity. No reservations are needed to simply attend the concert.

Admission for this event is $12.50 per person and $10 per person for Jazz Society members.

For more information, visit www.newredonionjazzbabies.com.

A band who has been playing from nearly 30 years will make a first-time appearance April 29 at Country Club Hotel and Spa in Lake Ozark.

Dave Bennett and the Festival All Stars are a high velocity Dixieland band, with an accomplished Michigan-based frontman Dave Bennett. With sounds inspired by his hero, Benny Goodman, his Dixieland, big band and swinging styles have landed his longtime sextet for stage concerts in 30 states over the years and has performed with various “all stars” in his group across the United States and Canada.

His booked solid 2012 schedule lands his ensemble in numerous jazz hot spots, including a first-time stop at Lake of the Ozarks with the Ozark Jazz Society.

Critics reveal Dave Bennett as “a genuine clarinet phenomenon” and “Audiences completely blown away, remarkable talent of genius proportions.”

Joining Bennett for this Lake-based event will include Dave Majchrzak on piano, Jack Tartar on drums and Bob Stout on bass.

This event will start with dinner service from 5-6:30 p.m. The menu includes tossed salad with dressing, lasagna, Italian green beans, garlic bread and chefs dessert. A cash bar will be available from 4:30-9:30 p.m. and the concert will heat up the night from 6:30-9:30 p.m.

The dinner service only requires reservations for an optional $12, which includes tax and gratuity. No reservations are needed to simply attend the concert.

Admission for this event is $12.50 per person and $10 per person for Jazz Society members.

For more information, visit http://davebennett.com.

For more information, ticket and food prices, and updates about Ozark Jazz Society, call 573-365-3411, email info@lakeozarkjazz.org or visit www.lakeozarkjazz.org.

Remaining Ozark Jazz Society 2012 Line-up

• Jazz Brunch with Jazz West Trio – Sunday, Feb. 19 at Country Club Hotel and Spa, Lake Ozark

• New Red Onion Jazz Babies – Sunday, March 18 at Osage National Golf Resort, Lake Ozark

• Dave Bennett and Festival All Stars – Sunday, April 29 at Country Club Hotel and Spa, Lake Ozark

• Cornet Chop Suey – Sunday, May 6 at Osage National Golf Resort, Lake Ozark

• Jeff Barnhard and Brian Holland – Sunday, June 10 at Osage National Golf Resort, Lake Ozark

• Pool Party, Barbeque and Dance – Sunday, July 22 at Osage National Golf Resort in Lake Ozark

• Jazz Brunch with Kathleen Marco and Friends – Sunday, Aug. 19 at Osage National Golf Resort, Lake Ozark

• St. Louis Stompers – Sunday, Sept. 23 at Osage National Golf Resort in Lake Ozark

• TBA – October

• Bram Wijnands Swingtet – Sunday, Nov. 11 at Osage National Golf Resort in Lake Ozark

• No performance in December for holiday season