Jazz & Blues Fest
Join us on June 14, 2025
Please join us for our 4th Annual Jazz & Blues Fest at Edwin Warner Park! We are excited to announce that tickets can now be purchased that include beer or wine tickets. We kick off at 5pm at Shelter 5 in beautiful Edwin Warner Park. From Old Hickory Blvd., turn onto Vaughn Road, then turn at the picnic shelter sign past the dog park. Tickets also include Chicago dog! Children under 12 free to attend.
About the Artists
Midtown Jazz Quartet
The Midtown Jazz Quartet is an accomplished group of musicians, each a professional in his own right, formed out of an ensemble at the Nashville Jazz Workshop.
Michael Morton - flute
Michael began his studies with jazz at Berklee College of Music with Peter Gordon and Matt Marvuglio . He then decided to focus on classical studies, transferring to the University of Memphis, where he studied with Bruce Erskine. After 3 1/2 years, he transferred to Chapman University, studying with Arthur Hoberman and received his Bachelor of Music degree in Flute Performance. He then was awarded a fellowship to study at the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California where he earned a masters in flute performance with Jim Walker. Michael is former principal flutist with the Southeast Symphony of Los Angeles and a member of various chamber groups. He can be heard on movie soundtracks, and has performed with or for The Los Angeles Opera, Placido Domingo, Whitney Houston, Terrance Blanchard, Rihanna, Terrance Howard, and Spike Lee. He currently resides in Nashville, where he is a freelance flutist. He has recorded 7 albums, some of which can be found on Amazon, Spotify and other streaming services.
Steve King - piano
Steve is a professional pianist and keyboardist with over twenty years experience working in the Nashville music scene. His recording and performing credits include Keith Urban, Jason Aldean, Kelly Clarkson, and Michael Omartian just to name a few. A major highlight of Steve’s career was performing on the 54th Grammy awards in 2012. As a music educator, Steve taught for 5 years in Nashville public schools and is currently an adjunct music professor at Tennessee State University. In addition, Steve has been a supporter and participant of the Nashville Jazz Workshop since its inception. Steve is also a member of the Jazz group The Midtown Jazz Quartet and performs regularly in the Nashville Area.
Gus Duffy - drums
Gus fell in love with Jazz as a little guy…there was always music in the house…lots of instruments, piano, guitar, etc. He balanced music and architecture studies all through school, and was a full time professional musician before focusing on architecture career full time. He established Gus Duffy Architect, AIA, Studio City, California in the seventies, and continues designing and developing custom residences since moving to Nashville in 2017. He follows the advice of master drummer/educator Matt Wilson: “if you want to be a working jazz drummer, learn a lot of songs, and learn to play quietly”. Gus considers the Nashville Jazz Workshop “home”, and considers Gary, Michael, and Steve brothers.
Gary J. Smith - bass
Gary ’s musical roots are in Texas, where he learned to play his church’s old Kay bass once he was tall enough. Although trained classically, he has played a variety of musical styles, including bluegrass, jazz and other American roots music. He is the bassist for the bluegrass band The Dillards, and has performed and/or recorded with The Brother Boys, Tom T. Hall, and the Midtown Jazz Quartet, among others. Gary is a family physician in Nashville.
The Midtown Jazz Quartet is an accomplished group of musicians, each a professional in his own right, formed out of an ensemble at the Nashville Jazz Workshop.
Michael Morton - flute
Michael began his studies with jazz at Berklee College of Music with Peter Gordon and Matt Marvuglio . He then decided to focus on classical studies, transferring to the University of Memphis, where he studied with Bruce Erskine. After 3 1/2 years, he transferred to Chapman University, studying with Arthur Hoberman and received his Bachelor of Music degree in Flute Performance. He then was awarded a fellowship to study at the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California where he earned a masters in flute performance with Jim Walker. Michael is former principal flutist with the Southeast Symphony of Los Angeles and a member of various chamber groups. He can be heard on movie soundtracks, and has performed with or for The Los Angeles Opera, Placido Domingo, Whitney Houston, Terrance Blanchard, Rihanna, Terrance Howard, and Spike Lee. He currently resides in Nashville, where he is a freelance flutist. He has recorded 7 albums, some of which can be found on Amazon, Spotify and other streaming services.
Steve King - piano
Steve is a professional pianist and keyboardist with over twenty years experience working in the Nashville music scene. His recording and performing credits include Keith Urban, Jason Aldean, Kelly Clarkson, and Michael Omartian just to name a few. A major highlight of Steve’s career was performing on the 54th Grammy awards in 2012. As a music educator, Steve taught for 5 years in Nashville public schools and is currently an adjunct music professor at Tennessee State University. In addition, Steve has been a supporter and participant of the Nashville Jazz Workshop since its inception. Steve is also a member of the Jazz group The Midtown Jazz Quartet and performs regularly in the Nashville Area.
Gus Duffy - drums
Gus fell in love with Jazz as a little guy…there was always music in the house…lots of instruments, piano, guitar, etc. He balanced music and architecture studies all through school, and was a full time professional musician before focusing on architecture career full time. He established Gus Duffy Architect, AIA, Studio City, California in the seventies, and continues designing and developing custom residences since moving to Nashville in 2017. He follows the advice of master drummer/educator Matt Wilson: “if you want to be a working jazz drummer, learn a lot of songs, and learn to play quietly”. Gus considers the Nashville Jazz Workshop “home”, and considers Gary, Michael, and Steve brothers.
Gary J. Smith - bass
Gary ’s musical roots are in Texas, where he learned to play his church’s old Kay bass once he was tall enough. Although trained classically, he has played a variety of musical styles, including bluegrass, jazz and other American roots music. He is the bassist for the bluegrass band The Dillards, and has performed and/or recorded with The Brother Boys, Tom T. Hall, and the Midtown Jazz Quartet, among others. Gary is a family physician in Nashville.
THE CRYSTAL MILLER BAND
The Crystal Miller Band will move you with the music that moves them. That’s why, when you hear them, you hear the combination of ALL of their musical experiences. When asked which genre of music she prefers, Crystal will tell you, “That’s like asking a woman to choose one favorite pair of shoes–it’s virtually impossible!!–different genres speak to me for different reasons”–like the memories of the R&B, Pop and Rock of her youth, to the stories and harmonies of Country and Bluegrass, to the impassioned lyrics and sensual, soul-affirming rhythms of the Latin music that she’s grown to love performing. Crystal combines those beats and rhythms with jazz sensibilities. She’s an alum of the Nashville Jazz Workshop and has spent years honing her craft with various bands both locally and abroad.
Kenny Zarider on Keyboards, Vincent Heckard on Percussion/Drums and Michael Majett on Bass, bring their diverse influences and decades of experience across genres, cultures and styles.
All combined, The CRYSTAL MILLER BAND offers a compelling musical experience rooted in technical excellence, global rhythms and creative synergy--delivering performances and compositions of jazz and more, that are as sophisticated as they are soul-stirring.
The Crystal Miller Band will move you with the music that moves them. That’s why, when you hear them, you hear the combination of ALL of their musical experiences. When asked which genre of music she prefers, Crystal will tell you, “That’s like asking a woman to choose one favorite pair of shoes–it’s virtually impossible!!–different genres speak to me for different reasons”–like the memories of the R&B, Pop and Rock of her youth, to the stories and harmonies of Country and Bluegrass, to the impassioned lyrics and sensual, soul-affirming rhythms of the Latin music that she’s grown to love performing. Crystal combines those beats and rhythms with jazz sensibilities. She’s an alum of the Nashville Jazz Workshop and has spent years honing her craft with various bands both locally and abroad.
Kenny Zarider on Keyboards, Vincent Heckard on Percussion/Drums and Michael Majett on Bass, bring their diverse influences and decades of experience across genres, cultures and styles.
All combined, The CRYSTAL MILLER BAND offers a compelling musical experience rooted in technical excellence, global rhythms and creative synergy--delivering performances and compositions of jazz and more, that are as sophisticated as they are soul-stirring.
TIM GARTLAND BAND
As an acclaimed contemporary blues artist, Tim has spent his life crafting his art. Inspired at age 13 at a Muddy Waters concert in his home state of Ohio, he began his musical journey learning the harmonica and the blues genre.
Through his study and immersion in the genre, Tim realized that if roots/blues music was going to stay relevant in today’s world, the songs had to tackle contemporary subjects. “The blues is essentially a genre in which the singer is having a cathartic experience. If you write about themes that are meaningful to your experience, you will create something new,” says Gartland.
He performed in local bands throughout college at Kent State. After a move to Chicago, he immersed himself into the Chicago root/blues scene, playing with the greats such a Bo Diddley, Carey Bell, and Pinetop Perkins. Tim has noted to be influenced by Little Walter for his harp playing, Ray Charles for his interpretation of a song, Willie Dixon for his songwriting.
Tim’s journey led him to Boston where he became a key player in the blues circuit. He was a finalist in the Boston International Blues Challenge and made frequent appearances at regional and national blues festivals. He also was invited to make prestigious guest artist appearances with the top tier musicians in this talent-rich area.
To date, Tim has released five critically acclaimed solo albums. His first two albums were recorded in Boston. The albums “Looking Into The Sun” and “Million Stars” prompted The Boston Globe to declare “the bluesman is a true triple-threat performer, equally accomplished as an emotive vocalist, eloquent harmonica player and evocative songwriter”.
Relocating to Nashville in 2015, he became an active member of the Nashville Songwriters Association and was named to their “ones to watch” list. The Nashville Scene wrote “Gartland shows he is a clever and talented songwriter, a skilled harp player and a soulful vocalist. And that’s the truth”. He is a prolific songwriter and collaborates with other Music City artists. He also performs regionally and continues to be in demand for session work.
Tim has released 3 solo albums in Nashville. “If You Want A Good Woman”, “Satisfied” and “Truth”. A review of “Satisfied” by Downbeat Magazine opined that his: “His Little Walter-inspired harmonica work can send shivers down your spine, and there is a much distinction in his vocals and songwriting too”. “Truth” reached #9 on the U.S. contemporary blues charts and #5 on Tennessee’s Root’s radio charts where it remained for over 4 months, one of the longest runs of any artist that year.
In addition to his writing and performing pursuits, Tim is a teacher and author. He wrote an instructional manual “The Talking Harmonica” and teaches online all over the country.
As an acclaimed contemporary blues artist, Tim has spent his life crafting his art. Inspired at age 13 at a Muddy Waters concert in his home state of Ohio, he began his musical journey learning the harmonica and the blues genre.
Through his study and immersion in the genre, Tim realized that if roots/blues music was going to stay relevant in today’s world, the songs had to tackle contemporary subjects. “The blues is essentially a genre in which the singer is having a cathartic experience. If you write about themes that are meaningful to your experience, you will create something new,” says Gartland.
He performed in local bands throughout college at Kent State. After a move to Chicago, he immersed himself into the Chicago root/blues scene, playing with the greats such a Bo Diddley, Carey Bell, and Pinetop Perkins. Tim has noted to be influenced by Little Walter for his harp playing, Ray Charles for his interpretation of a song, Willie Dixon for his songwriting.
Tim’s journey led him to Boston where he became a key player in the blues circuit. He was a finalist in the Boston International Blues Challenge and made frequent appearances at regional and national blues festivals. He also was invited to make prestigious guest artist appearances with the top tier musicians in this talent-rich area.
To date, Tim has released five critically acclaimed solo albums. His first two albums were recorded in Boston. The albums “Looking Into The Sun” and “Million Stars” prompted The Boston Globe to declare “the bluesman is a true triple-threat performer, equally accomplished as an emotive vocalist, eloquent harmonica player and evocative songwriter”.
Relocating to Nashville in 2015, he became an active member of the Nashville Songwriters Association and was named to their “ones to watch” list. The Nashville Scene wrote “Gartland shows he is a clever and talented songwriter, a skilled harp player and a soulful vocalist. And that’s the truth”. He is a prolific songwriter and collaborates with other Music City artists. He also performs regionally and continues to be in demand for session work.
Tim has released 3 solo albums in Nashville. “If You Want A Good Woman”, “Satisfied” and “Truth”. A review of “Satisfied” by Downbeat Magazine opined that his: “His Little Walter-inspired harmonica work can send shivers down your spine, and there is a much distinction in his vocals and songwriting too”. “Truth” reached #9 on the U.S. contemporary blues charts and #5 on Tennessee’s Root’s radio charts where it remained for over 4 months, one of the longest runs of any artist that year.
In addition to his writing and performing pursuits, Tim is a teacher and author. He wrote an instructional manual “The Talking Harmonica” and teaches online all over the country.
TICKETS
Tickets for this performance are $25 p/person without alcohol and $35 p/person that includes 4 drink tickets (wine and beer only). Separate drink tickets will not be sold at the event. Waters and Chicago Style Dogs are at no cost. A 20% discount is available to Arts Bellevue's sustaining members. If you are interested in becoming an Arts Bellevue sustaining member please CLICK HERE for more information and to join.
No refunds are available.
Tickets for this performance are $25 p/person without alcohol and $35 p/person that includes 4 drink tickets (wine and beer only). Separate drink tickets will not be sold at the event. Waters and Chicago Style Dogs are at no cost. A 20% discount is available to Arts Bellevue's sustaining members. If you are interested in becoming an Arts Bellevue sustaining member please CLICK HERE for more information and to join.
No refunds are available.