Third Thursday Jazz Concert in Burnett Park

Join us under the stars at Burnett Park for the finale of 2021 3rd Thursday Jazz series. 

Texas's finest Western swing, Vintage country, Texas fiddle band!

Churning out true blue authentic Texas flavored music, internationally-renowned guitar master Joey McKenzie drives the train, Fiddle champion Ridge Roberts astounds, and world- class upright bassist Matthew Mefford adds fuel to the fire. Named 'Best Western Swing Group' at the Ameripolitan Awards, as well as their album 'Wild Blue Yonder' receiving the Best Western Swing Album Award from both the Academy of Western Artists and the Western Music Association. The trio delivers old school professionalism in every sense, appealing to a diverse cross section of music fans both young and young at heart.

Opening Act - the RL Paschal Jazz ensemble will open for The Western Flyers

Paschal Jazz has a rich history going back to the early 1960s when Phil Hewett was director.  In the trophy case of the main hallway of Paschal High School, there are still two State Championship trophies from that era when the band was showcased with guest artist Doc Severinsen in Corpus Christi, TX.  Noted alumni of Paschal Jazz include John Thomas (Count Basie, Chick Corea), Bill Collins III and Randy Lee (Top local professionals, members of the UNT One O'clock Lab Band), Dean Parks (Steely Dan, Michael Jackson, Elton John), Preston Thomas (retired FWSO), and Brian Merrill (Retired, Duncanville ISD and a clinician and mentor for the Paschal Band program).

Western Swing for 3rd Thursday Jazz? 

"When you stop and think about it, blending country music and jazz just does not seem to make very much sense. The former is defined by its rural simplicity, the latter by its urbane sophistication and forbidding musical complexity. Yet in the 1920s, when Texas musicians began playing fiddle tunes together with jazz standards in a big band setting with swinging rhythms and fiery instrumental solos, dancers and listeners alike went wild and a considerable international audience has continued to do so without interruption ever since."

- Anderson, Rick. “Hot Club of Cowtown.” Notes, vol. 66, no. 4, June 2010, pp. 855–856.