MANSFIELD — The American Federation of Musicians Local 159 in Mansfield has announced its 2024 Summer “Music in the Parks” schedule of free concerts.
“This summer’s concerts will offer everything from a 52-member concert band to a four-piece country band, according to MITP coordinator Steve Brown.
According to the group’s website, “Since 1896, the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) has been synonymous with professionally performed music in all styles and for all occasions. We, the members of the AFM Local 159, have dedicated ourselves to maintaining that tradition through our efforts in Mansfield, Ashland, Wooster, and the surrounding areas since 1901.”
Members of the Mansfield Federation of Musicians include professional musicians, educators, and students from a four-county area.
Funding for these free concerts is provided through a grant from the Music Performance Trust Fund and the American Federation of Musicians, along with donations from area businesses.
The Mansfield Art Center outdoor pavilion will again host 10 free concerts at 7 p.m. on Fridays.
Shelby will host eight concerts at the Black Fork Commons on Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
Other concerts will be in the communities of Crestline, Bellville, and Galion.
Below are the AFM Local 159 performing groups, show dates and locations:
AFM 159 Concert Band
(Mike Grady, leader)
The 52-member Concert Band, under the direction of Grady, performs traditional marches,
overtures, show tunes and light classics. Members of the band include professional musicians, educators, businessmen and women and students from the surrounding area.
Thursday, June 13 – Central Park in Bellville
Friday, June 14 – Art Center in Mansfield
Wednesday, June 19 – Black Fork Commons in Shelby
Thursday, June 20 – downtown in Crestline
Friday, June 21 – downtown in Galion
AFM 159 Big Jazz Band
(Paul Martin, leader)
Under the direction of Shelby resident Martin, the 17-piece Big Jazz Band performs the music of Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Glenn Miller and many others. The group also features original compositions and arrangements by Paul Martin and other members of the band.
Wednesday, July 10 – Black Fork Commons in Shelby
Thursday, July 11 – downtown in Crestline
Friday, June 12 – Art Center in Mansfield
Monday, Sept 9. – Ashland Jazz Society Concert
David Berry Band
(David Berry, leader)
Berry is a young guitar player and singer from Ashland who normally performs traditional country music as a solo artist. For this concert he will be joined by four other musicians performing the music of country legends like Merle Haggard, George Jones, Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash.
Wednesday, June 26 – Black Fork Commons in Shelby
Friday, Aug. 16 – Art Center in Mansfield
Thursday, Aug. 29 – downtown in Crestline
Steve Brown & Friends
(Steve Brown, leader)
Led by local educator and keyboard player/vocalist Brown, this 6-piece band will perform jazz standards, mellow classic rock of the 60’s and 70’s, and 50’s rock and roll.
Thursday, June 6 – downtown in Crestline
Friday, June 28 – Art Center in Mansfield
Wednesday, July 3 – Black Fork Commons in Shelby
Suburban Brass
(Ken Holzworth, leader)
Led by Holzworth, this is a brass quintet plus one and includes two trumpets, French Horn,
trombone, tuba, and percussion. They will play light classics and instrumental pop. All are current or former members of the Mansfield Symphony.
Friday, July 5 – Art Center in Mansfield
Wednesday, Aug.7 – Black Fork Commons in Shelby
Thursday, Aug. 8 – downtown in Crestline
Redemption Dixieland Band
(Damian Boyd, leader)
Led by trombonist Damian Boyd, this 5-piece group Dixieland band will delight the audience with the music of New Orleans.
Wednesday, July 17 – Black Fork Commons in Shelby
Thursday, July 25 – downtown in Crestline
Friday, July 26 – Art Center in Mansfield
Abstractions
(McCray Martin, leader)
Led by Shelby resident Martin, the band showcases his original compositions as well as other different genres of music including jazz, jazz fusion, soul, funk, disco, and progressive rock.
Wednesday, July 31 – Black Fork Commons in Shelby
Friday, Aug. 2 -Art Center in Mansfield
Stardust
(Paul Martin, leader)
Also led by Martin, Stardust performs jazz standards from the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. This self-
described “mini-big Big Band” consists of three trombones, two saxes and rhythm section.
Friday, July 19 – Art Center in Mansfield
Wednesday, July 24 – Black Fork Commons in Shelby
Jeff Boyd Band
(Jeffrey Boyd, leader)
Local trumpet player and vocalist Jeffrey Boyd leads a four-piece group performing a variety of traditional jazz standards
Friday, June 21 – Art Center in Mansfield
Percy Hall Band
(John Hall, leader)
Since the passing of legendary Percy Hall four years ago, his son, John Hall, from Columbus is now leading this band. This seven-piece group performs tunes from the 30’s-50’s and features all of Percy’s original arrangements.
Friday, Aug. 9 – Art Center in Mansfield
For more information, visit the AFM 159 website at www.afmlocal159.com or visit the group’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/afmlocal159
Below is the 2024 AFM Local 159 “Music in the Parks schedule by location:
Mansfield Art Center – all shows at 7 p.m.
June 14 — AFM Local 159 Concert Band with Mike Grady conducting
June 21 — Jeff Boyd Band with Jeff Boyd leading
June 28 Steve Brown & Friends with Steve Brown leading
July 5 — Suburban Brass, led by Ken Holzworth
July 12 — AFM Local 159 Big Jazz Band with Paul Martin leading
July 19 — Stardust Band, led by Paul Martin
July 26 — Redemption Dixieland Band with Damian Boyd, leader
Aug. 2 — Abstractions with McCray Martin, leader
Aug. 9 — Percy Hall Band, led by John Hall,
Aug. 16 — David Berry Band led by Berry
Shelby Black Fork Commons – all shows at 7 p.m.
June 19 — AFM Local 159 Concert Band
June 26 — David Berry Band
July 3 — Steve Brown & Friends
July 10 — AFM Local 159 Big Jazz Band
July 17 — Redemption Dixieland Band
July 24 — Stardust Band
July 31 — Abstractions
Aug. 7 — Suburban Brass
Downtown Crestline (corner of Scott and Seltzer) — all shows at 7 p.m.
June 6 — Steve Brown & Friends
June 20 — AFM Local 159 Concert Band
July 11 — AFM Local 159 Big Jazz Band
July 25 — Redemption Dixieland Band
Aug. 8 — Suburban Brass
Aug. 29 — David Berry Band
Bellville Central Park – 7 p.m.
June 13 — AFM Local 159 Concert Band
Downtown Galion – 7 p.m.
June 21 — AFM Local 159 Concert Band
