Delfeayo Marsalis headlining Jazz Eureka Festival

This year's headliner is jazz trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis. Marsalis, a New Orleans native, is a member of the well-known family of musicians which including brothers Branford, Wynton and Jason, and father Ellis.

Marsalis has made his name as a producer and accomplished trombonist with a fluid technique and inventive modern-mainstream style.

The show is on Saturday, Sept. 22, at The Auditorium at 36 S. Main St. Show time is 7:30 p.m. and ticket prices are $20 for orchestra or $15 for balcony in advance or $25 orchestra $20 balcony at the door.

Events kick off on Thursday, Sept. 20 with Flamenco & Gypsy guitarist Ron Radford performing at The Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Adult tickets are $10, children are $5. Radford is a protégé of the legendary Carlos Montoya, and has lived and traveled in Spain where he immersed himself in the musical wisdom of the Gypsy Flamenco guitar masters.

On Friday free music in Basin Spring Park on Spring Street begins at 1 p.m. with the Matt and Gus 4-Tet. This father and son guitar duo from Harrison swing with the sounds of classic jazz and Latin standards.

At 2:30 the Claudia Burson Trio take the stage Burson has a distinct and instantly recognizable voice, and has been called "a stylist who can breathe new life into a standard, magically infusing her soulfulness and personality into the music."

From 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. The Jazz Mafia, led by Jack Martin on keyboards, will round out the afternoon's free entertainment in the park. The Jazz Mafia features Cal Jackson, Richard Bruton, Clare Starr, Darren Novotny and Ken Everts. Martin says, "We are excited to be back for another year of Eureka Jazz and have added new tunes to our repertoire." Expect to hear tunes by Pat Metheny, Weather Report, Miles Davis, OPA, Herbie Hancock, and others.

Friday evening Ol' Blue eyes is back with A Tribute to Frank Sinatra with Tom Tiratto and The Fayetteville Jazz Collective, and 18-piece big band that has been wowking listeners from the Walton Arts Center to Crystal Bridges. Tiratto, an actor and vocalist, has devoted the last 12 years to recreating the music and glamour of the late, great Frank Sinatra. The show will be at the Inn of the Ozarks Convention Center at 207 W. Van Buren. Show time is 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $15 advance or $20 at the door. Couples may purchase tickets in advance for the special price of $25 for two.

On Saturday more free music begins at Basin Spring Park again at 12 p.m. The duo of Cherry Brooks and Cal Jackson perform in the bandshell until 1:30 p.m. Their styles include jazz, soul, R&B, pop, Blues, funk and rock. Fans love the energy, humor, and soul that characterize Cherry and Cal's performances. After that Richard Brunton of the Jazz Mafia returns to the stage with the Richard Brunton Quintet. Richard Bruton is one of the finest jazz saxophonists on the scene today and his improvisational skills are endless and keep the listener engaged.

At 3 p.m. on Saturday, Trio DeJaniero adds a bit of South America to their jazz, keeping samba and Bossa Nova alive and pulsating. Vibraphonist/Percussionist and Fayetteville native Adams Collins follows on stage at 4:30 p.m. until 6 p.m with his jazz trio.

Jazz Eureka wraps up on Sunday afternoon with two more free performances in Basin Spring Park. At 12 p.m. The Saxtones, all members of the Arkansas Winds Community Concert Band, will play, combining soprano, alto, tenor and baritone sax on Dixieland and other sounds.

The final performance of the afternoon begins at 1:30 with the Missouri State Jazz Ensemble. This group has been featured at the Mexico Intvitational Jazz Festival, on the night stage at the Montreux Jazz Festival, the Anglo International Music Festival in Lodon, the Mobile Collegiate Invitational Jazz Festival, and many other Jazz events.

Tickets for the convention center and The Auditorium shows may be purchased at www.theaud.org. For more information call 479-253-7333 or visit www.eurekasprings.org