STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Alan Pennay, Sun Valley’s master of the ivories, will lead off the 2018 Jazz in the Park season on Sunday.

And he has gathered a complete ensemble for his concert, says organizer Will Caldwell.

With Pennay will be singer Susan Christensen and conga drum player Russ Caldwell, along with three musicians from Boise on sax, bass and drums.

“Alan Pennay has been associated with Sun Valley from the earlier days and is recognized as the consummate jazz pianist and a man of impeccable style and unwavering charm,” said Caldwell.

Jazz in the Park will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Sundays, beginning June 24 and running through July 29. The place: Ketchum’s Rotary Park along the Big Wood River off Warm Springs and Saddle roads.

This year’s season will feature a couple of new bands, including Five Play—a new Latin jazz band made up of seasoned musicians form the Wood River Valley. The band plays a lot of rhythm numbers and classic songs like “The Girl from Ipanema,” said Caldwell.

The other new group is Frim Fram 4, a popular group from Boise that will perform on July 22.

“They play at the Sun Valley Jazz and Music Festival in the fall,” said Caldwell. “They play a swing jazz dance style, which is very hip now.”

The concerts are free, thanks to support from the City of Ketchum, Business as Usual, Ketchum Kitchens, Towne & Parke Fine Jewelry and several individuals.

Here’s the lineup:

June 24—Alan Pennay and Friends

July 1—Sally Tibbs and Kevin Kirk band

July 8—Nicole Christensen and Chuck Smith band 

July 15—Five Play Latin jazz band

July 22—Frim Fram 4 swing jazz band

July 29—Idaho Falls Big Band featuring 17 players.

COMING UP:

Yak Attack will infuse the Ketch’em Alive concert with electronic and acoustic fusion music from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, June 26, in Ketchum’s Forest Service Park.