Alex City Jazz Fest STORY BY BETSY ILER
Joslyn & The Sweet Compression
The Talismen
T
The 32nd Annual Alex City Jazz Fest concert series June 10 and 11 will feature two American Idol veterans, as Taylor Hicks returns to headline the Saturday night concert at Lake Martin Amphitheater while Tristen Gressett opens the Saturday night show. Saturday’s line up also includes Joslyn & The Sweet Compression. Friday’s headliner at Strand Park in Alexander City will be The Hot 8 Brass Band, following The Talismen, who will open this year’s series at 6:30 p.m. Alabama native Taylor Hicks won the fifth season of the popular singing competition television series, which has become one of the most successful shows in the history of American television. He started his professional music career in his teens, performing across the Southeast and releasing two albums. Known for his energetic performances, Hicks’ shows include music influenced by classic
22 LAKE
rock, blues and R&B. Since his Idol win, Hicks has made appearances with Snoop Dog, Widespread Panic and Willie Nelson and headlined Alexander City’s Jazz Fest concert series four years ago in 2018. Saturday’s concert at the lake will begin at 6 p.m. when American Idol contestant and Pell City native Gressett takes the stage. At 17 years old, Gressett brings a rockstar persona to his performances. His delivery marveled judges throughout the Idol season as he performed Colors, Try Me, Come Together and With a Little Help From My Friends. Gressett placed in the Top 11 on the network TV show and, with his soulful retro rock n’ roll spirit, has already released his first EP. Funk and soul will take the middle stage at Saturday’s Jazz Fest show as Joslyn Hampton and her band, The Sweet Compression, deliver an engaging
JUNE 2022
