ZGF Music

Your festival ticket is the ticket to our uniquely Austin music. Every seat in the Rose Garden is one of the best in the house and there is sure to be some unforgettable toe-tapping music to suit every taste.

Once again, Austin Area Garden Council is partnering with the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department to present ongoing music and family entertainment in the Rose Garden. Come and bring friends to enjoy a weekend, afternoon or an hour of unforgettable entertainment to suit every taste.

12 pm
My Exotic Other
Based in Austin, Texas, saxophonist Paul Klemperer has played with hundreds of musicians over his 30-year career. His tours have taken him across the U.S., to Europe, Asia and Latin America. Along the way he has absorbed many musical styles, reflected in his wide-ranging compositions. His latest project, My Exotic Other, is an unfettered blend of contemporary jazz and world music. Aided by a versatile community of artists, My Exotic Other explores the shifting regions of sound where the known and unknown meet. www.pksax.com

1:30 pm
Austin Community College Jazz Ensemble
This talented ensemble, led by Dr. Tom Husak, ACC Professor of Music and ACC Jazz Ensemble Artistic Director, is recognized internationally as one of the leading college big bands and show revues. Founded in 1982 by Tom, the ACC Jazz Ensemble has remained dedicated throughout its history to preserving the innovative tradition of American big band jazz and popular music, while performing and interpreting the classics of the big band and Great American Songbook, continually promoting the evolution of the art form by performing new arrangements by Dr. Husak. Among honors and appearances, the ACC Jazz Ensemble, under Tom's leadership, has toured Mexico, performed with B.B. King, Louie Bellson, and Bobby Shew, among other international jazz and pop artists. They have also performed at the New Orleans Jazz Heritage Festival, and are annually featured at The International Texas Jazz Festival in Corpus Christi. On January 20, 2009, the band and Show Revue performed at the 2009 Presidential Inaugural Link/Live Gala held at Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Read more about Dr. Tom Husak's impressive background at
www.accbigband.com/

3 pm
Jiminy Crisket
Jiminy Crisket is East-of-Austin duo who sing songs that are handcrafted to make you smile. Their style mixes elements of Texas swing, bluegrass and folk, and their lyrics are clever and often humorous. Jimmy Joe plays fancy guitar leads, and Chrissie complements him with her rhythmic versatility. The vocal harmonies and interplay between the two make for a show that is fun and entertaining. www.jiminycrisket.com

10:30 am
Austin Community Steelband
Austin Community Steelband's professional steelpan school and performances emphasize low income, at promise youth. Our instruction stresses excellence and self-expression, while promoting steelpan's cultural origins from Trinidad. Classes, demonstrations, and workshops are conducted by Steelband Director, Cecil Francis. He has 30 years extensive experience teaching, performing professionally, and arranging for Trinidad's 120 member giant steel orchestras. Our performances range from soloists, duet and quartet ensembles, to full steelbands, playing all musical genres, from calypso and popular, to jazz and classical. Austin Community Steelband's infectious sound and rhythm invite audiences to share in the magic of this inspiring musical instrument through its unlimited musical possibilities. www.austincommunitysteelband.org

12 pm
Executive Steel Band
Original Caribbean Styling of Steelpan; percussions, and bass guitar, with smooth vocal sounds, made famous in New Orleans. They wowed music lovers in Nebraska, and now they are taking over Austin, TX! The Executive Steel Band brings you a unique style and original compositions of classical and modern rhythmic sounds born in Trinidad & Tobago. www.executivesteelband.com

1:30 pm
Boca Abajo
One of the first and most prominent latin power pop driven bands to come out of Austin, Texas, Boca Abajo has captivated audiences with music that encompasses strong melodic written lyrics and guitar driven riffs influenced by the sounds of Soda Stereo, The Beatles and Green Day. Boca Abajo is known amongst fans and music lovers as one of the pioneers of Latin Alternative Rock in Austin. "Otro Verso", the bands second full length album embraces the evolution of this five-piece band made up of family members; Patrick, Lionel, Conrad, Peter and Joe. An ex-alum of the SXSW Music Conference, their participation in national tours for Latin Rock and Pop artists such as Mana, Sin Bandera, Bacilos, Ozomatli and Control Machete among others has gained them recognition on an international level. Boca Abajo continues to pave the road for Austin's Latin Alternative Rock scene. www.bocaabajo.com

3 pm
Zhenya Balalaika
Multi Instrumentalist Zhenya Rock, (real name Kolykhanov) was born in Vologda Russia. Zhenya studied music in Vologda at music college, then worked at musical theater in Moscow and with various musical bands. After coming to America, Zhenya wrote numerous scores for films such as "Six String Samurai" and "Mail Order Bride". He's also made several guest appearances and his music has been used on several television programs-- "Melrose Place", "Fastlane","Penn and Teller". Zhenya also toured as a guitarist, vocalist, and original song writer/composer for The Red Elvises. He now leads the Austin-based international band, Flying Balalaika Brothers which offers a blend of many international musical styles featuring professional skilled musicians. Since 2003, Zhenya has toured Europe, Russia, and America numerous times, performing with various established musicians, including Pat Mastelotto (drummer for King Krimson), Oliver Rajamani, and with legendary Texas acoustic musicians – Dave Peters, Kelly Lancaster, and the Houston-based band, The Gypsies. Flying Balalaika Brothers www.russiafbb.com