Musical Stars Will Be Shining At ‘Moonlight Over Moscow’

Is Moscow, Idaho, angling to become the next big summer-music mecca?

If the roster of musicians who will trek to Moscow over the next two weekends is any indication, the answer is yes.

“This year’s Rendezvous in the Park will feature the finest entertainment they have ever offered,” crows a press release with an accuracy not normally associated with such publications.

In fact, a first-class lineup will visit the East City Park bandstand over the next two weekends, including folk musician/storyteller Arlo Guthrie - he opens the festival this evening - jazz pianist Gene Harris and Texas swing giant Johnny Gimble.

Next weekend, a World Music Night brings together traditional music from two continents. Sukay performs the music of the Andes, while the song-and-dance troupe Adefus, performs traditional African music.

Tonight at 8, Arlo Guthrie and his son, Abe, open the festival with what should be a typically enchanting evening of Arlo’s wit, wisdom and music. His son, Abe, will be along to back him up on keyboards.

There’s never any guarantee that Arlo will perform his lengthy landmark “Alice’s Restaurant” - in fact, many veteran Guthrie concertgoers are just as happy when he abstains - but as he has proved in his many local concerts over the years, he has enough songs and stories to easily sustain a show without it. Idaho singer/songwriter Belinda Bowler will open tonight’s show.

The Gene Harris Quartet picks up the baton Saturday evening. Harris first came to the attention of local audiences as a member of the Ray Brown Trio when that group began performing regularly at the University of Idaho Jazz Festival. Harris’ ebullient blues stylings were an ideal counterpart to Brown’s lyric acoustic bass. But Harris had first hit the scene decades ago with his mainstream trio, The Three Sounds.

Like most great jazz musicians, Harris has enjoyed several careers: In addition to leading The Three Sounds and gigging with Brown, he has played with Benny Carter, Ron Carter, Stanley Turrentine, B.B. King and Aretha Franklin.

But his greatest success was waiting for him in retirement. After departing the New York jazz scene for the quieter streets of Boise, his home town, he signed a contract with Concord Jazz and released a record called “The Gene Harris Trio Plus One” which won France’s prestigious Grand Prix du Disque de Jazz. Then, the Gene Harris All-Star Band won a Grammy nomination for its “Tribute to Count Basie.”

Now, Harris is a fixture at the University of Idaho Jazz Festival where his rollicking piano and outgoing personality make him a perennial festival favorite.

Spokane’s Planet Lounge Orchestra will open for Harris.

Sukay and Adefua will perform July 21, and Johnny Gimble and his band, Texas Swing, close the festival July 22.

Tickets for all concerts are $8 and children under 10 are admitted free. A $25 festival button allows admittance at all shows.

This weekend, children ages 3 through 12 can participate in workshop and activities at Rendezvous for Kids, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $6 for one day, $9 for both days.

Kids 3 to 14 can also join in at the Bicycle Rodeo, July 22, on Moscow’s Main Street, from 9-11 a.m.

From 2-4 p.m. on July 22, there’ll be western dance lessons and a western dance contest at 6 p.m.

For tickets and information, call (800) 345-7402 or (208) 882-1178. Tickets are also available at the Moscow City Hall, Moscow Chamber of Commerce, Pullman Chamber of Commerce, Moscow Tidyman’s, Palouse Empire Mall, Farmers Market and the Rendezvous offices.

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: “Moonlight Over Moscow” with Arlo and Abe Guthrie Location and time: Rendezvous in the Park, East City Park, Moscow, tonight, 6-10. Tickets: $8, call (208) 882-1178