DK Ibomeka and all that jazz

by Richard Young, Cobourg Star
New features intended to expand the fifth annual All-Canadian Jazz Festival out into the community were unveiled by organizers yesterday.
Local food and drink establishments have joined the party this year, festival chair Lou Pamenter announced inside The Palm restaurant.
Jazz in the Park, Blues After Dark promotes nine restaurants and night spots in Port Hope and Cobourg as places to go after the final show is played in memorial park for more live music and festivities. This will expand the spirit of the festival beyond Memorial Park and into clubs, allowing community to further involve itself in the festivities, Ms. Pamenter told a gathering yesterday.
Festival organizers have unleashed new pamphlets advertising when and where the live music is playing outside of festival, which is scheduled September 22, 23 and 24.
The Palm, The Oasis Bar and Grill, Zest Bar and Bistro and Ganaraska Hotel are advertising live music during the weekend. Los Sorbitos, The Wedge Bistro, Beamish House, Winchester Arms and Lantern Inn are also advertising on the program in similar fashion.
Festival music program director John McGuirk was visibly excited when speaking of this year's lineup. He referred to Saturday night headliner Oliver Jones as "one of the most famous musicians in the world" and trumpeted the Paul Read Jazz Orchestra, who make their world premier on Sunday.
Friday's headliners Kelleylee Evans and DK Ibomeka were dubbed "future stars" by Mr. McGuirk.
"These two, I think, are going to be really big international stars before too long," he said, further describing Mr. Ibomeka as "a huge force."
'Huge' seems to best describe Mr. Ibomeka, the 26-year-old vocalist who stands 6 ft. 7 in.
The emerging vocalist was on hand at The Palm to promote the festival and his debut album, Love Stories. The festival will be one of his final Canadian shows before embarking on a tour of Europe later this fall. His debut album mixes jazz, blues and soul stylings.