On Friday, June 18^th we will feature Monty Alexander in the Lerner Theatre at 8:30PM.  This will not be his first time in Elkhart, although it has been 25 years since he last presented one of his powerhouse trios.  Nearly sixty years after moving to the United States, from his hometown Kingston, Jamaica, the Grammy nominated pianist is an American classic, touring the world relentlessly with various projects, delighting a global audience drawn to his vibrant personality and soulful message.  Alexander’s repertoire spans a broad range of jazz and Jamaican musical expressions—the American songbook and the blues, gospel and bebop, calypso and reggae.  Documented on more than 75 recordings and cited as the fifth greatest jazz pianist ever, he has shared the stage with countless musical greats.  And if that’s not enough to lock in your attendance Friday, you will also have the opportunity to see festival favorite Dave Bennett.  The Crystal Ballroom at the Lerner Theatre will show off a few new faces (and sounds) from DownBeat Award-winning powerhouse jazz fusion trio Teen Town led by 16-year-old bassist Gabriel Severn and the progressive jazz-rock of Chicago based Marbin.   Just a small-town city block away, you can catch Emmy nominated Carol Albert playing her Billboard charted smooth jazz grooves bringing global rhythms.