Bushmen performing at 2019 Bell Tower Festival

Thomas Jefferson Gardens is hosting two musical concerts this month.

The “Slides and Strings” concert will be held this Saturday at 5pm at the Gardens Pavilion. The performance will feature Jefferson native and trombonist Dr. Ryan Van Gilder, who lives in Colorado; as well as professional violist Brightin Rose Schlumpf, who lives in Washington. Both musicians are related to Don and Jean Van Gilder of Jefferson. Jean is a Thomas Jefferson Gardens Board member and says the concert will include classical, as well as some jazz music. Jean adds, this will be the debut of both soloists performing together in the same concert. She talks about the pedigree that both bring to the table.

“Ryan performs with the Pike Peak Brass Band. He’s played with the Colorado Symphony, he’s played with some Boulder, (Colorado) organizations, he’s played all over the state. Brightin has played in the Aspen Orchestra. She’s played with Michael Buble, Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli, Weird Al Yankovic, Yo-Yo Ma and the Trans Siberian Orchestra.”

The other concert will feature the 2018 Iowa Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame inductee of The Bushmen on Thursday, August 12th from 5:30-8pm. Jean says attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs, as both concerts are free and open to the public, but free-will donations will be accepted.