Jazz enthusiasts are gearing up for the annual Jazz at the Lake Festival, slated to run at Sylvan Lake Aug. 15-18.

Artists include Dee Daniels, who performs on Aug. 17.

Daniels’ has performed and recorded with many ‘Legends of Jazz’ including Toots Thielemans, Houston Person, Clark Terry, Lionel Hampton, Monty Alexander, John Clayton, and Jeff Hamilton, Hank Jones, Bill Mays, Dennis MacKrel, Bucky Pizzarelli, Ken Peplowski, and Russell Malone – to mention a few.

Also set to appear is the P.J. Perry Quartet on Aug. 16. Perry has shared the stage with countless greats such as Dizzy Gillespie, Woody Shaw, Michel LeGrand, Kenny Wheeler and Tom Harrell.

In 2007, Perry was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Alberta. In 1999 Justin Time Records released a Juno winning recording of Perry and the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.

Perry has become recognized by critics, colleagues and listeners as being one of North America’s premier saxophonists.

Also planning to perform is The Alberta Playboys on Aug. 16-17 and Boogie Patrol on Aug. 17 as well.

Boogie Patrol have played hundreds of shows since their inception, having headlined numerous festivals, including North Country Fair, Pembina River Nights, Beaumont Blues Festival, the Sasquatch Gathering and Wild Oats & Notes. In 2011, Boogie Patrol had the honour of opening for both The Fabulous Thunderbirds as well as Blues legend Buddy Guy, both in Calgary and Edmonton.

Organizers say that Sylvan Lake has a rich musical history, much greater in scope than its relatively small, but rapidly growing population would seem to warrant.

The legendary days of the Varsity Hall with its travelling Alberta and Canadian bands are remembered by many in the community.

The town has fostered some of the country’s best jazz artists. The aforementioned two-time Juno Award winner Perry, one of the finest saxophonists in the country, hails from Sylvan Lake.

Senator Tommy Banks, a world class jazz musician is also a well known source of pride to the area. International jazz recording artist Cheryl Fisher claims her roots in Sylvan and has a home there still.

The Jazz At The Lake Festival Society was launched over a decade ago.

It is their mandate in the 11th consecutive year to have the festival provide a continuing venue for jazz performers of the highest quality, thereby enhancing Sylvan Lake’s historic tradition of live music, cultural awareness and family fun for Albertans of all ages.

For more information, check out www.jazzatthelake.com.

-Weber