The 21st annual Great Bend Jazz Festival will be held February 28, 7:30 at the Crest Theatre in Great Bend, KS featuring jazz vocalist Les Lankhorst from Salina, KS. He will perform with the Prairie Winds Jazz Combo made up of area musicians, Bill Clausing, Alto Saxophone, Tim Ehrlich, Tenor Saxophone, Marc Webster, Trumpet, David Koetting, Trombone, Kurtis Koch,Drums, Greg Pohl, Bass and Gayle McMillen, Piano.
Les began his musical career in music theatre at Salina South High School and is a graduate of Kansas State University where he continued honing his stage skills as a member of The KState Singers.
His professional theatre career began in Kansas City, MO with roles in various musicals presented at The New Theatre and The Plaza Dinner Playhouse. He then moved on to New York City to appear in numerous workshops, musical productions and national touring companies as well as participating in film and television projects throughout the years.
His singing style is heavily influenced by some of the world’s legendary swingjazz vocalists including Mel Torme, Nat King Cole, Harry Connick, Jr. and of course Frank Sinatra. Written reviews by noted critics relate that ‘Les Lankhorst delivers the goods, from swagger to swing to sweet to melancholy..he knows how to caress the lyrics until they begin to purr’.
Les currently travels the world performing his solo shows on cruise ships, in resorts and at numerous concert venues. His shows include, “Les Lankhorst in Red, Hot & Swing”, in Charlotte, NC, “The Rat Pack Is Back” and the “Rat Pack Live” in Las Vegas, “A Date with Frank & Marilyn” and many other productions. As a Performance Coach he has worked with The K-State Singers, Royal Caribbean singing group, and the vocal group from the television show, America’s Got Talent, The Texas Tenors.
At numerous times he has returned to his home area to headline with The Salina Symphony, created and starred in his annual solo Christmas show at Salina Community Theatre, performed various times at the Smoky Hill River Festival, Little Apple Jazz Festival in Manhattan, KS and various other jazz festival venues in the area.
Admission $15 adult. $10 student. For ticket information contact: Robert Feldt Law Office, 1314 Kansas, 620-792-3595 and at A440 Music Store, 1207 Main, 620-796-2335.