The Parsons Arts and Humanities Council along with the Parsons Municipal Auditorium are proud to present for the Second Annual Hometown Entertainment Series Concert the rich and soulful jazz singing style of Parsons' very own Aaron Keith Stewart, Saturday, October 20, 2007 at 7:30 p.m.

Aaron was born in Parsons, and attended public school through his Junior year. He then graduated from Lawrence High School in 1984, and then went on to major in Peace Studies at a private college in Minnesota.

Although Aaron has always had a love for music and singing, he didn't start performing professionally until 1991. Since then Aaron has been the featured singer in a number of performing groups, both in the jazz scene, and in different genres. Reviewers have used the words "smoky," "soulful," and "big" to describe his voice.

Currently residing in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Aaron has been tearing up the jazz scene in the Twin Cities region. He has appeared on numerous recordings by other area jazz musicians, and his own arrangements have been included on several jazz compilations. He is now in the process of releasing his first full-length album entitled "Live at the G" which is scheduled for release in the fall of 2007. In addition to his solo work, Aaron is one of the lead singers in the awarding-winning show band Temporary Heroes, an ensemble that performs throughout the country. He is also a very active member of the Minnesota Vocal Jazz Coalition.

Aaron credits his love of music to his family, which has a strong history in singing and performing. In the 1920's and 30's the Stewart family toured around the country as the Silver Voice Quartet. While growing up, Aaron was exposed to jazz music through his older brother Jeff, and even though he hated it as a kid, he eventually embraced the music as an adult. Although Aaron is a self-styled singer with little or no formal training, he credits Kay Lawrence and Dana J. Saliba, two long-time Parsons music teachers, for being instrumental in teaching him proper singing techniques.

For his concert in Parsons, Aaron will be joined on the stage by three of the most talented jazz musicians in the Twin Cities. His performance will be a blend of the jazz, country, gospel, and contemporary genres, and will feature selections of some of the most-loved standards set to unique arrangements.

This marks the second year for the Hometown Entertainment Series which was developed as way to give musicians and entertainers with a connection to Parsons the opportunity to perform in a venue that might otherwise not be available to them. Last year, more than 600 people attended a concert by pianist, Ken Weaver.

Admission to the Aaron Keith Stewart concert is free of charge, no ticket is required to attend, all seating will be general admission, and doors are scheduled to open one hour before show time. The Hometown Entertainment Series Concert is sponsored by the Parsons Arts and Humanities Council and the Parsons Municipal Auditorium, with funding assistance through the Kansas Arts Commission.

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