Affiliated event: Jazz Fest Pre-Party: Blake Shaw & Carson Parker

Looking to get an early start on the festival weekend? Catch Blake Shaw & Carson Parker live at Claude for an exciting Jazz Fest Pre-Party. While you wait for the main festival stages to launch, this affiliated event is the perfect spot to grab a drink and enjoy a great night of local jazz.
Admission: No cover!
Seating: Limited seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis (no reservations).
About the Artists: Get ready for an incredible evening of local jazz featuring two of Iowa’s finest talents! This special pre-party performance brings together a seasoned veteran of the Midwest music scene and one of the region’s most exciting rising stars for an unforgettable collaboration.
Blake Shaw is a powerhouse bassist, vocalist, composer, and jazz professor at Cornell College and Mt. Mercy University. A fixture in the Iowa City community, Blake serves as the Entertainment Director for Iowa City Pride Fest and is a frequent festival favorite. Over his career, he has shared the stage with jazz legends like Carmen Bradford and Wycliffe Gordon, and opened for major acts like Lake Street Dive and Kurt Elling.
Carson Parker is a Des Moines native who has rapidly emerged as one of the Midwest’s most captivating young jazz pianists, blending jazz, blues, and funk into a highly distinctive style. In 2023, Carson earned the prestigious honor of being named the sole pianist for the National Jazz Band of America. Now an established professional and highly sought-after sideman, he frequently performs at premier regional venues like Des Moines’ Noce and Chicago’s Fulton Street Collective.