Jazz in the Park, Milwaukee's signature summer outdoor music series, opens June 4 and runs Thursday evenings June through September in and around the streets surrounding Cathedral Square Park.

"Music in the Park, Inc.," the non-profit arm of the East Town Association that runs the event, has released the schedule for 2009. It's the first season featuring the organization's new, no carry-in alcohol policy. East Town officials explain, "Over the last few years the event has been spilling into the streets and becoming a bit of a challenge for the neighborhood businesses and residents. The once intimate music series that began in 1991 did not attract a large enough audience to require the monitoring of alcohol consumption. Today, the event has grown to such popularity that it is necessary for us to implement regulations in regards to the consumption of alcoholic beverages for the health and safety of patrons, area residents and businesses."

The 2009 schedule is as follows. Jazz in the Park runs 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday evenings.

June 4, 2009 - The Bonifas Quintet

The Quintet hosts diverse, first rate musicians who produce straight ahead jazz with a program of blues, ballads, bop, bossas and horns. Bill Bonfifas has appeared at the Catalina Jazz Festival and the Jazz Yatra Festival in Bombay India.

June 11, 2009 - Bonerama

Nationally recognized and critically acclaimed New Orleans' band, Bonerama, is something different. They're not a traditional brass band, but they've got brass to spare-even with no trumpets or saxes in sight. With Bonerma's four-trombone frontline, you can guess it's not quite like any rock 'n' roll band you've seen. They can evoke vintage funk, classic rock and free improvisation in the same set; maybe even the same song.

June 18, 2009 - Sugar Blue

Hailing from Harlem, New York this Grammy Award-winning harmonica virtuoso, is not your typical bluesman. Blue's extraordinary talent has allowed him to work with the likes of the Big Walter Horton, Carey Bell, James Cotton, Junior Wells, Willie Dixon and the Rolling Stones. Specifically, The Stones, invited Blue to join them in the studio. Besides his work on the Some Girls album, he can be heard on Emotional Rescue and Tattoo You.

June 25, 2009 - Pete Carney & Orange Alert

Hip-Hop beats, Blue Note Horns, House Bass, South Side Drums, and West Side turntables take listeners and dancers into an Orange Alert music event. Pete Carney's music is a head on collision between jazz and the underground sound of Chicago. Orange Alert brings the DJ generation into jazz playing analog bop over downtown grooves. In concert, this Nu jazz warehouse party from the Midwest requires serious listening and mad dancing.

July 2, 2009 - King Comets

The King Comets focus on the swing era, early rhythm and blues, and the roots of rock 'n roll by covering such groups as Louis Prima ("Oh Marie," "Jump, Jive & Wail"), Bill Haley & His Comets ("Shake, Rattle & Roll," "13 Women") and Louis Jordan ("Caldonia," "Choo Choo Ch'boogie"). The King Comets mix in a bit of swing-inspired 50's music with Elvis Presley ("One Night With You," "One-Sided Love Affair"), Carl Perkins ("Gone, Gone Gone)

July 12, 2009 - SPECIAL SUNDAY EDITION OF JAZZ IN THE PARK at BASTILLE DAYS

1 p.m. - Swing Nouveau; 5:30 p.m. - Nabori

July 16, 2009 - The Dixon-Rhyne Project

The Dixon-Rhyne project easily crosses over from the jazz camp into the jam band zone where other organ-driven instrument groove jazz dwell. This cross-generational crews finds a middle ground of respect and simpatico. Featuring Dixon's vocal-like sax voicings and Rhyne's weaving and highly-rhythmic organ lines the result is ideal symbiotic jazz fusion.

July 23, 2009 - The Donna Woodall Group

Exposure to everything from "Billy Holliday to Billy Joel" has contributed to the group's musical style. The band blends the adult contemporary styles of artists such as Cassandra Wilson, Bonnie Raitt, Norah Jones, Sting, and Tracy Chapman with some elements of traditional jazz and blues. Yet, the most notable part of the band's repertoire, is the original songs.

July 30, 2009 - The Alex Wilson Band

With Alex's uncle Marc Wilson on the drums, and Alex's brother Matthew singing harmonies and playing bass, Alex is running with one of the toughest bands on the scene today. It's no surprise that they won the 2007 WAMI (Wisconsin Area Music Industry) Award for blues group/artist of the year. A versatile musician, Wilson effortlessly switches between genres.

August 6, 2009 - Madisalsa

MadiSalsa-a 10 member ensemble devoted to the musical traditions of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and The Dominican Republic-has been serving the Midwest from its home base in Wisconsin's capital since 1992. With a repertoire ranging from traditional island classics to original material from within the band, each performance offers a wide variety of musical expression.

August 13, 2009 - The Clyde Stubblefield Show

Clyde Stubblefield is the "Funky Drummer!" He drummed for James Brown from 1965 to 1970 and recorded such hits as "I Feel Good," "Coldsweat," and "The Funky Drummer." Currently, the Clyde Stubblefield Band sports two featured vocalists (male and female), a three-piece horn section (sax, trumpet, and trombone), an organ/keyboardist, a percussionist, a smokin' guitarist and a rock-solid bass to play with the Funky Drummer.

August 20, 2009 - De la Buena

Employing jazz harmonic sensibility and a deep-seated love of diverse cultures, De La Buena explores the textures and rhythms of Latin musics of the Americas with roots planted firmly in African Diasporic traditions. Growing from a trio into a powerful 10-piece over the last six years, De La Buena has been electrifying audiences with their own brand of Afro-Cuban and Latin Jazz.

August 27, 2009 - The Tempters

With their smooth style and perfect harmony, ladies grab your best guy and fellas grab your best girl, it is cheek to cheek time. These men are professionals from the Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Watch closely as they change formation and dazzle their way into your heart.

September 3, 2009 - The Jazz Orgy

The Jazz Orgy plays an enchanting mix of jazz, funk, blues, and groove. December 2007 saw The Jazz Orgy's introduction into the Milwaukee jazz scene at The Jazz Estate, the most respected jazz club in Milwaukee, if not in all of Wisconsin.

September 10, 2009 - Chicago Afrobeat Project

Chicago Afrobeat Project, emerging in 2002 from an industrial, urban Chicago art community, has established itself as leaders in the non-traditionalist side of the afrobeat movement. The 7-14 person ensemble energizes the classic afrobeat influences of juju, highlife, American funk, and afro-Cuban music with a formative infusion of experimental jazz and rock elements that thrive in the Chicago music scene.

September 17, 2009 - Garaj Mahal

Garaj Mahal's sound - a convergence of jazz-style improvisation, mystical Middle-Eastern atmospheres, and danceable American funk - attracts music lovers from all parts of the spectrum and creates a profoundly unique experience. Each band member dedicates every drop of his education, history, and life-long passion for music to their audience every time they step on stage.

September 24, 2009 - Bumpus

From Chicago, Bumpus incorporates propulsive rhythmic grooves with into deeply layered yet uncluttered songs that form the foundation for rich soul and gospel-laden vocals. While you can't hear Bumpus without the word funky coming to mind, there's an unmistakably modern and relevant element to their music.