Farmers' Market to feature acclaimed jazz musician Randy Salman

The Greencastle Downtown Farmers' Market continues to grow as a community gathering centering on local food and culture. In addition to an expanding variety of locally grown fresh fruit and vegetables coming to harvest, this Saturday's market features a special Independence Day celebration with internationally recognized jazz musician, Randy Salman.

A Greencastle resident and professor of music at DePauw University, Randy Salman performs the saxophone and clarinet in several major touring groups, including the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra that gave a concert at the Pyramids in Egypt last year. Salman has also worked with the Indianapolis Symphony and Chamber Orchestra, Quincy Jones, Tony Bennett, and other renowned artists. Salman's trio will play from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at this Saturday's Downtown Farmers' Market.

Entering its second month of operation this year, the market is building upon an expanding number of vendors and delighted community members. Gigi Fenlon said of the market, "The produce is fresh. The music is lively. The breakfast burritos are sumptuous. And everyone goes. It's a great place to chat with neighbors and make new friends on a summer morning."

This year's market has offered raspberries, blueberries, zucchini, cucumbers, broccoli, beets, cabbage, sweet potatoes, organic jams and jellies, hand-spun yarn, perennials, flowers, hand-painted antiques, pies, cobblers, beaded jewelry and much more -- all locally grown, sewn or made.

Beyond this Saturday's performance by Salman's jazz trio, market goers will hear Rick Barcus of local band Saturday Shoes on July 11 followed by cellist and DePauw University professor of music Eric Edberg on July 18. The expanded Downtown Farmers' Market, which was part of the Sustainable Greencastle Report issued to the City Council on March 12, will run every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon through the end of October.

For more information, contact Friends of the Farmers' Market: Cathryn Ensley at ccensley@hotmail.com or Steve Setchell at sustainablegreencastle.com