YWCA block. [File/The State Journal-Register] ▲

The Skatalites, one of Jamaica's original heavy-hitting ska and reggae bands, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Fareed Haque headline the Levitt AMP Springfield Music Series on the Y-block in downtown Springfield on Thursday evenings from May 30 to Aug. 1.

The series' musical styles run the gamut, with artists offering up beebop jazz, soul, traditional Celtic, classical and roots-rock.

Springfield is one 18 cities nationally to win a $25,000 matching AMP (Amplified, Music & Places) grant offered by the Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation to put a public concert series. The only other Illinois city hosting the summer concert series this year is Galva in Henry County.

Jacksonville hosted the series at its downtown Central Park in 2016 and 2017.

The application for the grant for Springfield was submitted by Downtown Springfield Inc., the Springfield Area Arts Council and the Downtown Springfield Heritage Foundation. The city of Springfield pledged to back the concert series and sent a letter of support.

Vocalist Doreen Shaffer (Monica Johnson), known as "the Queen of Ska," is the sole original member of the Skatalites (June 6) touring. The band formed in 1963 before breaking up in 1965 and re-forming in 1983 when it played the Reggae Sunsplash in Montego Bay.

Current Skatalites drummer Trevor "Sparrow" Thompson backed Bob Marley while guitarist Natty French has played with acts like roots reggae giants The Congos.

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band (July 11) is a seven-member outfit based out of New Orleans. The ensemble was founded in 1977 and has appeared on recordings with the Dave Matthews Band, Modest Mouse, Widespread Panic and Elvis Costello.

The Chicago-based guitarist Fareed Haque (June 27), who has toured with Sting, crosses different musical styles including jazz fusion and classical. His backing band, The Flat Earth Ensemble, explores Haque's love of Indian music.

Brian Galecki, a member of the booking committee and one of the owners of Dumb Records, said another notable act on a national level is John Moreland, who the committee was able to catch while on a national tour.

Moreland closes out the series Aug. 1.

There is still one date — July 4 — to be filled.

The public is invited to bring their own picnics, blankets and lawn chairs to the concerts, which will have an open lawn setting. In case of lightning, performances will be held at Central Baptist Church, 501 S. Fourth St. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. The Springfield Park District will offer children's activities before the concerts and during intermissions.

Other cities hosting Levitt AMP series are Berea, Kentucky; Carson City, Nevada; Chattanooga; Earlham, Iowa; Galva, Illinois; Green Bay; Middlesboro, Kentucky; Ocala, Florida; Santa Fe; Sheboygan, Wisconsin; Soldotna, Alaska; St. Johnsbury, Vermont; Stevens Point, Wisconsin; Trenton, New Jersey; Utica, New York; Whitesburg, Kentucky; and Woonsocket, Rhode Island.

Contact Steven Spearie: 788-1524, sspearie@sj-r.com, twitter.com/stevenspearie.

Want to go?

Levitt AMP Springfield Music Series

Where: Y-block, space between Fourth Street, Fifth Street, Jackson Street and Capitol Avenue

When: Thursdays from May 30 to Aug. 1. All shows begin at 6 p.m.

Cost: Free

Lineup: May 30, Damon Mitchell and Ntegrity; June 6, The Skatalites and TaQsem; June 13, Illinois Symphony Orchestra's Brass and Percussion Ensemble; June 20, Oro Solido and Latin Jazz Project; June 27, Fareed Haque's Flat Earth Ensemble and Jazz Robots; July 4, TBA; July 11, Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Frank Parker; July 18, Liz Cooper & The Stampede and Kate Laine; July 25, Switchback and Skibbereen; Aug. 1, John Moreland and Edward David Anderson

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/LevittAMPSpringfield or www.instagram.com/levittampspi.