The Token Creek Festival opens this year on August 21 & 22nd with a program of jazz featuring the music of Harry Warren and the first Wisconsin appearance of Boston-based Vocal Jazz Ensemble.

The Token Creek Festival, which takes place annually late in August, has become known for its unique and imaginative programming and the welcoming beauty of its magical performance space in a refurbished barn at the sylvan summer retreat of John and Rose Mary Harbison, who serve as the Festival’s artistic directors.

The Festival began offering its jazz events in 2003 and quickly established itself as one of Madison’s premiere jazz venues. Each year devoting itself to one or two composers, and offering an impressive roster of guests artists who join the house band, the barn is transformed for a few evenings into an authentic jazz club, complete with small tables, dim lighting and candles, beverages and refreshments available during sets, and – most important – a vibrant atmosphere conducive to respectful listening. The room accommodates 85 listeners, contributing to its intimacy and intensity.

This summer the Festival’s jazz program surveys composer Harry Warren, an especially appropriate choice for a tenth anniversary celebration. The program includes some of his best-known hits (“I Only Have Eyes for You,” “At Last,” “Lulu’s Back In Town”), while also – as always – offering some choice little-known treasures like “I Want to be a Dancing Man,” “You’re Gettin’ to be a Habit,” and “This Heart of Mine.”

The Vocal Jazz Ensemble was formed at MIT in the spring of 2011, and has been coached since its inception by Institute Professor John Harbison. The ten singers, each of whom passes a rigorous audition process by peers, have quickly risen to notoriety not only on campus but throughout Boston. Recent performances include an appearance in May with the Boston Pops at Boston’s Symphony Hall, and a professional recording with the Festival Jazz Ensemble. Five members of VJE will perform at Token Creek with the house band, made up of John Harbison (piano), John Schaffer (bass), Todd Steward (drums), Tom Artin (trombone), and Rose Mary Harbison (violin).

The jazz concert is offered on Wednesday August 21 at 8:30pm (a waiting list is being compiled for a possible added performance that day at 5pm), and on Thursday August 22 at 5:00 (sold-out) and 8:30.