May Palmer jazzes up fest

This year’s Marysville Strawberry Festival features live musical entertainment at Asbury Field.

Returning to the festival stage at 7:30 tonight is May Palmer, a jazz, blues and gospel performer whose repertoire includes classic rhythm and blues, inspirational tunes and show tunes.

Palmer, a Lynnwood resident, began her career more than a decade ago. After moving from Rhode Island in 1996 to Las Vegas, she landed a gig playing six nights a week at the Showboat Casino. Eighteen months later, she and husband Bob visited Bellingham. They fell in love with the Northwest. Once back in Vegas, Palmer and her husband decided to pack their belongings and move to the Northwest.

One of her career highlights was an opportunity to work with the Bobby Morris Jazz Band, Palmer said in a 2004 Northwest Jazz Profile article. Morris, the original drummer for Louis Prima, taught Palmer the intricacies of show business.

The jazz singer performs at dozens of fairs and festivals, summer concert series and farmers markets.

Those interested in seeing Palmer perform can also catch her on the Edmonds Arts Festival main stage from 6 to 7 p.m. Saturday.

Here’s the entertainment lineup:

Aftershock Sound Stage

TODAY

3 to 4 p.m.: Mark Stubbs &Rock Deville

4:30 to 5:30 p.m.: Bridge

6 to 7 p.m.: The Brickhouse

7:30 to 8:30 p.m.: May Palmer

SATURDAY

11 to 11:45 a.m.: Snohomish County Idol contestants

12:15 to 1 p.m.: Art

1:30 to 2:30 p.m.: Michael Anderson

3 to 4 p.m.: Kanaka Mon Productions

4:30 to 7 p.m.: Notorious 253

All performances at Asbury Field

Sponsored by Car Toys

May Palmer performs this weekend at the Marysville Strawberry Festival.