NORTH CAROLINA JAZZ FESTIVAL (Wilmington, NC) – Feb. 6-8
Wilmington gives a warm welcome to all the jazz lovers attending our 45th Annual North Carolina Jazz Festival! This historic city located on the banks of the Cape Fear River has many interesting shops, art galleries, museums and restaurants, as well as a movie studio, nearby beaches, plus Revolutionary and Civil War sites to explore during your days here. We will fill your evenings with exciting performances by some of the greatest traditional jazz musicians from around the globe!
Thursday Night Showcase: The Carlos Garcia Trio will open the evening with a performance dedicated to the music of Bill Evans. The Gregg Gelb Quartet will headline the opening night’s Special Event.
All concerts begin at 7:30 pm and are held at the Hotel Ballast ballroom. Friday and Saturday nights we will continue our celebration with All-Star musicians playing in the traditional seven sets of six or seven players, each set with a different leader. You will hear many of our favorite NCJF musicians plus new additions to our lineup. These will be 4 ½ hour concerts.
Scheduled musicians include Chuck Redd, Bruce Harris, Charlie Halloran, Herman Burney, Jonathan Russell, Lucy Yeghiazaryan, Nate Najar, Rossano Sportiello, Shaye Cohn, Kevin Bales, Emily Asher, Chris Gelb, Ken Peplowski, Bill Easley, and Jennifer Hodge.
Patron Brunch: On Saturday from 10:30 am until 2:00 pm we treat our patrons to a musical brunch, when all of our All-star musicians play for their pleasure while everyone enjoys a delicious meal. During the last hour we have a “jam,” when the patrons who are musicians have the opportunity to play with the All-stars. Fun for all!
Tickets are $65 each night for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Each night tickets for military are $25 and are $15 for students. Patron tickets are $215, for the Friday and Saturday evening concerts plus the special patron brunch. Patrons receive preferred, reserved seating plus their names in the program. The $240 patron tickets include all the above plus tickets to Thursday evening’s Special Event. Tickets may be purchased from the festival website.
For more information visit www.ncjazzfestival.org, e-mail ncjazzfest@yahoo.com, or call 910-399-6536.
TEAGARDEN JAZZ FESTIVAL for Young Musicians (Sacramento, CA) Feb. 8
The joy of New Orleans-style jazz is at the heart of this scholastic combo festival, which is dedicated to fostering a better appreciation of this classic American art form. Each year, scores of young musicians gather at the annual Teagarden Jazz Festival (formerly named Traditional Jazz Youth Band Festival) for experiences that take their musical skills to the next level. Don’t miss the Closing Concert featuring the Teagarden Jazz Festival All-Star Clinicians Band with guest artist Gunhild Carling.
General admission to the Jazz Festival for the public is $15 (students are admitted at no charge) and is valid all day. Tickets will be sold onsite. For band registration and tickets, call Patricia Jones at the SacJEF office: (916) 571-5533 or email: pjones@sacjef.org; write PO Box 661763, Sacramento 95866; or visit the festival website: TeagardenJazzfestival.org.
SOUNDS OF MARDI GRAS (Fresno, CA) – Feb. 13-16
The 41st edition of the Sounds of Mardi Gras in Fresno kicks off at the Doubletree by Hilton with a Thursday evening pre-party. The schedule picks up Friday with a themed parade, followed by the annual coronation of the Festival King and Queen, a Friday night swing dance, and a Saturday Night Mardi Gras Dance Party. Festivities include a Parasol Parade and Masquerade and Costume Parade in the grand tradition of Mardi Gras. This year one parade has a “1920’s Great Gatsby” theme.
Invited bands for 2024 include: Alpha Rhythm Kings, Groovus, Gino and the Lone Gunmen, Dave Stuckey and the Hot House Gang, Miss Jubilee and the Yas Yas Boys, San Lyon Swing Jazz Band, Tom Rigney and Flambeau, Bob Schulz Frisco Jazz Band, Yosemite Jazz Band, CJ’s Open jams, Brass Nichols Jazz Band, The Flying Eagles Jazz Band, the Reedley River Rats, and more to be announced.
Special festival room rates at the Fresno Double Tree by Hilton are available. For more information you can call Linda (209) 534-1924 or visit www.fresnodixie.com.
SAN DIEGO JAZZ PARTY (Del Mar, CA) Feb. 21-23
The 33rd annual San Diego Jazz Party is set to take place in Del Mar, Calif., 20 miles north of San Diego.
Performing at the 2025 Jazz Party will be Chuck Redd, Dan Barrett, Danny Coots, Denny Ilett, Duke Heitger, Harry Allen, Houston Person, Jr., Jason Fabus,Jason Wanner, John Allred, Jon-Erik Kellso, Josh Collazo, Ken Peplowski, Lizzy & the Triggermen, Nate Ketner, Peter Washington, Richard Simon, Rossano Sportiello, Sam Rocha,and Vinny Raniolo
Purchase passes on www.sandiegojazzparty.com or order by telephone (619) 787-8792; or write San Diego Jazz Party, 1632 Hillstone Avenue, Escondido, CA 92029-4332.
43rd annual JAZZ BASH BY THE BAY (Monterey, CA) March 7-9
The 43rd annual Jazz Bash By the Bay Monterey takes place March 7-9, 2025, in the beautiful Conference Center and Portola Hotel & Spa with eight venues.
Invited bands and artists for 2025 include After Midnight, Blue Stree, Bye Bye Blues Boys Band, Carl Sonny Leyland Trio, Chicago Cellar Boys, Crescent Katz, Dave Stuckey and his Hot House Gang, Dawn Lambeth Sextet, Ivory and Gold, Le Jazz Hot, Monterey Sax, Pacific Brass Band , Royal Society Jazz Orchestra, San Lyon, Sierra Stompers, Tom Rigney and Flambeau, Warehouse Reunion, and the Yve Evans Trio. Featured artists include: Paolo Alderighi, Clint Baker, Dave Bennett, Danny Coots, Bob Draga, Josh Duffee, Bobby Durham, Marilyn Keller, Pieter Meijers, T.J. Muller, Steve Pikal, Hal Smith, Matt Tolentino, and Stephanie Trick.
Badges can be ordered by phone at 831-754-8786 or 888-349-6879. More information online at jazzbashmonterey.com; Jazz Bash by the Bay, 177 Webster St., #206, Monterey, CA 93940.
DURANGO RAGTIME & EARLY JAZZ FESTIVAL (Durango, CO) – April 3-6
JOIN US for the return of the Durango Ragtime and Early Jazz Festival in April 2025! The greatest ragtime and classic jazz musicians from around the United States will descend upon the beautiful mountain town of Durango, Colorado, for four days of concerts, silent movies, seminars, after hours jam parties, and much more. All events will take place at the Durango Arts Center and the Historic Strater Hotel, only two blocks apart. The Diamond Belle Saloon is one of the most ideal venues for this type of music in the country, and the DAC has a gorgeous 9-foot grand piano for our concerts. CELEBRATE America’s first truly original music—ragtime and jazz—in an incredible location, Durango, Colorado.
Musicians will include Adam Swanson, Danny Coots, Jeff Barnhart, Donald Neely, Martin Spitznagel, Frederick Hodges, and Domingo Mancuello. For tickets call (970) 259-2606 or visit durangoarts.org/ragtime-festival
FRENCH QUARTER FESTIVAL (New Orleans, LA) – April 10-13
More than 20 stages throughout the French Quarter celebrate local music and represent every genre from traditional and contemporary jazz to R&B, New Orleans funk, brass bands, folk, gospel, Latin, Zydeco, classical, cabaret, and international. Traditional jazz fans will find nearly every artist of interest to them currently active in the city and discover new favorites.
New Orleans restaurants serve food and beverages in Jackson Square, the Jazz Museum at the Mint, JAX Brewery, and Woldenberg Riverfront Park during French Quarter Festival weekend. The French Quarter Festival has been consistently voted “favorite festival,” “favorite food festival,” and “favorite event open to the public” by locals. Schedule and map available at frenchquarterfest.org.
JAZZAFFAIR (Three Rivers, CA) April 11-13
The 5-th annual Jazzaffair, hosted by the Sierra Traditional Jazz Club, takes place at three venues in Three Rivers: the Lions Club Arena, the Memorial Building, and St. Anthony’s Retreat.
Bands will include the Sierra Stompers, Blue Street Jazz Band, Dave Bennett Quartet, The Memphis Speed Kings, Tom Rigney & Flambeau, Gino & The Lone Gunmen, Holland & Coots Quintet, Brian Holland & the Ragabonds, Sonny’s Boogie Woogie Boys, St. John’s Riverboat Jazz Band, Bob Schulz Barbary Coast Band, Okie Weiss & the Zydeco Playboys, and Nathan’s Fearless Five. With Special Guests: Jan Sutherland, Dave Stuckey, Jim Martinez and more surprises!
Also Featuring: Zydeco Dance Lessons, Special Events Nights, Thursday’s Kickoff Dinner, Friday’s Rowdy Breakfast, and Dance floors at all three venues.
Visit the Sierra Traditional Jazz Club online and download the order form: www.threeriversjazzaffair.com S.T.J.C., PO Box 712, Three Rivers, CA 93271. Call or text Jazzaffair Director: Linda McKee Amaral at (559) 303-5193
ZEHNDER’S 30th Annual RAGTIME FESTIVAL (Frankenmuth, MI) – April 23-25
Zehnder’s 30th Annual Ragtime Festival featuring the pride of Michigan, pianist Bob Milne, will be staged at Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth, 730 S. Main St., in the colorful city nicknamed Little Bavaria. Also called “Muth” for short, the city is located in Saginaw County, in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, about 22 miles south of Lake Huron. Events include Lunch Concerts on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, Vaudeville Night on Thursday, and Friday Night Festival Grand Finale.
By the way, Zehnder’s serves a world-famous chicken dinner along with tantalizing breads and pastries. Performers for 2025 include Bob Milne, Jeff Barnhart, Ivory & Gold, Dave Bennett, Adam Swanson, Andy Ratajcak, Peter Bergen, and Terry Parrish. The 2025 meal plan is already on the website to wet your appetite.
Ticket prices for individual events range from $34 to $70. Reservations are required for lunch, brunch, and all dinner concerts. For more info or reservations call (844) 288-1484; or visit zehnders.com.
AHOY VINTAGE CRUISES: Matt Tolentino and his Orchestra (Southampton, UK – New York, NY) May 16-23, 2025 / Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra (Southampton, UK – New York, NY) Sept. 26-Oct. 3, 2025
Ahoy Vintage Cruises is celebrating 100 years of Art Deco with two exclusive trans-Atlantic crossings. We will start off with a few days touring era-influenced sites in Paris, the birthplace of Art Deco in 1925. After a quick jaunt in London, we’ll board the iconic RMS Queen Mary 2 for a seven-night crossing.
Each crossing, departing from Southampton and arriving in New York City, features a renowned orchestra playing Deco-era music for nightly dances.
Enjoy dining, drinking, and dancing your way across the Atlantic in the delightful Deco style. Live your best vintage life for this trip. Is it 1925 or 2025? It’s a dream come true. ahoyvintagecruises.com
51st WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP OLD-TIME PIANO PLAYING CONTEST & FESTIVAL (Oxford, MS) – May 23-25
Every year over Memorial Day weekend in Oxford, Mississippi, the World Championship Old-Time Piano Playing Contest is held to provide an opportunity for pianists to compete and learn in a stimulating atmosphere and to educate people about old-time piano music written prior to 1940.
Through the years, the contest has provided more than $60,000 in prize money to more than 500 piano players from across the United States and from five foreign countries. Players in 2020 will compete in three divisions—Regular, Junior & Senior—as they vie for over $6,000 plus trophies—as well as the New Rag Contest, where aspiring composers present their original tunes.
A variety of other activities include workshops, guest artist performances, silent movies, an old-time sing-along, a double-decker bus tour of historic Oxford, and after-hours events every night on the Oxford Square.
For more information, write: Old Time Piano Contest, 350 University Ave., Oxford, MS 38655; oldtimepianocontest@olemiss.edu; telephone 662-801-2251; oldtimepianocontest.com.
SCOTT JOPLIN INTERNATIONAL RAGTIME FESTIVAL (Sedalia, MO) May 28-31
The 50th anniversary Scott Joplin festival last year was an amazing time for all. The 51st annual event promises to keep the good time rolling. For the most current information, please visit www.scottjoplin.org.
37th ELKHART JAZZ FESTIVAL (Elkhart, IN) – June 19-22
Since 1988, jazz legends and fans have gathered each summer at the Elkhart Jazz Festival which combines warm, intimate, small-town hospitality with the excitement of big-city jazz. Known as the Band Instrument Capital of the World, Elkhart companies employ nearly 2,000 skilled craftsmen in the production of musical instruments.
Diana Krall will be the opening night headliner. Check back for other artists to be announced. 2024 included 24 acts, with many of them appealing to TST readers. For ticket pricing visit elkhartjazzfestival.com; tickets: (574) 293-4469; festival info: (574) 218-6477.
EVERGREEN JAZZ FESTIVAL (Evergreen, CO) – July 25-27
The Evergreen Jazz Festival is set for July 25, 26, and 27. Known for its beautiful Rocky Mountain setting and up-close-and-personal atmosphere, the event will feature five intimate venues, each offering a unique listening experience. Invited bands currently include After Midnight, Carl Sonny Leyland Trio, The Sweet&Hot Quartet (The Barnharts, TJ Muller, and Josh Duffee), Hal Smith’s El Dorado Jazz Band, Holland-Coots, Ivory and Gold, Queen City Jazz Band with Wende Harston, The Poudre River Irregulars, and Double 88’s (Brian Holland, Carl Sonny Leyland, Jeff Barnhart). Dancers are welcome at all venues! For details and tickets, visit www.EvergreenJazz.org or call 303-697-5467.
BIX BEIDERBECKE JAZZ FESTIVAL (Davenport, IA) July 31 – Aug 2
Hot Jazz will return to the Upper Mississippi River during the Bix Beiderbecke Jazz Festival. Scheduled bands include: Graystone Monarchs, led by Quad Cities drummer Josh Duffee, this big band plays music from the 1920s and 1930s made famous by Jean Goldkette, Paul Whiteman, Cab Calloway, McKinney’s Cotton Pickers, Benny Goodman, Bob Crosby and others. Chicago Cellar Boys, rightly-arranged small band jazz; unusual repertoire; outstanding ensemble and solo playing. Mike Davis’ New Wonders, vintage jazz of the 1920s played and sung in an authentic style. Bix Youth Band, the best of the best young musicians from educational programs throughout the Quad Cities, performing with professional musicians from the festival. El Dorado Jazz Band, traditional New Orleans Jazz; stomps, rags, marches, blues and barrelhouse as played in Southern California in the 1960s. Jazz-O-Maniacs, riverboat Jazz of the 1920s in the tradition of Charles Creath, Fate Marable, Tony Catalano — and of course Bix Beiderbecke! Mortonia Seven, this band first performed at the festival in 2021. The personnel is slightly different now, but the ensemble still performs the music of Ferdinand “Jelly Roll” Morton and his contemporaries. Led by New Orleans pianist Kris Tokarski, the band includes Dave Kosmyna, cornet; Colin Hancock, trombone; Dave Bennett, clarinet; T.J. Müller, banjo and guitar; Steve Pikal, string bass; and Hal Smith, drums. St. Louis vocalist Valerie Kirchoff, a/k/a Miss Jubilee will also be on the program. She will sing with T.J. Muller’s Jazz-O-Maniacs and we are sure that she will be a guest on other sets as well.
Check the Bix Jazz Society’s website for updates, to purchase tickets, and for information regarding area lodging: www.bixsociety.org.
HISTORIC SUTTER CREEK RAGTIME FESTIVAL (Sutter Creek, CA) – Aug 8-10
Once again, the tantalizing strains of Ragtime, Early Jazz and Boogie Woogie Music will fill the streets and venues at the 27th annual Historic Sutter Creek Ragtime Festival, in the beautifully well-tailored gold rush town of Sutter Creek in California’s Sierra Foothills.
This Historic Sutter Creek Ragtime Festival runs for 3 days, Friday thru Sunday, August 8-10. Festivities start at 4 pm on Friday afternoon and end on Sunday afternoon after the finale concert. Most musicians from last year are returning as well as a few new faces. There will be a few additional venues around town as well. In recognition of a new scholarship fund many performers will be evoking Tom Brier in their performances.
The latest information can be found on the website. Badges can be purchased on the website, by mail or when you arrive in town for the festival. Please refer to the festival website for this year’s prices, including admission for individual events. www.historicsuttercreekragtimefestival.com or call 209 304-0835.
BAY STATE HOT JAZZ FESTIVAL (Medford, MA) August 23-24
Save the date for the 2025 Bay State Hot Jazz Festival! The BASH Jazz Festival – our reimagined third year iteration of the Medford Trad Jazz Festival – is a FREE community celebration featuring 8+ traditional jazz bands from all over the country, all together in one place, raising the roof with set after set of incredible music. This year’s festival of ragtime, hot jazz, stride, New Orleans, and other early jazz styles will take place on August 23 and 24 at the Medford Condon Shell, just minutes from Boston. Our evolving lineup will be announced later this spring!
Interested in playing at this year’s festival? Band applications are open! Find the link here: https://baystatehotjazzfestival.com/artist-application
For more information about the BASH Jazz Festival, visit baystatehotjazzfestival.com
HOT JAZZ JUBILEE (Sacramento, CA) – August 30 – Sept. 2
The 2024 Hot Jazz Jubilee was an outstanding success on multiple levels, and we are ramping up for 2025! The 10th annual Hot Jazz Jubilee will kick off on August 29th at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Sacramento, with 18 great bands and some phenomenal Guest Artists, plus several outstanding youth jazz bands.
New to the festival this year will be Steve Lucky and the Rhumba Bums, featuring Carmen Get It, a local group that will keep your toes tapping happily. Also new this year is our first Western Swing group, direct from Nashville, Tennessee. Swingin’ West is the real deal, and its rhythm section is none other than those three talented guys from Groovus!
Fans of Black Market Trust will be glad to know that this great band will be back this year. We are still working on Guest Artists and some Special Sets, so be sure you are on the mailing list so you won’t miss any announcements as they are released.
Tickets for the 2025 Hot Jazz Jubilee are on sale now, and hotel rooms can also be booked early call 916-929-8855 and use code 93H to get the festival discount.
Check back here for further updates and more banads. hotjazzjubilee.com; P.O. Box 2931, Carmichael, CA, 95609, USA. info@hotjazzjubilee.com
CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA RAGTIME AND AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL (Orbisonia/Rockhill Furnace, PA) Sept. 18-21
Join us September 18-21 2025 for the 16th Annual Central Pennsylvania Ragtime & American Music Festival. Four fun-filled days of music, silent movies, lectures, open houses, and more. Hear Ragtime favorites, Jazz, Boogie-Woogie, Stride, Blues, and hits from the Great American Songbook, all performed by Grammy Award winning musicians. Plus, enjoy rides on the town’s two signature attractions, the historic East Broad Top Railroad, and the neighboring Rockhill Trolley Museum!
Our festival is by far the most intimate of the ragtime gatherings – where else in America can you enjoy our nation’s musical heritage in such a historic setting? Past performers include Adam Swanson, Frederick Hodges, Andy Schumm, Martin Spitznagel, Bryan & Yuko Wright, Brian Holland, Danny Coots, Domingo Mancuello, Joey Antico, Bill Edwards, Andrew Greene and the Peacherine Ragtime Orchestra, Ed Clute, Daniel Souvigny, Richard Dowling, Dan Levinson, Terry Waldo, T.J. Muller, and Joyce Richardson. Come join us for some great music! The festival is currently managed by Andrew Greene, founder and director of the Peacherine Ragtime Orchestra.
THE GREAT NORTHEAST JUG BAND FESTIVAL (Arlington, MA) September 26-27
Save the date for New England’s (the East Coast’s?) ONLY Jug Band Festival, now in it’s fifth year. We’ll showcase early blues, jazz, and string band traditions from the 1920’s and 30’s, and the modern evolution of this good-time music.
Calling all jug bands! Applications are open for this year’s festival. Visit theJUGnut.com .
For a look at last year’s festival information, visit: https://www.acarts.org/jug-band-festival . Updates coming soon!
Joe Bebco is the Associate Editor of The Syncopated Times and Webmaster of SyncopatedTimes.com