Ken Peplowski, shown here playing at Fred McIntosh’s jazz party in August 2014, is the music director of the 38th Sarasota Jazz Festival this month. The theme of this year’s festival is “A World of Jazz,” and the event will feature a host of international jazz stars. (photo by John Herr)
This is The Festival Roundup as printed in our March 2018 issue, the current Roundup can be found HERE, our Interactive Event Calendar is located at the bottom of the same page. There you may add information about your own events, it’s free and easy to use.
For local recurring events and standing gigs check our Local Events page.
JAZZ BASH BY THE BAY (Monterey, CA) March 2-4
Dixieland Monterey hosts the 38th annual Jazz Bash by the Bay, with eight venues including seven dance floors all under one roof in the newly refurbished Portola Hotel & Spa and the totally remodeled Monterey Conference Center.
This year’s “Musician of the Year” is pianist Mark Allen Jones who, along with several other pianists, will entertain you in the new double-piano venue, upstairs in the Conference Center. There is no dance floor in this venue so we can seat more people. Other guest artists include Jeff Barnhart and Brian Holland (who teamed up as the Artist Consultants), Danny Coots, Katie Cavera, Eddie Erickson, and Bob Draga. Bands for 2018 include: The Au Brothers, Blue Street Jazz Band, Bye Bye Blues Boys Band, Carl Sonny Leyland Trio, Crescent Katz, Crown Syncopators, Fast Mama Entertainment, Gator Nation, Grand Dominion, High Sierra Jazz Band, Ivory&Gold®, Royal Society Jazz Orchestra, Side Street Strutters with Meloney Collins, Titan Hot 7, Tom Rigney & Flambeau, Wally’s Warehouse Waifs, and Yve Evans Trio, with at least 2 Youth bands on the schedule.
The Festival kicks off Thursday evening with a one-time-only concert in the hotel by We 3 ($30.00) and the Swing Dance to Clicktrax Jazz Orchestra ($25.00) in the DeAnza Ballroom. (Tickets to include both events are $50.00; these two programs are in not included in Badge prices.) Individual Early Bird All-Event Badges for 3 days are $95.00 through December 31, 2017. Day badges are available. Patron Badges, which includes the Patrons’ Brunch and reserved seating, are $240.00 each.
For more information or to order Badges, please call 888-349-6879; info@jazzbashbythebay.com; www.jazzbashbythebay.com.
CONGO SQUARE NEW WORLD RHYTHMS FESTIVAL (New Orleans, LA) – March 3-4
In the years before emancipation, slave owners in New Orleans granted their workers a day off on Sundays to enjoy a little revelry. The slaves would gather in a place known as Congo Square to sing, dance and play drums in keeping with their African heritage. From these hypnotic tribal rhythms and other strains of music that filtered into New Orleans in the late 1800s came the famous musical art form now known as jazz. The 10th annual Congo Square Festival will be staged for free on both Saturday and Sunday, Mar 3-4, from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. both days, in Louis Armstrong Park, 701 N. Rampart St., in old New Orleans. Performers TBA.
Admission is free, but donations will be accepted; (504) 558-6100; jazzandheritage.org/congo-square; 504-410-4100.
38th ANNUAL SARASOTA JAZZ FESTIVAL (Sarasota, FL) – March 7-10
The Jazz Club of Sarasota—one of the most active jazz societies in the nation—will present “A World of Jazz” for its 38th Annual Sarasota Jazz Festival. The four-day event, from March 7-10, 2018, will feature 14 musicians from seven nations in four concerts, over a dozen locally based musicians for a Pub Crawl by Trolley, and the French art film Django. Festival activities will be presented in various Sarasota venues including Marriott’s new Art Ovation Hotel, downtown Sarasota night clubs and Burns Court Cinema. Live jazz will fill the lobby before each concert, and four special VIP receptions—for those who purchase VIP ticket packages–will add to the luster of this star-studded festival.
Reedman Ken Peplowski is the festival’s music director. House band for the festival is the Scandinavian Jazztrio; other musicians include Ehud Asherie, piano; Graham Dechter, guitar; Sinne Eeg, vocalist; Diego Figueiredo, guitar; Jimmy Greene, saxophone; Jeff Hamilton, drums; Chiara Izzi, vocals; Jeremy Pelt; Houston Person, saxophone; and Akiko Tsuruga, organ.
Sarasota Jazz Festival ticket prices peak at $49, with discounts available for Jazz Club members and through several combination packages including a VIP ticket that includes admission and preferred seating for all concerts and four private receptions. For more information visit jazzclubsarasota.org, email admin@JazzClubSarasota.com, or phone (941) 366-1552 (Wednesday through Friday 9 am–5 pm; Monday-Friday during Festival Week).
TRIBUTE TO BIX FEST (Racine, WI) – March 8-11
Legendary cornetist Bix Beiderbecke is remembered at this 29th annual fest staged at the Architect Conference Center & Hotel (formerly the Marriott), 7111 Washington Ave., Highway 20, in Racine. Known as the Invention City, Racine is located at the mouth of the Root River, halfway between Milwaukee and Chicago. The brainchild of festival Director Phil Pospychala, the Tribute to Bix Fest offers several unique events including the Annual Bus Tour to Hell, rare films, historical fun lectures, two days of new/used 78/LP/CD record sales with 50 dealer tables, all-night 78 spinning, late-night jam sessions, and lobby cartwheels with the famous Schmooze Gals. “We’re proud to be out of tune with the times,” Phil says. “Good luck to all from Rexall!” Bands include the Augmented Fat Babies (featuring Andy Schumm, Dave Bock, and Mike Davis) celebrating the famous Dorsey Brothers Orchestra of 1928-1934, the Sweet Sheiks (“If you like Tuba Skinny you’ll like the Sweet Sheiks,” says Phil P.), ragtime pianists and composers Reginald Robinson and John Reed-Torres, and a host of young stars.
Prices, rooms, and other details to be announced soon; free admission to after-hours jam sessions; bixfest.com, (847) 996-0246; bixguy@hotmail.com.
SOUTH COAST CLAMBAKE JAZZ FESTIVAL (North Bend, OR) – March 9-11
Since 1988 jazz fans have flocked to southwestern Oregon to attend the annual South Coast Clambake Festival now staged at the Mill Casino, in North Bend. The bands play at four different venues – the Salmon Room, Hazel Room, Cedar Room and Saw Blade – within the hotel owned and operated by the Coquille Indian Tribe. Located on Highway 101, the venue overlooks lovely Coos Bay, an S-shaped water inlet and estuary where the Coos River enters the big bay. Volunteers from the Bay Area Traditional Society for Jazz (“B.A.T.S for Jazz”) continue to keep the flame burning for Dixieland jazz. The 2018 clambake serves a hot mix of traditional jazz, swing, doo-wop, blues, big band and zydeco. Performers will include the Dave Bennett and the Memphis Speed Kings, High Street, Barn Door Slammers, Gator Nation, Stompy Jones, Lisa Mann, Jacob Miller & The Bridge City Crooners, the Phat Cat Swingers, Evolution, and the Young Bucs.
Prices and further details to be announced soon. For info, call (541) 267-7665; email clambakejazz@gmail.com; or write to P.O Box 374, North Bend, Ore. 97459; or visit clambakejazz.com for lodging and other information.
MARDI GRAS INDIANS SUPER SUNDAY (New Orleans, LA) – March 18
Aside from Mardi Gras Day, the most significant day for the Mardi Gras Indians is their Super Sunday. The New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian Council always has their Indian Sunday on the third Sunday of March, around St. Joseph’s Day. Their festivities begin at noon in A.L. Davis Park (at Washington & LaSalle Streets) where the Mardi Gras Indians once again dress in their feathers and suits and take to the streets to meet other “gangs.”
Nobody is completely certain when the tradition of Mardi Gras Indians “masking” on St. Joseph’s night began. However, there have been reports of Indians on St. Joseph’s night dating back to before World War I.
In 1969, the first parade was created and rolled through town at night. In 1970, it was switched to a day parade on Sunday afternoon, and remains so. The daytime parades make the Indians accessible to the general public and allow visitors and locals alike to admire their amazing costumes, crowns, and accessories. If time permits, make it a point to take part in this remarkable New Orleans tradition.
All Super Sunday Mardi Gras Indian outdoor gatherings and processions are free and open to the public; presented by The New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian Council founded by Bertrand Butler; (504) 248-0724 mardigrasneworleans.com/supersunday; mardigrasindiancouncil.org/.
THE PEE WEE RUSSELL MEMORIAL STOMP (Whippany, NJ) – March 18
The 49th annual day-long tribute to the Oklahoma-bred clarinetist (1906-1969) who spanned eras from Dixieland to swing to bebop is staged by the New Jersey Jazz Society at The Birchwood Manor, 111 N. Jefferson Road, located off Route 10 in Whippany, N.J. Stomp attendees will dance and dine at the Birchwood’s cash bar and buffet, from noon to 5 p.m. This year the Stomp features the George Gee Orchestra, Professor Cunningham and His Old School, the Daryl Sherman Quartet, and the Warren Vaché Quintet.
Tickets cost $35 in advance, $45 at the door (NJJS members $5 less), $10 for students with ID; book a table of 10 to 14 and get one free admission; njjs.org; (800) 833-3006.
12th ANNUAL CHARLES TEMPLETON RAGTIME AND JAZZ MUSIC FESTIVAL (Starkville, MS) – March 22-24
This ragtime romp is named after the Starkville, Mississippi, businessman who donated his extensive collection of sheet music, instruments, phonographs, and memorabilia to Mississippi State University in the late 1980s. Charles H. Templeton particularly appreciated ragtime music, a genre that enjoyed its peak popularity between 1895 and 1918. Although this decade-old festival has academic roots—it’s hosted by the University Library and the Charles Templeton Sr. Music Museum as a means of enhancing research of early jazz—it showcases some of the world’s best ragtime and stride piano players. For 2018, Festival Artistic Director Jeff Barnhart, himself a phenomenally talented pianist, will entertain with Kris Tokarski, Steve Cheseborough, and Eddie Erickson—and Jeff will perform with flutist Anne Barnhart as Ivory&Gold®. The event takes place in Mitchell Memorial Library and McComas Hall Auditorium, at Hardy Rd. and President Circle.
All-event tickets cost $50; Friday only $30; Saturday only $30; individual concerts $10; and seniors receive a 20 percent discount; P.O. Box 5408, Mississippi State, MS 39762; (662) 325-6634; Lynda Graham, 662-325-6634, email: lgraham@library .msstate.edu; library.msstate.edu/ragtime festival. For lodging information: visit.starkville.org/where-to-stay.
REDWOOD COAST MUSIC FESTIVAL (Eureka, CA) – April 5-8
The Northern California city of Eureka sits amid towering redwood forests south of Arcata Bay, 275 miles north of San Francisco. Eureka’s atmospheric Old Town waterfront district stands adjacent to this festival’s seven venues including The Red Lion Hotel, The Adorni Center, the Eureka Theater, The Sequoia Center, Morris Graves Museum, and Eureka Municipal Auditorium. The 28th annual Redwood Coast Music Festival presents four days of traditional jazz, swing, rockabilly and zydeco, and two nights of blues. 2018 performers include Jeff Barnhart’s Earthquakers, Dave Bennett Quartet, Tom Rigney & Flambeau, Carl Sonny Leyland & Friends, Dave Stuckey & The Hot House Gang, Clint Baker’s Hot Five, Gator Nation, Dave Bennett & The Memphis Speed Kings, Cocuzzi Courtet, Joe Smith & The Spicy Pickles, Kris Tokarski Sextet, Candy Jacket Jazz Band, Ivory & Gold®, Dave Stuckey’s Hoot Owls, Stompy Jones, Gino & The Lone Gunmen, Chris Dawson Trio, Pappy & Junior’s Western Swing All-Stars, and Jump Swing Imperials, with Special Guest Artists Jeff Barnhart, Dave Bennett, Brian Casserly, Katie Cavera, Danny Coots, Chris Dawson, Chloe Feoranzo, Carl Sonny Leyland, Sam Rocha, Andy Stein, and Dan Walton. Blues artists include Mark Hummel’s Golden State Lone Star Revue, Lisa Mann, Terry Hanck Band, Bishop Mayfield & Friends, and the Andy T Band (with Anson Funderburgh & Alabama Mike).
Early Bird Tickets on sale through February 28, 2018: $90 for an all-event, three-day pass and $60 for blues events on Friday and Saturday; 523 Fifth St., Eureka, CA 95501; (707) 445-3378; admin@redwoodjazz.org; rcmfest.org.
PENSACOLA JAZZ FESTIVAL (Pensacola, FL) – April 7-8
Now in its 35th year, this free festival is staged April 7 and 8, at the historic Seville Square Gazebo in downtown Pensacola, in Florida’s western panhandle. Nicknamed “The City of Five Flags,” Pensacola is a seaport city located on Pensacola Bay protected by the barrier island of Santa Rosa. This year headliners include the Scott Wilson Quartet, Paula Atherton, Michael Pellera, Andy Martin, Patrick Frost, and The 4 Korners; full lineup and schedule is yet to be announced.
Admission is free; jazzpensacola.com; (850) 433-8382.
FRENCH QUARTER FESTIVAL (New Orleans, LA) – April 12-15
Started as a neighborhood gathering more than three decades ago, the French Quarter Festival has since grown into “The World’s Largest Block Party” where visitors join locals to enjoy the best of Louisiana music, food and culture, all for free. Featuring more than 800 musicians on 20 stages, more than five dozen food-and-beverage vendors (all dishes are priced in the $3-$5 range), kid-friendly attractions, free tours of hidden French Quarter patios and gardens, a Pirate’s Alley art show, the world’s largest praline, and fireworks exploding over the Mississippi River. The 34th annual French Quarter Festival will be staged over a half dozen blocks between Bourbon Street and the Mississippi Riverfront, there is no admission and fences do not enclose the site. Performers for 2018 are TBA, but last year’s headliners included The Lena Prima Band, Dr. Michael White, Ellis Marsalis, Evan Christopher’s Clarinet Road, and brass bands such as the New Birth Brass Band and The Brass-A-Holics.
More than 60 food and beverage booths will be scattered throughout the historic French Quarter. Admission is free; (504) 522-5730; fqfi.org/frenchquarterfest/.
JAZZAFFAIR 2018 (Three Rivers, CA) – April 13-15
Inspired by its longtime hosts—The High Sierra Jazz Band—the Jazzaffair takes place annually in the Central California town of Three Rivers, nestled in the Kaweah River canyon just above Lake Kaweah, in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Festival venues include the Lions Club, the Veterans Memorial Building and the St. Anthony Retreat. Free shuttle buses transport festival goers from place to place. Along with the High Sierra combo, performers for the 45th annual Jazzaffair will be Bob Draga, Dixie Dominus, Cornet Chop Suey, Grand Dominion, the “All New” High Street Party Band, Carl Sonny Leyland, Reedley River Rats, Tom Rigney and Flambeau, Blue Street Jazz Band, and Bob Schulz.
All-event three-day badge costs $95 if purchased on or before March 15 or $100 after March 15; children (no age limit) three-day ticket $50; children under age 12 are free when accompanied by a parent or guardian; April 12 Lions Recognition Dinner-concert $15. For info, write S.T.J.C., Box 712, 42490 Kaweah River Drive, Three Rivers, CA 93271; telephone (559) 561-1621; or visit sierratraditionaljazzclub.com/jazzaffair-2018.
OAKHURST RAGTIME FESTIVAL (Oakhurst, CA) April 13-15.
Before 1912, the Central California town of Oakhurst was known as Fresno Flats. Before 1912, jazz was known as ragtime. This humble celebration of ragtime piano playing is staged at the Oakhurst Community Center, 39800 Road 425-B, south of China Creek and just north of Oakhurst Mobile Home Estates. Oakhurst is located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas, 14 miles south of the entrance to Yosemite National Park. This year’s performers and schedule are yet to be announced.
Ticket prices are yet to be announced; please see facebook.com/oakhurstragtimefestival; telephone (559) 683-7860 or (559) 683 6570.
ZEHNDER’S RAGTIME FESTIVAL (Frankenmuth, MI) – April 26-29
Zehnder’s 24rd 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 dinner concert on Wednesday, lunch concerts on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Vaudeville Night Thursday, a Friday-night picnic, and a grand finale dinner concert on Saturday. By the way, Zehnder’s serves a world-famous chicken dinner along with tantalizing breads and pastries. Performers for 2017 tentatively include homeboy Bob Milne along with Jeff Barnhart, Adam Swanson, Bob Seeley, and Daniel Souvigny, and others.
Ticket prices for individual events last year ranged from $25 to $55. Reservations are required for lunch, brunch, and all dinner concerts. For more info or reservations call (800) 863-7999, ext. 450; or visit zehnders.com.
NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL (New Orleans, LA) – April 26 – May 6
One of America’s singular celebrations, this multi-faceted festival presents music between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. during the last weekend of April and first weekend of May, at a dozen different stages all over the Fair Grounds Race Course, in the Crescent City’s historic Mid-City neighborhood. Each stage is dedicated to different style of music, and jazz fans pay particular attention to venues such as the Congo Square Stage, the Gospel Tent, the Blues Tent, and the Economy Hall Tent. Performers for the 49th annual festival are TBA.
Ticket prices for 2018 are also TBA, but last year advance adult single-day tickets cost $70, or $80 at the gate. (504) 410-4100 or (504) 558-6100; nojazzfest.com.
CAPITAL CITY JAZZ FEST (Fitchburg, WI) – April 27-29
The 30th Capital City Jazz Fest will be the final event presented by the Madison Jazz Society. According to the Madison Jazz Society website, “This great line-up of musicians from all over the country will truly help us ‘go out with a bang!!’—the Buck Creek Jazz Band, the Fat Babies Jazz Band, the Midiri Brothers Jazz Sextet, Red Lehr’s Powerhouse Five + One and special guests vocalist Marilyn Keller and Bob Schulz.” Bob Schulz will lead a kick-off celebration on Thursday, April 26, featuring members of the bands performing at the Fest and other special guests. There will be a Jazz Worship Celebration at the Fest venue, led by Marilyn Keller and Red Lehr’s Powerhouse Five + One, at 9 am on Sunday, April 29.
All-event badges cost $140 or $40 for children; individual session tickets cost $35 or $10 for children. Children age 11 and younger are free when accompanied by an adult. Seating at each Fest session is limited to 200 people at tables of 8. For more information, visit www.madisonjazz.com/events/ category/jazzfest/; (608) 850-5400.
A JAZZ PARTY WEEKEND (McCall, ID) – April 27-29
For the first time, this classy jazz bash presented by the Sun Valley Jazz & Music Festival will be staged at the amazing Shore Lodge, 501 Lake St., McCall, Idaho, from April 27 through 29, 2018. This lovely hotel is on shore of Payette Lake, and has been rated third best lodging in the western US by Condé Nast Traveler. Performers will include Charlie Bertini and Brian Casserly, trumpet; SherriLynn Colby, vocals; Danny Coots and Eddie Metz, Jr., drums; Bobby Durham and Sam Rocha, bass; Brian Holland and Jason Wanner, piano; Nate Ketner and Terry Myers, reeds; Russ Phillips, trombone; and Jerry Krahn, guitar..
General admission tickets are $150; VIP Reserved Sponsor seats, $350; sunvalleyjazz.com/; (877) 478-5277.
BAYOU BOOGALOO (Bayou St. John, New Orleans, LA) – May 18-20
Since 2006 along this colorful revel has been presented free of charge by the MotherShip Foundation at Bayou Saint John at Orleans Avenue and North Jefferson Davis Parkway, in the City that Care Forgot. Performers for 2018 will be announced this spring.
Admission is free; (504) 488-3865; thebayouboogaloo.com; info@MotherShipFoundation.org.
BUNNY BERIGAN JAZZ JUBILEE (Fox Lake, WI) – May 18-20
Roland “Bunny” Berigan was one of the most charismatic trumpeters of all time. Now his humble hometown of Fox Lake, Wisconsin, celebrates his short life with a three-day jubilee. In addition to more than 20 hours of jazz, swing and Dixieland favorites, the event includes presentations covering Berigan’s contributions to jazz and swing. The festival stages concerts throughout the quaint city of Fox Lake, located 55 miles north of Chicago, Illinois. Venues include the Fox Lake Community Center and the American Legion Hall. Performers for 2018 are the The Bob Schulz Mid-West All Stars, The St. Louis Stompers led by Steve Lilley, The Kaye Berigan 5 Tet, the Matt Miller Jazz Trio, a big band playing Bunny’s music, and special Guest Trumpet Player, and Duke Heitger from New Orleans. There will be a Dixieland Graveside Service at Bunny’s resting place at 10:30 am at Annunciation Cemetery, with a sermonette delivered by the Rev. Al Townsend, and two Sunday-morning church services by St. Louis Stompers at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Beaver Dam.
Weekend passes cost $105 in advance, and daily tickets cost $30. For info, contact jubilee chairperson Julie Fleming at (920) 928-6094; via mail N10472 Chief Kuno Trail, Fox Lake, WI 53933; via email at julieflemming@yahoo.com; or visit bunnyberiganjazzjubilee.com.
JACKSONVILLE JAZZ FESTIVAL (Jacksonville, FL) – May 24-27
Three stages of live jazz, local food, drinks, shopping and entertainment will fill downtown Jacksonville along the banks of the St. John’s River, on Memorial Day Weekend. Since its inception in 1981, the Jazz Fest has become one of the largest festivals in the country with a vibrant street-festival atmosphere, and in 2018 you can experience it on an even larger scale throughout 15 blocks of downtown. The 37th annual festival showcases a wide variety of artists and musical styles, with performers to be announced.
Admission is free, but VIP packages are available (please see website for availability); jacksonvillejazzfest.com/; (904) 630-3690.
SCOTT JOPLIN RAGTIME FESTIVAL (Sedalia, MO) – May 30-June 2
More than 6,000 people attend the Scott Joplin Ragtime Festival each June, turning downtown Sedalia into a turn-of-the-20th century party. This year’s festival, is replete with symposia, special events, and concerts with a focus on all things ragtime.
This year’s featured presenters and musicians are Evan Arntzen, Jeff Barnhart, Dan Morgenstern, Marc Caparone, Danny Coots, Neville Dickie, Richard Dowling, Bill Edwards, Marty Eggers, Frederick Hodges, Brian Holland, Scott Kirby, Carl Sonny Leyland, Dr. Dave Majchrzak, William McNally, Steve Pikal, David Reffkin, Dalton Ridenhour, Daniel Souvigny, Martin Spitznagel, Virginia Tichenor, Matt Tolentino, Sébastien Troendlé, Yuko Eguchi Wright, and Bryan S. Wright.
Individual concert ticket prices range from $25 to $35; the Cakewalk Dance on June 1st costs $15; symposia tickets cost $15 each; (660) 826-2271; scottjoplin.org.
EVERGREEN JAZZ FESTIVAL (Evergreen, CO) – July 27-29
Located just 30 minutes southwest of Denver, the scenic mountain community of Evergreen provides an idyllic setting for the three-day event held during the last weekend in July. Five distinctive, intimate venues ranging from a church to a bar and grill give audiences a delightful variety of up-close-and-personal listening experiences. The lineup for 2018 includes: After Midnight, Carl Sonny Leyland Trio, Felonius Smith Trio, Gypsy Swing Revue, Holland-Coots Jazz Quintet, Ivory&Gold®, Joe Smith and The Spicy Pickles, Queen City Jazz Band with Wende Harston, Rock Island Roustabouts, and The Brain Cloud.
Discount Prices (through June 30): Festival Pass (All 3 Days): $100, Friday Session (All-Day): $55, Friday Evening (6 pm to 10 pm): $30, Saturday Pass (All Day): $85, Saturday Day or Evening Session (10 am – 4 pm, 4:15 pm – 10:15 pm): $65; Sunday Session: $55; To order by phone, call (303) 697-5467; To order by mail, send a check or money order to: Evergreen Jazz Festival, P.O. Box 3775, Evergreen, CO 80437; visit online at www.evergreenjazz.org.
SUTTER CREEK RAGTIME FESTIVAL (Sutter Creek, CA) – Aug. 10-12
Hosted by the Mother Lode Ragtime Society, the 20th annual Sutter Creek Ragtime Festival will be staged August 10 through 12, at venues such as the Sutter Creek Ice Cream Emporium, the Hotel Sutter, and the Sutter Creek Theatre. Considered one of the most charming and possibly the most visited of California’s gold-mining villages, Sutter Creek is located 46 miles southeast of Sacramento. Performers for 2018 include Elliott Adams, Patrick Aranda, Nick Arteaga, Jack and Chris Bradshaw, Amanda Castro, Danny Coots, Frederick Hodges, Brian Holland, Vincent Johnson, Carl Sonny Leyland, Stevens Price, the Ragnolia Ragtette, The RJB Trio, John Reed-Torres, John Remmers, Ray Skjelbred, Squeek Steele, the Sullivans, Adam Swanson, Ryan Wishner, and more to be announced.
All-event badges cost $70 before July 15, or $80 after that date; pay by cash, check, or PayPal; (209) 405-1563; suttercreekragtime.com.
Email motherloderagtime@hotmail.com or write to Mother Lode Ragtime Society, 11310 Prospect Drive #10 pmb 12, Jackson CA 95642.
SUN VALLEY JAZZ & MUSIC FESTIVAL (Sun Valley, ID) – Oct. 17-21
The 2018 edition of Idaho’s Sun Valley Jazz and Music Festival, covering five days and offering forty bands (with over 200 shows to choose from), will be headquartered at the Sun Valley Inn at the Sun Valley Resort. Performance venues include the Limelight Room, the Continental Room, the River Run Lodge, and Satchmo’s, with free concerts daily at Giacobbi Square in Ketchum, Idaho. Music starts on Wednesday at 12:30 pm, and the last set ends on Sunday at 3:30 pm, with an Afterglow Dinner Sunday 7:15-10 pm (extra ticket required).
Performers at the festival include the Sun Valley Jazz All Stars: Bob Williams, Cynthia Sayer, Danny Coots, Bob Schulz, Bobby Durham, Brian Holland, Rob Verdi, Brady McKay; Yve Evans; Gary Ryan; Tom Hook; Terry Myers & Jaimie Roberts Quartet; Black Market Trust; Kings of Swing; Bruce Innes Trio; Cornet Chop Suey; Two-Tone Steiny & the Cadillacs; Joe Smith & the Spicy Pickles; Blue Street Jazz Band; Gator Nation; “All New” High Street Party Band; Cocuzzi Trio; Carolyn Martin Swing Band; Tom Rigney & Flambeau; Black Swan Classic Jazz Band w/ Marilyn Keller; The Terrier Brothers; Paris Washboard Superswing; Rosie O’Grady’s Good Time Jazz Band w/ Bill Allred; Bob Draga & Friends; Ivory & Gold; Midiri Brothers Sextet; Blue Renditions; Holland & Coots; Boise Straight Ahead; Barnhart-Midiri; Sherri Colby’s Racket Makers; Yale Whiffenpoofs; We Three; NNU Jazz Revival; and Banjomaniacs.
Events and features to look forward to: Two Big Band Bashes, Clarinet Clambake, Dueling Pianos, Free Dance Lessons, Gospel Services, Marching Band Salute, Pianorama, and Silent Movies w/ Jeff Barnhart.
Tickets available by telephone or at website; (877) 478-5277; sunvalleyjazz.com. Write for brochure (with full ticket pricing information) at Sun Valley Jazz, PO Box 2745, Sun Valley, ID.
ARIZONA CLASSIC JAZZ FESTIVAL (Chandler, AZ) – Nov. 1-4
This 29th annual event will take place at its home for the last 15 years, the Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort in beautiful Downtown Chandler, AZ. The Crowne Plaza is a co-sponsor of the Festival and a focal point of the vintage Downtown allure with plentiful restaurants and boutique shops only a few steps away. Among the many highlights of this Festival are the special educational sets presented by the bands. In conjunction with the Festival, the Phoenix Lindy Exchange hosts hundreds of dancers who Lindy Hop into the wee hours on Friday and Saturday. They love the “hot” live jazz played by the Festival bands.
The music starts at 5:30 pm on Thursday, November 1st, and ends at 5 pm. on Sunday, November 4, after a Grand Finale highlighting the music of the Ink Spots by We3.
Howard Alden will play both guitar and banjo with a few of the groups. The bands will be: “Big” B.A.D. Rhythm, Cornet Chop Suey, Dan Reed’s Dixieland Hotshots, Dave Bennett Quartet, 52nd Street Jazz Band, High Sierra Jazz Band, Jammers led by Cheryl Thurston (all musicians welcome), Kris Tokarski Trio, Queen City Jazz Band, St. Louis Rivermen, Sentimental Breeze, Stephanie Trick & Paolo Alderighi, Sun City Stomperz, Tom Rigney & Flambeau, We3+1, Wildcat Jazz Band, and Wolverine Jazz Band.
All Event badges may be purchased in advance for $110 before August 15 and $130 starting August 16. Tax-deductible co-sponsorship donations in support of the bands are in addition to badge purchase and start at $500 per person. Sponsor benefits include reserved seating and Hospitality Room privileges. Day badges are available only at the door. There will be an Afterglow following the Festival from 6 – 8:30 p.m. Cost will be $30 per person and includes dinner. For details, go to azclassicjazz.org or call 480-620-3941. Send checks or credit card orders to ACJF, 10918 E. Michigan Ave., Sun Lakes, AZ 85248.
SUNCOAST JAZZ FESTIVAL (Clearwater Beach, FL) – Nov. 16-18
The 28th edition of the Suncoast Jazz Festival takes place in five indoor venues at two adjacent resort hotels, the Sheraton Sand Key and the Marriott Suites, in Clearwater Beach on the Gulf of Mexico. Special guest artists Rossano Sportiello and Chuck Redd will lead youth workshops as well as perform over the weekend. Scheduled bands and performers include Adrian Cunningham and His Old School, Dave Bennett Quartet, Tom Rigney and Flambeau, High Sierra, Cornet Chop Suey, Terry and the Pirates (Terry Meyers, Bob Leary, Eddie Metz, Jr., Charlie Bertini, Pat Gullotta, Jeff Phlilips, Jay Mueller), Queen City Jazz Band with Wende Harston, LaLucha, Danny Sinoff Quintet, Nate Najar, Theresa Scavarda, Paul Scavarda, Dave Tatrow, Bob Price, John Lamb, James Suggs, Pepper, and Betty Comora. Sponsor packages $350+; Benefactors $235; 3 Day Weekend $135; Daily $40-50; Youth $10; Friday Swing Dance (with Sam Mahfoud and the Swing Time Dancers) after 6 pm, $25.
For tickets and information, visit us online at suncoastjazzfestival.com; or write: PO Box 395, Largo, FL 33779; (727) 248-9441.
39th ANNUAL SAN DIEGO JAZZ FEST (San Diego, CA) – Nov. 21-25
Headquarters: Town & Country Hotel and Convention Center. Invited Guest Artists: Stephanie Trick, Paolo Alderighi, Katie Cavera, Carl Sonny Leyland. Invited Bands & Groups: Cornet Chop Suey, Black Swan Classic J.B., Original Cornell Syncopators, High Sierra J.B., Dave Bennett Quartet, High Society J.B., Big Butter J.B., On The Levee Band, Night Blooming Jazzmen, Chicago Cellar Boys, Sue Palmer and her Motel Swing Orchestra, Grand Dominion J.B., Titanic J.B., Yerba Buena Stompers, Mad Hat Hucksters, Cash In Hand, Gino and the Lone Gunmen, Katie Cavera Trio, and the Sonny Leyland Trio. Saturday Night Swing-X bands and additional festival bands to be named.
All Event Badges: 5-Days $125 each; 4-Days $115 each; 3-Days $105 each. Daily badges available at the door. Contact: AFCDJS, P.O. Box 880387, San Diego, CA 92168-0387; 619-297-5277.
Email: jazzinfo@SDjazzfest.org; Website: http://www.sdjazzfest.org/
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