Festival Roundup September 2025

27th Annual PENTASTIC HOT JAZZ & MUSIC FESTIVAL (Penticton, BC) Sept. 5-7

Situated between two lakes in the beautiful Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Pentastic Hot Jazz is celebrating its 27th year. As “the best Jazz Party in the Northwest”, the three day Pentastic HOT Jazz Festival brings world class jazz bands and performers to Penticton from Friday, Sept. 5 through Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025.

The line up this year so far includes Tom Hook & The Hounds, Slim Sandy & The Hillbilly Boppers, After Midnight, Groovus, Tom Rigney and Flambeau, Dave Bennett & The Memphis Speed Kings, Todd Morgan & The Emblems, Slim Sandy & The Atomic Cocktails, South Okanagan Big Band, and an Amateur Jam Session. Most bands are scheduled several times. There are four venues that are close together although a free shuttle is available for all those that wish to use that service. All venues are non smoking and dancing is encouraged.

Tickets are NOW on sale! Tickets for the event are $95 (Friday), $120 (Saturday), $95 (Sunday) and three day festival tickets are $170. For more information about 2025’s event, please visit Pentastic online at www.pentasticjazz.ca or call toll-free 1-866-599-3494. Purchase tickets online at www.valleyfirsttix.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, 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.

Learn more about the festival by visiting www.rockhillragtime.com or www.eastbroadtop.com. An All Access Pass is $225, with individual concert tickets ranging from $20-$65 per event.

CALIFORNIA JUG BAND ASSOCIATION JUG BAND FESTIVAL (Dixon, CA) Sep. 20

The California Jug Band Association’s 23rd annual jug band festival will take place at the Ruhstaller Farm Brewery and Taproom in Dixon California on Saturday, September 20 from 3 pm-10 pm. This year’s line up will include the Rivertown Skifflers, The Deppe Basement Shakers, The Yerba Buena Jug Band, The Trolley Drops, and 5 Cent Coffee. The event is free. For more information visit www.facebook.com/CJBA2/

THE GREAT NORTHEAST JUG BAND FESTIVAL (Arlington, MA) Sept. 26-27

New England’s ONLY Jug Band Festival will showcase early blues, jazz, and string band traditions from the 1920s and ’30s, and the modern evolution of this good-time music. Our fifth festival kicks off on Friday night, September 26 with a jam lead by the Jug Nuts. Saturday starts with another jam at 1 pm, followed by performances by Miss Maybell & Her Ragtime Romeos, The All New Genetically Altered Jug Band, and Amy Kucharick & Friends with Benefits. For the first time, the festival will include a “makers tent” highlighting home-made and cigar box instrument builders.

The Great Northeast Jug Band Festival is presented by the Arlington Center for the Arts. The festival is free. Beer and barbecue will be available for purchase.

For more information, visit: www.acarts.org/jug-band-festival.

AHOY VINTAGE CRUISES: Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra (Southampton, UK-New York, NY) Sept. 26-Oct. 3

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

REDWOOD COAST MUSIC FESTIVAL (Eureka, CA) Oct. 2-5

This year’s festival, which takes place in Eureka, California, boasts seven venues: Hagadone Stage at Eureka Municipal Auditorium, Chevron & George Petersen Insurance Stage at The Adorni Center, Pierson Building Center Stage at The Sequoia Center, The Eagle House Stage at The Inn & 2nd and C, Sun Valley Group Stage at Morris Graves Museum, and two performance stages at The Red Lion Hotel (which is the home base of the festival). All venues have food, bars, and dance floors—with complimentary shuttles between venues.

Featuring: Americana, Hot and New Orleans Jazz, Swing, Blues, Western Swing, Zydeco, Rockabilly, and Country, 40 Bands, and 100 sets of music, TST readers will find many of their favorites in the mix. Scheduled artists include: The Revelers, The Cash Box Kings, Joel Paterson Trio, Redd Volkaert, Carl Sonny Leyland & His Boogie Woogie Boys, Duke Robillard, The Western Flyers, Jonathan Stout’s Campus Five Featuring Hilary Alexander, Lee Kanehira, Dave Stuckey & The Hot House Gang, Sean ‘Mack’ Mcdonald, Michael Doucét, Tom Rigney & Flambeau, Kenny ‘Beedy Eyes’ Smith, Billy Flynn, Miss Jubilee, Terry Hanck Band, Ron Dziubla, Katie Cavera and The Lost Boys, Tommy Harkenrider’s Memphis Kings, Naomi Uyama & Her Handsome Devils, The Lovestruck Balladeers, Clint Baker Jazz Band, Oscar Wilson, Joe Nosek, Deke Dickerson & The Whippersnappers, San Lyon, Ben Hernandez, Nathan James Trio, Victor Puertas, Colin Hancock, Charlie Halloran & The Tropicales, Dave Stuckey & The Hoot Owls, Two Tone Steiny & The Cadillacs with Danny Sandoval, Holland Coots Jazz Band, Mitch Polzak & The Royal Deuces, Dawn Lambeth, The Alpha Rhythm Kings, Jonathan Doyle Swingtet, Dan Barrett, Alice Spencer & Overland Swing Express, Mikya Matsuda’s Alcatraz Islanders, Kris Tokarski, Gino & The Lone Gunmen, The Mortonia Seven, Josh Collazo’s Jazzboree, Natalie Hanna Mendoza, Marc Caparone’s Back O’Town Allstars, Cadillac Ranch & The Roadside Attraction, New Orleans Night Owls, Dave Bennett, TJ Muller’s Jazz-O-Maniacs, Andy Schumm, Hal Smith’s El Dorado Jazz Band, Groovus, SoHum Girls, Dave Kosmyna Incendiary Seven, Dennis Lichtman, Dalton Ridenhour Trio, Mike Davis, The Uptown Kings, The Redwood Dixie-Gators, Nice & Easy.

Please write admin@redwoodjazz.org with questions. Find payment options and other information online at www.rcmfest.org. Please check the hotel page to see if there are ticket packages available from official festival hotels. Special combination packages may be available.

SUN VALLEY JAZZ & MUSIC FESTIVAL (Sun Valley, ID) Oct. 16-19

Idaho’s Sun Valley Jazz and Music Festival covers four days and offers excellent bands in four venues at the Sun Valley Resort. Performing this year are Bands: Terry Myers Big Band, Tom Rigney and Flambeau, Alpha Rhythm Kings, Leyland, Pikal, & Coots Trio, The High Street Party Band, Dave Bennett Five, Hot Jazz Collective, The Baker Boys, Carolyn Martin Swing Quartet, and San Lyon with Katie Cavera. Musicians: Jason Wanner, Paul Odeh, Pat Gullotta, Jaimie Roberts, Sam Rocha, Nate Ketner, Bobby Durham, Yve Evans, Clint Baker, Carl Sonny Leyland, Danny Coots, Davy Jones, Dave Bennett, Eddie Metz Jr., Rob Verdi, Brian Casserly, Steve Goff, Kevin Congleton, Sherri Colby, Matty Bottel, Michael Sailors, Emily Stanton, Shaymus Hanlin, and Steve Pikal.

2025 Specialty Bands and Events: Big Band Bash, High Street’s Dancin’ Through the Decades, Dance lessons!, Afterglow Dinner & Dance, Grande Finale, Marching Band Salute, Ladies Sing, Miles Davis Tribute, Clarinet Clambake, Party on the Bayou, Gospel Sets, Brian Casserly’s Jumpin’ Blues All Stars, Jerry Lee Lewis Tribute, Rhythm & Blues, Rob Verdi’s Little Big Band, Banjomaniacs, Flambeau Cajun, Blues & Rock n’ Roll.

Tickets: Four-day all events badge: $299, Priority Seating: $150. All-day passes range from $90-$120 (available for purchase in August). Afterglow Dinner (Sunday evening @ 7 PM) $90.

Lodging: Special Jazz Rates @ Sun Valley Resort, call (800) 786-8259 (limited number available)

Tickets are available by telephone (877) 478-5277 or on our website; sunvalleyjazz.com.

2025 JAZZ JUBILEE CENTRAL COAST (Pismo Beach, CA) Oct. 17-26

The Basin Street Regulars Hot Jazz Society is thrilled to announce the 2nd Jazz Jubilee Central Coast 2025, a vibrant celebration of jazz music stretching across California’s beautiful Central Coast. This year’s festival will take place from October 17th to October 26th, 2025, featuring a mix of free and paid live music events.

This multi-venue, area-wide “à la carte” festival runs from Friday, October 17th through Sunday, October 26th, 2025 in multiple venues stretching from Paso Robles to Solvang, including returning favorites and new additions. Once again, the festival will be organized by the Basin Street Regulars Hot Jazz Club.

Acts already booked include headliners The Midiri Brothers and Black Market Trust as well as a local favorite, the Idiomatiques. These Premium shows will take place October 24th-26th at the Clark Center in Arroyo Grande, the Veterans Memorial Building in Pismo Beach and Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church in San Luis Obispo.

Bundled Discounts are available for those attending two or more shows. More shows might be added later to the bundled pricing Landing Page on 805tix, link below. Tickets for all three shows (and future shows) can be accessed at: my805tix.com/e/jazz-jubilee-25

Organizers are actively working to secure quality acts along the Central Coast throughout the 10 days of the festival. Stay tuned for additional events as they are announced. Sponsorship packages are now available and can include tickets to all of our premium shows plus access to the pre-show reception at the Clark Center and the Midiri Brothers after-party, at the Oceano Elks Lodge in Oceano, California.

Please go to JazzJubileeCentralCoast.com for all of the latest updates.

ROSWELL JAZZ FESTIVAL (Roswell, NM) Oct. 22-26

The Roswell Jazz Festival keeps getting better and now extends to multiple venues around town in doors and out. The more intimate ticketed shows can sell out fast.

Scheduled so far are Allan Vache on clarinet, Harry Allen on tenor saxophone, John Allred, Dan Barrett on trombone, Danny Coots as percussionist, Yve Evans on keyboard and vocals, Michael Francis on piano, Larry Fuller on piano, Duke Heitger on trumpet, Dan Hitchcock on tenor saxophone, Davy Jones on cornet, Ricky Malichi on drums, Houston Person on saxophone, Vinny Raniolo on guitar, Chuck Redd on vibraphone and drums, Ted Rosenthal on keyboards, Mark Shane on keyboards, Charlie Silva on bass, Richard Simon on bass, Rossano Sportiello on piano, Tradd Tidwell on multi-stringed instruments, and Erik Unsworth on bass.

Tickets for the 18th annual festival will go on sale this summer; for more information visit roswelljazz.org, email jazzroswell@gmail.com, or telephone 505-359-4876.

MIKE DURHAM’S INTERNATIONAL CLASSIC JAZZ PARTY (Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK) Oct. 31-Nov. 2

The globe’s foremost gathering of specialist Classic Jazz musicians and fans; a three-day concert series featuring live music of a rarely heard quality and authenticity, performed by a truly international roster of world-class performers. Held over a long weekend from midday on Friday until late on Sunday evening, the Party takes the form of a series of special themed concerts chosen and curated by the musicians themselves and drawn from the canon of the first 40 years of jazz.

Our 2025 concert lineup, subject to change, features an exceptional array of talent. On trumpet, we have Joe Boga (USA—new for 2025!), Enrico Tomasso (UK), Malo Mazurié (France), Colin Hancock (USA—new for 2025!), Mike Davis (USA), and Andy Schumm (USA). The reeds section includes Lars Frank (Norway), Lorenzo Baldasso (Italy), Michael McQuaid (UK), David Lukács (Netherlands—new for 2025!), Natalie Scharf (USA), David Horniblow (UK), and Richard Exall (UK). For trombone, expect T.J. Müller (USA—new for 2025!), Alistair Allan (UK), and Graham Hughes (UK). On piano, Andrew Oliver (USA), David Boeddinghaus (USA), and Martin Litton (UK) will shine. Guitar and banjo feature Thomas “Spats” Langham (UK), Martin Wheatley (UK), Félix Hunot (France), and Curtis Volp (UK). Brass bass and string bass are covered by Phil Rutherford (UK), Malcolm Sked (UK), and Harry Evans (UK). Drums and percussion include Nicholas D. Ball (UK), Josh Duffee (USA), and Nick Ward (UK). Emma Fisk (UK) will perform on violin, and vocals will be delivered by Thomas “Spats” Langham (UK) and Nicolle Rochelle (France).

At the end of each day, musicians and audience relax and enjoy themselves at the legendary after-hours jam sessions in the hotel’s bar, often going on into the wee small hours.

The concerts take place in 4-star luxury, with audience members being assigned to cabaret seating of 8 to a table. A twice-daily rotation system is in place to ensure that everybody gets a good view.

For tickets and other information, please visit whitleybayjazzfest.com; wbjazzfest@btinternet.com.

SUNCOAST JAZZ FESTIVAL (Clearwater Beach, FL) Nov. 21-23

Appearing at the 2025 festival are Tuba Skinny, St. Louis Stompers, Chuck Redd, Diego Figueiredo, Ehud Asherie, Jason Marsalis, Jonathan Russell, Ken Peplowski, Wycliffe Gordon, Dave Bennett Quartet, John Lamb, Professor Cunningham and His Old School, Tom Rigney & Flambeau, Simon Lasky, Al Downing All Stars, Bakey and Betty, Bob Price, Daniela Soledade, Don Mopsick, Ed Metz, Jr., Heather Thorn & Vivacity, James Suggs, Jazz Phools, La Lucha, Naples Jazz Society Jazz Band, Nate Najar, Pepper and Fine Thyme, Theo Valentin, and Forrest & Andrea Phoenix.

Special events include a poolside parasol parade Friday morning, a swing dance party Friday evening, and a Sunday morning set featuring the Dave Bennett Quartet with Theo Valentin.

For tickets and information, visit us online at suncoastjazzfestival.com; or write: PO Box 395, Largo, FL 33779; (727) 248-9441. It’s not too early to make your hotel reservations—check our website for hotel specials.

37th Annual WEST COAST RAGTIME FESTIVAL (Rancho Cordova, CA) Nov. 21-23

Scheduled for this year are; Nick Arteaga, Clint Baker, Ramona Baker, Chris & Jack Bradshaw, Isaiah Burton, Ryan Calloway, Michael Chisholm, Jared DiBartolomeo, Neville Dickie, Richard Dowling, Drivons Duo, Marty Eggert, Freebadge Serenaders, Greg Sabin, Justin Au, Brandon Au, Kevin Gunia, Frederick Hodges, Brian Holland, Lisa Gonick, Jeff Green, Vincent Johnson, Charlie Judkins & Miss Maybell, Key System Rhythm Ramblers, Lisa Gonick, Jeff Green, Virginia Tichenor, Carl Sonny Leyland, Max Liberton, TJ Muller, Pacific Coast Ragtime Orchestra, Will Perkins, Richard Powers, Ragabonds, Brian Holland, Paul Hagglund, Gareth Price, Katie Cavera, Bub Sullivan, Petra Sullivan, Adam Swanson, John Reed-Torres, Virginia Tichenor, Matt Tolentino, Tadao Tomokiyo, and Joan Walton. Plus, astonishing youth performers, special shows, seminars, silent movies, ragtime era dancing led by Richard Powers and Joan Walton, and more!

We are delighted to again be hosting the festival at the Marriott Rancho Cordova, with all venues on the ground floor. You may make early reservations at the Marriott now. Location: Sacramento Marriott Rancho Cordova 12211 Point East Drive, Rancho Cordova, CA 95742._For more information, please visit: www.westcoastragtime.com.

32nd Annual EAGLES AND IVORIES RAGTIME FEST (Muscatine, IA) Jan. 15-18

The 32nd Annual Eagles & Ivories Music Fest is staged in Muscatine, Iowa, at five different locations. A free eagle watch takes place Saturday morning at Pearl City Station in Riverfront Park. The 2026 lineup includesl Jeff Barnhart, Dave Bennett, Danny Coots, Neville Dickie, Josh Duffee, and the Mad Creek Mudcats. Special events include silent film comedies with live accompaniment.

For more information and tickets: muscatineartscouncil.org; ajwoodhouse@machlink.com

NORTH CAROLINA JAZZ FESTIVAL (Wilmington, NC) Feb. 5-7

Wilmington gives a warm welcome to all of the jazz lovers attending our 46th North Carolina Jazz Festival! This historic city located on the bank 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: Noel Freidline and Maria Howell will headline the 46th annual opening night’s Special Event.

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, including Bruce Harris, Benny Hill, Chuck Redd, Herman Burney, Jonathan Russell, Nate Najar, and Rossano Sportiello.

For more information visit www.ncjazzfestival.org, e-mail ncjazzfest@yahoo.com, or call (910)-399-6536.

JAZZ FEST AT SEA (Caribbean) March 12-22, 2026

If you’re passionate about Traditional Jazz, Classic Jazz, Swing, or virtually any style that defined the golden age of jazz, then JazzFest at Sea is the cruise you’ve been waiting for. Join us as we set sail from Miami for a 10-night Caribbean journey filled with unforgettable music and timeless style. Enjoy world-class performances in the evening and intimate afternoon sessions, all in a cozy jazz club setting reserved for just 250 guests. There will be also be opportunities for amateur musicians to jam.

Scheduled artists include Allan Vaché—clarinet; Ken Peplowski, tenor sax; Warren Vaché, trumpet; Terry Myers, tenor sax; John Allred, Trombone; Dave Bennet, clarinet; Davy Jones, cornet; James Chirillo, guitar; Banu Gibson, vocals; Chris Rottmayer, piano; Yve Evans, vocals; Phil Flanagan, bass.

Call us for more information! 1-800-654-8090 or visit www.JazzFestatSea.com.