This is The Festival Roundup as it appeared in the December 2018 issue of The Syncopated Times. You can find the current Roundup HERE.
The listing for your festival in The Festival Roundup will always be a free service to our readers. If you would like to stand out with a graphic ad linking to your festival website for a low yearly rate contact [email protected].
DANNY BARKER BANJO & GUITAR FESTIVAL (New Orleans, LA) – Jan. 8-13
The fifth annual Danny Barker Banjo and Guitar Festival will get under way with Danny’s Birthday Bash at Snug Harbor. (Danny was born on Jan. 13, 1909.) The birthday bash inaugurates four days celebrating Barker’s music and musical instruments featuring some of the top string players in the Crescent City along with many musicians who were influenced by him. Songwriter and guitarist Detroit Brooks is orchestrating the events as he did for the first four festivals.
Performers, venues and prices are all TBA; dannybarkerfestival.com; dbbanjoguitarfest@yahoo .com.
TUCSON JAZZ FESTIVAL (Tuscon, AZ) – Jan. 11-21
The festival takes place January 11-21, 2019 in Downtown Tucson and will kick off on Friday, January 11 with 14-year-old phenom, pianist Joey Alexander, plus the Tucson Jazz Institute Ellington Band, which has made the top three best high school bands for eight years in a row. The festival concludes on Monday, January 21 with the free Downtown Jazz Fiesta on MLK Day sponsored by Rio Nuevo, with local bands on multiple stages, both indoors and out.
The festival also features performances by Bobby McFerrin, Asleep at the Wheel, Trombone Shorty (by UAPresents), Pink Martini and the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, Special EXF with guests Regina Carter and Eric Marienthal, a Tribute to Nelson Riddle, Kathleen Grace with Larry Goldings, an all-women double bill with the Magos Herrera Quartet and Jane Bunnett and Maqueque, NEA Jazz Master Sheila Jordan and Cameron Brown, and others.
Ticket pricing, festival schedule, and lodging information may be found at the festival website tucsonjazzfestival.org; (520) 989-0720.
EAGLES & IVORIES WEEKEND (Muscatine, IA) – Jan. 24-27
The 25th Annual Eagles & Ivories Weekend is staged in Muscatine in southeast Iowa, at five different locations: Sunnybrook, 3515 Diana Queen Drive; Wesley United Methodist Church, 400 Iowa Ave.; Muscatine Art Center, 1314 Mulberry Ave.; and the Merrill Hotel and Conference Center, 119 Mississippi Dr., West. A free eagle watch takes place Saturday morning at Pearl City Station, 200 W. Riverfront, in Riverfront Park, and visitors can also focus their binoculars at the Norbert F. Beckey Bridge, the only span over the Mississippi River nocturnally illuminated with LED lights. The ragtime tunes will be performed by Ivory & Gold featuring Jeff and Anne Barnhart, Dr. David Majchzak, Marty Mincer, the Mad Creek Mudcats, the Locust Street Boys, and Barnhart’s Button City Blasters (featuring Andy Schumm, John Otto, Tom Bartlett, Jeff Barnhart, and Josh Duffee).
An entire three-day concert package costs $70; individual event admissions range from $5 to $20; children ages 16 and younger are admitted free to all events; muscatineartscouncil.org; (563) 263-9978; [email protected].
NORTH CAROLINA JAZZ FESTIVAL (Wilmington, NC) Jan. 31 – Feb. 2
The 39th annual festival will be staged at the Hotel Ballast, 301 N. Water St., overlooking the Cape Fear River. This historic city 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.
In 2019 festival features Grenaldo Frazier, Bruce Harris, Chuck Redd, Dion Tucker, Cynthia Sayer, and Brazilian born vocalist Maucha Adnet (former chanteuse for Antonio Carlos Jobim) and her husband Duduka da Fonseca joined by NYC’s Harry Allen on tenor sax, re-creating the sounds of Stan Getz; Israeli born pianist Ehud Asherie; and Tampa native guitarist Nate Najar. This musical weekend features Brazilian Jazz starting on Thursday evening and then the Jazz continues Friday and Saturday night with four hour concerts featuring seven sets with six or seven musicians per set (each with a different leader). Come experience some fantastic musicians from around the globe.
Single Night Tickets: Thurs.: $40, Fri. & Sat.: $60, Active Military: $25, Students: $15 each night; 3-Day Patron Pass: $225; 2-Day Patron Pass: $200; ncjazzfestival.com; (910) 793-1111; NCJF, P.O. Box 7681, Wilmington, NC 28406.
SOUNDS OF MARDI GRAS (Fresno, CA) – Feb. 7-10.
The 2019 edition of this festive festival in Fresno kicks off at the Doubletree by Hilton with a Thursday evening pre-party. The schedule picks up Friday with a “Putting on the Ritz” Charleston-themed parade, followed by the annual coronation of the Festival King and Queen, and a hot-jazz Swing Dance.
Attendees can meet-and-greet musicians Saturday morning before the Parasol Parade and Masquerade Party and Costume Parade in the grand tradition of Mardi Gras. Things wrap up on Sunday with a Wind Down Dinner and Dance.
Returning bands for 2019 include Grand Dominion, Climax Jazz Band, Cell Block 7, Gator Nation, Tom Rigney & Flambeau, Bob Schulz Frisco Jazz Band, Devil Mountain, Gino and the Lone Gunmen, Yosemite Jazz Band, High Sierra Jazz Band, Blue Street, Tom Hook & the Terriers. New bands invited this year are Dave Stuckey & Hot House Gang, The Young Bucs, Stardusters Big Band, and B Sharp and the Axxidentals. This year’s guest artist is Brian Casserly.
Three-day passes cost $125 before December 16, 2018 ($135 thereafter); admission prices for individual events range from $20 to $65; admission is free for those ages 18 and younger when accompanied by a paying adult; (209) 534-1924; fresnodixie.com.
TEAGARDEN JAZZ FESTIVAL (Sacramento, CA) Feb. 8-10
Trumpet legend Jim Cullum of Riverwalk Jazz fame will be the featured guest artist at three events during the 14th annual Teagarden Jazz Festival (formerly the Trad Jazz Youth Band Festival) February 8, 9, and 10, 2019. He will be backed up by an all-star group of jazz musicians. Venues include Rio Americano High School Performing Arts Center, 4540 American River Dr.; Sacramento State University, Capistrano Hall, 6000 J St.; and Elks Lodge #6, 6446 Riverside Blvd.
Single tickets to each concert, or combo tickets for the entire weekend, are available. Advance ticket sales will end on February 8. Tickets may be available at the door at a higher price. Students with ID are free to the events, and do not need advance tickets, but entrance will be based on space availability at the Friday and Sunday venues. The Sunday concert will feature Jim Cullum and the All-Star Festival Clinicians, plus award-winning youth bands.
Combo tickets are $15 (for Fri. night concert and Sat. festival entrance); $30 (for Fri., Sat. and Sun. concerts); $45 for Fri. VIP seating, Sat. festival, and Sun. concert including brunch buffet; individual admission ranges from $10-$25. More information at www.teagardenjazzfestival.org.
UNIV. OF IDAHO LIONEL HAMPTON JAZZ FESTIVAL (Moscow, ID) – Feb. 22-23
Beginning in February 1984, bandleader Lionel Hampton and his orchestra played at the University of Idaho’s jazz festival which had been staged annually for two decades in northern Idaho on the border of the state of Washington. The following year, 1985, the festival was renamed the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in honor of the pioneering multi-instrumentalist who excelled on vibraphone, drums, piano and as a leader. Two years later, UI’s school of music was renamed for Hampton, becoming the first university music school named for a jazz musician. The festival features hundreds of student performances, a dozen world-class jazz artists and nearly 100 workshops, clinics and special exhibits. The full 2019 series of evening concerts will be staged at 7:30 pm on Feb. 22-23, in the ASUI-Kibbie Activity Center. Evening concerts will not only feature world-renowned jazz artists but will also showcase student competition winners on the festival’s main stage. Headliners include The New Lionel Hampton Big Band, Dawn Clement’s Gratitude Trio, Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, and trombonist Paul McKee.
Series ticket prices: club seats $80, floor seats $75; center stands $60, outer stands $50; individual club seats $30, $35 and $45; college students, $15, $20 and $30; youth accompanied by a paying adult, $15, $18 and $22; 1-88-88-UIDAHO; uidaho.edu/ticketoffice; uidaho.edu/jazzfest; (208) 885-5900.
SAN DIEGO JAZZ PARTY (Del Mar, CA) – Feb. 22-24
At the San Diego Jazz Party, held at the Hilton San Diego/Del Mar over the weekend of February 22-24, drummer Ed Metz, Jr., will be honored as the 2019 SDJP Legend. Other invited musicians include Jon-Erik Kellso and Ed Polcer, trumpets; Harry Allen, Ken Peplowski, Evan Arntzen, and Houston Person, reeds; John Allred and Dan Barrett, trombones; Paolo Alderighi, Rossano Sportiello, Stephanie Trick, and Jason Wanner, piano; Chuck Redd, vibes; Nicki Parrott, Richard Simon, and Dave Stone, bass; Howard Alden, Eddie Erickson and Rebecca Kilgore, guitar; Danny Coots and Chuck Redd, drums; Eddie Erickson, Nicki Parrott, and Rebecca Kilgore, vocals.
The festival, which boasts two dance floors, starts on Friday at 4 pm with a Patron Cocktail Reception; the jazz party itself begins at 7 pm. After the Patron Brunch on Saturday, there is music all dayuntil 10:30 pm, with a two-hour dinner break at 5. There’s solo piano music on Sunday from 9 am, with the party continuing from 11 am until 4:30 pm.
Special Jazz Party rates at the Hilton San Diego/Del Mar $152 + tax, based on availability. For the special rates, reservations must be made before January 23, 2019. Mention San Diego Jazz Party when you make your reservation. There is plenty of great dining nearby. For hotel reservations call: 858-792-5200.
All-events badges cost $250 and includes Friday free-bar cocktail party and Saturday jazz brunch; Friday-evening passes cost $85; Saturday passes range from $85 to $145; Sunday passes cost $85; reservations for single sessions accepted after Dec. 1; sandiegojazzparty.com; [email protected]; (619) 787-8792
JUMP, JIVE, & JAZZ (Wilsonville, OR) Feb. 23
Jump, Jive, and Jazz, a one-day mini-fest hosted by the popular “Live at the Shrine” dance committee, takes place at the Wilsonville Shrine Center, 25100 SW Parkway Ave., Wilsonville, Oregon on Saturday, February 23, 2019. The event will showcase three bands and two dance floors, with continuous music from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Event Chairperson Earline Dawes said, “We wanted Pacific Northwest jazz to have a place to party on this last weekend in February, which is normally the date for the Seaside Jazz Festival. When we heard that Seaside will be taking a year off in 2019, we wanted to fill the gap with good music.”
The featured bands include: Black Swan Classic Jazz Band with Marilyn Keller, Columbia Classic Jazz Band, and Pete Krebs and the Portland Playboys.
The event is a fundraiser to benefit the Shrine Travel Fund. The Wilsonville Shrine Center is approximately 15 miles south of Portland near Interstate 5. Three hotels are located nearby, and shuttle service is planned.
Ticket price is only $25 per person for the entire day. Food and beverages are available for purchase all day. Tickets are limited, so we recommend ordering soon. For more information on tickets and lodging contact Earline Dawes, (503) 789-5608.
JAZZ BASH BY THE BAY (Monterey, CA) March 1-3
Dixieland Monterey hosts the 39th 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 guest artists include Gordon Au, John Reynolds, Tom Rigney & Flambeau, Crescent Katz, High Sierra, Wally’s Warehouse Waifs, Dawn Lambeth, Ivory&Gold®, Titan Hot Seven, Au Brothers, Mark Allen Jones, Eddie Erickson, Katie Cavera, Side Street Strutters, Gator Nation, Fast Mama Excitement, Crown Syncopators, Bye Bye Blues Boys Band, Yve Evans Trio, Brian Holland, Grand Dominion, Carl Sonny Leyland Trio, Danny Coots, Jeff Barnhart, Royal Society Jazz Orchestra, Bob Draga, Blue Street Jazz Band, and Gary Ryan.
Individual Early Bird All-Event Badges for 3 days are $115.00 through December 31, 2017. Day badges are available. Patron Badges, which includes the Patrons’ Brunch and reserved seating, are $290.00 each.
For more information or to order Badges, please call 831-754-8786 or 888-349-6879; info@ jazzbashbythebay.com; www.jazzbashbythebay.com.
TRIBUTE TO BIX FEST (Racine, WI) – March 7-10
The 30th annual Tribute to Bix Fest returns March 7, 2019, to the Delta Hotel (formerly the Marriott), 7111 Washington Ave., Highway 20, in Racine. According to Director Phil Pospychala, “Prepare yourselves for the new, all-woman Shake ‘em Up Jazz Band led by Marla Dixon (Remember her with the Shotgun Band?) and we plan on a prohibition-like club and review for Friday, March 8th. Don’t worry. All-Nite 78 playing will start, one hour later, and our regular film show will now include a silent film with John Reed-Torres as piano accompaniment, Galaxy Girls chorus line, the Sweet Sheiks, and Andy Schumm’s Cellar Boys with authentic 1920s warbler, Roya Naldi.”
Patron with bus tour (all events): $90; Patron without bus tour (all other events): $75; Thursday bus tour only: $30; Fri./Sat. record sales: $5; $20 before 9 am; Friday Jazz & Films (Speakeasy Nite): $10; Fri./Sat. Lectures & Contest: $5 each; Saturday Concert: $25; Sunday Concert: $15; Sat. & Sun. Two-Day Special Admission: $15; Jam Sessions and 78 spinning: FREE.
Bix Fest rate: the Delta Hotel will accommodate up to four people per room at $99 total, plus tax. To reserve, call Toll Free 888-816-5003; Say you are with “Tribute to Bix Fest 2019” to guarantee rate and to be eligible for prize drawing of free room. Reservations are accepted until February 8, 2019, at Bix Fest rate, and will continue thru March 10, if available. bixfest.com, (847) 996-0246; [email protected].
SOUTH COAST CLAMBAKE MUSIC FESTIVAL (North Bend, OR) – Mar. 8-10
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. This year’s clambake serves a hot mix of traditional jazz, swing, doo-wop, blues, big band and zydeco. Performers will include the Barn Door Slammers, Dave Bennett Quartet, Bay City Swing, Gator Nation, Good Co., Gino & The Lone Gunmen, Lisa Mann, Phat Cat Swinger, Royal Jelly Jive, Dave Stuckey & The Hot House Gang, and The Young Bucs.
Early Bird Discounts: All Events Badge (January 1st through March 1st), $80.00 (price does not include Warm Up Party); Regular Badge Prices: All Event, $85.00 (Price does not include Warm Up Party on Thursday); Thursday (March 7) Warm Up Party, $10.00 ($8.00 with purchase of All Event Pass); Friday, $30.00; Saturday All Day, $50.00; Saturday Day (10:00 am – 5:00 pm), $25.00; Saturday Evening (5:00 pm – Midnight) $30.00; Sunday, $25.00; Student (13-20 years with student body card), $15.00; Youth (12 years and under), Free with paid adult.
For info, telephone (541) 267-7665; email [email protected]; or write to P.O Box 374, North Bend, Ore. 97459; or visit clambakejazz.com.
13th ANNUAL CHARLES TEMPLETON RAGTIME AND JAZZ MUSIC FESTIVAL (Starkville, MS) – Mar. 28-30
Mississippi State University Libraries’ 13th Annual Charles Templeton Ragtime and Jazz Festival & the Gatsby Gala. The Festival will be held in Starkville, MS, on the MSU campus in Mitchell Memorial Library and McComas Hall Auditorium on March 28-30, 2019. This Festival is the only one of its kind in the southeast and brings world-renowned artists and entertainers to campus to perform throughout the weekend, sharing their insights and love of ragtime/jazz music. Portions of the festival are held in the Charles H. Templeton, Sr., Music Museum which showcases an amazing collection of over 200 musical instruments, sheet music, and recordings. Concerts, seminars, and tours of the Charles H. Templeton, Sr., Music Museum combine for a fantastic weekend on the MSU campus. Please visit our Festival website library.msstate.edu/festival. Contact Info: Mississippi State University, PO Box 5408, Mississippi State, MS 39762-5408. Lynda Graham, 662-325-6634. Email: lgraham@library .msstate.edu.
