TUCSON JAZZ FESTIVAL (Tucson, AZ) Jan. 13-22
A week long city wide event with individually-ticketed concerts at the historic Fox and Rialto theaters, as well as TCC Music Hall and Club Congress, with some free outdoor events around town. Acts of interest to TST readers include: Pink Martini, Gunhild Carling, Tatiana Eva-Marie and the Avalon jazz Band, Diego Figueiredo and Ken Peplowski, The Black Market Trust, Howard Alden, and several others scheduled for a Jazz Jam set.
Ticket pricing, festival schedule, and lodging information may be found at the festival website tucsonjazzfestival.org; (520) 989-0720.
JUBILEE BY THE SEA (Pismo Beach/Arroyo Grande) – Jan. 12-15, 2023
The Jubilee is moving to MLK Day weekend. Scheduled artists confirmed so far include; Creole Syncopators, CJ Sam Jammers, Cornet Chop Suey, Midiri Brothers Septet, Professor Cunningham and his Old School, Holland Coots Swingin’ West, Groovus plus Cunningham, Gator Nation, Sonny Leyland and Friends, Ivory & Gold, Kethryn Loomis & Co., Danny Coots, gary Ryan, Carl Sonny Leyland, Paul Ingle, Washboard Steve, and Jeff Barnhart. For the latest please visit pismojazz.com. Information: pismojazz@pismojazz.com. Badges: Pre Jubilee $115, at the door $130. Order at my805tix.com. One day badges are available. Badge Sale info: (805) 539-5696. Other info: (805) 937-8402
29th Annual EAGLES & IVORIES WEEKEND (Muscatine, IA) – Jan. 19-22
The 28th Annual Eagles & Ivories Weekend is staged in Muscatine in southeast Iowa, at four different locations: Sunnybrook, 3515 Diana Queen Drive; Wesley United Methodist Church, 400 Iowa Ave.; Muscatine Art Center, 1314 Mulberry Ave.; and after hours at Merrill Hotel & Conference Center at 119 Mississippi Dr., W. Muscatine. 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, Josh Duffee, T.J. Müller, Stephanie Trick, Paolo Alderighi, Dr Dave Majchrzak, Jim Radloff, the Mad Creek Mudcats, and the Locust Street Boys.
An entire four-day concert package costs $70; individual event admissions range from $5 to $20; children ages 16 and younger are admitted free to all events; the Merrill hotel offers a special rate for those attending the festival: 563-263-2600; for more information and tickets: muscatineartscouncil.org; (563) 263-9978; davidales@machlink.com.
NORTH CAROLINA JAZZ FESTIVAL (Wilmington, NC) – Feb. 2-4, 2023
Wilmington gives a warm welcome to all of the jazz lovers attending our 43rd 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! All evening concerts begin at 7:30 pm and held at the Hotel Ballast ballroom.
Musicians include: Adrian Cunningham, Bruce Harris, Chuck Redd, Dion Tucker, Ehud Asherie, Emily Asher, Herman Burney, Houston Person, Jonathan Russell, Kevin Dorn, Lenore Rapheal, Lucy Yeghiazaryan, Nate Najar, Neal Miner, Rossano Sportiello, Shaye Cohn, Steve Hobbs, and Steve Washington.
Our Thursday night showcase is titled “Styles of Jazz” this year. Friday and Saturday Evenings will feature our 13 All-Star musicians in the traditional seven sets of six or seven players, each set with a different leader. These will be 4 ½ hour concerts. Patron Brunch: On Saturday from 10:30 until 2pm we treat our patrons to a musical brunch, when all of our All-star musicians play for their pleasure while everyone enjoys a delicious brunch. 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!
Ticket are $45 for Thursday, and $65 for Friday & Saturday. Each night $25 military, $15 students. Patron tickets are $230, and include Fri. & Sat. evening concerts plus the special patron brunch at 10:30 Sat. morning, where the all-star musicians will play and socialize with patrons, then patron/musicians will be invited to “sit in” with the all-stars. Patrons receive preferred, reserved seating plus their names in the program. The $257 patron tickets include all of the above plus tickets to Thursday evening’s Special Event. Tickets may be purchased from the festival website, E-Tix, or at the AudioLab at 5732 Oleander Dr., Wilmington.
For more information visit www.ncjazzfestival.org, e-mail ncjazzfest@yahoo.com, or call 910-793-1111.
TEAGARDEN JAZZ FESTIVAL (Sacramento, CA) Feb. 10-11, 2023
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. Adult participants this year include Dan Barrett, Clint Baker, Bob Draga, Bill Dendle, Marilyn Keller, Jason Wanner, Katie Cavera, and Ron Jones.
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. 9-12, 2023
The 2023 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 themed parade, followed by the annual coronation of the Festival King and Queen, and a Saturday Night Dance Party. Festivities include a Parasol Parade and Masquerade and Costume Parade in the grand tradition of Mardi Gras. This year one parade has an “Under the Big Top” theme. New this year in costumed fun is a TuTu parade.
Invited bands for 2023 include: Black Market Trust, Holland & Coots Jazz Quintet, Carl Sonny Leyland, Gino and the Lone Gunmen, Dave Stuckey and the Hot House Gang, Tom Rigney and Flambeau, Gator Nation, Bob Schultz Frisco Jazz Band, Yosemite Jazz Band, CJ and the Jazz Jammers, Ed Tonkinson, and the Denver Jazz Club Youth All-Stars.
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. 24-26, 2023
The 31st annual San Diego Jazz Party is set to take place in Del Mar, Calif., 20 miles north of San Diego.
Performers at the 2023 Jazz Party will be Dan Barrett, Danny Coots, Duke Heitger, Evan Arntzen, Ken Peplowski, John Allred, Jon-Erik Kellso, Ed Metz, Jr., Houston Person, Lisa Booth, Paul Keller, Vinny Raniolo, Harry Allen, Chuck Redd, Richard Simon, Peter Washington, Rossano Sportiello, and Jason Wanner.
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.
41st annual JAZZ BASH BY THE BAY (Monterey, CA) March 4-6
The 41st annual Jazz Bash By the Bay Monterey takes place March 3-6, 2022, in the beautiful Conference Center and Portola Hotel & Spa with seven venues and six dance floors. Scheduled bands and pricing will be available on the website soon.
Badges can be ordered by phone at 831-754-8786 or 888-349-6879. Download mailable order form at jazzbashmonterey.com; Jazz Bash by the Bay, 177 Webster St., #206, Monterey, CA 93940.
CHARLES H. TEMPLETON RAGTIME & JAZZ FESTIVAL (Starkville, MS) – March 23-25
The 17th Annual Charles H. Templeton Ragtime and Jazz Festival & the Gatsby Gala will be held at the Mississippi State University campus at Starkville from Thursday, March 23th through Saturday, March 25th. The Templeton Festival is the only one of its kind in the southeast that brings world-renowned artists and entertainers to campus to perform throughout the weekend, sharing their insights and love of ragtime, jazz, and blues music. Scheduled musicians include Dave Bennett, Hal Smith, Jeff Barnhart, Scott Kirby, and Taslimah Bey. For more information visit https://festival.library.msstate.edu/
JAZZAFFAIR (Three Rivers, CA) – April 14-16
The 48th 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.
When the High Sierra Jazz Band (long-time host band at Jazzaffair) announced in September 2018 that the band would retire at Jazzaffair in April 2019, they fully expected that to be the end. Little did they know how much pressure would be exerted on them to continue. They held a meeting and decided unanimously that the band should continue as the Sierra Seven/Sierra Stompers, replacing the retiring HSJB members but playing the same exciting hard-driving West-Coast style.
Bands will include the Sierra Stompers, the Blue Street Jazz Band,, Dave Stuckey and the Hoot Owls, Gino and the Lone Gunmen, Dave Bennett Quartet, Carl Sonny Leyland, Tom Rigney and Flambeau, St. John’s Riverboat Jazz Band, Bob Schultz Barbary Coast Jazz Band, and Holland & Coots.
Early birds’ three-day all-event badges are $110 if postmarked before March 15, $120 thereafter; children attend for free; the Lions Recognition Dinner with Music on Thursday, April 7th, is $15. Sponsor Jazzaffair as at several available levels which include multiple badges for group seating and access to the hospitality room.
Visit the Sierra Traditional Jazz Club online and download order form: www.threeriversjazzaffair.com S.T.J.C., PO Box 712, Three Rivers, CA 93271.
AHOY VINTAGE CRUISES: Matt Tolentino and his Singapore Slingers (Southampton, England, UK – New York, NY) May. 18-26
Designed by fellow vintage lovers just like you, our Transatlantic crossings on the luxurious Queen Mary 2 are the immersive experience you’ve been waiting for. We’re planning these events with love and care and can’t wait to set sail with you!
A Transatlantic Ragtime Romp with Matt Tolentino and his Singapore Slingers Step into the decades of 1900 to 1920 for an incredible seven nights at sea on RMS “Queen Mary 2”. Departs NYC on May 26, 2023 arrives in Southampton, England, UK, on June 2, 2023. Includes 5+ Private parties featuring Matt Tolentino and his Singapore Slingers, Private Cocktail Party, All meals in the ship’s main dining rooms and buffets, 24 hour room service, All taxes and port fees, All QM2’s entertainments, activities, and facilities.
Other crossings include Glenn Miller Orchestra (April 230th to May 7th, 2023. Departs from NYC), Alex Mendham and his Orchestra (June 14-21st, 2023. Departs from Southampton, England, UK). Find more information at ahoyvintagecruises.com or call, 214-761-1968 from US or (001) 214-761-1968 from the UK.
Joe Bebco is the Associate Editor of The Syncopated Times and Webmaster of SyncopatedTimes.com
