This is an old, and horribly outdated Festival Roundup from way back in the lost summer of 2020. You can find current listings for events and festivals under “events” in our menu.
BIX BEIDERBECKE MEMORIAL JAZZ FESTIVAL (Livestream Event) – July 30-Aug. 1
The Bix Jazz Society is excited to announce we are hosting a VIRTUAL JAZZ FEST on July 31st & August 1st. This virtual concert is being share with our community at no charge. Yes, free to anyone who wishes to experience 1920’s-30’s Jazz. Many of our fans and members have shared the importance of this event in their lives. Covid-19 may be separating us, through Bix, Jazz and technology we will unite.
The 49th annual Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival will feature six talented bands from Denver to Chicago. Each band will premiere new sets of traditional 1920’s & 30’s Jazz era music on Friday, July 31st from 6pm to 9;m and Saturday, August 1st from 6pm – 9pm. These concerts may be viewed on a smartphone, table, desktop or laptop computer or a television screen. More information will soon be available at www.bixsociety.org and Facebook @Bix Society.
Bands scheduled to perform at the virtual 49th Jazz Fest are: Joe Smith and the Spicy Pickles (Denver); Chicago Cellar Boys, led by Andy Schumm; Vine Street Rumble (Kansas City); NOLA (Des Moines); and from the Quad Cities, Josh Duffee Quartet, and the Bix Youth Band, comprised of QCA teens.
Typically, this event is our organization’s annual fundraising event. Tis year is anything but typical. Funds earned are used to sponsor a Bix Youth Jazz Band and Director, provide music scholarships and promote traditional Jazz era music, plus history of Jazz great, Bix Beiderbecke, a Davenport native. We will be accepting donations to help offset the costs of providing this virtual Jazz Fest, music scholarships and programs. Donations are not required to participate. The Bix Jazz Society appreciates the support of its donators and sponsors who have made this opportunity possible.
More information visit www.bixsociety.org; call Michelle Juehring – 563-570-2343, Steve Trainor – 563 650-1512, or email info@bixsociety.org.
53rd ANNUAL WEST TEXAS JAZZ PARTY (Odessa, TX) – CANCELLED
The 2021 West Texas Jazz Party will return in 2021. Check our website for details. wtjs.org
HISTORIC SUTTER CREEK RAGTIME FESTIVAL (Sutter Creek, CA) August 14-16
The Sutter Creek Ragtime Festival has been watching carefully and with concern on how the Corona Virus (Covid-19) will be affecting the 2020 festival this August. As of June 1st we have gotten permission to proceed from the city and we are definitely a GO! We are still planning on proceeding with the festival as planned. We are also aware that the mainstay of our attendees do fall into the age category that would be more susceptible to the virus. Because of this concern we will be ready to make necessary changes to help with the social distancing issue, if that in fact is still a required protocol. We also may see a dramatic reduction of attendees which may create a need to limit the number of performers that will be participating. We will watch this issue very closely.
This Historic Festival is an ambitious, fun filled, musically entertaining extravaganza! After 21 years we are still going strong. This three day event takes over this quaint gold rush town with lively music and wonderfully happy festival goers. Music is played at Four or Five locations throughout the town. There is a Saturday evening concert and a Sunday afternoon concert to end the festival. Scheduled artists: Brian Holland, Frederick Hodges, Carl Sonny Leyland, Virginia Tichenor, Danny Coots, Michael Chisholm, Paul Orsi, Elliot Adams, Mustache Wax Ragtime Band, The Easy Winners, John Remmers, and Paul Stewart.
All-event badges cost $85; day badge prices range from $20 to $45; children ages 16 and younger will be admitted free if accompanied by a paying adult. (209) 304-0835, historicsuttercreekragtime@gmail.com, historicsuttercreekragtimefestival.com.
JAZZ AGE LAWN PARTY (Governors Island, NYC) CANCELLED
2020 brings about two incredible milestones for JAZZ AGE LAWN PARTY: Our 15th Anniversary, and the official “RETURN OF THE TWENTIES”. The ‘20s were fabulous frenzy, discovery and rebellion. The passing of Prohibition in 1920 triggered more than the guns of gangsters: It was a golden age of art, thought and social progress. The discovery of the tombs of King Tuthankamen and Queen Nefertiti exploded Art Deco design and women’s fashion, blurring gender lines. Coco Chanel literally wore the pants, and women’s right to vote and the newfound freedom of the affordable automobile helped the now-bobbed flapper have the world for her oyster.
To commemorate, we are hosting ONE WEEKEND only: August 29/30. Hosted by Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra. Several jazz and vaudville acts will make for an exciting afternoon in the sun. Many special events are planned so that a good time can be had by all. Early Bird Tickets $40 per day. jazzagelawnparty.com
CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA RAGTIME AND AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL (Furnace, PA) CANCELLED
The festival is scheduled for October 2-4, 2020, with the following Rockstars of Ragtime invited (lineup subject to change): Richard Dowling, Frederick Hodges, Brian Holland, Daniel Souvigny, Adam Swanson, and Brian & Yuko Wright, with Guest Artist Danny Coots. Events are scheduled to take place in the twin boroughs of Rockhill Furnace and Orbisonia, PA at Orbisonia Presbyterian Church, Rockhill Trolley Museum Pavilion, Iron Rail Bed & Breakfast, and St. Luke’s Lutheran Church. A full schedule will be available closer to festival time on our website, www.rockhillragtime.
SUN VALLEY JAZZ & MUSIC FESTIVAL (Sun Valley, ID) CANCELLED
In notifying musicians and patrons, co-directors Carol and Jeff Loehr wrote, “So it has finally
happened. It is with heavy hearts we write to tell you that on July 17 th , we were informed that our
annual October Sun Valley Jazz & Music Festival will not be possible this year.
We wish this was not the case, and we know you feel the same way. Like all of you, we have
been holding our breath waiting to know if the music was going to happen this year. While this
did not come as a huge surprise, we had hoped that we might be able to at least put on a small
private sponsor party. Even that is not possible in light of the current Covid activity in the state
of Idaho.
Obviously the festival has incurred the normal expenses since last October with purchased airline
tickets which we hope can be changed, phone bills, website stuff, brochures and mailings, new
dates on our street banners, advertising and on and on and on. This will present a challenging
situation moving forward, so we will be reevaluating what the future looks like for 2021. Just
know that we still want to continue doing what we all love. Telephone and website; (877) 478-5277; sunvalleyjazz.com. Write for brochure (with full ticket pricing information) at Sun Valley Jazz, PO Box 2745, Sun Valley, ID.
JAZZ JUBILEE BY THE SEA (LIVE STREAM EVENT) Oct. 22-25th
Jazz Jubilee (by the Sea) is celebrating its 44th year with an Online Only Live Stream Event. Details will be forthcoming at pismojazz.com.
THE ARIZONA CLASSIC JAZZ FESTIVAL (Chandler, AZ) November 5-8, 2020
The music starts at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 5, and ends at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 8. In addition, an Afterglow that includes a buffet dinner and music will be offered at the hotel from 6 – 8:30 p.m. on Sunday for a cost of $35.
The bands will be: “BIG” B.A.D. Rhythm, the Black Market Trust, Cheryl’s Vintage Swing with special guest Dan Levinson on reeds, Cocuzzi Courtet, Cornet Chop Suey, Lynn Robert’s Swinging Saxes, Queen City Jazz Band, St. Louis Rivermen, Sentimental Breeze, Stephanie Trick & Paolo Alderighi, Sun City Stomperz, Tom Rigney & Flambeau, We 3 + 1, Wildcat Jazz Band, Wolverine Jazz Band, and guest Howard Alden.
Dabney and Karen Hopkins will be offering dance lessons throughout Saturday and Sunday providing you the opportunity to learn new steps along with the Phoenix Lindy Exchange.
The event is held at the Crowne Plaza Phoenix – Chandler Golf Resort, One San Marcos Place, Chandler, AZ. For rooms, call the hotel at 877-685-5594 before October 6 and be sure to identify that you will be attending this event. Badges may be purchased before October 29 by sending a check or credit card information to ACJF, 10918 E. Michigan Ave., Sun Lakes, AZ 85248 or by calling 480-620-3941. They will be available at the door starting at 2 p.m. on Thursday, November 5. Badges are $110 each if purchased before August 15; $130 after that date. Day badges will be available for purchase at the door: Thursday $20, Friday $55, Saturday $65, Sunday $45. Band sponsorship is very much appreciated. (www.azclassicjazz.org)
SUNCOAST JAZZ FESTIVAL (Clearwater FL) Nov. 20-22 CANCELLED
This year’s Suncoast Jazz Festival has been officially cancelled. Some form of Live Stream event or downsized in person event may take place. Check back for details
For more information, please visit www.suncoastjazzfestival.com.
WEST COAST RAGTIME FESTIVAL (Live Stream Only) Nov. 20-22
The West Coast Ragtime Festival in person event has been cancelled for 2020 but there will be some form of Live Stream event to take the place of it that weekend. Please tune in to enjoy some of the same great artists you would have seen as we prepare for 2021. westcoastragtime.com.
THE SAN DIEGO JAZZ FEST & SWING EXTRAVAGANZA (San Diego, CA) Nov. 25-29
Celebrating 41 Years! Discerning jazz fans call the San Diego Jazz Festival “the crown jewel of jazz festivals.” The event is held annually during the Thanksgiving weekend at the Town & Country Resort and Convention Center in San Diego. It is a favorite of festival-goers from around the globe, with all music venues conveniently located in the Town & Country Convention Center, which includes six different stages of featuring traditional jazz, ragtime and swing music.
Invited Guest Artists: Katie Cavera, Lee Fugal, Carl Sonny Leyland, Marty Eggers, Virginia Tichenor, Stephanie Trick & Paolo Alderighi. Invited Bands & Groups: Big Butter Jazz Band, Captain John Royen’s New Orleans Rhythm, Champagne Dixie, Cornet Chop Suey, Dave Bennett Quartet, Dave Stuckey & the Hot House Gang, Gino and the Lone Gunmen, Grand Dominion Jazz Band, Heliotrope Ragtime Orchestra, High Society Jazz Band, Jazz Jammers, Mad Hat Hucksters, Memphis Speed Kings, Mission Bay Preservationists, Night Blooming Jazzmen, The Regulators, Sue Palmer and her Motel Swing Orchestra, Titanic Jazz Band, Uptown Rhythm Makers, Yerba Buena Stompers and more to be announced.
For badge sales, sponsor details and lodging, please visit sdjazzfest.org or call (619) 297-5277. AFCDJS, P.O. Box 880387, San Diego, CA 92168-0387. Read our review of last year: From the San Diego Jazz Fest
Joe Bebco is the Associate Editor of The Syncopated Times and Webmaster of SyncopatedTimes.com
