See some of the world’s premier performers during these fantastic music festivals.
Baker’s Dozen
By Lowell and Kaye Christie, F47246
August 2009
Warm summer evenings, lawn chairs and picnic baskets, music drifting from the bandstand in the park. Whether indoors or out, there is still time this year to catch some great jazz at festivals all around the United States. Since some of the indoor programs may require reservations due to limited seating capacity, we’ve included the Web site addresses for each event at the end of its entry. Happy listening!
1. Stanford Jazz Festival, Stanford, California, June 26 – August 8
Held on the campus of Stanford University, the jazz festival runs in conjunction with an educational program. Only a few performances remain for this year, but if you are in the area during the first part of August you can hear Madeline Eastman (August 1); The Heath Brothers (August 2); Remembering Stan Getz (August 4); the Mulgrew Miller Trio (August 5); and the Dena DeRose Quartet (August 8). www.stanfordjazz.org
2. Satchmo Summerfest, New Orleans, Louisiana, July 30 – August 2
How can you write about jazz without mentioning New Orleans and Louis Armstrong? In 2001 the first Satchmo SummerFest was held to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Louis Armstrong’s birth. It was so successful that the tradition continues. Thousands of people jam the French Quarter to enjoy a weekend of music, including both traditional and contemporary jazz, brass bands, and children’s programming. www.satchmosummerfest.com
3. Litchfield Jazz Festival, Kent, Connecticut, July 31 – August 2
Started in 1996, the Litchfield Jazz Festival has moved this year to the 1,200-acre Kent School on the banks of the picturesque Housatonic River. The three-day event continues to bring in some of the top jazz performers in the country. This year’s schedule includes performances by Jane Monheit, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Poncho Sanchez, Benny Green, Bucky Pizzarelli, Lewis Nash, Houston Person, Wycliffe Gordon, Jay Leonhart, and many more. www.litchfieldjazzfest.com
4. George Wein’s Jazz Festival 55, Newport, Rhode Island, August 7 – 9
If the Fort Adams State Park location sounds familiar, it’s because this event is actually the Newport Jazz Festival in disguise. Newport was the original jazz festival and has existed since 1954, but organizational problems threatened to cancel this year’s show. Fortunately, pianist and original festival organizer George Wein stepped back in to make sure the tradition continued. Only the name has changed for this 55th anniversary program, with top talent such as Dave Brubeck, Tony Bennett, and Branford Marsalis joining some of the new faces in the jazz world. www.jazzfestival55.com
5. Long Beach Jazz Festival, Long Beach, California, August 7 – 9
One of the largest musical presentations in California takes place at Rainbow Lagoon Park in Long Beach each August. The musicians perform on a grassy knoll by the lagoon, and you can enjoy the program from VIP seating, box seats, or the lawn area. Some of the headline performers this year will include David Sanborn, Ledisi, Hiroshima, Ramsey Lewis, and Angie Stone. www.longbeachjazzfestival.com
6. San Jose Jazz Festival, San Jose, California, August 7 – 9
Called one of the most diverse jazz festivals in the United States, this extravaganza includes more than 100 performances on four indoor and five outdoor stages. All of the venues are within walking distance from one another, and the music has something for everyone, from jazz and blues to Latin and R&B. Last year the festival attracted more than 100,000 visitors. www.jazzfest.sanjosejazz.org
7. Idyllwild Jazz In The Pines, Idyllwild, California, August 29 – 30
This annual jazz festival provides scholarships for the Idyllwild Arts Academy. Located in the San Jacinto Mountains near Palm Springs, the festival takes place amid the pines that surround the campus. This year the headliners include saxophonist Mindi Abair and the Latin jazz of Pete Escovedo. www.idyllwildjazz.com
8. West Coast Jazz Party, Irvine, California, September 3 – 6
The 15th anniversary of the West Coast Jazz Party is three days and four nights of nonstop jazz. Plus, on Sunday morning, an optional brunch cruise sails out of Newport Harbor, with 20 of the jazz musicians holding jam sessions on the voyage. Festival performers include everyone from the Four Freshmen to Clayton Cameron to Chuck Berghofer’s Midnight Jazz Band. www.westcoastjazzparty.com
9. Vail Jazz Party, Vail, Colorado, September 3 – 7
The 15th annual Vail Jazz Party on Labor Day weekend is the culmination of a series of summer jazz programs presented by the Vail Jazz Foundation, which began on June 28. The five-day event features some of the top international jazz musicians, such as Wycliffe Gordon, Joel Frahm, Benny Green, Antonio Hart, and Tony Monaco. During the event, more than 24 hours of live music will be played “” morning, noon, and night “” with multi-artist jam sessions in addition to solo performances. www.vailjazz.org
10. Chicago Jazz Festival, Chicago, Illinois, September 4 – 6
What started as a tribute concert when Duke Ellington died in 1974 has turned into a Labor Day tradition for Chicago. For three days, performances start at noon and last until 9:30 p.m. Each year prominent local musicians have late-night jam sessions after the formal concerts end. From small ensembles to big bands, you can hear it all at Chicago’s longest running lakeside festival. And it’s all free. www.chicagojazzfestival.org
11. Tanglewood Jazz Festival, Lenox, Massachusetts, September 4 – 6
The summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra since 1937, Tanglewood is the site for a wide variety of music enjoyed by more than 350,000 annual visitors. Each year on Labor Day weekend, a jazz festival caps off the season. This year some of the featured performances will be by clarinetist Paquito d’Rivera, jazz violinist Regina Carter, and a program by the Grammy-winning Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. www.tanglewoodjazzfestival.org
12. Detroit International Jazz Festival, Detroit, Michigan, September 4 – 7
This year, for the festival’s 30th anniversary, the emphasis will be on celebrating jazz dynasties such as the Jones Brothers, Dave Brubeck and sons, and other great jazz families. Add in a Saturday night fireworks show, jam sessions, and educational workshops to celebrate your musical Labor Day weekend. www.detroitjazzfest.com
13. Monterey Jazz Festival, Monterey, California, September 18 – 20
The 52nd annual Monterey Jazz Festival will feature more than 500 artists appearing on nine stages spread over the festival’s 20-acre grounds. You’ll listen to a wide range of performers, from some of the best new musicians to well-known stars such as Wynton Marsalis, Chick Corea, Dave Brubeck, and Pete Seeger. All of this, and Monterey, too! www.montereyjazzfestival.org