BAD! JAZZY! RAGS! is both proud and happy to be involved in the Jazz Community. On this EVENTS page, we will endeavor to make you aware of the most important aspect of JAZZ—the performers who give us the music.
Without their recordings, and the few stations that still play the Jazz that we love, the air would be dead. However, their live performances are what will make the music that they play come very much alive, so every effort should be made to catch a concert, a festival, a night club, a cruise, a coffee-house, or any other venue where they can be both seen and heard.
While we will attempt to keep this page current, and full of useful information, one of the most important segments will be the links to, and internet and world wide web addresses of others who feature, as part of their web-sites, information about live jazz performances, in every imaginable type of venue.
Where no Internet address is given, as an information resource, we will provide those phone numbers and/or addresses made available by the producers or artists.
Reference will also be made to publications that will steer one to jazz artists and performers, where information about gigs can be found, when a link is provided, a means of putting you in touch with the particular artist or band.
While keeping up with events will be an on-going project, we intend to get better at it, and develop the technique of smoothly updating it to a truly current and accurate source of information. Meanwhile, it is “under construction”, so here goes:
Usually the last outdoor festival of the year, the Monterey Jazz Festival celebrates its 44th Anniversary, this year. The longest continuing jazz festival in the world, Monterey traditionally presents the best artists in the business. Along with the appearances of the headliners on the JIMMY LYONS main stage (named for the late founder of the festival), where all of the familiar greats have appeared, Monterey offers a spectacular setting, and several additional stages and clubs where the performances of the best in jazz, and blues, can be enjoyed. Take a sweater or a coat, for the outdoor evening performances, or buy a BAD! JAZZY! RAGS! sweatshirt to wear.
HERE'S A DIRECT LINK TO THE MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL: www.montereyjazzfestival.org/
Telephone: 805-496-5400
Web Site: www.DesertJazzparty.com
Riviera Resort Reservation Number: 800-444-8311
e-mail JazzGuy@att.net
This year ending bash presents only the best, or, as they put it, “Strictly Big Bands and Straight Ahead Jazz”. Palm Springs, which in the high desert, gives one a warm place to frolic, while the rest of the world is experiencing winter, is the site of this wonderful festival. The line-up is incredible, and the accommodations are of Palm Springs quality.
One learns that there is a Moscow, USA, in addition to that other one, by attending the Annual THE LIONEL HAMPTON JAZZ FESTIVAL, there. This outstanding annual event is held on the campus of the University of Idaho, where the only school named for a Jazz musician is located, THE LIONEL HAMPTON School of Music. Great Jazz musicians, from all over the world, (including that other Moscow) regularly appear to perform in this unique setting. It is a huge event, held in an indoor football stadium, called The Kibbie Dome. A week long learning and performing experience is enjoyed by young jazz musicians, taking seminars and learning chops from the greats. The competitions held among the high-schoolers yield a yearly crop of talented young jazz performers, who leave the impression that the future of jazz is promising, secure, and in good hands.
The highlights are numerous, with the crowning touch being the performances of the Lionel Hampton All Star Band, led by the great vibraphonist himself, LIONEL HAMPTON. Yes, “Gates” is still playing, and singing, at 95 years old! The opportunity to see and hear this living legend, one of the founders of jazz, as we know it, is an experience that should not be missed. Who goes to Moscow to perform? EVERYBODY!!
27 Carmel Bay Dr.
Corona Del Mar, CA 92625
Telephone: (949) 759-5003
Another of the best of Jazz Festivals, which also annually features a list of performers that is hard to beat.
Telephone: 1-888-VAILJAM (824-5526)
Web site: www.vailjazz.org
e-mail: vjf@vailjazz.org
Spectacular setting for one of the best jazz festivals, ever. Always an outstanding line-up of the best of jazz musicians.
27 Carmel Bay Dr.
Corona Del Mar, CA 92625
Telephone: (949) 759-5003
Another of the best of jazz festivals, which also annually features a list of performers that is hard to beat.
Telephone: (215) 848-3677
The best of offerings on the East Coast. Presented by acclaimed alto Saxophonist Tony Williams, this yearly festival brings together many of the great musicians living and working in New York, Philly, and the rest of the Atlantic Seaboard.
P.O. BOX 10738
Harrisburg, PA 17105
Telephone: 717-540-1010
e-mail: pajazz@epix.net
Elkhart Centre
227 S. Main Street
Elkhart, Indiana, 46516
Elkhart Jazz hotline: 800-597-7627
website:www.elkhartjazzfestival.com
Topeka Jazz Festival
Telephone TJF Hotline: 785-234-9800
Web Site: Topeka Jazz Festival
Make your Memorial Day Weekend a memorable one! If you have never had a reason to go to Kansas, now you've got one. Like the Sarasota Jazz Festival, in Florida, this outstanding festival, takes place in the most comfortable setting possible, The TOPEKA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, in TOPEKA, KANSAS.
Always presenting a formidable line-up, the Topeka Jazz Festival just gets better every year. The best jazz musicians in the world have either already graced the stage, or are “on the way”. This year's performance is like reading a “who's who” among great jazz musicians. It is an outing that the music makes worth the trip, from where ever one lives.
Telephone: (310) 325-6696
or for recorded festival information,
Telephone: (818) 363-1611
Web Site: www.sweethot.org
A wonderful one day event, honoring the memory of trombonist THURMAN GREEN, featuring many, many of the best musicians who reside in Hollywood and the greater Los Angeles area. You know, those guys and gals who perform on television, in movies, and in nightclubs and festivals the world over.
316-6th Avenue
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada V5Y 1K9
Telephone: 604-872-5250
e-mail: cjbs@jazzvancouver.com
Website: www.jazzvancouver.com
Filling the gap left by the departure of the legendary S.S.NORWAY from the jazz scene, this cruise fills the first of two weeks of memorable jazz presentations in the beautiful Caribbean Sea. The always top notch jazz programs are to be complimented by visits to several Ports of call, including: St. Kitts
Telephone: (800) 714-2784;
PAM at JAZZ CLUB AT SEA
Filling the second week of the jazz calendar left open by the absence of the S.S. NORWAY, another stellar line-up is being presented to honor Chicago's legendary JOE SEGAL, owner of the JAZZ SHOWCASE, in the Windy City. Departing from San Juan, Puerto Rico, at 10:00 p.m., in the evening, one can take one's time getting to the ship.
Cruise the Mexican Riviera aboard the luxurious M.S. ELATION, while enjoying the musical offering of over thirty of the world's best jazz artists, paying tribute to famed radio station KLON's elder statesman, CHUCK NILES. Chuck has aired the music of every jazz musician who has ever lived and recorded, and for his exposure of their music to the public, so many musicians want to take part that there is hardly room for passengers!!
6014 N. Nauni Valley Drive
Paradise Valley, Arizona 85253
Telephone: (480) 948-7993
Web Site: www.paradisevalleyjazz.com
Telephone: (818) 882-7672
This annual tribute, the longest running jazz event in Los Angeles, celebrates and honors those who have given to and made jazz what it is. In a setting befitting the stature of those being honored, if you can make it, it is a must!
This year, the Tribute Honoree is the great GERALD WILSON, whose great bands have thrilled listeners since the early 1960's. It is always a wonderful, memorable experience In addition to GERALD WILSON, singer MARLENA SHAW, guitarist HERB ELLIS, composer ELMER BERNSTEIN, jazz educator FERNANDO PULLUM, and the entire PEDRINI FAMILY are being honored by the LAJS. The celebration is being hosted by KAREEM ABDUL JABBAR, an avid lover of jazz, who gained his fame blowing something called a “Sky Hook”, and listening closely to the music.
P.O. BOX 10738
Harrisburg, PA 17105
Telephone: 717-540-1010
e-mail: pajazz@epix.net
If Harrisburg, Pennsylvania is within your reach, don't miss Moody! This Living Jazz Legend is the consummate professional performer. James Moody is a gifted master on the Alto Saxophone, the Tenor Saxophone, and the Flute. He always delivers a wonderful performance, and is also likely to liven up the audience with his surprising vocal deliveries, too. One always leaves a performance by James Moody, feeling warm, musically satisfied, and hugged.
P.O. BOX 10738
Harrisburg, PA 17105
Telephone: 717-540-1010
e-mail: pajazz@epix.net
Wonderful guitarist PAT MARTINO teams up with exciting organist JOEY DeFRANCESCO and drummer BYRON LANDHAM, to present what will be a memorable performance with the funky chops that make this trio combination one of the most pleasing in Jazz. If you can be moved, they will move you.
On the road? Catch the best in jazz at these clubs:
JOE SEGAL'S JAZZ SHOWCASE, Chicago, Illinois. Formerly located in the Blackstone Hotel, Joe Segal moved his club, but did not change his practice of presenting the best, and only the best jazz musicians in the world.
STEAMERS JAZZ CLUB, at 136 W. Commonwealth, in Fullerton, California is Orange County's premier jazz club. 714-871-8800; www.steamerscafe.com All ages are welcome in this liveliest of clubs, featuring live jazz seven nights a week, with no cover most nights. The line-up continues to present the very best in jazz.
CHARLIE O'S 13725 Victory Boulevard, Valley Glen, California 818-994-3056
THE JAZZ BAKERY, in Culver City, California
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THE SWEET AND HOT MUSIC FESTIVAL
THE 24th ANNUAL PARADISE VALLEY JAZZ PARTY
JazzTimes: The award winning jazz publication, which covers all areas of jazz, including great biographical sketches of musicians, articles about our music form, and every thing else one wants to know about Jazz.
After the places where live jazz performances can be enjoyed, it is most important that people who enjoy the music have the opportunity to listen to the recordings by the jazz artists.
The life-blood of the avid jazz fan remains the shrinking number of radio stations across the country, and around the world. In the United States, most jazz stations can be found on FM frequencies, many under the auspices of Universities and Colleges in a particular city of geographical area.
In Sacramento, Stockton, and Lake Tahoe, California: KXJZ, KTTO, & KUOP, at 89.1 FM; www.capradio.com
In Long Beach, Los Angeles, and Southern California: KLON, at 88.1 FM
In San Diego, California: KSDU at 88.3 FM
In Philadelphia:
In Washington, D.C.
In Chicago:
In New York:
In Atlanta:
In Cincinnati:
Telephone: (800) 714-2784
Telephone: (800) 714-2784
Web Site: montereyblues.com
Usually the last outdoor festival of the year, the Monterey Jazz Festival celebrates its 44th Anniversary, this year. The longest continuing jazz festival in the world, Monterey traditionally presents the best artists in the business. Along with the appearances of the headliners on the JIMMY LYONS main stage (named for the late founder of the festival), where all of the familiar greats have appeared, Monterey offers a spectacular setting, and several additional stages and clubs where the performances of the best in jazz, and blues, can be enjoyed.