Evergreen is about 1400 miles from New Orleans. But July 27- 29, the scenic mountain community becomes “Bourbon Street with Altitude” as it hosts the 17th annual Evergreen Jazz Festival.
Nationally known for its top bands, intimate venues and appealing mountain setting, the Festival offers over 80 hours of live traditional jazz ranging from Dixieland to ragtime to blues, boogie-woogie and swing. This year, two bands are making their first appearances:
The Holland-Coots Jazz Quintet and The Rock Island Roustabouts; both featuring big-name musicians who totally swing.
The Brain Cloud from New York City made their Evergreen debut last year and it was a no-brainer to invite them back. Other returning favorites include the incomparable Carl Sonny Leyland Trio and Ivory&Gold®, Jeff and Anne Barnhart’s duo. Also returning are Colorado greats Queen City Jazz Band, Gypsy Swing Revue, After Midnight, the Felonius Smith Trio, and Joe Smith and The Spicy Pickles Jazz Band.
In the true spirit of spontaneity that is jazz, the Festival features a jam session, musicians getting together for the first time on-stage.
Other highlights include 3 piano duos and a two-sets-only appearance by The Sweet & Hot Four. Guest appearances on-tap for the Denver Jazz Club Youth All-Stars and the University of ColoradoDenver Claim Jumpers.
The Evergreen Jazz Festival is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operated by volunteers in and around the Evergreen, Colo., community. Funding is through ticket sales, grants, sponsorships, individual contributions and fundraising events. The festival website is www.EvergreenJazz.org.
Photo credit: Richard Waltzman via evergreenjazz.org