Nationally known for its combination of top bands, intimate venues and picturesque setting, the 20th rendition of the Evergreen Jazz Festival will offer over 80 hours of live traditional jazz ranging from Dixieland to ragtime to blues, boogie-woogie and swing. This year’s lineup features a very special guest appearance by James Dapogny’s Chicago Jazz Band Directed by Kim Cusack. It will be the group’s first appearance anywhere since they lost their leader to cancer in 2019. They appeared in the first Festival in 2001 and several more over the years, and having them back together promises to be an emotional and memorable Festival highlight. Also appearing is the Carl Sonny Leyland Trio.
Carl Sonny Leyland Trio
Two bands will be making their Evergreen debuts in 2023. New Orleans piano great Captain John Royen has appeared in previous Festivals, but this will be the first time for his New Orleans Rhythm group. Also new this year is Espresso! from Boulder. Their combination of gypsy jazz and swing creates a distinctive sound that audiences are sure to enjoy.
Seven other world-class bands return to the Festival from California, Nashville, New York and Colorado. The complete band lineup and schedule can be found at www.EvergreenJazz.org.
The Festival gets underway at noon Friday, July 28, with a two-hour Educational Presentation/Concert with John Royen discussing and demonstrating “The Evolution of Jazz from Ragtime and Other Sources.” This kickoff event takes place in the Evergreen Elks Lodge and is free and open to the public.
Music continues throughout the weekend until 6 pm Sunday, with three or four venues active every hour. Patrons are welcome to move among the venues as they choose, and a free shuttle makes it easy to reach those not in walking distance. Food and beverages are available at all venues, and parking is free. For complete Festival details go to www.EvergreenJazz.org.