Evergreen is about 1400 miles from New Orleans. But July 28- 30, the scenic mountain community becomes “Bourbon Street with Altitude” as it hosts the 16th annual Evergreen Jazz Festival.
Nationally known for its combination of top bands, intimate venues, and appealing mountain setting, the Festival presents over 80 hours of live traditional jazz ranging from Dixieland to ragtime to blues, boogie-woogie, and swing.
Among the 11 bands in this year’s lineup, The Fat Babies from Chicago return after an amazing debut in 2016. Also back are Denver’s own Joe Smith and the Spicy Pickles and from southern California the Carl Sonny Leyland Trio and his jaw-dropping boogie-woogie and blues. The BarnhartMidiri Quartet, featuring the irrepressible Jeff Barnhart on piano, flutist Anne Barnhart and brothers Joe and Paul Midiri on reeds and drums are sure to have audiences cheering, as is the legendary Queen City Jazz Band with vocal star Wende Harston. The QCJB will again play a major role in the Sunday gospel service, a Festival tradition that is always SRO.
The Festival has as many as four stages active at any one time, with patrons welcome to move from one to another. The Evergreen Elks Lodge Ballroom is especially popular with dancers, while the Elks Patio provides a delightful outdoor listening environment. Evergreen Christian Church is an acoustic marvel, and the beautiful Evergreen Lake House provides an idyllic setting for great music.
Rounding out the venues is the newly opened Rocky Mountain High Restaurant & Bar with both indoor and patio seating.
All five venues are wonderfully small, giving the entire weekend an up-close-and-personal atmosphere that is enjoyed by patrons and musicians alike. A free shuttle connects the venues, and parking is free.
For complete details and tickets, visit www.EvergreenJazz.org or call 303-697-5467.
Photo credit: Evergreen Jazz Festival