For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Jim Reiners
512.914.9007
jreiners@austin.rr.com
14th Evergreen Jazz Festival Set for July 24-26
EVERGREEN, Colo., February 19, 2015 -- Evergreen, Colo., is about 1400 miles from New
Orleans. But July 24-26, the scenic mountain community will become Bourbon Street with
altitude as it hosts the 14th annual Evergreen Jazz Festival.
Nationally known for its combination of top bands, intimate venues and appealing mountain
setting, the Evergreen Jazz Festival will offer over 75 hours of live traditional jazz ranging from
Dixieland to ragtime to blues, boogie-woogie and swing. This year's lineup includes four bands
making their first-ever appearances in Evergreen.
The New Black Eagle Jazz Band from Byfield, Massachusetts, brings its big New Orleans sound
to new heights in Evergreen, while the Lost Weekend Western Swing Band drops in from San
Francisco. Closer to home, the Felonius Smith Trio makes the trip “up the hill” from Denver to
deliver its authentic renditions of classic ‘20s and ‘30s Southern street blues. And totally new,
Nicki Parrott and Friends will be performing for the first time anywhere. They’re an all-star
group created just for the festival.
Returning favorites include the incomparable Carl Sonny Leyland Trio from California and
Colorado greats After Midnight, Queen City Jazz Band with vocal star Wende Harston, Gypsy
Swing Revue, Hot Tomatoes Dance Orchestra, Big Little Ragtime Band, and the Bogalusa
Strutters.
In keeping with the spontaneous nature of jazz, Nicki Parrott and Friends and the Bogalusa
Strutters have been put together especially for the festival. Explains Music Director Ed
Danielson, “Just as in the early days in New Orleans, these musicians never played together
before Evergreen. The Bogalusa Strutters were such a big hit, they’re back for the third year in a
row. And we expect Nicki and her group will be equally popular. They’re all such quality players
that it’s really special to bring them together.”
In that same spirit, the festival will feature a true jam session of top members of different bands,
literally getting together for the first time on-stage. “We did this last year,” says Production
Manager Jeannie Mann, “and it was probably the most popular set of the whole weekend. So
we’re excited to do it again and are sure the audience will love it.”
There are also special guest appearances on-tap for the Denver Jazz Club Youth All-Stars and
the University of Colorado-Denver Claim Jumpers, giving patrons both a look at the future of
traditional jazz and some reassurance that there will be a future.
(more)
Several times each day between sets, Dance Showcase segments will provide authentic
demonstrations of the great variety of Jazz Age dances, complete with period costumes.
Jitterbug, Lindy Hop, Black Bottom and more add another dimension to the weekend celebration
of America’s unique art form.
As is tradition with the Evergreen Festival, educational workshops and performance
opportunities are planned for student musicians. Workshops will be held Thursday and Friday
morning, July 24 and 25, with opportunities for some students to play with the pros in the
always-popular “Spotlight On Youth” set Saturday afternoon. Each student will also receive a
free pass to the entire festival with parents offered a discount ticket.
The Festival's five small, distinctive venues have become virtual trademarks of the event,
offering audiences varied listening environments, all with an up-close-and-personal appeal.
Patrons and musicians both say they enjoy the special rapport that develops between them during
each set. Dancing is always encouraged, particularly in the Elks Lodge Ballroom, where Friday
and Saturday nights are designated as Dance Nights.
The Festival opens at 1:00 Friday with a two-hour educational presentation put on by one or
more of the musicians. This annual kickoff event takes place in the Elks Ballroom and is free and
open to the public. The program is currently being developed, but previous years' presentations
have included Wende Harston’s “Sophisticated Ladies: The Great Female Vocalists;” “Ragtime
to Jazz” by piano standout John Royen; and “New Orleans Street Funerals” by Louis Ford,
among many others.
The first set of the Festival is scheduled for 3:30 Friday afternoon on the popular Elks Lodge
Patio. At the same time, the first of the daily dance lessons will take place in the Elks Ballroom.
Lessons are free to festival ticket holders.
Music continues throughout the weekend until 6 p.m. 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. The complete weekend schedule is
available at the festival website www.EvergreenJazz.org.
(Editors please check for updates: Major sponsors of the 2015 Evergreen Jazz Festival are Met
Life Home & Auto and Alliance General Insurance Agency of Denver, and Stevinson Lexus of
Lakewood. Sustaining sponsors are 1st Bank of Evergreen, jazz89 KUVO radio, Studio 1430
KEZW radio and the Canyon Courier.)
Key financial support is also derived from a grant from the Scientific & Cultural Facilities
District, the Denver-area's unique organization for support of the arts.
Tickets can be purchased through the website or by calling 303.697.5467. Discount tickets are
available through May 31.
(more)
Evergreen is located 17 miles west of Denver and is about a one-hour drive from Denver
International Airport. Area maps can be found on the website.
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.
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Editors Note: Photos available on request. Contact Jim Reiners, 512.914.9007; jreiners@austin.rr.com