Press

Like the golden years of jazz, the Vail Jazz Festival has reached a glowing stage of its lifetime, but only continues to become bigger and brighter. The lineup for the upcoming 22^nd season is stacked with returning favorites as well as internationally touted artists making their Vail debuts.

VAIL JAZZ @ VAIL SQUARE

Transforming Thursdays into the most anticipated day of the week, these 6:00 p.m. performances fill Lionshead with a vibrant buzz traveling well beyond its epicenter at the weatherproof jazz tent. The stage is alive this summer with an enclosed tent for great acoustics and the nine performances booked from the first week of July through the first week of September rattling with star power and followed by the all-new after parties at the Vail Chophouse featuring Kathy Morrow and Brent Gordon. Also new this year, Vail Jazz will offer a four-pack premium subscription for $125. On sale now, the subscription will only be available through July 7. Individual tickets are also on sale now – $20 for general admission and $40 for premium seating.

July 7 Monty Alexander, John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton Celebrating 40 Years

Launching in explosive fashion, the Vail Square season opens with this trio of pianist, bassist and drummer, which has collectively etched a truly distinguished mark in the jazz world. Individually, each star has worked with everyone from Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald to Tony Bennett and Count Basie. Together, they have made history time and time again throughout their 40-year career.

July 14 John Pizzarelli

Also back by popular demand, the famed guitarist with his quartet returns to the Vail Square stage sprinkling a unique touch on Great American Songbook classics. Pizzarelli isn’t afraid to throw in lively renditions of rock tunes by the likes of the Beatles, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and others.

July 21 Bria Skonberg

Last summer the young Canadian trumpeter blew the doors off during her Vail Jazz Festival debut (also at Newport Jazz and at Lincoln Center, where she won the 2015 Swing! Award). Her original works feature fresh, contagious vocals and harmonies with a touch of grit and a lot of spirit.

July 28 Michel Camilo

Described by Vail Jazz organizers as “a major coup” to land in the lineup, the GRAMMY® Award-winning pianist makes his Vail debut. The Dominican composer offers a Latin flare that has hypnotized audiences across the globe.

Aug 4 Joey Alexander

You may have seen this kid – arguably one of the world’s most talented youngsters (a mere 12 years old) – on 60 Minutes or earning a raucous standing ovation following his performance at this year’s GRAMMY® Awards. Born in Indonesia, the young pianist is self-taught and released his first album last year, nominated for Best Jazz Instrumental Album.

Aug 11 Cecile McLorin Salvant

Fresh off a GRAMMY® win for her third studio album, this young, Miami-based vocalist appears in Vail for the first time. Last year she told NPR that she “never wanted to sound clean and pretty” and her husky style has earned her a pile of global acclaim, not to mention a slew of avid new fans following every performance.

Aug 18 Maraca & His Latin Jazz All-Stars

Led by GRAMMY®-nominated, Cuban-born flutist Orlando “Maraca” Valle, this energetic eight-piece ensemble features a collection of the world’s top Latin jazz specialists. Making its Vail debut, the ensemble is sure to get the crowd on its feet and moving.

Aug 25 H2 Big Band Tribute to Count Basie

Speaking of energy, the sizzling, Colorado-based big band returns to Vail to light up the stage with favorites from the late, great bandleader. H2 Big Band is famous for nailing Basie’s distinctive swing style.

Sept 1 Vail Jazz Party House Band, Alumni Quintet and All-Stars

The red hot triple bill kicks off the 22^nd Annual Vail Jazz Party, beginning with the current lineup of freshly fine-tuned Vail Jazz Workshop students (Vail Jazz All-Stars) –the nation’s top 12 teenage jazz musicians. Then comes the Quintet of former All-Stars who are no pros and finally the Vail Jazz Party House Band sextet comprised of individual stars the genre – Jo John Clayton, Jeff Clayton, Lewis Nash, Terell Stafford, Bill Cunliffe, and Wycliffe Gordon.

Vail Jazz Club Series

Want to get up close and intimate with some of the Vail Jazz performers? All of the July acts perform a preview show on Wednesday nights in an intimate club setting. Witness Monty Alexander, John Pizzarelli, Bria Skonberg and Michel Camilo in a magical, close nit atmosphere reminiscent of a small club in New York City or Chicago.

VAIL JAZZ PARTY

Sept. 1-5 The 22^nd Annual Vail Jazz Party

Wrapping up the summer with a true grand finale of musical fireworks, this five-day blowout features more than 50 musicians rattling Vail with back-to-back outdoor and indoor performances. Highlights include riveting Multi-Media performances – Byron Stripling’s Birth of the Blues, Joel Frahm’s tribute to the Texas Tenors and John Clayton’s Tribute to Milt Hinton, following this year’s jazz documentary screening “Keeping Time: The Life, Music and Photographs of Milt Hinton”. The star-studded lineup of soloists includes the return of guitarist Diego Figueiredo and B3 organist Bobby Floyd as well as the debut of famed multi-instrumentalist Adrian Cunningham, not to mention the always sold-out Sunday morning feel good session – Niki Haris’ Gospel Prayer Meetin’.

SPECIAL EVENTS

July 11 The Great Ladies of Song

Last summer, internationally acclaimed vocalist Nicole Henry won the hearts of everyone in the sold out audience during her Vail Jazz debut and she returns for this one-of-a-kind gala performance highlighting favorite numbers by the genre’s legacy of iconic females – Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston and more – accompanied by an exquisite, three-course dinner at the Lodge at Vail.

FREE JAZZ ALL SUMMER

Vail Jazz @ The Market

Get a taste of homegrown talent every Sunday when a variety of Colorado-based musicians and ensembles fire up a live soundtrack at the Vail Farmers Market from 12-3 p.m. from June 26 to Aug. 28.

Jammin’ Jazz Kids

Children between the ages of 8 and 12 have their chance to unearth their musical talents on a variety of instruments during these free, fun, hands on workshops at 11 a.m. at the jazz tent four Sundays in July.

Colorado High School Band Showcase

Every Sunday in August, Vail Jazz will debut a different Colorado-based jazz band from around the state in the Jazz Tent at 11 a.m. Come early to the Vail Farmers Market and witness rising local talent from around the state.

Vail Jazz @ The Remedy

Sunday nights never sounded so good. Local jazz legend, Tony Gulizia will be joined by an exciting variety of visiting jazz musicians each week at the event’s new home at the Four Seasons Resort. The series starts July 3 and runs through Aug. 28.

Riverwalk First Fridays

The Riverwalk Backyard in Edwards is the place to launch your weekend each of the first Fridays of the summer (June to September) with great free live jazz, food, drink and community vendors. A series geared toward the whole family, this is a perfect meeting place for community and culture. Performances start at 6 p.m. Vendors, food and drink booths open at 5 p.m.