Vail Jazz Party
The 2022 Vail Jazz Party has concluded and Vail Jazz is now planning the 2023 season. The 29th Annual Vail Jazz Party will return Aug 30 – Sept 4, 2023. Stay tuned for details, and scroll down to take a trip down memory lane of last year’s event.
The grand finale of both the Vail Jazz Festival and the beautiful Colorado summer season, the Vail Jazz Party features a jam-packed lineup with several headliners that join together to play in group performances, multi-artist jam sessions, and inspiring tributes to jazz legends. Vail Jazz Party features a House Band with John Clayton, Dick Oatts, Terell Stafford, Wycliffe Gordon, Bill Cunliffe, and Lewis Nash. With over 35 hours of jazz music, the Vail Jazz Party has cemented its reputation as the premier Labor Day weekend event!
Special Performances
Stockpile your sleep, jazz fans, because you’re not going to want to miss these Special Performances over Labor Day weekend! We’re bringing back some of your favorites – Nu Funk, Piano Duos, Gospel – and introducing some new acts you won’t see anywhere else. Peruse the lineup of events and start planning your Labor Day Weekend! Click here to view a printable schedule.
Wycliffe Gordon's Nu Funk Machine Dance Party IV
Friday Evening Session at 9:20PM
Bill Cunliffe's Tribute to Tommy Flanagan
Saturday Afternoon Session at 1:20PM
Vail Jazz Festival Orchestra Celebrates Jeff Clayton
Saturday Evening Session at 7PM
Niki Haris' Gospel Prayer Meetin' - Dedicated to Howard Stone
Sunday Morning Session at 11AM
Ken Peplowski: In the Moment
Sunday Evening Session at 7:30PM
Piano Duos
Monday Afternoon Session at 3:20PM
Pass-Holder Welcome Reception
Pick up your welcome packet, enjoy a glass of wine and hors d'oeuvres, reunite with old friends and make new ones!
Thursday Evening Session
Musicians: Aidan Farrell (sax), Alex Heidelbaugh (trombone), Cosmo Liberman (sax), Levi Rozek (trumpet), Ben Schwartz (drums), Lorenzo Wolczko (bass), Lucas Perry (piano), Luke Ramee (trombone), Ruby Farmer (bass), Zeb Jewell-Alibhai (trumpet), Noah Buckner (drums), William Schwartzman (piano)
Musicians: Isaiah Thompson (piano)
David Wong (bass)
Patrick Bartley (alto sax)
Ryan Porter (trombone)
Kyle Athayde (trumpet)
Christian McGhee (drums)
Musicians: John Clayton (bass)
Dick Oatts (alto saxophone)
Wycliffe Gordon (trombone)
Bill Cunliffe (piano)
Terell Stafford (trumpet)
Lewis Nash (drums)
Friday Afternoon Session
Musicians:
Cyrus Chestnut (piano)
Gerald Cannon (bass)
Willie Jones III (drums)
Stacy Dillard (tenor sax)
Lewis Nash (drums)
Steve Kovalcheck (guitar)
Dick Oatts (alto sax)
Sean Jones (trumpet)
Musicians:
Jeff Hamilton (drums)
Tamir Hendelman (piano)
Jon Hamar (bass)
Friday Evening Session
Musicians:
Sean Jones (trumpet)
Cyrus Chestnut (piano)
Gerald Cannon (bass)
Willie Jones III (drums)
Mitch Forman (piano)
David Wong (bass)
Christian McGhee (drums)
(75 min set)
Friday Late Night Session
Lex Warshawsky (bass)
Willie Jones III (drums)
Ken Peplowski (clarinet)
Cyrille Aimée (vocals)
Saturday Afternoon Session
Musicians: Aidan Farrell (sax), Alex Heidelbaugh (trombone), Cosmo Liberman (sax), Levi Rozek (trumpet), Ben Schwartz (drums), Lorenzo Wolczko (bass), Lucas Perry (piano), Luke Ramee (trombone), Ruby Farmer (bass), Zeb Jewell-Alibhai (trumpet), Noah Buckner (drums), William Schwartzman (piano)
Musicians: Isaiah Thompson (piano)
David Wong (bass)
Patrick Bartley (alto sax)
Ryan Porter (trombone)
Kyle Athayde (trumpet)
Isaiah Thompson (piano)
David Wong (bass)
Christian McGhee (drums)
Saturday Evening Session
SAXOPHONES:
Dick Oatts
Patrick Bartley
Adrian Cunningham
Stacy Dillard
Drew Zaremba
TRUMPETS
Jake Boldman
Sean Jones
Terell Stafford
Kyle Athayde
Gabe Mervine
TROMBONES
Wycliffe Gordon
Ryan Porter
Paul McKee
John Mathews
RHYTHM SECTION
Steve Kovalcheck
Tamir Hendelman
Jon Hamar
Jeff Hamilton
Lewis Nash
Musicians:
Cyrille Aimée (vocals)
David Torkanowsky (piano)
Lex Warshawsky (bass)
Pedro Segundo (drums)
Isaiah Thompson (piano)
Gerald Cannon (bass)
Christian McGhee (drums)
Saturday Late Night Session
Jon Hamar (bass)
Pedro Segundo (drums)
Steve Kovalcheck (guitar)
Dick Oatts (alto sax)
Kyle Athayde (trumpet)
Pass-Holder Champagne Brunch
Enjoy a champagne brunch prior to the Gospel session, mingle with friends and even VJP musicians! Pass holders will enjoy reserved section seating at the Gospel session, so no need to rush over to the Jazz Tent!
Niki Haris' Gospel Prayer Meetin' - Dedicated to Howard Stone
Beginning in 2001, Vail Jazz began to annually present a performance dedicated to exploring Black gospel music in order to recognize and pay tribute to the critical contribution that this music has made in shaping jazz. Eventually the format of these shows evolved into the ever-popular Niki Haris’ Gospel Prayer Meetin’ and this year will be no exception. Everyone is encouraged to sing along with Niki and the Mile High Gospel Ensemble as the lyrics for each song will be provided to the audience.
Celebrate Howard
Champagne Toast in Memory of Howard Stone
Sunday Afternoon Session
Cyrus Chestnut Trio
Guest: Anthony Hervey (trumpet)
Guest: Terell Stafford (trumpet)
Musicians: John Clayton (bass)
Dick Oatts (alto saxophone)
Wycliffe Gordon (trombone)
Bill Cunliffe (piano)
Terell Stafford (trumpet)
Lewis Nash (drums)
Sunday Evening Session
Musicians: Aidan Farrell (sax), Alex Heidelbaugh (trombone), Cosmo Liberman (sax), Levi Rozek (trumpet), Ben Schwartz (drums), Lorenzo Wolczko (bass), Lucas Perry (piano), Luke Ramee (trombone), Ruby Farmer (bass), Zeb Jewell-Alibhai (trumpet), Noah Buckner (drums), William Schwartzman (piano)
Musicians:
Jeff Hamilton (drums)
Tamir Hendelman (piano)
Jon Hamar (bass)
Musicians:
Cyrus Chestnut (piano)
Gerald Cannon (bass)
Willie Jones III (drums)
Stacy Dillard (tenor sax)
Sunday Late Night Session
John Clayton (bass)
Lewis Nash (drums)
Adrian Cunningham (clarinet)
Ryan Porter (trombone)
Monday Afternoon Session
Adrian Cunningham (clarinet)
Jeff Hamilton Trio
Musicians:
Jeff Hamilton (drums)
Tamir Hendelman (piano)
Jon Hamar (bass)
Musicians:
Cyrille Aimée (vocals)
David Torkanowsky (piano)
Lex Warshawsky (bass)
Pedro Segundo (drums)
Jeff Hamilton (drums)
Steve Kovalcheck (guitar)
Patrick Bartley (alto sax)
Stacy Dillard (tenor sax)
Bobby Floyd (B3 organ)
David Wong (bass)
Pedro Segundo (drums)
Steve Kovalcheck (guitar)
Patrick Bartley (alto sax)
Dick Oatts (alto sax)
Adrian Cunningham (tenor sax)
Stacy Dillard (tenor sax)
Kyle Athayde (trumpet)
Sean Jones (trumpet)
Terell Stafford (trumpet)
Wycliffe Gordon (trombone)
Ryan Porter (trombone)
New to the 2022 Vail Jazz Party – single option ALL-ACCESS PATRON PASS!
The Vail Jazz Party features multiple sessions of music from Thursday through Monday. The pass is the best way to experience the Vail Jazz Party, offering early entry to all sessions throughout the weekend, welcome reception, and Sunday champagne brunch. Individual Session Tickets gain entry into a session of music, which typically lasts 4-5 hours and consists of multiple sets.
All-Access Patron Pass
ALL-ACCESS PATRON PASS / $575
This pass includes access to all music sessions and special performances over the five day holiday weekend, beginning Thursday evening (9/1) and running through Monday afternoon (9/5). Additionally, the pass includes a pass-holder welcome reception on Thursday evening, entry to the Sunday morning Gospel session and a pass-holder champagne brunch preceding the show.
Individual Session Tickets
INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS / $75
Ticket includes entry to a single music session, including multiple sets of music performed by different ensembles of headliners. Individual sessions include Thursday evening, Friday afternoon and evening, Saturday afternoon and evening, Sunday afternoon and evening, and Monday afternoon. Sunday morning Gospel session is NOT included.
SUNDAY MORNING GOSPEL SESSION / $95
Ticket includes entry to the popular Sunday morning Gospel session in General Admission seating (preferred seating will be held for All-Access Patron Pass holders).
Travel & lodging accommodations
EPIC MOUNTAIN EXPRESS
Provides shuttle service from both the Vail / Eagle County Airport and Denver International Airport. Discounted rates VJP patrons are available here!
Air Travel
Vail is accessible by two airports – the Eagle County Regional Airport, which is about 35 miles from Vail, and Denver International Airport, which is about 120 miles from Vail.
The Hythe Vail
Formerly the Vail Marriott, the luxury Hythe Vail is the headquarters of the Vail Jazz Party. CLICK HERE for discounted rates for VJP patrons!
