Vail Jazz Party
That’s a wrap on the 29th Annual Vail Jazz Festival. Stay tuned for updates regarding the 30th Anniversary season and return of the Vail Jazz Party August 31 – September 4, 2023.
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. The Party is hosted by the Vail Jazz Faculty Sextet, featuring John Clayton, Dick Oatts, Terrel Stafford, Wycliffe Gordon, Bill Cunliffe, and Lewis Nash. The Vail Jazz Party has cemented its reputation as the premier Labor Day weekend event!
A Look Back
Vail Jazz was thrilled to welcome some of the biggest names in jazz to perform at the 29th Annual Vail Jazz Party, which happened over Labor Day weekend. The Vail Jazz Party is the only way to see these incredible musicians play alongside each other each year. Scroll through the musicians below to learn more and take a look back at the lineup from 2023.
Ken Peplowski
Clarinet
Akiko Tsuruga
B3 Organ
Romero Lubambo
Guitar
Mike LeDonne
Piano
Renee Rosnes
Piano
Steve Nelson
Vibes
Niki Haris
Vocals
René Marie Quartet
Vocals
Jeff Hamilton
Drums
Byron Stripling
Trumpet
Tia Fuller
Saxophone
Benny Benack III
Trumpet
Carl Allen
Drums
Bobby Floyd
B3 Organ
Dan Wilson
Guitar
Mitch Forman
Piano
Drew Zaremba
Saxophone
Vail Jazz Faculty Sextet
John Clayton, Bill Cunliffe, Wycliffe Gordon, Lewis Nash, Dick Oatts, Terell Stafford
Thursday Evening Session
· Braxton Cook (saxophone)
· Kenny Banks Jr. (piano)
· Benny Benack III (trumpet)
· Tia Fuller (saxophone)
· Jimmy Macbride (drums)
· David Wong (bass)
· John Clayton (bass)
· Bill Cunliffe (piano stand-in)
· Wycliffe Gordon (trombone)
· Lewis Nash (drums)
· Dick Oatts (saxophone)
· Terell Stafford (trumpet)
Friday Afternoon Session
· Lewis Nash (drums)
· Renee Rosnes (piano)
· Steve Nelson (vibes)
· David Wong (bass)
· Renee Rosnes (piano)
· David Wong (bass)
· Carl Allen (drums)
· Benny Benack III (trumpet)
· Terell Stafford (trumpet)
· Byron Stripling (trumpet)
· Mike LeDonne (piano)
· Alex Frank (bass)
· Jim White (drums)
Friday Evening Session
· René Marie (vocals)
· Quentin Baxter (drums)
· Xavier Davis (piano)
· Rodney Jordan (bass)
(Presenting Underwriters: Pat and Larry Stewart)
· Bobby Floyd (B3 organ)
· Byron Stripling (trumpet)
· Dan Wilson (guitar)
· Carl Allen (drums)
Special Guests:
· Ken Peplowski (clarinet)
· Braxton Cook (saxophone)
Saxes: Tia Fuller, Drew Zaremba, Allison Young
Trombones: Wycliffe Gordon, Zach Rich
Trumpets: Benny Bloom, Terell Stafford
Rhythm: Eric Gunnison (piano), Steve Kovalcheck (guitar), Gonzalo Teppa (bass), Jim White (drums)
Friday Late Night Session
Saturday Afternoon Session
· Kenny Banks Jr. (piano)
· Braxton Cook (saxophone)
· Benny Benack III (trumpet)
· Tia Fuller (saxophone)
· Jimmy Macbride (drums)
· David Wong (bass)
· Akiko Tsuruga (B3 ogran)
· Steve Kovalcheck (guitar)
· Jeff Hamilton (drums)
Saturday Evening Session
· Romero Lubambo (guitar)
· John Clayton (bass)
· Jeff Hamilton (drums)
· Niki Haris (vocals)
· Carl Allen (drums)
· Mitch Forman (piano)
· Rodney Jordan (bass)
Special Guest: Tia Fuller (saxophone)
Saxes: Tia Fuller, Dick Oatts, Allison Young, Drew Zaremba
Trombones: Adam Bartczak, Wycliffe Gordon, John Matthews, Anna Panella, Zach Rich
Trumpets: Benny Benack III, Jake Boldman, Shane Endsley, Terell Stafford, Byron Stripling
Rhythm: Kenny Banks Jr. (piano), Alex Frank (bass), Jeff Hamilton (drums), Steve Kovalcheck (guitar), John Matthews (bass)
Vocals: Niki Haris, Rene Marie
Special Guests: Steve Nelson (vibes), Ken Peplowski (clarinet)
(Presenting Underwriter: Kathy Cole)
Saturday Late Night Session
Sunday Afternoon Session
Vocals: Niki Haris, the Mile High Gospel Choir
Saxes: Dick Oatts, Drew Zaremba
Trombones: Wycliffe Gordon, Zach Rich
Trumpets: Terell Stafford, Byron Stripling
Rhythm: Mitch Forman (piano), Bobby Floyd (B3 organ), Quentin Baxter (drums), Gonzalo Teppa (bass)
(Presenting Underwriters: Shirley and Bill McIntyre)
· Ken Peplowski (clarinet)
· Carl Allen (drums)
· Bill Cunliffe (piano)
· Alex Frank (bass)
Sunday Evening Session
· Mike LeDonne (piano)
· Steve Nelson (vibes)
· John Clayton (bass)
· Lewis Nash (drums)
· Renee Rosnes (piano)
· Carl Allen (drums)
· Ken Peplowski (clarinet)
· David Wong (bass)
· Byron Stripling (trumpet)
· René Marie (vocals)
· Quentin Baxter (drums)
· Xavier Davis (piano)
· Rodney Jordan (bass)
Sunday Late Night Session
Monday Afternoon Session
· Bobby Floyd (B3 organ)
· Akiko Tsuruga (B3 organ)
· Steve Kovalcheck (guitar)
· Jeff Hamilton (drums)
· Romero Lubambo (guitar)
· John Clayton (bass)
· Jeff Hamilton (drums)
Special Guest: Ken Peplowski (clarinet)
Monday Evening After Party
The Vail Jazz Party features multiple sessions of music all Labor Day Weekend long from Thursday, Aug 29 through Monday, Sept 2, 2024. The pass is the best way to experience the Vail Jazz Party, offering entry into all sessions of music. Individual Session Tickets gain entry into a single session of music, which is around three hours and multiple sets. Prices and line-up will be released in the Spring of 2024.
All-Access Patron Pass
ALL-ACCESS PATRON PASS
This pass includes access to all music sessions and special performances over the five-day holiday weekend, beginning Thursday evening (8/29) and running through Monday afternoon (9/2).
Individual Session Tickets
INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS
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.
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. Group rates for the 2023 Labor Day weekend are now available! CLICK HERE to book your discounted rate now!
Vail Jazz Party Venues
The Vail Jazz Party takes place in two Lionshead Village locations. Afternoon Sessions occur under the Jazz Tent in Vail Square, and Evening Sessions and Late Night Jams take place in the Grand Ballroom at the newly renovated Hythe hotel.
JAZZ TENT AT VAIL SQUARE
675 LIONSHEAD PLACE
Tucked into its picturesque setting adjacent to the Arrabelle Hotel, the Jazz Tent is home to the Vail Jazz Party Afternoon Sessions. Seating in the tent provides great sightlines and carefully tuned acoustics to complement a stunning roster of superlative artists in the festive Arrabelle courtyard, replete with restaurants, taverns, shops, and a highly convivial vibe.
THE HYTHE GRAND BALLROOM
715 W LIONSHEAD CIR
The Hythe (formerly the Vail Marriott) is the headquarters for the Vail Jazz Party over Labor Day Weekend, hosting Evening and Late Night Jam Sessions. The hotel has recently undergone a renovation and rebrand, elevating the experience to an unprecedented level!
