Major Jazz Fests in the US

[brianne]

Hi All,

You seem like aficianados on the Jazz Fest world, so I was hoping you could help me identify the major jazz festivals in the US. Your help is greatly appreciated!!

[makeitfunkky]

Hi Brianne. Actually the jazzfest is not just about jazz. There are 11 or so stages to choose from. don't know any major jazz fests in my part of the world. Lots of blues fests though.

[Amy Winette]

We have good ones in San Francisco and San Jose, but they're not major in terms of attendance numbers like NOJHF is. On the other hand, NOJHF is not just jazz, it's a wide variety of music. There are a lot of other great larger music festivals that are not jazz, Bonaroo, Wakarusa, 10,000 Lakes, High Sierra, Vegoose, Summer Fest, ACL, etc., etc. Soo, depends on whether you're looking for size, music type, or other variables.

[brianne]

I am actually just looking at Jazz festivals (but understand that it is not just jazz at these festivals). I know SF and Atlanta have well attended ones. Basically I am just looking for the largest or the big ones in the US.

Thanks!

[Amy Winette]

Huh, looks like SF spans a couple of weeks and a lot of venues. Guess I haven't been . . . SF Blues Fest was great this year though.

[jhjpotter]

Montreal has a big one, though obvioulsy not in the US. San Jose's Jazz Festival this year was pretty good, though again, not huge numbers wise.

[Amy Winette]

BUT the San Jose Jazz Fest was only $5 a day for a lot of great acts, you can't beat that!

[RitaZero]

Montreal has a big one, though obvioulsy not in the US. San Jose's Jazz Festival this year was pretty good, though again, not huge numbers wise.

But, we did get Dr. John and the Neville Brothers at the San Jose JazzFest this year, making it a fabulous event!

High Sierra is always good music, but the police have a huge presence there, hassling peaceful hippies who just come to listen to music....I have opted not to go back.

I'm very close to Monterey which has a big Jazz Festival every year, but the line up has never thrilled me enough to buy a ticket. The blues festival in Santa Cruz every Memorial Day weekend is always a good event at a great outdoor venue.

But, I always say that the New Orleans JazzFest is the grand daddy of them all!

[Corona]

Hi All,

You seem like aficianados on the Jazz Fest world, so I was hoping you could help me identify the major jazz festivals in the US. Your help is greatly appreciated!!
Brianne, not sure where you live but the Detroit Jazzfest is the largest free Jazzfest in North America. 7 stages running over 3 days. Labor Day weekend. It was awesome this year!!!

[ibjamn]

Hi All,

You seem like aficianados on the Jazz Fest world, so I was hoping you could help me identify the major jazz festivals in the US. Your help is greatly appreciated!!


Hey Brianne, welcome!
Try this North America Jazz Festival Finder:
http://www.festivalfinder.com/jazz/

[Amy Winette]

I was really impressed by SJ Jazz this year. We also had Ingrid Lucia, Iguanas, etc. etc.

Rita, they're seriously talking about moving High Sierra this year after the cops were (I guess) the worst ever. We didn't see anything, but heard some awful stories.

[Michelino]

Hi All,

You seem like aficianados on the Jazz Fest world, so I was hoping you could help me identify the major jazz festivals in the US. Your help is greatly appreciated!!

Brianne,

I agree that with Corona that the Detroit Jazz Fest (see my photos) (http://jazzfestlover.myphotoalbum.com/slideshow.php?set_albumName=album01) is a good 'un. The New Orleans fest is very special and like none other. While the cutting edge of Jazz may not make the scene as much as ,say,Montreal, still two or three stages tents of great jazz (both current and traditional) are going on at all times. And this is THE place to catch the very special New Orleans Brass Band Sound which may have morphed out of Jazz right into Funk, but my god, once you catch that beat...well you just must is all I can say.

But I also want to tell you that the Rochester International Jazz Fest (http://www.rochesterjazz.com/) is one of the hottest jazz festivals anywhere (http://www.rochesterjazz.com/festival_photos/). For 9 days in June, one $100 club pass that gets you into 6 different venues, all within a couple of blocks. There is also a series of separately ticketed top name concerts, and plus also you can attend loads of top notch free (Soulive, Dicky Betts, Roomful of Blues, Allman Bros etc) acts including nightly jam sessions. But while the blues and other popular styles get their due, this is one festival that really features jazz...and of all flavors with lots of surprising acts from around the globe.

Happy Festin!
Michael

PS Here's some other great jazz festivals in North America to check out:
Montreal (http://www.montrealjazzfest.com/), Newport/JVC in Various Locations (http://www.festivalproductions.net/jvcjazz.htm), Saratoga (http://www.spac.org/spac-festivals/spac-festivals.asp?varID=14), plus more here (http://musicmoz.org/Styles/Jazz/Festivals/North_America/Links/U.S./)

[La Ti Da]

The one in Newport, RI is well regarded, and is in a beautiful location right on the ocean. It happens every August and I think it is run by some of the same people that do the New Orleans Jazz Fest. Kind of pricey though at around $60-70/ day. Here is a link to the website
http://www.festivalproductions.net/events/detail.php?ID=19

[ac_deadhead]

cape may jazz fest in new jersey is coming up... with dwayne dopsie and the zydeco hellraisers... love them from bourbon street and the fest... may have to go check them out!

[ac_deadhead]

oh... and doctor michael white too! :)

[glinda]

Gotta plug our very own Chicago Jazz Fest, every Labor Day weekend. Held in Grant Park right downtown along the lakefront, four stages and its FREE!!!!!! This year's line up included Dr Michael White, ReBirth, many more greats from all over the world and right here in sheecawgo.

[ohio]

Indianapolis Jazzfest is a great small fest, held Father's Day weekend. Pretty park with lotsa shade trees. This past year featured New Orleans bands on Sunday.