The 20th Evergreen Jazz Festival Promises To Jazz-Up Your July

By Jo Ann M. Colton Special to Lifestles

On a musical note; it is time to remind everyone that the annual Evergreen Jazz Festival (EJF) weekend in Evergreen, Colorado is scheduled for Friday/July 28 (12noon-11:00pm), Saturday/July 29 (10:00am-10:00pm), and Sunday/July 30 (11:00am-6:00pm). If you love live music, musical entertainment, and “all that jazz and razzmatazz,” mark your calendars and plan to attend.

Jazz originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Whether you are a longtime lover of jazz or someone who just wants to explore this music sound, the Evergreen Jazz Festival is a noteworthy music experience. Comprising 80 hours of jazz over a three-day period, the 2023 Evergreen Jazz Festival promises to be another “jazzy”

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event, living up to the enthusiastic description once opined by a national columnist as “the best jazz festival anywhere!”

Located just about 35 minutes southwest of Denver, the scenic mountain community of Evergreen provides a beautiful idyllic setting for the three-day event. e Evergreen Jazz Festival boasts NO big crowds, NO big stages, and NO big sound systems. Further, it delivers on BIG talent, great seating, and small intimate venues located at Evergreen Elks Lodge #2363 and its Patio, 27972 Iris Drive; Evergreen Christian Church, 27772 Iris Drive; Evergreen Lake House, 29612 Upper Bear Creek Road; and Troutdale Tavern, 30790 Stagecoach

Boulevard. Patrons will also nd opportunities to dance during every music set, interact and talk with the performers, and/or simply nd genuine pleasure in this big jazz extravaganza that will be vividly remembered long a er the music is over.

“ e COVID pandemic necessitated two postponements over a two-year period, but the Evergreen Jazz Festival returned to the music scene in 2022,” said Wendy Pottho , 2023 Evergreen Jazz Festival President. “ is is our 20th Festival and we are looking forward to another outstanding event.” is year’s Festival features a special guest appearance by James Dapogny’s Chicago Jazz Band and a show bill of other top quality musicians that includes: A er Midnight (Denver), Capt. John Royen’s New Orleans Rhythm (New Orleans), Carl Sonny Leyland Trio (So.

California), Espresso! (Boulder), e Poudre River Irregulars (Ft. Collins), Holland-Coots Jazz Quintet (Nashville), Queen City Jazz Band with Wende Hartson (Denver), e Dalton Ridenour Trio (New York City), and Something Doin’ e Big Little Ragtime Band (Denver).

“It’s a terri c line up of musicians our patron will surely love,” said EJF Music Director Ed Danielson, who stated that in addition to the great bands, the Festival will present several sets of dueling pianos featuring Carl Sonny Leyland, Dalton Ridenhour, and Capt. John Royen.

To learn more about the festival, featured bands, and “dueling pianos,” visit the website (https://www.evergreen-

Please see JAZZ , Page 7

“Double 88” dueling piano sets have become a regular festival feature.

T he Lineup: Special Guest Appearance: James Dapogny’s Chicago Jazz Band Directed by Kim Cusack

After Midnight, Car l Sonny Leyland Tr io Dalton Ridenhour Tr io, Espresso Gypsy Jazz

Capt. John Royen’s New Or leans Rhythm

Holland-Coots Jazz Quintet, Poudre River Ir regular s Queen City Jazz Band with Wende Har ston Something Doin’ Big Little Ragtime Band t Mountain Home, we are constantly receiving new furniture and accessories , so swing by to check out our latest deliveries… and keep in mind, everything is available off the floor!

So if you need a new sofa, dining table or king bed ASAP , come for a visit ~ you’re always welcome at Mountain Home!