Jazz Aspen Gets June Jammin'

Meghan Brosnan

Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue lead a Louisiana-style funeral procession for the late Mary Jane Miller.

Put your hands in the air. The crowd at the Free Stage goes wild.

Hot doggy dog. A tasty treat before Madeleine Peyroux hits the stage.

The crowd gets excited for jazz legend Herbie Hancock

Since 1991, Jazz Aspen Snowmass (JAS) has been jazzing up the summer season for music lovers throughout the Roaring Fork Valley. With two festivals--one in June and one Labor Day weekend--JAS has brought some of the industries top names to town including Elvis Costello, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Ben Harper, Neil Young, Sheryl Crow, Tony Bennett, Widespread Panic, and Jack Johnson, to name only a few.This years June 21-24 festival, held in Aspen's Rio Grande Park, kicks off with French-American songstress Madeleine Peyroux and jazz legend Herbie Hancock. Friday stays in harmony with Earth, Wind, & Fire as the headlining act—a band that has set the JAS stage on fire in years past. Angelique Kidjo and Grammy-winning artist Steve Winwood will keep the momentum going Saturday. Sunday starts off with a free gospel concert featuring the Marvalous Marva Wright at noon in the tent. And although the June festival is known for being the more mellow of the two JAS festivals, the weekend closes out Sunday with a very rockin' headliner--The Black Crowes, who are sure to tear up the stage. Don't forget to take a break from your boogying to grab a snack from the restaurants that set up on-site booths, offering the best in festival food.Before the main stage gets going, head to the afternoon concerts at the Free Stage at the Cooper Ave. Mall where JAS students and faculty as well as local bands will perform. After the sun goes down and the main stage is quiet, the dancing continues at the Belly Up's JAS AfterDark series, featuring The Magnificents with Rahzel, Supernatural, and DJ JS-1; Parisian hip-hop duo Les Nubians; Australian musician Xavier Rudd; and DJ Bad Boy Bill. The JAS June Festival strikes the perfect chord, so lace up your dancing shoes, and get ready for a weekend of music in the mountains. For more information on JAS June Festival, visit www.jazzaspen.org

by Courtney Fisher

Photo Gallery

Since 1991, Jazz Aspen Snowmass (JAS) has been jazzing up the summer season for music lovers throughout the Roaring Fork Valley. With two festivals--one in June and one Labor Day weekend--JAS has brought some of the industries top names to town including Elvis Costello, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Ben Harper, Neil Young, Sheryl Crow, Tony Bennett, Widespread Panic, and Jack Johnson, to name only a few.

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The performances at the Free Stage at the Cooper Ave. Mall are a highlight of the Jazz Aspen Snowmass June Festival.

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JAS' Cooper Free Stage 2007

Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue play the Free Stage at the Cooper Ave. Mall during the 2007 Jazz Aspen Snowmass June Festival.