Created in 1981, the Sedona Jazz Festival is held in a resort setting, unlike other jazz festivals which favor a more urban atmosphere. Many jazz greats have performed during SJOR's lengthy history.
Jazz greats including Al Jarreau, Tony Bennett, Branford Marsalis, Chuck Mangione, The Count Basie Orchestra and Benny Green have performed at SJOR since 1981. In 2010, scheduled performers include Dennis Rowland, Alfredo Rodriguez and Craig Chaquico, formerly of Jefferson Starship.
The 2010 Sedona Jazz Festival will take place on Oct. 2 at the Poco Diablo Resort in Sedona. After being forced to skip the 2009 festival due to economic hardships, the SJOR festival will return in 2010, offering a scaled-back schedule featuring rhythm and blues performers for the first time in the festival's history.