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Jazz Festivals in Washington

There aren't many better ways to experience music than at a jazz festival. Jazz is one of the nation's first and most enduring musical genres, according to Historyjazz.com. Whether you prefer the New Orleans or Dixieland style, swing, Latin, fusion, smooth or jazz-funk, a festival is a great place to see your favorite musicians and discover new artists. Each year, Washington state hosts several jazz festivals.

  1. Earshot Jazz Festival

    • Set in a town famous for music, Seattle's Earshot Jazz Festival offers a mix of national performers and local artists. The Earshot Festival takes advantage of Seattle's many world class venues, offering over 60 performances in venues ranging from the Nordstrom Recital Hall, home of Seattle's symphony orchestra, to City Hall, art museums, theater stages, and a variety of bars and clubs. The three-week festival also offers educational programs, films and panel discussion events. Past performers include the Wynton Marsalis Quartet, the Dave Brubeck Quartet, the Jason Moran Trio and the Cuong Vu Trio.

      Earshot Jazz Festival

      3429 Fremont Place North #309

      Seattle, WA 98103

      206-547-9787

      earshot.org

    Jazz Port Townsend

    • The annual Jazz Port Townsend festival is set in the coastal town of Port Townsend. The three-day event offers performances on a variety of stages around town, from the historic Fort Warden State Park Pavillion to theaters, clubs, lounges and the Northwest Martime Center. The Jazz Port Townsend festival features over 30 performers, including the Health Brothers, the Ingrid Jensen Quartet and the LA Organ Trio. The nonprofit organization Centrum, the festival's sponsor, also offers a week-long jazz workshop in conjunction with the festival. Courses are available for all levels of musicians and vocalists and culminate in a series of student concerts.

      Centrum

      PO Box 1158

      Port Townsend, WA 98368

      360-385-3102

      centrum.org

    Jazz in the Valley Festival

    • The annual Jazz in the Valley Festival, set in the central Washington town of Ellensburg, offers three days of music, food, microbrews and wine. Shows start on Friday evening and run until the wee hours at several venues around the small college town, including art galleries, museums, restaurants and bars. The music starts again at noon on Saturday, with performances from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. on the main stage at the Rotary Pavilion and until 12:30 a.m. at other venues around town. Sunday brings performances on the main stage from 10:30 a.m. until 2:45. Musical genres include blues, Dixieland, Latin, gospel, swing, Gypsy and, of course, lots of jazz. 2010 performers include the Alma Villegas Quintet, B.I.G. (Blues Industry Giants), Kolvane and the Lenny Price All Stars.

      Jazz in the Valley

      PO Box 214

      Ellensburg, WA 98926

      509-899-3639

      jazzinthevalley.com

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