What Is The
Traditional Jazz Festival Circuit?
By Igor Glenn (Igor's Jazz Cowboys)
More than half of the festivals take place in the far-western United States. Festivals usually are presented over a Friday-Saturday-Sunday weekend. Stages are both outdoors and inside. Music is presented at venues all day and evening, with simultaneous shows at multiple locations. The festivals present a continuous opportunity to listen, dance, talk, eat and drink. Dress is casual.
The music consists of very recognizable tunes from the "traditional jazz" repertoire. An average of 15 bands feature variations of 3 horns (often trumpet, clarinet and trombone) and 3 rhythm instruments (drum, tuba or string bass, and piano or banjo).Many bands feature a solo vocalist. Traditional Jazz often is labeled "Dixieland," "Swing," or "Ragtime." Bands usually have cassettes and CD's available for purchase at each venue during their performance and for a few minutes afterwards.
The most complete information source for this festival circuit is The American Rag, a newspaper published in California by Don Jones. With eleven issues per year, it is an encyclopedia of band schedules, festival dates, book and recording reviews, jazz history, memorabilia and cartoons!
Back to American Rag's Home Page