FOR RELEASE: Tuesday, February 19, 2019

INITIAL ARTISTS AND VENUES ANNOUNCED FOR THE NEW
JAS JUNE EXPERIENCE

Enjoy a Jazz Walk, Soul Stroll, Blues Shuffle, Funk Ramble, World Dance
at Multiple Venues Across the Downtown Core

Jazz Aspen Snowmass (JAS) announced today the initial line-up of both artists and venues for the newly formatted JAS June Experience. Taking place June 20-23, the Experience will consist of multiple staggered shows daily, allowing attendees to the opportunity to walk from venue to venue for a diverse mix of music genres, in settings for listening as well as dancing.  Inspired in part by the original HBO Comedy Fest, as well as Food & Wine, the event will bring musically focused lanyard wearing attendees to the downtown core and the vitality of mixing multiple events and guests all across downtown. Passes for the event go on-sale Friday, February 22 at 9am including the choice of a 3-Day weekend pass, or a daily pass that will allow access into all participating venues. A weekend VIP pass will also be available and will include three dinners, similar to the format of the VIP tent formerly hosted during the June Experience at the Benedict Music Tent.

The Experience will kick-off with two performances rooftop at the Aspen Art Museum featuring New Orleans brass band-meets-Mardi-Gras Indian outfit, Cha Wa, a 2019 Grammy Nominee for Best Regional Roots Album. These shows are open to all 3-day pass holders with a limited number of single show tickets going on-sale in advance. In addition to the Aspen Art Museum, JAS plans to utilize space at the Belly Up, downstairs at The Little Nell, the Velvet Buck at the St. Regis, The Jerome Garden, Victoria’s Espresso & Wine Bar and more over the weekend.

Confirmed artists for Friday include Grammy winning jazz vocalist Patti Austin, the young breakout British singer/composer/producer/multi-instrumentalist Jacob Collier and Canadian singer/trumpeter/bandleader Bria Skonberg. On Saturday American blues legend Taj Mahal will perform at the Belly Up, with additional shows that day to include Patti Austin, Bria Skonberg, the legendary Afro-Pop and Jazz African bassist and vocalist Richard Bona, and R&B and jazz vocalist Jose James celebrating Bill Withers with his “Lean on Me” performance. The Experience will conclude on Sunday with additional performances from Jose James of “Lean on Me” as well as a separate jazz standards set, Calypso/Carnival themed shows from Caribbean-born trumpeter Etienne Charles, and a Jazz mini-marathon hosted by American jazz trombonist and band leader Wycliffe Gordon and Friends at The Little Nell. Also on Sunday, the Hotel Jerome will host a New Orleans/Gospel Brunch in the Garden from 10am-2pm. Brunch tickets will be sold separately from the passes with ticket information and artists to be announced at a later date. 

“This JAS June Experience promises to be a fantastic and genre diverse musical celebration that will attract the widest audience demographic of JAS June in years,” says JAS President & CEO Jim Horowitz. “From sophisticated intimate listening rooms, to dancing and swaying, to rhythms from around the world, this re-invention of JAS June will generate huge vitality and energy in the Aspen core. It’s fantastic to have so many venerable Aspen venues be a part of this celebration and we thank each of them for joining us. No matter how you get to the next venue (a walk, dance or shuffle) you’ll hear something amazing when you get there!”

JAS plans to announce more artists and venues in the coming weeks, along with a detailed grid outlining the full schedule of events, including artist talks and VIP hospitality. Events will generally take place starting as early as 5pm nightly and ending as late as midnight.

Passes will be available on Friday at jazzaspensnowmass.org, 866.JAS.TIXX (527-8499) or at the Belly Up Box Office. Three day passes, which will have the added bonus of Thursday’s kick-off show, will be offered at $175 plus service. Single day Friday and Saturday passes are priced at $85 each and Sunday at $70 plus service.

VIP passes will be available Friday at jazzaspensnowmass.org or 970.920.4996. In addition to the nightly dinners VIPs will have reserved seating at Belly Up for all shows and reserved areas at other venues.

June Blind Faith pass-holders will be entitled to receive a choice of either a 3-day weekend pass or a full refund. JAS will be in touch with all buyers to arrange in the coming weeks.

For more information please visit jazzaspensnowmass.org or call 970.920.4996.