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Two Decades of Traditional Jazz

 

Since 2001, Evergreen, Colorado, the picturesque mountain town just 30 minutes west of Denver, has been home to what one jazz columnist called “the best jazz festival anywhere.”

 

The Festival was founded by longtime Evergreen resident and jazz aficionado Sterling Nelson, who served as the Festival Music Director until retiring in 2010.  He traveled the country over the years to find the traditional jazz groups and individual musicians who have helped the Festival establish and maintain its reputation for excellence.

 

It was Nelson’s 70th birthday that led to the launch of the Festival. To help him celebrate, he invited local jazz musicians to jam at his party.  It was such a success that one of his friends enthused, “We ought to do this every year!”  After the initial Festival in 2001 proved an artistic success, organizers took a year off to develop a business plan and fundraising strategy, and in 2003  produced the second EJF.  With the exception of two Covid year cancellations, they have done it every year since, presenting top musicians from across the country and attracting jazz-loving audiences from around the world.

Maybe it all shouldn’t be so surprising. Without a river delta or a Savoy Ballroom or an 18th & Vine, Evergreen still has its own modest jazz heritage that the Evergreen Jazz Festival continues to build upon. One of the original EJF venues is the Little Bear Saloon. 

Though today it has carved out its own reputation as a western “saloon,” it was once called the Red Ram, and that sign still adorns the roof of the rustic building on Evergreen’s Main Street. During the late 1960s and early 70s, the Red Ram often featured the big bands of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, Glenn Miller and others.​

The intimate EJF venues allow the patrons to tap, sway, dance and enjoy in a totally up- close-and-personal style. The headquarters venue is the Evergreen Elks Lodge which has two stages, the ballroom with a large dance floor and the patio, which many have said is like enjoying world-class jazz in your own backyard. Evergreen Lake House is a beautiful log structure on the shore of Evergreen Lake. The fourth venue is Evergreen Christian Church, whose sanctuary boasts truly amazing acoustics. Troutdale Tavern is the newest venue, having replaced the Little Bear in 2013. Regular, free shuttle service connects all the venues. Food and bar service are available at all but the church, although church members offer tasty items fresh off the barbecue grill.

​Every Festival Sunday begins with a gospel service at the church. The service features Denver’s own Queen City Jazz Band and vocal star Wende Harston. Many critics and fans call her a modern-day Bessie Smith, and as one Denver radio personality put it, “With Wende leading the service, you know you’ve been to church!”

​Included in the Festival mission statement is a commitment to jazz education. A key educational activity is the Student Clinic held during Festival Week, providing student musicians with the opportunity to learn from many of the pros performing in the Festival.

Patrons also have the opportunity to experience the future of traditional jazz, most recently in the form of the Denver Jazz Club Youth All-Stars and from the University of Colorado-Denver, the Claim Jumpers.

​Each year, the Festival opens with a two-hour educational presentation featuring one or two musicians appearing that year. Among the past presenters are James Dapogny, ragtime legend Terry Waldo and New Orleans piano favorite John Royen. This year’s presentation is currently being developed, with the lead musician still to be revealed.  Sure to be included will be a jam session by the Student Clinic instructors  and a couple of numbers by selected students from the Clinic.

The Evergreen Jazz Festival is organized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation and is managed and produced by volunteers in and around the Evergreen, CO community. Funding is provided by ticket sales, grants, sponsorships, individual contributions and fundraising events. The Festival website is www.EvergreenJazz.org

                                                                 

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