Free Events
Past opening sessions have featured such notables as John Royen, Louis Ford, James Dapogny, Hank Troy & Wende Harston, Jeff Barnhart, Nicki Parrott & Danny Coots and many others
2026 Lecturer
Hank Troy
Popular music of the early 1900s:
An introduction to ragtime, blues, early jazz, and movie music
Hank Troy will discuss how the different forms of popular music evolved. He will demonstrate the differences and similarities at the piano.
Education Concert
A student band will perform. This year it will be The Colorado Jazz Ambassadors.
Tckets are required due to capacity restrictions.
Sunday Gospel Service
One of the annual Festival highlights is the Sunday Gospel Service featuring the Queen City Jazz Band and vocal great Wende Harston. The service starts at 9 am* sharp Sunday and is open to the public. Plan to arrive early as it is usually SRO.
* note this time is earlier than previous years!
Dance Lessons
Each Festival day begins with a one-hour dance lesson in the Elks Ballroom.
Lessons are taught by professional instructors and are open to all ticket holders.