The Vail Jazz Party Returns Over Labor Day Weekend ‘22
This year’s Vail Jazz Party celebrates the life of Jeff Clayton with a custom-curated Big Band
VAIL, Colo. – March 22, 2022- THE event that started it all – the Vail Jazz Party- returns over Labor Day weekend, September 1 – 5, 2022. The annual Party brings together some of the biggest names in jazz in a constellation of group and special performances. Music sessions begin the evening of Thursday, September 1 and continue through the afternoon of Monday, September 5th in what has become one of Vail’s signature summer events.
JEFF CLAYTON CELEBRATION OF LIFE:
This year’s Party will celebrate the life and impact of the late Jeff Clayton, who was part of Vail Jazz since the start. An honorary Big Band will pay tribute, featuring music composed and performed by Clayton. “This will be the most ambitious show that Vail Jazz has ever presented,” says Howard Stone, Vail Jazz Founder. “Audiences can expect some surprises, such as multiple sets of music and possibly some memory-sharing by several of the performers.”
PASSES AND TICKETS:
Passes to the Vail Jazz Party go on sale Tuesday, March 29 at 10:00 a.m. New to the Party this year is an All-Access Patron Pass for $575 which includes access to all music sessions and special performances over the Labor Day weekend. The Pass includes hors d’oeuvres and drinks at a welcome reception, access to the ever-popular Sunday morning Gospel session, and a champagne brunch preceding that show. Individual tickets to the Sunday morning Gospel session also go on sale March 29 for $95. Tickets to other individual music sessions may become available later in the summer pending availability. Passes can be purchased at VailJazz.org/vail-jazz-party/ or by calling 970.479.6146.
THE LOCATION:
The Vail Jazz Party will continue to be hosted at the same locations as previous years, but with an upgrade. Daytime music sessions (including the Sunday morning Gospel session) will be held under the Jazz Tent at Vail Square in Lionshead Village and evening events will be hosted at The Hythe Vail (formerly the Vail Marriott). The Hythe Vail has recently undergone renovations and features impressive amenity spaces and four culinary experiences for hungry concert-goers. Discounted room rates will be available for Vail Jazz Party patrons.
THE LINEUP:
Ensembles:
- Vail Jazz House Band featuring John Clayton, Dick Oatts, Terell Stafford, Wycliffe Gordon, Bill Cunliffe, and Lewis Nash
- Vail Jazz Alumni Sextet featuring Isaiah Thompson, David Wong, Patrick Bartley, Ryan Porter, Anthony Hervey, and Christian McGhee
- Cyrille Aimee Trio
- Cyrus Chestnut Trio with Stacey Dillard
- Jeff Hamilton Trio
- Vail Jazz Orchestra Celebrates Jeff Clayton
- Mile High Gospel Ensemble
Soloists:
- Jake Boldman
- Adrian Cunningham
- Steve Kovalcheck
- Mitch Forman
- Bobby Floyd
- Jerohn Garnett
- Niki Haris
- Sean Jones
- John Mathews
- Paul McKee
- Gabe Mervine
- Ken Peplowski
- Lyndon Rochelle
- Drew Zaremba
Special Performances:
- Wycliffe Gordon’s Nu Funk Dance Party
- Niki Haris’ Gospel Prayer Meetin’
- More to be announced
THE VAIL JAZZ WORKSHOP
Now in its 27th year, the prestigious Vail Jazz Workshop education series returns in conjunction with the Vail Jazz Party. The 10-day Workshop brings a dozen of North America’s most dedicated, gifted, and promising young jazz musicians to train under top jazz educators and perform on stage before live audiences. Acceptances for the Workshop will be announced in April.
For more information about the Vail Jazz Foundation and Festival, please visit VailJazz.org or contact Jamie Cox, Marketing Manager (jamie@vailjazz.org).
Full Covid vaccination including booster is required for entry into any Vail Jazz event. Vail Jazz will meet or exceed any local mandates at the time of the event, which are subject to change. Please subscribe to our email list and check back regularly for any updates.
About Vail Jazz:
The Vail Jazz Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to the perpetuation of jazz music through presentation and education. Vail Jazz produces summer performance series and award-winning educational programs serving both the national and local communities.