IT DON’T MEAN A THANG, IF IT AIN’T GOT THAT TWANG! – The Sun Valley Jazz Festival
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October in Sun Valley, Idaho is many things to many people. We know it’s cooler days and colder nights in anticipation of winter’s first snowfall. We know Idaho’s Aspens are inching their way from a mellow green to a fiery orange and vivid gold. We enjoy a mixture of late season hikes balanced with cords of wood next to the front door. October is all about apple cider, wool throws, and sitting by the fire with a classic Hemingway novel. You get the picture. Sounds perfect doesn’t it? Well, if you are a fan of jazz, there is more to Idaho’s October than meets the eye – or ear….
Every year in October, it’s all that Jazz in our neck of the woods with 5 days, 40 band, close to 200 musicians, and over one million smiles at the Sun Valley Jazz Festival. Take note! You’ll be snapping your fingers, tapping your foot, and bobbing your head to the music of Louis Armstrong, Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, as well as some of today’s more hipster driven, cool cats. Attendees of the Sun Valley Jazz Festival don’t skip a beat! They quickly get hooked on this fantastic musical event. We guess that you will too!
Here is what we know:
Since 1989, The Sun Valley Jazz Festival has been a part of Sun Valley’s culture. Attracting close to six thousand music lovers from across the country and beyond every year, the Jazz Fest – that’s what the locals call it – celebrates the history of Jazz through the ages. You see, its founders realized music spans generations and wanted to share their passion with younger kids. So, in addition to the performances running day and night over the course of 5 days, educational programs are coordinated with our local schools. Young audiences are exposed to musical greats such as Jelly Roll Morton, Scott Joplin, and Fats Waller and so many more.
But, wait! What would music be without dance? This is a great question.
The Sun Valley Jazz Festival offers a chance for a toe-tapping, jitterbugging dance program including free professional dance lessons. Getting in step is easy. In no time, you’ll be dancing the Balboa, Charleston, Fox Trot, Lindy Hop, Peabody, Shag, and Solo Jazz. Not only that, you can try take your hand – or dancing feet – at four of the Jazz Festival’s dance competitions. YUP! The Sun Valley Jazz Festival is a music and dance lovers’ dream come true with Vintage Jazz, Swing, Big Band, Zydeco, Blues, Gypsy, Boogie-Woogie, Cabaret, Folk and Western Swing. Did we miss anything? We don’t think so, and neither does the Jazz Fest!
Venues for the event are throughout Sun Valley and Ketchum and include Sun Valley Opera House, River Run and Carol’s Dollar Mountain Lodges, Satchmo’s on the Mall in Sun Valley, the Limelight and Continental Rooms at the Sun Valley Inn. Music pop-up events are also held at local churches and restaurants. There are Special Sets, a Festival Kick-Off Party, and a 21 and older Private Jazz Party. There is Jazz in the Square, and, the Afterglow Party wrapping up the week. Access to the Jazz Fest comes with a full pass, or with tickets to single events. Student passes are also available. However you love and listen to your music, the Sun Valley Jazz Festival is a high note and one for the record books. Don’t miss all that jazz!
