The 20th Anniversary Jazz Summit Festival last year was a huge success. The festival’s theme this year is Jazz Music – An American Journey.

The dates of the festival are Aug. 26-28 with multiple venues, including The Prescott Elks Theater, The Ruth Street Theater at Prescott High School, The Marina Room and Arizona Room at the Hassayampa Inn, and Murphy’s Restaurant.

The first event will be in the Arizona Room at the Hassayampa Inn with the return of the extremely popular Meet the Musicians Reception.

The Friday evening concert at The Elks Theater will be a Jazz Journey from South America to the USA and will feature combos made up of all the performing musicians and singers.

Saturday will be held at the Ruth Street Theater.  During the day there will be free workshops for students and adults from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., and Saturday evening will be the traditional All-Star Big Band Gala – A Big Band Journey from 1928 to the Present.

Sunday will start with a Jazz Brunch in the Marina Room of the Hassayampa Inn and continue with a special afternoon concert – A Jazz Journey from New York to Hollywood.  Then the festival will conclude with the popular Jam Session at Murphy’s Restaurant.

According to a news release, the headliners this year are Tom “Bones” Malone from the Blues Brothers movie, the David Letterman band, and the Saturday Night Live band and Walt Johnson, the only trumpet player to play for both Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley.  Also, famed comedian Pete Barbutti will be back as the master of ceremonies.

In addition to Tom Malone, Walt Johnson and Pete Barbutti, Jazz Summit will present alumni of such great orchestras as Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Jimmy Dorsey, and Harry James. Other featured artists are Louise Baranger, from the Harry James Orchestra, vocalists Ronnie Rose from Las Vegas, and a local favorite, Dennis Rowland from the Count Basie Orchestra, the release stated.

Jazz was born in the US in and around New Orleans. It traveled up the Mississippi River and to both coasts within just a few years, to become America’s true art form. From the 1920s through the 1940s music based on Jazz was considered “Pop” music. From Dixieland to big band swing in nightclubs and dance halls, to the concert stage, jazz music was the rage, the release stated. Even what we know as rock n’ roll came from jazz music through rhythm and blues. The festival journey this year covers everything from jazz origins, through its many versions, including the Latin influence from South America, Cuba and Puerto Rico.

Call 925-872-1942, or visit www.prescottjazzsummit.net for information about ticket prices, online ordering, musicians performing, times for each concert and hotels working with the festival.

Tickets will be available at the door at all venues, except for the Jazz Brunch and Murphy’s Jam Session.

Information provided by Prescott Jazz Summit.