Your Guide To The San Jose Summer Jazz Festival
The San Jose Jazz Summer Fest is one of most popular music festivals in the Bay Area. What began as one small stage focusing on fusion and straight-ahead jazz has grown into a 12-stage, 3-day extravaganza featuring a wide range of international stars, emerging artists and regional favorites playing straight-ahead jazz, blues, salsa, Latin, R&B, and so much more.
There is so much going on in three short jazzy days, we've put together our favorite, don't miss events and tips for those heading to the festivities:
San Jose Jazz Summer Fest
Multiple Locations, San Jose, CA
Friday August 9 - Sunday, August 11
Website
Public Transit and Parking Info
Its not just jazz at the festival. You won't want to miss delicious food from vendors serving up everything from wood-fired pizza to catfish and hot wings, as well are arts and crafts from local and regional artisans. Vendors can be found at the Main Stage, Salsa Stage, and Blues & Big Easy Stage.
Swing Dance Lessons: Friday 6pm and 9pm, Sat-Sun 1pm and 4pm
Verizon Stage
The Swing Stage is one of the hottest "scenes" at the Summer Fest, and it's definitely not a place to just sit and listen! Come before most performances and learn the elements of swing dance with some of the area's best teachers.
San Jose Jazz High School All Stars: Saturday 12noon
Adobe Blackbird Tavern Stage
Now in its 15th season, San Jose Jazz All Stars are earning impressive reviews for their performances while providing some of the Bay Area's most gifted high school jazz musicians with advanced opportunities to grow and develop. Comprised of musicians from 14 regional high schools, the audition-based big band and combo perform throughout the Bay Area.
Pink Martini: Saturday 6pm
Main Stage
Hugely popular, the "little orchestra" Pink Martini has performed its multilingual repertoire on countless international stages including Royal Albert Hall, Carnegie Hall and Paris' legendary L'Olympia. The band has played with more than 50 of the world's great orchestras, including the LA Philharmonic, Boston Pops, San Francisco Symphony and the BBC Concert Orchestra. This show is sure to be packed, so arrive early and sport your dancing shoes.
The San Jose Rep Stage Pass
Your ticket to experience major musical artists is a special wristband in addition to your basic festival admission – $10 per day, available online or at any festival gate. This additional wristband is good for all regular daytime festival sets, 12-7pm. San Jose Rep Stage admission is included for all VIP members and VIP admission holders. Check out The Preservation Hall Jazz Band here at 7pm on Sunday.
