Abiding in the jazz festivals coming to Colorado in summer 2016

Dick Gibson, the mastermind of the 1960s and ’70s jazz parties in Aspen, looks over an album by Ralph Sutton, one of guest musicians at the festival, in this Aug. 12,1964 file photo. George Crouter, Denver Post file

By BRET SAUNDERS
May 26, 2016 / UPDATED: 1 day ago

There are numerous returning jazz-focused mountain festivals scheduled for the summer season. The tradition and energy of the beloved Dick Gibson high-altitude jazz parties of the ‘60s abide.

27th Annual Estes Park Jazz Festival, June 4-5: It’s impressive how this small town has managed to stage a weekend-long series of concerts for more than a quarter of a century while keeping to admission price down to zero. Plenty of Colorado talent returns to Performance Park Amphitheater, including Max Wagner and Greg Gisbert, and they always manage to bring in a nationally known act. This year it’s vocalist Vanessa Rubin. The following weekend, on June 11, there will be a “Big Band Bash” at the same location. Get the lineup at visitestespark.com.

2016 Jazz Aspen Snowmass June Experience, June 24-July 2: At perhaps the Colorado mountain jazz festival with the highest profile, the headliners at Aspen’s Benedict Music Tent include bassist Marcus Miller and keyboard legend Booker T. on the instrumental side, and soulful pop vocalists Diana Ross and Smokey Robinson will help bring in the crowds. Singer Gregory Porter will appear at the JAS Café on June 23. Tickets and lodging packages are available at jazzaspensnowmass.com.

read more: http://www.denverpost.com/2016/05/26/abiding-in-the-jazz-festivals-coming-to-colorado-in-summer-2016/