MAY 18 & 19, 2013

Take in the beauty of Estes Park, the art in numerous galleries and listen to the sounds of jazz. Estes Park's free annual Jazz Fest/Art Walk weekend kicks of the season in style Saturday and Sunday, May 18 and 19.

What better way to open the summer season in Estes Park than with jazz playing amidst the beautiful rock backdrop of Performance Park outdoor amphitheater?

The Festival has grown from its humble beginnings over two decades, into a two-day event, featuring the finest national and regional jazz artists. The festival features stellar line-ups of performers presenting music with New Orleans roots to thriving and diverse present day sounds.

This year’s Festival Headlining Act presented on Sunday, May 19th will be The Cookers, a world class New York septet comprised of legendary Jazz artists: Billy Harper -Tenor Saxophone, Eddie Henderson -Trumpet, David Weiss -Trumpet, Craig Handy -Alto Saxophone, George Cables -Piano, Cecil McBee -Bass, and Billy Hart -Drums. This amazing super-group will take the stage as part of our Sunday line-up; don’t miss it! The Estes Park Jazz Festival will feature seven Jazz groups presented over two days.

The Jazz Continues at Night

There will be a performance of The Max Wagner Quartet on Saturday night, May 18th from 6:30-9:30pm in downtown Estes Park at Mama Rose’s Italian Restaurant. The Max Wagner Quartet features Max Wagner on saxophone & Jazz vocals, with Jeff Jenkins at the piano, Ken Walker on bass, and Alwyn Robinson at the drums. The Quartet will be joined by Special Festival guests. Mama Rose’s is an official sponsor of The Estes Park Jazz Festival (reservations suggested - 970-586-3330). Mama’s is located at: 338 E. Elkhorn Ave.

THE SCHEDULE

Saturday, May 18th

Noon-12:45 Estes Park Jazz Big Band: Swingin’ Big Band Sounds

1:05-2:10 A Jazz Guitar Summit: Top Jazz Guitarists: Steve Kovalcheck, Dave Corbus and Marcus Firillo meet bassist Ken Walker and drummer Alwyn Robinson for amazing Guitar Jazz!

2:30-3:40 Ginga: Sounds of Brazil, Samba, Bossa Nova

4:00-5:00 OTone New Orleans Brass Band: Jubilant Funky Latin Suol Sounds of New Orleans

6:30-9:30pm The Max Wagner Quartet

Downtown at Mama Rose’s Italian Restaurant, 338 E. Elkhorn, Reservations Suggested, 970-586-3330

Sunday, May 19th

Noon-1:20 Myra Warren w/the Ellyn Rucker Quartet: Swinging Jazz Vocalist with Top Flight Jazz Group

1:45-3:15 Festival Headliner: THE COOKERS: World Class Jazz Septet from New York City

3:40-5:00 Laura Newman and AOA: Urban Jazz Funk