Jazz Aspen Snowmass has released the initial lineup of both artists and venues for the 2020 June Experience, which debuted a new multi-venue format in 2019. It includes headlining slots from vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater, a capella group Take 6 and New Orleans jam band Galactic.
Taking place June 25 to 28 the Experience will consist of multiple staggered shows daily, allowing attendees to the opportunity to walk from venue to venue for a diverse mix of music genres.
Returning venues for 2020 will include Belly Up, Aspen Art Museum, The Little Nell, St. Regis Aspen, Victoria’s and the Skye Gallery, with additional venues to be announced in the new year. The festival will kick off the 30th anniversary summer season for the nonprofit born as Jazz Aspen in June 21 1991.
The Experience will open June 25 with two rooftop performances at the Aspen Art Museum featuring the New Orleans band Tuba Skinny, who draw on a wide range of musical influences from spirituals to Depression-era blues, ragtime to traditional jazz.
Confirmed artists for the June 26 to 28 performances include multi-Grammy-winning jazz vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater; the most awarded a cappella group in history, 10-time Grammy recipients Take 6; funk and jazz jam band Galactic with special guest Anjelika Jelly Joseph; Jamaican jazz pianist Monty Alexander with his Harlem Kingston Express show; virtuoso guitarist Charlie Hunter joining former Snarky Puppy singer Lucy Woodward in a trio performing vintage pop and classic standards; the Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio; the Brazilian guitar talent with unique mouth percussion Badi Assad; and the return of four former JAS Academy students performing with Ulysses Owens Jr. and Gen Y showcasing an exciting mix of young new artists. All artists will play multiple shows allowing attendees the opportunity to experience all acts.
Three-day passes for the event go on sale Thursday at 10 a.m. Based on availability, single day passes will be released later this winter. A weekend VIP pass also will be available Thursday and will include three nights of dinners at the Downtown VIP Tent (June 25 to 27). The festival also will host two private VIP concerts in the tent. VIP purchasers for 2020 will have the new option of reserving a seat at one show of their choice nightly.
On June 28, JAS will present a New Orleans Brunch at the VIP tent with $65 tickets also going on sale Thursday. Tickets include a full brunch, bloody mary and mimosa bar and a performance from seven-piece joyful jazz group Sammy Miller and the Congregation.
Additional artists and venues will be announced this winter, along with a detailed grid outlining the full schedule of events, including artist talks and VIP hospitality. Events will generally take place starting as early as 5 p.m. nightly and ending as late as midnight.
Tickets will be available at jazzaspensnowmass.org or 866-JAS-TIXX (527-8499). VIP passes also will be available starting Thursday at jazzaspensnowmass.org or 970-920-4996.