Sitka Jazz Festival facts for kids

The Sitka Jazz Festival is a fun three-day music event. It happens every August in Sitka, Alaska. This festival brings together talented jazz musicians. It also helps students learn more about jazz. There are special classes called clinics. You can also enjoy evening concerts with professional artists. A special group, the All-Alaska Jazz Band, also performs. This band is for high school students from Alaska. They have to try out to join.

History of the Festival

How the Festival Started

The Sitka Jazz Festival began with "Jazz Nights." These special nights started at Sitka High School in 1995. During Jazz Nights, students from Sitka High played music. A professional jazz artist also performed. They played alone and with the student groups. Famous artists like trumpeter Claudio Roditi visited. Saxophonist Andres Boiarsky also performed.

Growing Bigger

Over time, Jazz Nights grew much bigger. It became a full festival. More guest artists came to perform. There were more clinics for students. School jazz bands from other towns also joined. The festival needed a larger space. It moved to the 1,500-seat Mt. Edgecumbe High School Fieldhouse.

In 2005, the festival was at Sheldon Jackson College's Hames Center. For 2006 and 2007, it returned to Sitka High School. The school gym was changed into a 500-seat auditorium. The 2009 festival was held in Sitka's main auditorium. This space can hold 619 people. The Sitka Jazz Festival was inspired by the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival. That festival takes place in Moscow, Idaho.

All-Alaska Jazz Band

What is the All-Alaska Jazz Band?

The All-Alaska Jazz Band is a special group. It is the only honor jazz band in Alaska. Students from all over the state can join. They come from places like Fairbanks in the north. Students from Ketchikan in the south also participate.

Guest Directors

Many famous musicians have led this band. These guest directors help the students learn. Some past directors include John Clayton. Bill Watrous and Terell Stafford have also directed the band.

Famous Musicians at the Festival

Freddy Cole (left) and Lembit Saarsalu (right) performing.

Many talented jazz artists have performed at the Sitka Jazz Festival. Here are some of them:

• John Clayton
• Freddy Cole quartet
• Paquito D'Rivera
• Roberta Gamberini
• Ingrid Jensen
• Kristin Korb
• Mansound
• Claudio Roditi
• Lembit Saarsalu
• John Santos
• Terell Stafford
• Steve Turre
• Leonid Vintskevich
• Bill Watrous
• Alon Yavnai
• Tom Scott
• Barbara Morrison
• Carmen Bradford
• Eric Marienthal
• Alan Ferber
• Kenny Washington
• Sullivan Fortner
• Darren English
• Ira Nepus
• Jeff Hamilton
• Mads Tolling

See also

• List of jazz festivals