We are proud to introduce the 2019 Telluride Jazz Festival schedule! This year's schedule brings back festival favorites like the New Orleans 2nd Line Parade, the late night series "Jazz After Dark", and “Liberty Sessions” along with a closing show, “The Final Waltz” along with enhanced events like the Patron Opening Reception with Telluride’s Top Chef event! Get ready for a full weekend of entertainment and fun with music on the Main Stage and “Society Stage” at Elks Park, complemented by many special events.
Thursday, August 8th
To kick off the festival, Thursday features the “Jazz On Main” in historic Downtown Telluride with five different venues hosting live jazz. Jazz On Main is free and open to the public from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. Thursday evening will also host exclusive events for Patron Experience pass-holders, including a welcoming reception with live music at the “Taste of Telluride and Top Chef Competition” from followed by a private, opening concert with five-time Grammy Award Winning artist Victor Wooten Band at the historic Sheridan Opera House.
New for 2019! The Welcome Reception is getting a upgrade! Telluride Jazz Festival has teamed up with One-To-One Mentoring to enhance the Welcome Reception by replacing the traditional kickoff event with exclusive access to the renowned “Taste of Telluride and Top Chef Competition” at the Peaks Resort in Mountain Village on Thursday, August 8, at 5 pm.
Patron pass-holders will be greeted to a culinary tour of Telluride featuring creative cuisine, libations and live music from festival artists. Throughout the evening, pass-holders will sample delights from a variety of restaurants and have a chance to interact with the premiere chefs in the Telluride area. The Top Chef Competition will highlight the reception as local chefs compete in a heated culinary show-down, alongside a Bartender Competition where mixologists will compete for the tastiest and most creative specialty cocktail after receiving a secret basket of ingredients. The reception will be followed by a private Opening Concert at the Sheridan Opera House.
Full details including food and drink menus of the new kickoff event will be announced in the upcoming months.
Friday, August 9th
Friday provides a full day of programming on both the Main Stage and "Society Stage" at Elks Park headlined by Robert Randolph & The Family Band and Victor Wooten Band. After the festival ends in Town Park Friday and Saturday night, the music continues with “Jazz After Dark” shows located in various venues throughout Telluride. The “Jazz After Dark” pass grants access to all three late night venues allowing festival-goers to wander freely between shows. Patron Experience and ‘All That Jazz” passes also include entry into all Jazz After Dark Shows.
Following the “Jazz After Dark” shows, the late night series named “Liberty Sessions” will take place at Telluride’s swankiest nightclub, The Liberty Bar & Lounge. Free and open to the public, the series will feature The McCarthy Trio on Friday and J-Calvin on Saturday. To view the Late Night Schedule, click here.
Saturday August 10th
Saturday features a full day of entertainment on both stages headlined by Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue in addition to a morning of special events. Enjoy a fresh start to your day with the free "First Note Yoga" sessions presented by the Telluride Yoga Festival. Wake up to a fluid yoga flow, activating breath practice, liberating movement and playful exercises to discover new realms of embodied pleasure. Guests of all skill levels are welcome to join us on Saturday and Sunday mornings during the Festival weekend. Participation is free, no registration required. For more info, click here.
Taking place shortly thereafter, guests can join a free Historical Walking Tour hosted by the Telluride Historical Museum. Presenter and long-time resident Ashley Boling will guide visitors through Telluride’s storied past and celebrated landmarks. Participation is free, reservations are available now.
Sunday, August 11th
The final day of the festival starts on a lively note as Festival staff, attendees and Cha Wa with the Hooligan Brass Band take to Main Street for a New Orleans-style Second Line Parade. Everyone is welcome and colorful floats, costumes, beads and decorations are encouraged. The parade is followed by a full day of entertainment on both stages. Families are encouraged to prepare for the parade with a free Costume Making Program in Elks Park.
Immediately following the parade a full day of music kicks off on the festival Main Stage headlined by Lettuce! Sunday night closes out the festival on a high note with, “The Final Waltz” late night show featuring Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio at the Liberty Bar & Lounge. Tickets for The Final Waltz are $20 per person and are on sale now.
Society Stage at Elks Park
Throughout the weekend, interactive artist sessions will be held on the Society Stage at Elks Park to promote the festival’s mission of providing student education through music. These intimate and interactive performances are open to the public and take place in the heart of historic downtown Telluride in the grassy outdoor amphitheater at Elks Park. These artist performances give you a chance to interact while learning about jazz culture, history and methods. Festival artists The Inevitables, The Hooligan Brass Band, J-Calvin, The McCarthy Trio, Little Big Band, a special Sound House Showcase and more have been tapped to perform and speak.
Festival tickets are on sale now. Single day tickets go on sale Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at 10:00 am (MT).