Jazz Festival Season Approaching: So Where is the Jazz?

Well, it’s that time of year again – time to check out who is on the bill of your favorite jazz festival this summer. When you do, you may notice a disturbing trend that has emerged over the past few years – the simple fact that a “jazz festival” no longer means what it says.

About a year ago I ranted about a European jazz festival having a rap artist on the program – and a headliner to boot! I don’t remember which festival it was off hand but it was not an obscure one that’s for sure.

I understand that tickets have to be sold and that there is the economic portion to the whole deal, but I think there are enough jazz fans in the world that will come out if they would just stick with jazz artists! Why get every musical genre known to man to be booked on a jazz festival. They are alienating the jazz fans themselves by diluting these things. I’m not sure of what is really going on , but I would bet that it mostly has to do with the people booking these festivals. The “suits” that don’t have a clue as to what jazz even is, let alone the artists that deserve to be heard. They figure if they book a “popular” artist, the people will come and everyone will be happy. I’ll tell you, I would never go near a “jazz festival” that was headlining pop or rap artists. Please. Imagine having a reggae festival with James Moody as the headliner. Would never happen. So why do the jazz festivals do it?

I’m’ not alone in my opinion. Here is a terrific article that questions the San Jose Jazz Festival.

Don’t forget to bookmark the jazz festival news page for the latest goings on the jazz festival circuit. Warning. You might be disappointed so choose wisely!