For the week of October 16 - 22, 2002

Jazz Jamboree 
kicks off today

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By ADAM TANOUS
Express Arts Editor

It’s October again. The Valley is in its prime with the leaves ablaze and skies bright blue. What more could we ask for?

Some might say a little jazz in the air would be nice. Or a lot, for that matter. And it just so happens that the organizers of the 13^th Annual Swing ‘n’ Dixie Jazz Jamboree are obliging. The ever-growing celebration of jazz roars into the valley this week for five days of live music in and around Sun Valley. The first note will be played at 11 a.m. today in the Sun Valley Indoor Ice Arena as Sun Valley Jazz kicks off the festivities. All day and evening through Sunday, some 250 musicians will entertain the expected 7,000 jazz fans.

Bill Allred’s Classic Jazz Band. Courtesy photo

Jamboree director Tom Hazzard has recruited four new bands to add to the 21 others returning to the Wood River Valley event. These new arrivals comprise the Bob Crosby Bob Cats, Cornet Chop Suey, The Professors and the Crazy Rhythm Hot Society Jazz Orchestra.

Special events this year include the Pianorama hosted by Sun Valley favorite Joe Fos, a "Bix" movie, the Marching Band Salute, Big Band Bash, Jazz Worship Services and the Afterglow Jazz Suppers. Also new to the Jamboree will be two venues: the River Run Lodge and the Sun Valley Lodge Terrace.

As impressive as what’s new to the festival is what isn’t. Six bands here this year have participated in every Jamboree since its inception. That fact alone is testament to the success of the jazz festival. Over the years the Jamboree has developed a reputation not only for providing excellent music, but for being, above all else, a good time. And that may be what’s ultimately at the center of jazz—fun.

 

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.