Carson City jazz festival enters 19th year

David Bugli, organizer of this year’s annual jazz festival, says jazz has played and will continue to play a major part in the cultural life of Carson City.

“Seven or eight casinos had all these big bands. When Sammy Davis Jr. or Frank Sinatra came, the bands would back them up — a legacy of all these musicians,” said Bugli, leading member of the Mile High Jazz Band and also conductor of the Carson City Symphony.

That legacy of musicians will be on full display for the 19^th Jazz and Beyond Music & Art Festival that starts Friday and extends to Aug. 21. Presented by the Mile High Jazz Band Association, the festival offers 17 days of free entertainment and more than 30 performances. The Friday opener kicks off at the Governor’s Mansion, 4-8 p.m., with the Andean music of Kantu Inka followed by the 16-piece big band, the Reno Jazz Orchestra. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Seating is limited; attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.

Bugli couldn’t highlight all the many events he’s looking forward to but did mention concerts at the Silver Saddle Ranch, 2648 Carson River Road, from 2-6 p.m. on Aug. 13. Amid the music of Stones Throw and the Sagebrush Rebels, visitors can enjoy mule-drawn wagon rides. The event is sponsored in part by the Carson City Parks, Recreation & Open Space Department, and Friends of Silver Saddle Ranch.

Bugli is also excited about the hybrid lecture-concert at the Nevada State Museum, 7-9 p.m. Aug. 18. Josh D. Reed, assistant professor of jazz trumpet at the University of Nevada, Reno, will be giving the lecture with live music. In collaboration with the Carson City Classic Cinema Club, the festival will also present the award-winning film The Glenn Miller Story in the BAC Performance Hall, 7 p.m. Aug. 11.

Pairing with film and music will be multiple open studios tours featuring 20 artists at nine locations, Aug. 19-21. Visitors can see the art works, watch art demonstrations, and listen to musicians performing at many of the locations.

This fusion of art forms lends itself to the jazz spirit.

“The thing about jazz is you’re always putting creativity up to the challenge,” said Bugli, when asked what he likes most about jazz. “You find your own way through and add your own personality.”

The festival’s final performance will return to the Governor’s Mansion, 4-8 p.m. Aug. 21. The date is the 117th anniversary of the birth of band-leader William “Count” Basie.

For a complete schedule of events, visit jazzcarsoncity.com. For additional information, call 775-883-4154 or email info@jazzcarsoncity.com. Mile High Jazz Band Association’s Jazz & Beyond Festival is funded in part by grants from the Nevada Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, the Carson City Cultural Commission, and private donations.

 

Jazz and Beyond Music Festival Schedule

 

Friday Opening Day

Kantu Inka (4-5:30 p.m.) and Reno Jazz Orchestra (6-8 p.m.) at Governor’s Mansion (outdoors)

Open mic hosted by Canyon White at A to Zen 6-10 p.m.

Dom & Friends at Bank Saloon 7-10 p.m.

Saturday

Ricky D at the Farmer’s Market 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Hallie Kirk at Comma Coffee 1-5 p.m., wine walk

Benjamin Jones at BAC Artisan Gallery 1-3 p.m., wine walk

David & Friends at CCHS Foreman-Roberts 5-7 pm., ice cream social

Greg Gilmore & Fever Dreams at Brewery Arts Center 7-8 p.m., Levitt opener

Bad Mother Nature at Brewery Arts Center 8-10 p.m., Levitt headliner

Brian Lester and Jimmy Rossi & Friends at Bank Saloon 8-11 p.m.

Sunday

Summer Show Reception Sable Shaw (harp) at NAA Gallery 2-4 p.m.

 

Aug. 8 

Benjamin Jones at Comma Courtyard 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

The Brother Dan Show at Bank Saloon 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Bijou Bell band at McFadden Plaza Stage 7-9 p.m.

 

Aug. 9 

The Bayberry Cast at McFadden Plaza Stage 7-9 p.m.

Aug. 10

Tom Stryker’s Impromptu duo at Nashville Social Club 6:30-9 p.m., soft notes stage

RoseBud’s Dance Band at McFadden Plaza Stage 7-9 p.m.

Aug. 11

Gary Douglas at Bank Saloon 6-9 p.m.

Buster Chops at Mangia Tutto 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Jazz film (Glenn Miller Story) at BAC Performance Hall 7-9 p.m.

Aug. 12

Strings in the Summer Concert and instrument petting zoo at Carson Mall 10-11:30 a.m., Carson City Symphony all-ages program

Max Case band at Comma Courtyard 4:30-6 p.m.

Open mic hosted by Canyon White at A to Zen 6-10 p.m.

Prime Time at Bank Saloon 7-10 p.m.

Tim Gay band at McFadden Plaza Stage 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Ultrafaux Ensemble at Nashville Social Club 7:30 p.m., Swan Music Hall (ticketed $25-35)

Aug. 13

Catfish Carl at Farmers Market 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Stones Throw (2:30-4 p.m.) and Sagebrush Rebels (4:30-6 p.m.) at Silver Saddle Ranch, food, ice cream, and mule rides available

Buddy Emmer at Brewery Arts Center 7-8 p.m., Levitt opener

Danielle Nicole at Brewery Arts Center 8-10 p.m., Levitt headliner

Merle & Jimmy at Bank Saloon 8-11 p.m.

Aug. 14

The Red Tango at BAC Ballroom 2-4 p.m.

Aug. 15

The Brother Dan Show at Bank Saloon 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Aug. 17 

Carolyn Dolan Jazz Trip at Comma Courtyard 4-6 p.m.

Tom Stryker’s Impromptu duo at Nashville Social Club 6:30-9 p.m., soft notes stage

Reno Video Game Symphony Jazz Ensemble at McFadden Plaza 7-9 p.m.

Aug. 18

CeCe Gable band at Comma Courtyard 4-6 p.m.

Nick Alberti (Kingwhistler) at Bank Saloon 6-9 p.m.

Buster Chops at Mangia Tutto 6:30-9:30 p.m.

The Trumpet with Josh D. Reed at Nevada State Museum 7-9 p.m., lecture-concert

Aug. 19

Tom Stryker’s Impromptu band at NAA Gallery noon-2 p.m.

Open studios art tour at NAA Gallery noon-5:30 p.m.

Niall McGuiness & the New World Jazz Project at Bliss Mansion 3:30-5:30 p.m.

Take This at Bliss Mansion 6-8 p.m.

Open studios art tour with food truck at Bliss Mansion noon-5:30 p.m.

Open mic hosted by Canyon White at A to Zen 6-10 p.m.

The Act at Bank Saloon 7-10 p.m.

Aug. 20

Canyon White at Farmers Market 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Jake Xie Quintet at NAA Gallery patio 10 a.m.-noon

Kat MacMartin at CCHS Carriage House 10 a.m.-noon

Travis Noel-Palmer at Carson City Pottery 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Brother Dan Palmer at Nevada State Museum 1-3 p.m.

Open studios art tour (eight locations) 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Carolyn Dolan at Nashville Social Club 6:30-9 p.m., soft notes stage

Colin Ross at Brewery Arts Center 7-8 p.m., Levitt opener

Eddie 9V at Brewery Arts Center 8-10 p.m., Levitt headliner

Cherie Shipley’s Take This trio at Bank Saloon 8-11 p.m.

Aug. 21 Closing Day

Kat MacMartin at CCHS Carriage House 10 a.m.-noon

Dale Poune at Carson City Pottery noon-3 p.m.

Sagebrush Swingers at NAA Gallery patio 1-3 p.m.

Open studios art tour (eight locations) 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

The Jazzettes at Governor’s Mansion (outdoors) 4-5:30 p.m.

Mile High Jazz Band at Governor’s Mansion (outdoors) 6-8 p.m.

Aug. 28 Bonus

USAF Band of the Golden West, The Commanders Jazz Ensemble at Governor’s Mansion 3-5 p.m.