Are you a fan of jazz music and looking for a fun and exciting way to enjoy it? If so, you should definitely check out the Palm Springs International Jazz Festival, a two-day event that features some of the best jazz artists in the world. In this blog post, we will tell you everything you need to know about this festival, including:
- What is the Palm Springs International Jazz Festival and why you should attend it
- Who are the performers and what kind of music they play
- How to get tickets and where to stay
- What else to do and see in Palm Springs
What is the Palm Springs International Jazz Festival and why you should attend it
The Palm Springs International Jazz Festival is a non-profit organization that seeks to foster an appreciation for jazz, the uniquely American art form, through performance and education. The festival was founded in 2019 by Michael B. Seligman, a veteran producer of the Oscars, the Grammys, and the Billboard Awards. The festival aims to bring world-class jazz to the desert and to support local jazz education programs.
The festival takes place every year in November at the Annenberg Theater, a state-of-the-art venue located at the Palm Springs Art Museum. The festival showcases a variety of jazz styles, from traditional to contemporary, and features both legendary and emerging artists. The festival also offers master classes, workshops, and lectures for jazz enthusiasts and students.
If you love jazz, you should not miss this festival, because:
- You will get to see and hear some of the most talented and acclaimed jazz musicians in the world, such as Herb Alpert, Lani Hall, Arturo Sandoval, Stacey Kent, and The Cookers.
- You will get to experience the diversity and richness of jazz, from its roots in blues and ragtime to its fusion with other genres and cultures.
- You will get to enjoy the warm and sunny weather of Palm Springs, a beautiful and relaxing destination that offers stunning views, natural attractions, and cultural activities.
Who are the performers and what kind of music they play
The Palm Springs International Jazz Festival has a stellar line-up of performers for 2024, covering a wide range of jazz styles and influences. Here are some of the highlights:
- Herb Alpert and Lani Hall: Herb Alpert is a legendary trumpeter, composer, and producer who has won 10 Grammy Awards and sold over 72 million records. He is the co-founder of A&M Records and the creator of the Tijuana Brass sound. Lani Hall is a singer and songwriter who has won a Grammy Award and collaborated with artists like Sergio Mendes, Quincy Jones, and Paul McCartney. She is also Alpert’s wife and musical partner. Together, they perform a mix of jazz, pop, and Latin music with a personal and intimate touch.
- The Cookers: The Cookers are a supergroup of jazz veterans who have played with icons like Miles Davis, Art Blakey, Freddie Hubbard, and Horace Silver. The group consists of Billy Harper, Eddie Henderson, David Weiss, Donald Harrison, George Cables, Cecil McBee, and Billy Hart. They play hard-bop jazz with passion, energy, and virtuosity.
- Veronica Swift: Veronica Swift is a rising star in the jazz scene, who has won second place at the prestigious Thelonious Monk Jazz Competition and performed at the Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, and the Monterey Jazz Festival. She is a versatile and expressive singer who can swing, scat, and interpret the Great American Songbook with ease and elegance.
- Taj Mahal: Taj Mahal is a Grammy-winning blues musician who has been performing for over 50 years. He is known for his distinctive voice, guitar skills, and eclectic musical influences, ranging from Delta blues and Caribbean rhythms to African and Hawaiian sounds. He is a master of blending blues with world music and creating a unique and soulful sound.
- Sona Jobarteh: Sona Jobarteh is a Gambian singer and kora player who comes from a long lineage of griots, the West African oral historians and musicians. She is the first female kora virtuoso to come from a griot family and the first female kora player to perform on the international stage. She plays a fusion of traditional and modern music, combining the kora with electric guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards.
How to get tickets and where to stay
If you are interested in attending the Palm Springs International Jazz Festival, you can buy tickets online at psjazzfest.org. You can choose from different options, such as:
- Single tickets for individual concerts, ranging from $95 to $250
- VIP all-access pass for all concerts and events, including a jazz dinner and a brunch, for $1,000
- Student tickets for the master class and sound check, for free
The festival also offers discounts for groups of 10 or more and for museum members.
If you are looking for a place to stay in Palm Springs, you can find a variety of hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals that suit your budget and preferences. Some of the recommended places are:
- The Willows Historic Palm Springs Inn: A luxury boutique hotel that offers elegant rooms, gourmet breakfast, and stunning views of the mountains and the waterfall. It is also a historic landmark that has hosted celebrities like Albert Einstein, Clark Gable, and Marion Davies.
- The Saguaro Palm Springs: A colorful and vibrant hotel that features a pool, a spa, a restaurant, and a bar. It is also a pet-friendly and eco-friendly hotel that offers free bikes, yoga classes, and shuttle service to downtown.
- The Palm Springs RV Resort: A campground that offers RV sites, cottages, and tent sites, as well as amenities like a pool, a hot tub, a fitness center, and a clubhouse. It is also a great place to enjoy nature, with hiking trails, golf courses, and horseback riding nearby.
What else to do and see in Palm Springs
Besides attending the Palm Springs International Jazz Festival, you can also explore and enjoy the many attractions and activities that Palm Springs has to offer, such as:
- Palm Springs Aerial Tramway: A rotating tram car that takes you to the top of the San Jacinto Mountains, where you can enjoy panoramic views, hiking trails, and a museum.
- Palm Springs Art Museum: A museum that showcases a collection of modern and contemporary art, as well as Native American and Western art. It also hosts exhibitions, lectures, and performances throughout the year.
- Palm Springs Air Museum: A museum that displays a collection of vintage aircraft from World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. It also offers flight simulators, tours, and rides on some of the planes.
- Palm Springs Walk of Stars: A sidewalk that honors celebrities and notable figures who have lived, worked, or visited Palm Springs. You can find stars for Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, and more.
- Palm Canyon Drive: A downtown street that offers a variety of shops, restaurants, bars, and galleries. You can also find the Palm Springs VillageFest, a street fair that takes place every Thursday night.