Submitted by the Greater Olympia Dixieland Jazz Society
Jazz, dance, and revelry are the focus of America’s Classic Jazz Festival, taking place June 25-28, 2015, on the Saint Martin’s University CampusMarcus Pavilion in Lacey. Plenty of dance lessons, great bands, and four large dance floors are sure to provide a wonderful time for all. This year music-lovers can listen and dance to Pacific Northwest favorites such as Uptown Lowdown from Bellevue. Or take in jazz greats like Grand Dominion, Tom Hook and his Terriers, High Sierra, and Yerba Buena Stompers. Guest stars include Bob Draga and Katie Cavera. Tom Rigney and flambeau will cover the Cajun and zydeco two steps. The festival band lineup is jazz history on stages in Lacey.
Other festival features include on-site RV parking, shuttle service, parasol parades, a swing set, and After Glow Party. This four day festival has been running for twenty five years and has been hosted in Lacey since 2002.
Jazz fans from twenty-two states are attracted to this festival and it is known for the good line up of bands and location. Most are from BC, Oregon, and California. Linked to the 2015 festival is a seven day round cruise trip to Alaska on the ms Amsterdam with festival bands High Sierra, Tom Hook Trio, and Fat Babies Classic.
This festival is a family friendly event. Students 14-22 with identification can get an all event badge for fifteen dollars. On Sunday Morning there will be special free jazz gospel program featuring Marilyn Keller with the Black Swan Classic Jazz Band from Portland.
For more information and the schedule of 96 performances of the 13 bands check the web at www.olyjazz.com
