Over 60 high school, college jazz bands expected to perform, compete Friday, Saturday
Visitors to Folsom’s Palladio will have the opportunity to watch and listen to live performances by some of the best college and high school jazz bands on the West Coast this week during the second annual California Jazz Championships.
The Live Performing Arts Academy—a non-profit organization dedicated to furthering arts education and opportunities—presents this second annual event on Friday, April 26 through Saturday, April 27. Over 60 jazz bands of high school and college levels from California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington, and more will perform and compete on multiple stages throughout the two-day event. The various groups performing from the numerous entries will include those from Jazz Big Band, Jazz Choir, and Jazz Combo groups.
“The event is entirely free to spectators who are encouraged to wander from stage to stage, enjoying music in the outdoors,” says LPAA founder and former Folsom High School music director, Curtis Gaesser. Gaesser co-founded the LPAA with longtime fellow jazz educator Gaw Vang-Williams, who wears multiple hats in the music world and most recently assumed the role of Folsom High School’s band director when Gaesser retired at the end of the 2023 school year.
The annual competition is modeled after the European style of jazz festivals. This is the second year the City of Folsom is hosting the event. After making its debut in Historic Folsom last year, the event has moved to the larger, more spacious Palladio, which is excited to have the event for the first time this weekend.
“The Palladio is the perfect venue for the California Jazz Championships, and we are so thrilled to welcome the event this year and many more years to come,” said Gloria Wright, General Manager of The Palladio.
Performances begin as early as 9:00 a.m. on Friday and continue at 30-minute intervals across four different stages throughout the center until 5:30 p.m. After the day of competition on Friday, a special ticketed concert takes place featuring The New York Seven, a septet of extraordinary professional jazz musicians from New York City. The concert includes special guest artists, the LPAA Jazz Ensemble, and Vox Now. Tickets for the special evening concert are required and can be purchased through the LPAA website here.
On Saturday, performances begin at 9:00 a.m. and continue until 5:30 p.m. The final component of the championship brings the top bands to compete in the finalists playoffs at 7:15 p.m., which will be followed by the awards sweepstakes. For a complete up to date schedule of all participating bands CLICK THE OFFICIAL EVENT SCHEDULE HERE.
For more information on the California Jazz Championships, visit the official website. For more information on The Palladio, including dining options, shopping opportunities, and more, visit their website at www.gopalladio.com.
