The MISSION of JAS Aspen Snowmass is to present and preserve jazz and related forms of music through world-class festivals, performances & education programs.
Oh and how they achieve their mission statement with great panache and fanfare. JAS Aspen has been bringing jazz to the valley for over 20 years. With performances from the likes of Bob Dylan, Steely Dan and the Black Eyed Peas coming to Aspen for our famous Labor Day Festival. With the generous support of local patrons we here in this little mountain town receive world class musical performances from some of the best musicians of our time. JAS Aspen and programs like it set Aspen apart.
The addition of Jazz Café performances in the Little Nell has made JAS Aspen a year round tour de force. Jazz Café offers 8 shows in the winter and several in the summer. Intimate 100 person seating performances make the lounge at the Little Nell an “Oasis of Cosmopolitan Cool”. Artists come from Africa, Brazil, New Orleans and beyond. The initiative “Jazz Spoken Globally “reflects both the program’s Artistic focus, and the international and diverse audience that visits Aspen each year from both the US and abroad. The candle lit small tables and cool music has gained the Jazz Cafe performance program critical acclaim. After a day on the slopes you can wind down with a knock out jazz performance in the Terrace Bar.
JAS Aspen is not only bringing us world class performances they also are cultivating the future of jazz through scholarship programs and musical education. JAS Academy Summer Sessions is a nationally recognized musical education program. The goal is to contribute to the future generations of artists. JAS Academy is the only all scholarship jazz residency program that brings together the best young jazz musicians with world renowned jazz legends. The program born in 1995 was collaboration between JAS Aspen and the Telonious Monk Institute of Washington D.C.
JAS initiated and operates several local music education programs which have become the lifeline for music funding in the Roaring Fork Valley of Colorado. An average annual music school budget is approximately $1,000/school. JAS made an annual commitment of more than $100,000 annually. The funding has become the lifeblood of our music education in the valley. Since its inception in 1995 JAS has generated over $5.6 million to support music education.
A cultural force within the Roaring Fork Valley there two large multi-day concert series. In June there are 3 concerts nights in a huge tent in downtown Aspen. Again for Labor Day there is a spectacular 3 day production with daily headliners out doors in Snowmass Village.
JAS brings the valley excellent Jazz music performances while giving back. They are an invaluable asset to the community and a draw for visitors from around the world.