This year, we are excited and happy to announce that this year’s festival will offer an Educational Workshop Provided by a Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Saturday, July 3rd 10am to noon in the Carver Room at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Iowa City.

Listen, Learn and Ask Questions of Three Unique Jazz Performers

Have a chance to listen to some of our internationally known mainstage performers tell stories about their musical odysseys, their approaches to learning how to play jazz and answer your questions. The workshop will include:

Roswell Rudd, trombonist and composer & leader of the Trombone Tribe, performing on the mainstage at 8:00 pm Saturday evening. This year Rudd was selected as one of the top jazz trombonists in the Downbeat Magazine’s Critics poll and leader of the best jazz CD’s of the year by the Village Voice. In addition to having played with such jazz notables as Carla Bley, Archie Shepp and his long-time collaborator, Steve Lacey, Rudd also has performed and recorded world and ethnics music with traditional musicians from Mongolia, Mali and Puerto Rico.

Bob Washut, pianist, composer, arranger and educator is Professor of Music at the University of Northern Iowa. He has received numerous commissions for collegiate jazz ensembles and directed the award-winning UNI Jazz Band One. Washut was also the founder of the well-known salsa band, Orquestra Alto Maiz. Washut’s Dream Band will also be the headliner on the mainstage Friday evening.

Deborah Weisz, jazz trombonist and educator. From playing in the Sahara Desert, just North of Timbuktu, to creating music in a grain silo at an artist colony in upstate New York, to traveling all over the world with Frank Sinatra (1987 - 1994). Weisz will be performing with the Trombone Tribe on Saturday evening. 

Success

Since its humble beginnings in 1991 as an intimate local gathering of jazz aficionados, the Iowa City Jazz Festival has transformed into a nationally recognized event with an average annual audience of more than 50,000. Over the years, the festival has featured some of the biggest names in jazz, including John Scofield, Paquito D’Rivera, Joe Lovano, Kenny Garrett, Roy Haynes, Dave Douglas, Bill Frisell, Joey de Francesco, Charlie Hunter, Greg Osby, Cubanismo, Pat Martino, Paul Motian, Don Byron, Andrew Hill, Carla Bley, Steve Swallow, Yellowjackets, Soulive, Patricia Barber, Sexmob, and Stefon Harris. A key ingredient in the ongoing success of the festival is its accessibility. Admission has always been free. The sponsors underwrite all costs of producing the event, allowing it to transcend socioeconomic barriers and provide free access to families and individuals regardless of income.

Impact

The Iowa City Jazz Festival makes a profound economic and cultural impact on Iowa City each year. Historically the summer season is a somewhat dormant time of year in Iowa City. Now, however, downtown is now one of the busiest hubs of economic and cultural activity in the state. Since the first Jazz Festival in 1991, the festivals have brought over a quarter million jazz fans to Iowa City with an estimated economic impact of more than seven million dollars.

Exposure

The National Public Radio program JazzSet has recognized the exemplary quality of the Iowa City Jazz Festival by recording the festival four times in the past eight years. Most recently, JazzSet featured Iowa City Jazz Festival broadcasts for three consecutive weekly shows nationwide. The festival has been named one of the “Top 10 Festivals in the Nation” by Downbeat magazine.

 Innovation

From the beginning, the principal goal of the festival has been to present impressive level of musicianship. Each year the audience is treated to some of the very best jazz performers in the world. The festivals often feature cutting-edge musicians who have been cited top performers by their peers. From the Grammy-winning Neville Brothers, Poncho Sanchez, Paquito D’Rivera, Joe Lovano, and Yellowjackets, to Grammy-nominees John Scofield, Bill Frisell, Kenny Werner, Greg Osby and Brad Mehldau, the festival has brought some of the world's most influential talent to its stage.

Education

A vital component of the festival is the focus on jazz education. Each year, the festival creates educational opportunities for students and aficionados through its Keyhole program. Young musicians from schools around the area are invited to perform at the festival and learn from such noted educators like Ron Carter, T.S. Monk, Jr., Ed Wilkerson, Kenny Werner, Paul McKee, Curtis Fuller, Geri Allen, David Berkman, and Dick Oatts in a focused and effective workshop setting. The festival has gained recognition as a supporter of local youth jazz groups by collaborating with both the Iowa City and West High jazz bands, featured openers at past festivals.

History

The Iowa City Jazz Festival has a rich history that spans the years.  Visit our Jazz Fest History Page to learn more.

The Sheraton Iowa City Hotel is pleased to offer a special discounted rate to individuals attending the 2010 Toyota-Scion of Iowa City Jazz Festival. Click HERE for more information and to make your reservation.