The Pismo Jazz Jubilee comes to life for the 40th time in beautiful Pismo Beach on Oct. 27 through 30. This special Ruby Anniversary event, also known as the Jubilee by the Sea, again brings hot swingin’ jazz to multiple venues throughout the city. The Basin Street Regulars Jazz Society hosts this premier west coast jazz event which features many of the most sought-after traditional jazz bands from across the nation playing swing, dixieland, New Orleans and big band jazz. The weekend long party also features great food, wine, libations and large wooden dance floors in every venue. Headliners this year include the internationally famous singer Maria Muldaur and her Jazz Quintet and the zoot-suited High Street Band. The festival attracts music fans from throughout the country.
Although Maria Muldaur is best known worldwide for her 1974 pop hit “Midnight at the Oasis,” which received numerous Grammy nominations, her music career has been an adventurous odyssey through the various forms of American Roots Music including blues, gospel and jazz. Maria brings her Jazz Quintet to the Festival to perform four sets. She will perform on Friday night and Saturday early afternoon. A special event this year will be a 6-set “Women in Jazz” series Saturday morning, featuring traditional jazz divas from every generation: Valerie Johnson backed by the Creole Syncopators, two sets from Maria Muldaur and her Jazz Quintet, Pat Yankee previewing her Saloon Show, young and vibrant Molly Reeves with her Red Skunk Band and boogie woogie great Sue Palmer and her Motel Swing Orchestra joined by special guest saxophonist and vocalist Kristy Cocuzzi. The “Women in Jazz” event will segue right into the Saturday night Costume Dance Party.
The High Street Band from Nampa, Idaho, will make its highly anticipated first Jubilee appearance. High Street is a wild, crazy group of colorful zoot suited guys having a party at every gig!! Festival favorite and Cajun fiddler Tom Rigney and Flambeau will also light up the crowd. Thirty groups in all will be featured throughout the weekend. This year’s Thursday night kick-off dance events include “Mardi Gras in October” with High Street Band and local favorite “Judith and the Jazz Krewe” at the Addie Street Tent at the beach. Thursday at the Pismo Veteran’s Building will be perennial favorites: Jeff Barnhart, Danny Coots, Bob Draga and Larry Scala.
The Basin Street Regulars hosts the Pismo Jazz Jubilee every year. This group of spirited, jazz enthusiasts, also known as the The Central Coast Hot Jazz Society, created the Festival in 1977. The group is focused on the preservation and promotion of traditional jazz, in providing a place where jazz musicians can play and providing young musicians the opportunity to play along with older, more experienced musicians. Income from the Jazz Jubilee and its “BSR” monthly Sunday dance concerts has provided scholarships for over 300 students to attend Jazz Camp. The Sunday dance concerts take place at the Pismo Vets Building on the last Sunday of most months and are open to BSR members as well as the general public.
Pismo Jazz Jubilee three-day badges, single day tickets and special evening event tickets are available now using credit cards through the Festival’s website: www.pismojazz.com/JubileeByTheSea.htm. Tickets can also be purchased by mail order or over the phone at: 539-5696. The website also includes information on the local hotels, motels and RV parks that offer jubilee packages. Venue, parking and free shuttle bus details are available online as well.
