Jazz Aspen Snowmass has a different look this June — a reflection of the times.
The festival will come down in the 2,000-seat Benedict Music Tent at the Aspen Institute. It’s smaller than the in-town tent that the fest has erected in recent years, but it’s a great permanent facility for concerts.
And the fest will run June 18-27, 10 days of concerts big and small.
Brit sensation Jamie Cullum threw it down at JAS 2006 and returns to open the fest June 18. Then comes horn blower Chris Botti on June 19. Closing out the weekend is Smokey Robinson celebrating 50 years of Motown on June 20. At Belly Up on June 24 is Naturally 7, an a cappella band I’ve caught on “Leno.” Very hot. Free daily concerts come down at various venues. On June 27, Al Jarreau will perform a pops concert with a symphony.
Come Labor Day Weekend, the fest returns to Snowmass Town Park with Michael Franti and Spearhead, Citizen Cope, Black Eyed Peas, Umphrey’s McGee, the Drive-By Truckers, the Allman Brothers Band and the Doobie Brothers.
Jazz Aspen boss Jim Horowitz notes that the fest started in the Benedict Music Tent in June 1991 with the Modern Jazz Quartet, Ramsey Lewis and the Yellowjackets.
“We’re very excited about going back to this venue,” he says. “And to have our first weekend coincide with the Food & Wine Classic, the synergy is fantastic. Go to the Grand Tasting, take a nap, then hit the music tent.” Now that’s a plan.
More notes
In other summer music news, the Botanic Gardens Concert Series includes the B-52s on June 22, the Wallflowers on July 21 and Los Lonely Boys with Los Lobos on Aug. 23.
Hudson Gardens, maybe the summer’s best family-friendly affordable series, opens as usual with Chris Daniels & the Kings, then weekly acts that include the Nacho Men on June 21, the Lettermen on June 28, Flash Cadillac (with fireworks!) on July 4 and Poco on July 12.
Chapel of love
Westword media man Michael Roberts is headed to Las Vegas to renew his marriage vows. An Elvis impersonator will officiate. Very classy.
His wife, Deb, had hoped he would forget the 25th anniversary — but no. The first time was for her, the second for him. And the King.
You can watch it at live at 8:30 p.m. Thursday at .
City spirit
Word comes from Las Vegas that Ward Churchill was celebrating his “victory” there over the weekend, spotted at New York New York. Hmmm, bet that dollar he won didn’t go very far. . . . Sightems: Sen. Michael Bennet coming out of Target on Sunday loaded down with bull’s-eye bags and three kids. . . . CBS’s Phil Simms throwing a football at Forza Fitness on Sunday. . . . The blog covering last week’s International Association of Culinary Professionals Convention, ., features a pic identifying Mayor John Hickenlooper and his wife, Helen Thorpe , at Wednesday night’s cocktail reception. Except it’s not Thorpe; it’s Karsh & Hagan co-prexy Kathy Hagan. . . . Bonnie Raitt and Taj Mahal at Red Rocks on Aug. 30 for Bon Taj Roulet. . . . Sez who: “To become a great man, it is necessary to be a great rascal.” Guillaume Dubois
Bill Husted’s column appears Sunday, Tuesday and Friday. You can reach him at 303-954-1486 or at bhusted@denverpost . Take a peek at Husted’s next column at . /husted.
