From June 4 thru 9 the streets of Sedalia, Missouri, return to the "good old days" when traveling musicians like Scott Joplin gathered along Main Street to play rag. The Scott Joplin Ragtime Festival is more than just a step back in time, as its tone is more knowledgeable than nostalgic, with symposia and workshops added to the music performances. Call 1-314-7514133 or 1-800-877-1234 for tourist information; and 1-816-826-2271 for tickets.
Pittsburgh.'s Mellon Jazz Festival will be held from June 13 - 22 at various places throughout the area. Most concerts are free but for some vou'll have to come up with some cash. Joe Lovano, Abbey Lincoln, Somy Rollins, Jack McDuff, Stanley Turrentine, John Zom, Joe Henderson and George Howard are featured artists. Call 1412-281-3881 for ticket information. (Philadelphia's Mellon Jazz Fest is also scheduled for this period, call 1-610-667-3559 for details; and for info on the Central PA event in Harrisburg from June 20 22, call 1-717-540-7735.)
The Knitting Factory's "What is Jazz" program has combined with the JVC Jazz Festival to produce the First Annual New York Jazz Festival, to be held June 17 - 30 in New York City at Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, Bryant Park and various other showcasing venues and clubs. Announced artists include the duo of Max Roach and Cecil Taylor, Branford Marsallis, Pharoah Sanders, Charles Lloyd, Cyrus Chestnut and the Zawinul Syndicate, to mention just a few. Call 212-510-1390 for ticicets; for tourist info call 212-397-8200.
The Midwest will be jammin' June 20 - 22 at the 10th annual Elkhart Jazz Festival, in downtown Elkhart, Indiana. More than 100 jazz artists will perform on seven different stages. Classic jazz, contemporary, swing, be-bop and blues will all be found at this premier weekend of non-stop jazz, for a combined 80 hours of live performances. The Jazz Hotline number is 1-800-597-7627, or you can call the Elkhart Centre at 1-219-2958701.
Montreal's annual ecstatic jazz party, the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal, runs for I I days beginning June 26 and running July 6. About 1,500 international erformers will be there to lay down jazz, blues, Cajun, African and Caribbean rhythms on eight outdoor stages set up on the blocked-off streets of downtown Montreal. Despite the enormity of the event, the farthest distance between two venues is but a 5-minute walk. A huge inflatable roof covers the entire block where around I 00, 000 fans will show up to hear more than 400 concerts in II days. Get information from 1-888-555-0515 (US).
The Newport Jazz Festival at Saratoga Springs, New York, brings regional and national stars to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center for two noon-to-midnight shows, on June 29 - 29. Tickets are about $40 for reserved seating and $26 for lawn seating. For ticket information, call 1-518-587-8330.
One doesn't automatically associate the state of Iowa with jazz, but when you consider that jazz superstars like Bix Beiderbecke, Art Fariner, and Glenn Miller (to drop a few names) were Iowans, it makes good sense. The Iowa City Jazz Festival will be held July 3rd and 4th at the junction of Washington and Dubuque Streets in downtown Iowa City. This is a blossoming young festival where legendary masters team up with new talent. You can check it out by calling 1-319-351-1700 for ticket and tourist information.