The mountains. The mesa. And world-class jazz… year 'round.
Jazz happens here
Sun. Sept. 13
Taos Center for the Arts– 7:30 PM
A Taos concert of the New Mexico Jazz Festival
"Gypsy Jazz for the 21st century"– Downbeat
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Step into a night that feels lifted from a Parisian café. The Django Festival Allstars deliver a musical experience bursting with spirit, swing, and soul. DownBeat praises them as “the hardest swinging group,” while George Benson calls them simply “sensational.”
Led by guitarist Samson Schmitt, son of gypsy jazz legend Dorado Schmitt, this all-acoustic ensemble of international virtuosos radiates joy and passion through blazing guitar riffs, soaring violin, dazzling accordion, and deep, grooving bass. The result is an electrifying blend of old-school swing and modern energy that always brings audiences to their feet.
Django Festival Allstars
Fri. Sept. 18
Harwood Museum– 7:30 PM
A Taos concert of the New Mexico Jazz Festival
"A master who plays it his way"– Ben Ratliff, THE NY TIMES
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​Fred Hersch holds a high place among the masters of living jazz pianists. He was recognized as a child prodigy at the age of 4 and began writing compositions when he was 8. His early influences came from playing with many of the greats like Joe Henderson, Art Farmer and Bill Frissell.
Fred Hersch has been nominated 17 times for Grammys and voted Jazz Pianist of the Year many times in numerous polls. He has recorded over 20 solo albums as well as 60 more as leader or co-leader of a group. He has also performed on more than 80 recordings with other groups. As a composer, one of his most iconic works was his recording of Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass for instrumental octet and two voices. Current pianists he has mentored include Ethan Iverson, Brad Mehldau and Sullivan Fortner.
Fred Hersch Trio
FREE! Participating schools will arrange student transport.
Thurs. Oct. 1
TCA
"Schoolhouse Jazz" Matinee Concert
for Taos Public School Students
​This will be fun! Taos students will be treated to a special matinee concert by jazz flutist Ali Ryerson and her New Mexico rhythm section: Bert Dalton, piano; Cyrus Campbell on bass, and drummer John Trentacosta.
With a career spanning five decades, Ali Ryerson consistently ranks among the top flutists in the prestigious Downbeat Jazz Poll. She tours and records worldwide, and has become a strong advocate and "ambassador" for the flute's important role in jazz. She has performed worldwide in venues ranging from Carnegie Hall to the famed Blue Note jazz club (NY and Japan), the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., plus festival and club appearances all over the globe.
Ali Ryerson Quartet
$15 cash at the door
Free for members of Taos Jazz Bebop Society
Sun. Oct. 11- Jazz Brunch
daleee– 12:00 PM (doors)
The Music of Barry Harris
Tenor saxophonist Kanoa Kaluhiwa’s playing style is agile, powerfully swinging and warm– in three equal parts. Born in Hawaii and growing up in Las Cruces, NM, he began playing professionally while still in high school. He then won a scholarship to the Berklee School of Music in Boston and spent two years there, studying jazz performance and music theory under George Garzone and Joe Viola among others. Kanoa has dedicated his life to education, through private lessons and more than 20 years teaching at the Outpost Performance Space in Albuquerque. One of New Mexico’s most sought after saxophonists, Kanoa performs regularly with the Pat Malone Group and Son Como Son, one of New Mexico’s hottest salsa bands.
Kanoa Kaluhiwa Quartet
Jazz happens here
The mountains. The mesa. And world-class jazz… year 'round.