12th Annual Vacaville Jazz Festival

The Vaca Jazz Society (VJS) is a non-profit which supports local school music programs through the “Save Our Music” free camps & clinics, demonstration concerts, and the pursuit of safe quality family entertainment in the community. VJS will celebrate their 12^th Anniversary from September 16^th thru September 18^th. “This is Vacaville's original Performing Arts Festival, with over 30 artist/ four venues," performing jazz dixieland, big bands, smooth, and Latin during the 3rd weekend of September established in 1999 by VJS. 

Crossroads Jazz Camps” begin at Town Square sponsored by Gold’s Gym/Wunder Bar on Friday evening, September 16^th, from 6pm to 9pm with children playing on water features while families enjoy the eclectic sounds of “Vaca Jazz at Town Square”  with Keith Stout’s AMO Combo featured to kick off the festival along with Krohn, Malone & Defazio featuring smooth jazz Sax by Mr. Ken Stout . The “Crossroads Jazz Camps” will continue downtown on Saturday and Sunday by students, and free music clinics taught by jazz educators at the Library, and at Mary Cornelison Photography. Teachers such as Ken Stout, local artist Stingy Brim will be showcased. Headlining the Vaca Jazz downtown will be Stan Johnson’s  J Harrison B Band.  

Nut Tree begins our Multi Cultural Music Heritage  of "World Jubilee Day," Sponsored by Nut Tree, Saturday, September 17^th, from 1pm to 10pm, bringing Global Rhythm. America's tribute to the eclectic contribution's of music from all nations that contribute to America's Music Roots and the music common denominator is "Rhythm." Ranging from towards the sounds of South American, Afro Cuban and more in this all nations music tribute. Dixon High Jazz Ensemble, Vaca High Ensemble, and Vanden High Jazz Ensemble will open for Delbert Bump at 3pm, and Keith Stout’s Alive Music Orchestra with guest vocalist Tina Benedict will open for Sapo Guapo performing at 8:15pm on Saturday September 17^th.  

Gospel Jazz Sunday, begins at St. Mary’s Church in Vacaville with Bill Bachmann’s American Heritage Band performing for "Jazz Mass" on Sunday, September 11th at 10:30am at corner of Stinson & Hemlock.  

"Freedom's Gate" Military Tribute & Gospel Sunday, sponsored by Travis Credit Union & NorthBay Healthcare continues a week later, September 18^th, from 1pm to 7pm, with  special presentations by Don Kidder, Retired Col USAF, Former Mayor Augustine, Ret Col USAF, Mayor Hardy, and  60^th Air Mobility Wing Cmdr at Travis AFB. Jazz Vespers will be paying tribute to the many sacrifices made by our Military and Veterans in honor of POW/MIA Day. AMO with Stan Suderow, and Pete Ayers, Alive Music Orchestra w/ Pastor Frank Salamone, Chris Grokenberger, and featured Tribute headliner the Travis USAF Band of the Golden West "The Commanders," with special Guest Renown Trumpeter Carl Saunders, will conclude the festival. Listen to one of the west coast’s finest jazz groups in an evening of contemporary jazz, Latin hits, driving funk, and popular standards. Under the musical direction of TSgt Jim Butler, this 20-piece historic  big band which began in 1959 is considered one of the finest of its kind on the West Coast.  

Venues
Downtown Vacaville at Town Square Plaza, Vacaville Library, Mary Cornelison-Gaslighters Theater, Nut Tree Plaza/ Breezeway, and Panera Bread (Café) at Nut Tree Village. (Detail Schedule will be posted on www.VacaJazz.com ).