Music fills the air of Aspen and Snowmass Village during late spring and through the summer.  Jazz cats from around the world flock to the Roaring Forks Valley to collaborate, educate and to take a deep, refreshing breath of mountain air. It is a well-known fact that the arts flourish in Aspen and Snowmass Village. The community’s deep commitment to music can be seen in their on-going investment in the future of music. It is also apparent in the free, good quality music and musical opportunities available to the general public.

Jazz Aspen Snowmass is an organization dedicated to the preservation of American music. In order to achieve this goal, JAS hosts festivals and performances, and offers educational opportunities for music students and teachers in the Roaring Forks Valley. JAS’s educational initiative functions to supplement existing public school music programs, and provides programs to schools who have lost their music programs due to budget cuts. Additionally, JAS provides high school and middle school music students the opportunity to meet and work with professional jazz musicians in the classroom. JAS also offers interested students the opportunity to take private lessons in the ‘Pays to Play’ program. Through this program, a student enrolls to take private lessons with a local instructor. JAS pays for the first three lessons, enabling interested students to take private lessons and learn to play an instrument. It also helps to sustain local musical teachers in the area.

Beyond educational opportunities, JAS is a major component in the musical performances of the Aspen/Snowmass Village area.  This year’s first event kicks off May 6th with the LEI Student Showcase, collaboration with Aspen Music Festival and School at the Harris Hall.  The next day, May 7th, JAS will host the Band Battle 2011 in Carbondale, where 20 bands will play in 4 hours.  June 24th, just a few weeks later, Jazz Aspen Snowmass will kick off its annual June Festival. This year’s event will feature Sheryl Crow and Jennifer Hudson. In addition to the headline acts, the JAS Academy Bands will play both free and paid events throughout the ten days. The closing weekend will feature a small venue of shows. Tickets are already on sale for the ten-day event.

Snowmass Village partners with Jazz Aspen Snowmass and takes the commitment to community music a step further by offering the Summer of Free Music series for the 17th year running. Every Thursday night a different musical guest will perform on Fanny Hill. Members of the community gather together on blankets and lawn chairs with picnics or take-out to enjoy the beautiful summer evening, fabulous music and great community.

Join the Aspen/Snowmass Village jam session; click here to see homes, properties and investment opportunities in the area. Find out how great life can be when you stop and enjoying the music.

Tags: Aspen, entertainment, JAS, music, Snowmass