30th Annual San Diego Thanksgiving Dixieland Jazz Festival
Town and Country Resort and Convention Center (San Diego, CA)
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An annual tradition attracting visitors from around the world, the San Diego Dixieland Jazz Festival will include a variety of music -- from traditional jazz to ragtime to rockabilly to swing -- over five days during Thanksgiving weekend. Over 15 bands and artists are scheduled to perform, and sessions include tributes to Benny Goodman, Bing Crosby, Lester Young, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis.
Event summary prepared by the Goldstar Editorial Team.
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More Details About 30th Annual San Diego Thanksgiving Dixieland Jazz Festival
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Website: http://www.dixielandjazzfestival.org/
Discerning jazz fans call the San Diego Thanksgiving Dixieland Jazz Festival "the crown jewel of jazz festivals." The event is held during the Thanksgiving weekend at the Town & Country Resort and Convention Center, in San Diego. The SDTDJF is a favorite of festival-goers from around the globe. All venues are conveniently located in the Town & Country Convention Center. There are large concert rooms with double dance floors and small, intimate "listening" rooms. All are non-smoking. The Festival bands represent a wide variety of traditional jazz, dixieland and swing styles. The Festival offers something for every taste in classic jazz.
Festival Highlights
- Wednesday night pre-festival concert-dance, with two local bands: Dixie Express (San Diego) and the High Society Jazz Band of La Jolla.
- Clarinetist/pianist Dave Bennett will honor the Benny Goodman Centennial (on clarinet) and the upcoming 75th birthday of Jerry Lee Lewis (on piano and vocals).
- Vocalist John Gill and the Sentimental Serenaders will pay tribute to the music of Bing Crosby.
- New Orleans clarinetist Tim Laughlin and his All-Stars will return for their second appearance at the Festival, playing a mix of jazz standards and contemporary originals.
- The Yerba Buena Stompers will play the “Traditional Jazz Revival” music of Lu Watters.
- Blues, swing and jump music will be performed by San Diego’s own Sue Palmer and her Motel Swing Orchestra, with vocalist Deejah Marie.
- The Grand Dominion Jazz Band, from the Pacific Northwest, will play New Orleans Jazz, with a pronounced “British Trad” sound.
- A Ragtime Extravaganza will feature San Diego’s Heliotrope Ragtime Orchestra together with vintage dancers in costume.
- Nashville vocalist Johnny G. D’Artenay will sing the music of Johnny Cash, backed by the Cash Kings.
- Tenor saxophonist Anita Thomas will honor Lester Young’s Centennial in a special set with Hal’s Angels. Anita will also be heard with several Festival bands during the weekend.
- “JazzSea Jams” led by cornetist Dick Williams offers an opportunity for musically-inclined festival patrons to jam with an organized band.
- Guest artists Katie Cavera (banjo, guitar, bass and vocals), Chloe Feoranzo (clarinet and sax) and Carl Sonny Leyland (piano) will appear with various bands throughout the Festival.
- American Roots Music—the Rockabilly sounds of Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins and others—will be performed by the Hayriders.
- The Mission Bay High School Dixieland Band will showcase a number of talented young jazz musicians.
- On Sunday morning, the Night Blooming Jazzmen will perform a “hymn-a-long” featuring Gospel music.
Note that artists and programs are correct as of time of publication but are subject to change. Visit the
official festival site for up-to-the-minute information as well as artist bios.
America's Finest City Dixieland Jazz Society
Since 1979, America's Finest City Dixieland Jazz Society (AFCDJS) has promoted Traditional Jazz, Dixieland and Swing throughout the San Diego area. Their goal is not only to provide quality entertainment for the community but to support artists and encourage new talents through a variety of concerts and workshops. At the heart of their organization is the annual 5-day Dixieland Jazz Festival held Thanksgiving weekend.
