In the January 24, 2009 Mercury News, Sal Pizarro wrote an article that talks about the challenges the faces in the current economy. If you haven't read it, then here's the link: http://www.sanjosejazz.org/images/press/2009fest_sponsorspullback.pdf

If you have ideas how to help, we would love to hear them. 

Thanks

August 7-9, 2009 will mark the 20th San Jose Jazz Festival. Making it to 20 years is certainly an achievement for everyone from the people who have worked hard to put it on to the audiences who have attended. At the next festival we would like to display great stories and memories of the previous 19 festivals. If you have some, post them here. You could also send them to geoffr at sanjosejazz dot org. 

I know there are stories out there. One lady told me of going into labor in front of the main stage about 15 years ago and barely making it to the hospital. I told her she should have named her daughter Ella, Billie, or Sarah. 

 This of a memorable act, experience, or other event that you would like to share. They could end up as part of the festival. 

Many people wonder how musicians and bands are chosen to perform at the August festival. It's pretty straightforward yet at the same time, the process has its twists and turns.

 First of all, each stage has its own theme and the bands selected should reflect those themes. The Blues stage and the Latin stage are pretty evident as to the type of music that we try to program on the stage. The Salsa stage is meant not only to showcase great music, but the music needs to be danceable. More intimate, straight ahead jazz needs to be on one of the inside stages, so the Jazz at the Rep stage and the Smith Dobson stage (both inside) are designed for those musicians. The Silicon Valley stage is dedicated to local musicians and the R&B stage is for contemporary R&B and local musicians as well. The Future of Jazz Stage is where we present student musicians from middle school all the way up through college. That stage is to enourage the next generation of artists who are going to entertain and thrill us in the next decades. 

 That leaves the Main Stage in the Plaza de Cesar Chavez. We try to present higher energy musicians from all genres. Some of the quieter acts won't work there so we look for great music, high energy, and thrilling improvisation. In a way, it represents a sampling of what you would hear on all the other stages.