Scranton Jazz Festival, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band Set To Headline

The 21st annual Scranton Jazz Festival celebrates the city’s rich musical legacy with three days of jazz, blues and world beat music showcasing internationally acclaimed artists, Aug. 7 to 9.

A summer tradition for jazz enthusiasts near and far, the event features two ticketed concerts, a free jazz walk and jazz brunches in the heart of the Electric City. This year’s headliners include performances by The Dirty Dozen Brass Band on Sat., Aug. 8 followed by NEA Jazz Master Ron Carter on Sun., Aug. 9.

Hailing from New Orleans, the Grammy Award-winning Dirty Dozen Brass Band blends traditional brass band music with bebop jazz, funk, R&B and soul. Describing their unique sound as “musical gumbo,” The Dirty Dozen has toured across five continents and more than 30 countries, recorded 12 studio albums and collaborated with a range of artists including Modest Mouse, Widespread Panic and Norah Jones.

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band performs at The Theater at North, 1539 N. Main Ave., on Sat.,

Aug. 8. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the concert at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $44.80 and are available at scrantonjazzfestival.org.

Sunday night’s concert pairs legendary bassist Ron Carter with the Emmy-nominated Scranton Jazz Festival Big Band under the direction of Marko Marcinko. Holding a Guinness World Record for recording more than 2,200 albums, Carter is among the most original, prolific and influential bassists in jazz. He was a member of the world-renowned Miles Davis Quintet from 1963 to 1968. Throughout his career, he recorded with music icons such as Lena Horne, Bill Evans, B.B. King, Aretha Franklin, Paul Simon and Billy Joel.

Carter performs with the SJF Big Band at the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple, 420 N. Washington Ave., on Sun., Aug. 9. Doors open at 5 p.m. The PA Jazz Institute at Misericordia University Student Ensemble will perform at 6 p.m. followed by Carter and the SJF Big Band at 6:45 p.m. Tickets will be announced soon. Follow Scranton Jazz Festival on social media for updates.

In addition to these incredible headliners, jazz lovers will enjoy performances by more than 80 national, regional and local jazz, blues and world beat musicians throughout the weekend. Reminiscent of a New Orleans style festival, the event takes place in more than 20 venues throughout downtown Scranton, featuring a free jazz walk on Friday and Saturday nights and jazz brunches on Sunday.

The Scranton Jazz Festival is made possible through partnerships with Blu Elefante Events,

PA Jazz Alliance Inc., Lackawanna County Visitors Bureau, Lackawanna County, and with the generous support of NROC, Fidelity Bank, community sponsors and media partners.

For tickets and a full schedule of performances, visit www.scrantonjazzfestival.org and follow Scranton Jazz Festival on Facebook and Instagram