Jazz in Wichita
If you google “Jazz in Wichita”, there are not a ton of results, but there are a few stand outs.
Walker’s Jazz Lounge
You can find Walker’s Jazz Lounge which is relatively new on the scene. It’s a great spot to catch Live Music and grab a cocktail Tuesday through Saturday.
There are also a number of other venues where you can catch jazz music at various times:
Wichita State Jazz
Wichita State has a a great history of Jazz music. The network of WSU Jazz alum spreads far and wide.
WSU is also a big partner in the primary topic of today’s deep dive: The Wichita Jazz Festival which is one of the longest-running educational jazz festivals in the nation.
Wichita Jazz Festival
The Wichita Jazz Festival began in 1972.
WSU Vocal and Jazz Arts Ensemble performed the first notes at the first Wichita Jazz Festival concert on April 30, 1972 in Century II Convention Hall.
Since then every great name in jazz has graced the Wichita Jazz Festival stage including:
- Dizzy Gillespie
- Herbie Hancock
- Count Basie
- Ray Charles
- Dianne Reeves
- so many more.
Recognize any of the names or pictures below?
By the early 70’s, Jazz was finally being recognized in most academic circles as a legitimate art form and a worthy addition to a thorough music performance and education curriculum. The festival established the model that many cities and their universities still use today of an all-day invitational event for college big bands and combos to perform for their peers and receive adjudication from top educator/performers.
The festival also featured clinics and workshops with major artists sharing their knowledge and stories. The jazz education community throughout the world was well established and we loved hearing artists say they ran into colleagues around the world and often the conversation would start, "Oh man, the last time I saw you was in Wichita!”
The focus of the Wichita Jazz Festival has been to increase awareness and provide education to young musicians in the Wichita area and help raise the next generation of jazz musicians.
Today, the Wichita Jazz Festival is the 2nd longest running jazz festival in the country.
This year’s festival is April 16-20 and features jazz greats Mike Steinel, Rosana Eckert, Stanley Jordan, Melissa Aldana and The Tierney Sutton Band.
To celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month, Wichita Jazz Festival is offering $25 off Festival Passes and individual tickets when you use code JAZZ25 at checkout. This offer is good until April 10 so get your tickets now! For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.wichitajazzfestival.com.
2024 Wichita Jazz Festival Music Lineup:
Check out the incredible lineup this year (and a few small tastes of what you can expect)!
Tuesday, April 16 - Mike Steinel Quintet with Rosana Eckert
7pm | Wichita Art Museum
Wednesday, April 17 - Mike Steinel & Rosana Eckert with the Delano Jazz Orchestra
7pm | Wichita Art Museum
Thursday, April 18 - An Evening of Guitar with Stanley Jordan
7pm | Wichita Art Museum
Friday, April 19 - Melissa Aldana with WSU Jazz Arts 1 and the Mid-Kansas Jazz Band
7:30pm | WSU Miller Concert Hall
Saturday, April 20 - The Tierney Sutton Band
7:30pm | Orpheum Theatre
There are plenty of opportunities to listen to incredible jazz throughout the week, but don’t wait to get your tickets!