The mission of the Arlington Jazz Inc. 501(c)3 is to raise awareness and appreciation of jazz through the confluence of top performers, local rising ensembles, and student groups while fostering a sense of community and helping to make Arlington and surrounding towns a cultural destination.
We are proud to participate in the Card to Culture program, a collaboration between Mass Cultural Council and the Department of Transitional Assistance, the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Nutrition Program, and the Massachusetts Health Connector, by broadening accessibility to cultural programming.
EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare cardholders enjoy a 50% discount at all events produced by Arlington Jazz.
We are proud to participate in the Card to Culture program, a collaboration between Mass Cultural Council and the Department of Transitional Assistance, the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Nutrition Program, and the Massachusetts Health Connector, by broadening accessibility to cultural programming.
EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare cardholders enjoy a 50% discount at all events produced by Arlington Jazz.
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2022 Board of Directors:
Dan Fox Peter Orne Katherine Shao Tim McLaughlin John MacRae Dan Foley |
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Arlington Jazz Festival thanks its partners! Morningside Studio, JazzBoston, Arlington Film Festival, Menotomy Grill, Homewood Suites, Town Tavern, and Arlington Center for the Arts.
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Read an interview in April 2017 Jazz Boston Newsletter and learn about the festival's history:
GM: How did you come up with the idea to start a jazz festival in Arlington?
DF: I moved to Arlington 10 years ago - and one of the first things I noticed was the strong support for the arts in the schools, from town organizations and from townspeople in general. Even though there was a very strong big band in the high school, and lots of great players who live here, there was no local festival or way for the general public within Arlington to get more exposure to jazz. After asking around, it seemed like no one had ever tried to run a jazz festival in town, so it seemed like a logical step to try to get one going. Immediately, I had volunteers! My adult students have been invaluable in donating their time and skills in helping me.
GM: The Festival provides an opportunity for festival goers to explore Arlington. Can you talk about Arlington as a musical and cultural district?
DF: Arlington is rich with culture. There are great eateries and cafes, and several of them have featured live music. I’m always hearing about the different musicians, artists and actors who live here - you’d be amazed at how many of the Boston area’s finest creative people call Arlington their home! And the town does a great job of sponsoring events, from Feast of the East for food, to Town Day, to the new Porchfest which has really caught on. The Arlington Jazz Festival is another chance to galvanize this creative spirit.
GM: How long has the festival been going and how has it evolved since its inception?
DF: This will be the sixth year for the festival - it has grown a little bit every year, with a little help from the Arlington Arts Council and some sponsorship from local businesses. Our first festival was a one-day event at the Arlington Center for the Arts, and featured my own band, ‘TarBone', with some really talented Arlington High School students as an opening act. A good amount of people showed, and everyone had a great time. Also, I didn’t lose any money! That in itself can be considered a jazz success story, so I decided to keep building on that success each year. The Boston area is full of amazing talent as your readers know, and in past years the festival has featured Stan Strickland, Lydia Harrell, and Jason Palmer. A couple of years ago, Walt Weiskopf - the saxophone player in Steely Dan - was the main attraction. This year, in addition to some great Boston area players like Marlene Del Rosario, Renato Malavasi and Rich Greenblatt, I’m thrilled to have Rufus Reid join us.
GM: Can you talk about the involvement of Morningside Music Studio as a presenter?
DF: I never really thought of myself as a “presenter” but more of a jazz musician who thinks outside the box. I learned that part of generating interest in the festival is getting people involved and really making it a community event. Having six events over four days has provided some great performance opportunities for my adult and high school students from Morningside. I also lead a New Orleans style brass band made up mostly of Arlington residents who will perform.
GM: The guest artist this year is bassist Rufus Reid. Can you describe some of the events he’ll be involved in? How does bringing in a guest artist contribute to the local jazz festival?
DF: I’m very excited to have Rufus involved as the headline act on the final day, April 30th at Town Hall. He’ll be playing in a trio with Tim Ray and Steve Langone. In addition to the evening performance he will also hold a workshop that afternoon at 4:30. To get a player of his stature has definitely helped get the festival some attention, especially since he doesn’t perform in the area often.
GM: Why did you decide to hold the jazz festival during Jazz Week, whereas many festivals occur in the summer?
DF: Originally the thought was to not attempt an outdoor festival with all the staging, permits, and weather risks involved. When it first coincided with Jazz week a few years ago, it was purely by accident! But it was such a good fit that I purposefully have it now during Jazz Week since you all do a great job in helping spread the word. April 30 is also International Jazz Day so it feels good to be part of that as well.
GM: What do you think is the importance of local jazz festivals for communities?
DF: I think that local festivals can help broaden the audience for jazz, especially if there are family friendly times and venues. I don’t expect it to become the popular music it once was, but if there were more of these type of festivals, more people might think of it as a regular part of American culture.
GM: The Arlington Jazz Festival connects with local music students. Can you describe the schedule and the music of the student performers? How does supporting young musicians contribute to the community aspect of the festival?
DF: Friday evening will be a showcase of a few of my Morningside jazz combos at Kickstand Cafe. Saturday afternoon, weather permitting, I will have groups playing outside in Arlington Center. These groups are primarily made up of adults who are either working or retired, but have wanted to keep music as a major part of their life. On Saturday, evening my teen jazz combo will be the opening act at Artlounge. Sunday evening the Arlington High Jazz Band will open for Rufus Reid. Getting students involved, especially younger ones, is inspiring for all - I believe they really appreciate being part of the festival, and their enthusiasm is infectious.
GM: What do you hope the audience takes away from attending the festival?
DF: I’m hoping this year will help put the festival on the map and that people will make it an annual event to look forward to. It would be fabulous for people from the Boston area to look to Arlington as cultural destination.
GM: How did you come up with the idea to start a jazz festival in Arlington?
DF: I moved to Arlington 10 years ago - and one of the first things I noticed was the strong support for the arts in the schools, from town organizations and from townspeople in general. Even though there was a very strong big band in the high school, and lots of great players who live here, there was no local festival or way for the general public within Arlington to get more exposure to jazz. After asking around, it seemed like no one had ever tried to run a jazz festival in town, so it seemed like a logical step to try to get one going. Immediately, I had volunteers! My adult students have been invaluable in donating their time and skills in helping me.
GM: The Festival provides an opportunity for festival goers to explore Arlington. Can you talk about Arlington as a musical and cultural district?
DF: Arlington is rich with culture. There are great eateries and cafes, and several of them have featured live music. I’m always hearing about the different musicians, artists and actors who live here - you’d be amazed at how many of the Boston area’s finest creative people call Arlington their home! And the town does a great job of sponsoring events, from Feast of the East for food, to Town Day, to the new Porchfest which has really caught on. The Arlington Jazz Festival is another chance to galvanize this creative spirit.
GM: How long has the festival been going and how has it evolved since its inception?
DF: This will be the sixth year for the festival - it has grown a little bit every year, with a little help from the Arlington Arts Council and some sponsorship from local businesses. Our first festival was a one-day event at the Arlington Center for the Arts, and featured my own band, ‘TarBone', with some really talented Arlington High School students as an opening act. A good amount of people showed, and everyone had a great time. Also, I didn’t lose any money! That in itself can be considered a jazz success story, so I decided to keep building on that success each year. The Boston area is full of amazing talent as your readers know, and in past years the festival has featured Stan Strickland, Lydia Harrell, and Jason Palmer. A couple of years ago, Walt Weiskopf - the saxophone player in Steely Dan - was the main attraction. This year, in addition to some great Boston area players like Marlene Del Rosario, Renato Malavasi and Rich Greenblatt, I’m thrilled to have Rufus Reid join us.
GM: Can you talk about the involvement of Morningside Music Studio as a presenter?
DF: I never really thought of myself as a “presenter” but more of a jazz musician who thinks outside the box. I learned that part of generating interest in the festival is getting people involved and really making it a community event. Having six events over four days has provided some great performance opportunities for my adult and high school students from Morningside. I also lead a New Orleans style brass band made up mostly of Arlington residents who will perform.
GM: The guest artist this year is bassist Rufus Reid. Can you describe some of the events he’ll be involved in? How does bringing in a guest artist contribute to the local jazz festival?
DF: I’m very excited to have Rufus involved as the headline act on the final day, April 30th at Town Hall. He’ll be playing in a trio with Tim Ray and Steve Langone. In addition to the evening performance he will also hold a workshop that afternoon at 4:30. To get a player of his stature has definitely helped get the festival some attention, especially since he doesn’t perform in the area often.
GM: Why did you decide to hold the jazz festival during Jazz Week, whereas many festivals occur in the summer?
DF: Originally the thought was to not attempt an outdoor festival with all the staging, permits, and weather risks involved. When it first coincided with Jazz week a few years ago, it was purely by accident! But it was such a good fit that I purposefully have it now during Jazz Week since you all do a great job in helping spread the word. April 30 is also International Jazz Day so it feels good to be part of that as well.
GM: What do you think is the importance of local jazz festivals for communities?
DF: I think that local festivals can help broaden the audience for jazz, especially if there are family friendly times and venues. I don’t expect it to become the popular music it once was, but if there were more of these type of festivals, more people might think of it as a regular part of American culture.
GM: The Arlington Jazz Festival connects with local music students. Can you describe the schedule and the music of the student performers? How does supporting young musicians contribute to the community aspect of the festival?
DF: Friday evening will be a showcase of a few of my Morningside jazz combos at Kickstand Cafe. Saturday afternoon, weather permitting, I will have groups playing outside in Arlington Center. These groups are primarily made up of adults who are either working or retired, but have wanted to keep music as a major part of their life. On Saturday, evening my teen jazz combo will be the opening act at Artlounge. Sunday evening the Arlington High Jazz Band will open for Rufus Reid. Getting students involved, especially younger ones, is inspiring for all - I believe they really appreciate being part of the festival, and their enthusiasm is infectious.
GM: What do you hope the audience takes away from attending the festival?
DF: I’m hoping this year will help put the festival on the map and that people will make it an annual event to look forward to. It would be fabulous for people from the Boston area to look to Arlington as cultural destination.
