Jazz Aspen Snowmass announces 2nd winter season

Holiday performances will kick off Jazz Aspen Snowmass’ second winter season at the Paul JAS Center in Aspen.

After a successful first year, JAS is bringing another lineup of world-class artists from Dec. 18 through April 10 — a mix of returning favorites and newcomers making their JAS debuts.

“Bringing the Paul JAS Center to life in downtown Aspen’s core has been a dream come true that has allowed us to serve this community in ways only a permanent and secure venue can ensure,” JAS Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Horowitz said in a release.

Roaring Fork Valley residents can purchase “All That JAS” locals-only membership for discounted tickets throughout the year.

JAS Café Winter 2027 lineup expands to 25 nights of shows

Highlights of the lineup will include “Celebrating Prince,” an already sold-out, two-night tribute Dec. 28 to 29 featuring founding members of Prince’s band, New Power Generation. On Dec. 30, funk and jazz star Karl Denson will bring his new “Afro-Sonic” band for a celebration of Afrobeat superstar Fela Kuti.

JAS will also ring in the new year from Jan. 2 to 3 with the return of Morgan James, a standout jazz, blues and soul vocalist who won over Aspen audiences during her summer 2025 debut. Her Jan. 3 performance will follow the “Supper Club” format, featuring a three-course dinner prepared by Epicure Catering, the Paul JAS Center’s in-house catering team.

On Feb. 12, Trinidadian-born trumpeter, bandleader and educator Etienne Charles will present “Creole Carnival,” a high-energy show blending jazz with the sights and sounds of Trinidad Carnival. Guests are encouraged to wear colorful attire, according to a release, and the best-dressed couple will win a pair of passes to the JAS June Experience.

The party will continue with a New Orleans Mardi Gras twist as trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis, a member of the famed musical family, leads the Uptown Jazz Orchestra on Feb. 13.  

Then, jazz-pop vocalist Veronica Swift returns March 12 with the full Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra, following their hit performance together last July. 

JAS will also expand its dance-friendly “Café-Dance” format in 2027. Guests can choose to sit at JAS Café tables or stand and dance in designated areas. Two high-energy groups will make their JAS debuts in this format: The Breaks on Feb. 19 and Polyrhythmics on Feb. 27. Both blend jazz, funk and soul with shifting rhythms.

The series will again feature world-renowned artists performing music from Cuba, Spain, Africa, the Caribbean and beyond. From March 17 to 18, DanceAspen dancers will reunite with Okan, a high-energy Canadian Afro-Cuban jazz duo, for live, unscripted improvisation. The popular collaboration debuted at the Paul JAS Center in 2026.

On March 26, the Café will explore more Cuban music with the Dayamir Gonzalez Quartet, led by virtuoso Cuban pianist. The group will celebrate a lively mix of Cuban, Caribbean and pan-Latin rhythms. 

“Every note I play carries the spirit of Havana and the soul of jazz,” Dayramir said in the release.

Blues and rock fans can catch the Eric Johanson Trio on Feb. 20, featuring Johanson’s fiery guitar playing and powerful vocals. Named one of Guitar Player Magazine’s “25 Best New Blues Guitarists,” he delivers modern blues-rock with grit, power and raw energy, according to a release.

Rising rock guitarist and vocalist Aly Venable and her band will return March 19 after a standout debut at the 2026 June Experience.

Then, Dumpstaphunk will perform March 20. For more than two decades, the band has carried the musical legacy of the Neville family and the Meters into a new generation of funk.

For fans of string instruments, Spanish bassist Vincen Garcia will perform Feb. 5. He’s one of the world’s leading bassists in modern jazz and funk, according to the release. Guitarist Tommy Emmanuel returns Feb. 26, following his June 2025 performance.

“The audience and community’s embrace of our new home has truly exceeded our highest expectations. Overwhelmingly, the feedback has been that the Paul JAS Center has filled a void in the Aspen core, a uniquely intimate and stylish space, equally embraced by JAS’ long-time friends as well as a steady stream of visitors and new audiences,” Horowitz said. “The venue has quickly taken its place as a beloved new gathering spot in Aspen for diverse, community uses: world-class performance, music education, a growing collection of special events and our recording and broadcast studio.” 

Still to be announced are artists for its “Next-Gen” Series, held on the last Thursday of each month, January through March. This diverse, high-energy series brings fresh sounds geared to a younger audience.. 

JAS will continue to offer a $30 SRO/Bar ticket for all shows. The ticket provides access to bar seating and a designated standing-room-only area. During JAS Café-Dance performances, that area extends to just steps from the stage in the main room.

Local resident discounted memberships 

All Roaring Fork Valley residents can purchase the $150 “All That JAS” membership, which includes advance announcements for select JAS events, early ticket access to all Paul JAS Center shows, 20% off all late shows at the Paul JAS Center, 10% off JAS June Experience passes and invitations to select Paul JAS Center events.

Memberships can be purchased now at jazzaspensnowmass.org/memberships/#all-that-jas.

Tuesdays are for locals

Tuesday community nights at the Paul JAS Center will return in January, with doors opening at 5 p.m. for food and drink specials, local entertainment, games, open-mic nights and more. JAS will host salsa nights on the first Tuesday of every month and open-mic nights on the last Tuesday of every month. Look for a full schedule of events to be announced soon.

For the full schedule of JAS Café performances, visit jazzaspensnowmass.org/jas-cafe-series. For more information about events at the Paul JAS Center and JAS, visit jazzaspensnowmass.org/events.