O’Doherty: Aspen’s four mountains of music
On this “Dadurday” drive through Snowmass Village, my stoke for Jazz Aspen Snowmass Labor Day weekend rose as stage workers erected venue enhancements for Lenny Kravitz and Imagine Dragons. Fellow dad Adam texted me to bring a blanket for Baby Margot’s dance to Ravel’s “Bolero” outside the Benedict Music Tent. Meanwhile, my 16-year-old was driving her auld man, both still glowing after “Up in the Sky.” Our bond is the music. We compare notes on Glass Animals’ relentless frontman and Kate Hudson’s laid-back dance partner, the lead singer of Role Model.
You don’t have to be a music nob to appreciate the Summer convergence of “Up in the Sky,” the Aspen Music Festival, and Jazz Aspen. But the logistical mastery pulled off by Pitkin County and its “Up in the Sky” partners is where we need to dig deeper. The Goldberg Family, Belly Up, Charles Attal alongside his C3 Presents, and Pitkin County are deepening the summer calendar with extraordinary collaboration. Don’t take it from me — let’s hear from Maestro Dave Geller.
A longtime music manager and promoter, Geller has traveled the world with bands. He recently wrote to the Pitkin County Commissioners with a message of high praise, analysis, and a plea. I talked to him about the new festival and the Pitkin County that made it happen.
County authorities praised
“The logistics are insane,” Geller said. “At the base of a ski mountain — you need a serious team.”
From fire mitigation to sanitation to transit, he was emphatic: “Most jurisdictions, especially one like Aspen that doesn’t need the revenue, would say, ‘Why bother?’ Pitkin County said, ‘How do we?’ And then nailed it. Buses, no on-site parking, info flow — it was flawless.”
E-bikes and pedestrians helped too. “Public transit worked year one — and that’s mind-boggling.”
The pride, he said, should be palpable: “Hosting a world-class event like this safely is huge. The county deserves credit for taking the risk and providing the support.”
And the vibes? Pure Pitkin County. “The artist looks out at Buttermilk Mountain, the audience at John Denver’s Starwood peaks — there’s nothing like it. Even the mountain ride Defender (Land Rover) activations made sense. Every angle was thought through.”
Music summer elevated
“Up in the Sky” lands in mid-August. Then comes Jazz Aspen Snowmass over Labor Day with Luke Combs, Cannons, Lawrence (with a nod to John Oates of Woody Creek), and, of course, headliners Kravitz and Imagine Dragons. Don’t forget, Jazz Aspen is coming off an extended JAS in June Experience in downtown Aspen. The Aspen Music Festival and School delivers nearly 200 events, this year themed “Concerning the Spiritual in Art.” Pitkin County is sound bathing our Aspen groves.
“You’ve got Rufus du Sol one week, Lenny Kravitz another, the Aspen Music Festival all season,” Geller said. “It’s not competition — it’s critical mass. People come for one thing and discover another.”
“These are different experiences,” he added. “Jazz Aspen brings world-class performances for a nonprofit mission. ‘Up in the Sky’ is a big private bet. The Aspen Music Festival is the 76-year granddaddy. They don’t just coexist — they make summer one of the most dynamic music months anywhere.”
An electronic music community?
While Kacey Musgraves and Marcus King grab headlines, Geller sees another wave building: “The electronic scene is the most exciting growth. Jayma Cardoso from the Surf Lodge has brought the biggest DJs to the St. Regis and Highlands. The Goldbergs do it at Belly Up. And in Aspen, it’s civilized. People party, then ski the next day. It’s not Ibiza. It’s not Tulum. It’s Aspen.”
He even hinted at dance music producers retreating to the valley to form a creative community — like comedians in Rogan’s Austin. “Electronic artists can record anywhere. They come here to be inspired. Some already live here. Aspen could grow into a real artist hub.” Imagine if Blond:ish and Black Coffee played a Sant Ambroeus brunch or a Rock Bottom Ranch ACES benefit.
A rising tide
Geller sees no rivalries. “‘Up in the Sky’ was a huge risk that paid off. Jazz Aspen thrives all summer. The Aspen Music Festival is world-class.”
In his letter to the county, he summed it up: “I hope this is the first of many ‘Up in the Sky’ festivals at Buttermilk. The feedback from fans and artists is off the charts.” As I rode home with my daughter, our playlists mixing classical, rock, and dance, I whispered to myself: Thank you so f***ing much, Pitkin County.
Damian O’Doherty is a Snowmass Village dad. A founding partner of KO Public Affairs, he works at the intersection of community, culture, politics, media, and technology, helping clients stay ahead of what’s coming next. He may be reached at do@kopublicaffairs.com.
