Spenard Jazz Fest (Est. 2008) is a program of Northern Culture Exchange, a 501 c 3 not for profit organisation, on a mission to put Alaskan creativity to work.
OCTOBER 20 FUNDRAISER PROVES A GROOVY EVENT!
SJF FUNDRAISER featuring Duende Libre (Seattle) w/guests
Close to 50 guests sat spell bound, tapped their feet and eventually danced their heart out when DUENDE LIBRE took the floor at Charlotte Fox and Mike Stinebaugh's beautiful home on the Hillside.
Seattle based trio DUENDE LIBRE brought with them multi-faceted vocalist Frank Anderson. Together they performed two sets of eclectic jazz nd world music; African poly-rhythms, Latin grooves, a Nina Simone classic and even a Norwegian cow call. Local guest musicians Elena Lukina (violin) and Yngvil Vatn Guttu (melodica and willow flute).
Beer by 49th State Brewing Co.
Our sound equipment is sponsored by KPB Architects and our MEMBERS!
THANK YOU FOR COMING!
DECEMBER 1st
Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Suite
featuring Spenard Jazz Fest All Star Big Band
6 pm (location TBA)
The Nutcracker frenzy goes jazzy!
- a fundraiser for Spenard Jazz Fest
SJF makes the Ellington Nutcracker Show an annual tradition in Anchorage, and will tour the show to other AK locations.
The Big Band sound is such an intrinsic part of Anchorage history; many of our remaining music venues were originally dance halls, built to fit the unique sound of a 16 - piece outfit.
Building on this tradition, SJF also encourages new writing for big band by composers based in Alaska.
Stay tuned for more information on this and further events, feel free to suggest sponsors and sources of support - it is NOT CHEAP to hire a big band !
Past Events 2018
MAY 19 - 31 House Concert Series - 10 house concerts in
June 01-05 Main Festival - Artist in Resident: Duende Libre
AUGUST 10 - Noise of the North AKIMI Spotify list, featuring several Alaskan Jazz musicians, goes live...
40 Alaskan artists have signed up, more spaces available. Visit akimimusic.org for moreinfo
AUGUST 15 - DISCOVER ALASKAN MUSIC launches and reaches 200.000 people across the US. SJF artist featured in this mail blast by CD Baby/AKIMI : Harper's Farce, Elena Lukina Dan Mac Band, Rick Zelinsky, YNGVIL.
AUGUST 23 - 27 - SJF Artists represent Alaska at Nashville conference
SEPTEMBER 06 - 09 - ASCA STATEWIDE ARTS CONVENING in Fairbanks
In August and September SJF staff are busy planning the year. to come. We're working on securing funding and booking guest artists for the 12th annual 2019 Festival, and of course, putting together our new Fall/Winter/Spring season of house concerts, Spenard neighborhood outreach events, workshops and fund raisers.