There were several factors involved in the decision to not have the festival this year. The biggest deciding factor was that we wanted to ensure that every year we present jazz fest – it’s an optimal experience. We determined it was better to skip a year and keep building the proper infrastructure rather than risk presenting a less-than-stellar experience.

We think it went fantastic…but of course we’re a tad biased. So feel free to click here to see what the media had to say, and here to see what attendees had to say.

Noon:

• Trombonist Andre Hayward – Main Stage
• Vocalist Trent Durham / David Pulkingham – Brasshouse Stage

12:30

• Drummer Masumi Jones and The Gents- Main Stage
• Vocalist Paula Maya – Brasshouse Stage

1p

• Experimental Funk Jazz Fusion band The Circling Drones – Main Stage
• 15 year old Vocalist Hanna LaShay – Brasshouse Stage

1:30p

• Drummer Wayne Salzmann’s Groove society – Main Stage
• Jazz Trombone ensemble JazzBonez – Brasshouse Stage

2p

• San Antonio Latin Jazz band Mambo Blue – Main Stage
• San Antonio Smooth Jazz and R&B with a Latin flavor band Europa Jazz – Brasshouse Stage

2:30p

• Guitarist Dave Manley and Indigenous – Main Stage
• Guitarist Kalu James – Brasshouse Stage

3p

• Vocalist Pam Hart – Main Stage
• Vocalist Adesewa Faleti – Brasshouse Stage

3:30p

• Saxophonist Kyle Turner with Vocalist Courtney Sanchez – Main Stage
• Vocalist Danielle Reich – Brasshouse Stage

4p

• Trumpeter Ephraim Owens – Main Stage
• Guitarist and Vocalist Jackie Venson – Brasshouse Stage

4:30

• Guitarist Matt Butler and his Quartet – Brasshouse Stage

4:45

• Host Comedian Billy D. Washington – Main Stage

5p

• Flautist Althea René with All U Need

6p

• Saxophonist Jessy J – Main Stage

7:15

• Pianist Jeff Lorber and Saxophonist Everette Harp – Main Stage

8:30

• East Austin Music Academy Presentation and Special Military Recognition

8:45

• Saxophonist Kirk Whalum

10:15

• Show closes

*As of 05.01.14. Lineup subject to change.

$30 GENERAL ADMISSION:

• Admission to festival
• Access to Main Stage
• Food court and Vendor Village access
• Unreserved lawn seating

$40 RESERVED:

• Admission to festival
• Access to Main Stage
• Food court and Vendor Village access
• Reserved chair seating

$60 VIP:

• Admission to festival
• Access to both Main and Brasshouse Stages
• Food court and Vendor Village access
• Reserved chair seating

Note: Access to backstage Brasshouse VIP Garden expires at 5pm

$75 PLATINUM:

• Admission to festival
• Access to Main and Brasshouse Stages
• Food court and Vendor Village access
• Reserved chair seating in first 10 rows
• Complimentary food sampling in backstage Brasshouse VIP Garden
• Access to all Artists Autograph Sessions
• Access to After-Party

Plus – rather than sit in exhaust fumes for 30 minutes waiting to exit the Backyard – you can join all of the artists backstage for the After-Party until 11:30pm that also includes the Autograph Session with Kirk Whalum!

Please note that all ticket holders will be able to upgrade to the Platinum Experience on site for only $15. The $15 upgrade will allow you to access the backstage Brasshouse VIP Garden regardless of the type of ticket you have and will include all of the benefits of the Platinum Ticket, with the exception of a reserved seat in the first 10 rows. All ticket costs are plus Service Charge and can be purchased online, by calling Extreme Tix @ 888.695.0888, in person at Waterloo Records located downtown at 6th and Lamar; or at the gate. Please note that tickets purchased at the gate still incur the same service fee.

RAIN OR SHINE, THE SHOW WILL GO ON AND ALL TICKETS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.
If the festival has to be cancelled due to extreme weather or any acts of God or conditions beyond the control of Austin Jazz Festival, there will be no refunds provided.

Quite simply – it’s the ultimate Jazz Fan Experience! The Brass House VIP Garden is located in the backstage area and features:

• a separate private cash bar
• complimentary food tastings from some of Austin’s best downtown restaurants
• an intimate stage programmed with the best of local Austin’s jazz talent from noon – 4:30pm
• photo and autograph sessions with all artists

The Backyard is an outdoor venue located approximately 25 minutes from downtown in the beautiful hill country in the City of Bee Cave. It is located across Hwy 620 directly behind the Hill Country Galleria. ‘

Coming from south Austin/San Antonio via I35, you will take Hwy 71 W to Texas 71/290 W, to the Y split in Oak Hill. Then head right at the Y to Hwy 71/Llano to Ranch Road 620 S and then turn left onto Bee Cave Parkway.

From North Austin area near MoPac/183, take 360 Loop S/ N Capitol of Tx Hwy to RM 2244/Bee Caves Rd, heading right to Bee Cave Pkwy.

From North Austin/Killeen via I35, take the 183 North exit and then take the 360 Loop S / N Capitol of Tx Hwy directions.

Please use Google Maps or your GPS system for the best directions.

There is plenty of parking on the grounds of the venue. Parking is $10 and you will have the opportunity to pre-pay for parking during check-out when you purchase your tickets. If you choose to pay parking at the gate, please note that it is cash only. To encourage earth-friendly car-pooling, parking is FREE with 4 or more people in a single vehicle.

PLEASE NOTE that there is only ONE entrance into and out of the venue. Therefore, please allow ample time for ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE as there is the potential for a traffic bottle neck at the last mile to the venue on Hwy 620 approaching Beecaves Pkwy. There will be uniformed officers and parking lot attendants helping to direct traffic to minimize parking time, but again – PLEASE be aware of the potential for backed up traffic, in particular at the end of the night as everyone prepares to leave at the same time.

Like you are headed out to an outdoor venue on warm Texas spring day – because you are. With highs in the high 80s, please dress in summer casual attire. As umbrellas are not allowed – you are also advised to wear sun screen if you have sensitive skin as there is not much shade provided from the trees. It is also strongly advised that you only wear flat, comfortable shoes.

Unlike most festivals – the experience will begin on your drive out to the venue. No matter if you take Hwy 71 or Hwy 620 out the Backyard – the views are spectacular. A drive out in the hill country is a peaceful diversion in and of itself – any day of the week. And if you have never been out to the backyard – they have done a fantastic job of creating an idyllic outdoor setting for music.

And then of course – the experience will culminate when the music begins. We have spent months curating a line up of Austin’s best jazz talent.

We of course have the local A-listers like Courtney Sanchez, Ephraim Owens and Pam Hart on the lineup. We also have some rapidly rising talent like 15 year Hanna Lashay who sings with an old soul. We also have recent Berklee graduate and multi-hyphenated talent Jackie Venson who writes and sings her original music and plays guitar. There is also Masumi Jones, a Japanese female drummer who leads her jazz trio and presents a live jazz show online on most mondays. And that’s just some of the locals!

The headliner Kirk Whalum is at the top of the contemorary jazz world. Back in the 80s – he used to live in Austin and gigged regularly at a club called Baxters. Whalum is an ordained minister and has released a couple of gospel jazz cd’s. So he’s sure to raise the experience to a spiritual level while on stage.

Keyboardist Jeff Lorber has 30 years experience as a prominent figure in the jazz fusion movement – a marriage of traditional jazz with elements of rock, R&B and funk. And for the food experience – one of the food vendors will be Hoover’s Cooking (recently named one of the top 21 soul food restaurants in America, the only one from Texas) serving up their delectable waffles and wings. The team at The Brass House will be launching their fine dining menu at their club and they will be out at the festival flexing their new culinary muscles serving up home-style Texas bbq. As you can see – we have quite the experience planned for you!

There is a forecast of rain on Sunday – but if you search for an hour-by-hour forecast online – you will see that less than 1/10 of an inch of rain is scheduled to fall before 7am. Having said that – this is Texas and we all know the weather can change very quickly. You are allowed to bring a poncho or rain jacket in the event a pop up shower does hit. But again – keep in mind the show will go on RAIN or SHINE and would only be cancelled in the event of severe life-threatening weather.

The gates open at 11am. Music starts at Noon and goes until 10pm.

The Backyard at Bee Cave wants to ensure that patrons have a fun and safe experience. As a result, all small handbags, purses, and bags will be allowed inside the venue, but will be inspected at all entrance gates. There will be uniformed officers and parking lot attendants helping to direct traffic and there will be t-whirt security situated throughout the venue.

• Blankets
• Beach towels
• Personal cameras
• 1 SEALED bottle of water (which can be re-filled from free water stations inside.)
• Ponchos
• Sunglasses
• Cell phones
• Sunscreen Lotion
• Hats
• Regular-size/unframed backpacks
• A Jazzy Attitude!

• Large bags/backpacks
• Coolers
• Lawn chairs
• Umbrellas
• Strollers
• No professional photography equipment (cameras with detachable lenses) or audio/video recording equipment
• Outside food & beverages of any kind, with the exception of one SEALED bottle of water.
• Unauthorized/unlicensed vendors
• Unauthorized solicitations, handbills, sampling, give-aways, etc
• Weapons of any kind

There will be local Austin food vendors serving all of your festival-favorite eats and treats. We are honored to feature Austin restaurant legend Hoover Alexander of Hoover’s Cooking. Hoover’s will be on site selling his signature fried chicken wings and waffles. And joining Hoover’s will be our good friends over at The Brasshouse anxious to flex their expanded culinary muscles. They will be serving up Texas BBQ and hamburgers. As well – we will have Ce Ce serving up homestyle fried catfish and french fries.

There are also 7 full-service bars serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.  

4 ATM machines are located throughout the venue for your convenience.

Yes. Assistance is available to our patrons with disabilities. Front of House Staff will be onsite to guide you to our handicap parking and seating areas.

Children 12 and under are allowed free of charge with a ticketed adult. Please note however that there will be NO CHILDREN-SPECIFIC play area options. Children 13 and over must have a ticket and all children 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

There are 2 Men and 2 Women full restrooms located on both sides of the venue with flushing toilets available.

Patrons may not leave and re-enter the venue during a show.

Yes, please email info@thebackyard.net to check for lost items.

Good question and thanks for asking! Check out these venues and organizations to get your jazz fix throughout the year:

• Austin Jazz Alliance Austin Jazz Workshop
• The Brass House 
• The Elephant Room
• Women in Jazz
• The Elephant Room maintains an extensive set of links on local jazz musicians.

The East Austin Music Academy is a program focused on empowerment and learning while teaching intensive music instruction for K-6 children. They operate under the auspices of Texas Preparatory School, a tuition-free, public charter school. TPS recently received a designation as the #1 Elementary School in Central Texas from a Houston non-profit that ranks schools in each of the state’s large metro areas.

Shoot us an e-mail at info@austinjazzfest.com.