2008-2009 SEASON EVENTS
- Ballard Jazz Walk, November 20, 2008
- Ballard Jazz Festival, April 22 - 26, 2009

The 2008-09 Season of the Ballard Jazz Festival is moving forward and we're excited to continue the tradition of producing one of Seattle’s truly unique cultural events. The main events this year include the Fall Ballard Jazz Walk on Thursday, November 20th, and moving into Spring, the 5-day Ballard Jazz Festival will include more music than ever.

Starting as a community event in 2003 to highlight the thriving neighborhood of old town Ballard and Seattle’s world-class jazz musicians, the Ballard Jazz Festival quickly grew into a nationally recognized festival featured in JazzTimes & Modern Drummer magazines and in an MSNBC report on international jazz festivals. Even with it’s growing successes, the Ballard Jazz Festival’s main goal continues to be the celebration of this community and of the artists who live here.

The unique atmosphere of historic Ballard Avenue sets the stage for the Ballard Jazz Walk. Music and listeners pour from the clubs on Ballard Avenue creating a New Orleans party atmosphere with opportunities to see more than a dozen top-flight recording bands and mix with hundreds of other music lovers, while experiencing some of Ballard’s great music and dining establishments.

In April 2008 we debuted at our new home venue, The Nordic Heritage Museum, and couldn't have been happier with the results. The capacity crowd and the unique Ballard flavor of the venue made it a delight for performers and audience members alike. In April of 2009 we look forward to again hosting three days of music at the museum plus adding an "Introduction to Jazz" for kids and families on Friday afternoon. As always, The Brotherhood of the Drum, Ballard Jazz Walk, Mainstage Concerts and Sunday Jazz Brunch will be back.

With the festival entering its sixth year, we are also becoming a destination for jazz tourists. This year we welcomed guests from England, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Oregon, California and Colorado...and that's just those we know about! It is a pleasure for us to be able to present an event that is having such a far-reaching impact.

We are incredibly indebted to our sponsors who have enabled the festival to grow from a single night event in 2003 to the six days of music presented during the 2008-09 season. Many of our sponsors have been with us since the beginning and for that we are grateful. Together, we have created a truly unique and exciting event for Ballard and the entire Northwest.