Eleven top-level bands from all over North America. Five unique venues. An expected attendance of 3,000-plus over its three day run. And plenty of adult refreshments and munchies for those who want it.
The Pentastic Hot Jazz and Music Festival, beginning Friday and now in its 23rd year, has grown to become one of Penticton's most anticipated annual events and one of the continent's premier jazz-oriented happenings.
But this year, there's something different. Something beyond the 2019 venue change-up (the Days Inn Conference Centre has been replaced by the theoretically superior Orchard House Theatre) and an annual tweaking of the musicians.
The other difference is the name. Last year, it was known as the "Penticton Hot Jazz Festival." This year, the organizing committee has inserted "...and Music." We asked festival guru Michael Campbell why, and found out it's primarily about attracting a new and potentially younger demographic.
"The name change is brought about by our need to show folks that we're more than just jazz. It broadens our base for acceptability."
"For those who say they're not crazy about jazz, we've got stuff that in actuality isn't true jazz. We've got rockabilly, for instance. We have zydeco, we have big band swing, we have gospel."
"And that's why we changed it. Because some of the younger people out there don't really know what jazz is. But if they know there's other music too, they may come and see what it's all about."
Indeed, the festival certainly seems as varied as Campbell claims. PentictonNow took in several shows last year, and witnessed everything from wild fiddling to crazed boogie woogie piano to smoky downbeat jazz. The musicianship was always impressive - sometimes stunningly so - and the showmanship was always on point.
Our personal favourite in 2018 was Dave Bennett and the Memphis Speed Kings. The entire band was smoking hot, but Bennett in particular was straight-up awesome. Whether banging the keys like Jerry Lee Lewis, playing the clarinet like Benny Goodman, crooning a torch song, or grabbing the sticks for a drum session, the guy just kills it and is the undeniable focus of attention.
A close second in our books was Tom Rigney and Flambeau, a fast and fiery fiddle-focused Cajun/zydeco combo that kept the crowd mesmerized when they're weren't dancing.
Both of the above are back for 2019, along with other Pentastic faves such as Cornet Chop Suey and the Black Swan Classic Jazz Band.
One of the 2019 newbies is the five-piece Los Angeles-based Black Market Trust.
"They're a really phenomenal band from California," says Campbell. "My wife and I saw them in Sun Valley last year and immediately went up to the stage when they were through to invite them to our festival. We were that impressed."
"Another new group for us this year is Gino and the Lone Gunmen, a three-piece band from southern California that blends old time rock and roll with rockabilly and even country. The band includes two members of Speed Kings, and they're now in our mix."
It's no small feat to attract supercharged talent from such faraway locales as New Orleans, St. Louis, Detroit, and Los Angeles. But, says Campbell, "We've made our presence known on the jazz festival circuit."
"We have a lineup as good as any in North America. And this being our 23rd year, we have a bit of a reputation. We're liked by the musicians, we treat them well, with respect, and they treat us the same way."
The 2019 iteration gets underway Friday at 1:30 p.m. with a one-off prelude show at Princess Margaret High School. It'll feature Gino and the Lone Gunmen and it costs nothing to attend (though donations to the school are welcome).
The festival proper launches Friday at 3 p.m. with action at "Bourbon Street" and the "French Quarter" (both situated inside the Trade and Convention Centre) and "Beale Street" (at Orchard House Theatre).
The official opening ceremonies are Friday at 6:00 at the Trade and Convention Centre, and there's a full slate of performances afterward at all venues until 10 p.m.
The festival picks up again at 10:00 a.m. Saturday at Bourbon Street and the French Quarter. All venues go active at 11:30 a.m. and remain that way to mid-evening.
Of special note is a one-time 7 p.m. performance by the South Okanagan Big Band, a 19-piece band that'll play a 90-minute set highlighting swing tunes from the 1930s and 40s.
Sunday's program runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at all venues except the "Speakeasy" at the SS Sicamous. The festival's closing ceremonies are scheduled for 3:00 that afternoon at the French Quarter.
Ticket prices range from $65 for a Friday all-day pass to $80 and $60 for the Saturday and Sunday equivalents. And with the $115 three-day all-event pass, you'll have access to every event at every venue for the full run of the festival.
Kids under 18 get an even better deal - a pass for any day of the festival for a mere ten bucks. The only catch is that they must be accompanied by an adult.
All venues are licensed and serve food. A full menu is available at the Elks Hall "Cotton Club," a buffet is at the ready at the Trade and Convention Centre, sandwiches and snacks will be served at the Sicamous, and you'll get pizza at Orchard House.
For more information and to order tickets, hit up the festival website.
