Here comes the Jazz!

The Bellevue Jazz Festival, presented by First Tech Credit Union, will return May 22, 23 and 24 with an all-star lineup of elite national and regional artists. Tickets will go on sale March 5 at bellevuejazz.com.

The three-day event, produced by the Bellevue Downtown Association, will present top names in jazz, including Grammy-winning vocalist Dianne Reeves, the 14-member Mingus Big Band, Kurt Elling, Patricia Barber, Danílo Perez and Mose Allison.

“The passion for jazz and music education runs deep in our region,” said Leslie Lloyd, president of the Bellevue Downtown Association and executive director for the festival. “The artists and audiences, along with the creative power of live music, will play a defining role Here comes the Jazz! in building a strong cultural tradition for our community.”

Audiences will find headline concerts in the Center Hall and Theatre at Meydenbauer Center. The Bellevue Jazz Festival will also offer free performances by leading regional jazz artists, complete with jazz happy hours in Downtown Bellevue restaurants, and student performances in cultural venues, such as the Bellevue Arts Museum.

The Bellevue Jazz Festival, a fixture on the regional jazz scene in the 80s and 90s, was reborn last year by the Bellevue Downtown Association with artistic guidance from Portland Jazz Festival director Bill Royston. World-renowned saxophonist Branford Marsalis and the 16-member Latin jazz ensemble Spanish Harlem Orchestra held stage at Meydenbauer Center.

The full festival calendar will be announced in early March. Current festival details at: bellevuejazz.com.

Jazz Festival Featured Artists:

Dianne Reeves Strings Attached featuring Russell Malone & Romero Lubambo
Friday, May 22, 9 p.m.

Mingus Big Band
Saturday, May 23, 9 p.m.

Kurt Elling
Friday, May 22, 7 p.m.

Patricia Barber
Saturday, May 23, 7 p.m.

Danílo Perez
Saturday, May 23, 2 p.m.

Mose Allison
Sunday, May 24, 2 p.m.