Welcome to Spenard!
We celebrate all musical genres and believe that Alaskan music builds and strengthens Alaskan community.
Spenard Jazz Fest (SJF) was founded in 2008 by a group of Anchorage musicians looking for a listening audience. Since then, Spenard Jazz Fest has presented hundreds of concerts, dance performances, jams, poetry readings, parades and pop-up concerts, film screenings, and art exhibits during the annual Main Stage Festival in May and June.
2024 SJF EVENTS
2024 SJF PERFORMERS
Alaska Electronic Orchestra
Yngvil Vatn Guttu & Rick Zelinsky for nearly 15 years have developed a common language, combining horns, electronic effects, throughtful compositions, and enthralling improvisations. This long-standing Alaskan Duo equals a meaningful listen experience that explores essential elements of music making.
www.yvgmusic.com
www.icygrooves.com
Emma Hill
Since 2007, Emma Hill has been creating and performing original music locally, nationally, and internationally. Growing up in the small Alaskan village of Sleetmute to her worldwide travels, Emma has worked hard to position herself as a force in the music world. She now co-owns Rage City Vintage in Spenard where she regularly hosts Spenard Song Circle.
Mark Manners
Mark Manners is one of Alaska’s premier working jazz guitarists, as well as an accomplished composer.
Rick Zelinsky
Rick Zelinksy is a saxophone & woodwind artist who also teaches band and jazz band in the Anchorage School District.
In 2022, Rick created the Alaska Electric Orchestra ensemble and its accompanying concert series was supported, in part, by a grant from the Atwood Foundation, the Alaska State Council on the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Whereyat?!
Whereyat?! band pays tribute to the great blues, jazz and funk music born out of New Orleans, Louisiana. Comprised of a who’s who of local Anchorage, Alaska music scene veterans, Whereyat?! aims to bring the soul of the big easy to the last frontier. Laissez le bon temps rouler!
Carla Bley (Tribute) Experience w/
YNGVIL & Rob Cohen
Jacqtet
Jacqtet is a small instrumental group featuring local artists' original compositions focused on the fusion of jazz, funk, and progressive rock.
The group is led by Jacques Maree (pictured above).
Melissa "JazzMom" Fischer
Classy yet fun and “easy-to-listen-to” jazz, JazzMom has been performing in Anchorage since the 80’s. She surrounds herself with outstanding band mates and has been featured at jazz events big and small. With 5 CD’s and 4 kids to her name - she is certainly a crowd-favorite.
Rob Cohen
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Rob Cohen has been a participant in the Southeast Alaska and regional music scene for the past 35 years, and has been a devotee of the music of Carla Bley for 45 years and counting.
Like 'Rob Cohen Music' on Facebook!
YNGVIL
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Apart from being an inspired and captivating multi-talented musician and composer, Yngvil is a visionary community organizer, activist, and event producer. Yngvil is also, once again, the SJF Festival Director for 2024.
Donté
Pianist for local band Wasabi Black, Donté plays "Music that will make your soul glow."
Lena Lukina
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The presence of a performer of this caliber is always special! Lena floats freely on stage, excites the audience with her bright compositions!
Pepper Kit
One of Alaska's fastest-growing artists, Pepper Kit has been captivating the local music scene with her empowering originals full of beautiful melodies and raw, relatable lyrics She is also the mastermind behind the Girl Crush musicians' showcase series.
Sarah Felder
"Authentic expression purposed to inspire and heal."
Born and raised in Fort Worth, TX, Sarah started musical exploration at 4 years old with piano and church choir, played violin from ages 10 to 11, and ensemble & marching band percussion from ages 11 to 24. She earned a Bachelors in Music from Texas Southern University in Houston, TX.