Davis Jazz and Beat Festival

The Davis Jazz and Beat Festival is returning for its 12th year. Experience live jazz, poetry readings, and performance painting on two stages at the John Natsoulas Gallery! This interactive, multidisciplinary festival features over 50 musicians and artists, including the Pulitzer Prize winning poet, Gary Snyder.

This is the only festival of its kind in America! This lively collaboration between poets, jazz musicians, and painters is the only completely free jazz festival on the west coast. Experience an intimate gathering filled with poetry readings and painting improvisation set to the rhythm of live jazz. This is a unique opportunity for attendees to experience exclusive performances by well-known artists of all kinds. With over 100 musicians and artists performing, there is truly something for everyone.

This 12th annual event is the premier collaborative festival in the region. Combining visual art and music, this multidisciplinary celebration evokes the true spirit of the Beat art movement. In addition to the live performances is the Beat Generation exhibition, which includes broadsides, books, sculptures, and paintings. It also includes never-before-seen photos and ephemera of Jack Kerouac, Michael McClure, Joan Brown, Manuel Neri, the Six Gallery, and the King Ubu Gallery. Also on display will be works by Julie Smiley and Guston Abright.

Don’t miss the book reading and signing by Pulitzer Prize winner, Gary Snyder! A noted member of the Beat generation, Snyder is a critically acclaimed author who easily ranks among the best poets of his generation. Snyder’s poetry manages to provide a fresh perspective on metaphysical themes, which he makes relevant and compelling.

The festival will also feature the Jack Kerouac poetry contest where winners are selected to perform original work accompanied by the Tony Passarell jazz trio on Friday!

Sponsored in part by Visit Yolo.

Schedule:
Friday:
-7pm: Gary Snyder Headliner Poet
-7:30pm: Gary Snyder Book Signing
-8pm-9:30pm: Winners of Jack Kerouac Poetry Contest Reading MC Andy Jones with Tony Passarell Trio

Saturday:
-2:45pm: New Harmony Jazz Band — Performance Painter Tait Takai (Outdoor Stage)
-4pm: Henry Robinett – Performance Painter Myron Stephens (Outdoor Stage)
-5pm: Brubeck Institute Quintet — Performance Painter Laura Hohlwein (Outdoor Stage)
-3pm: Maxim Earnst 4Tet (Indoor Stage)
-4pm: Delbert Bump Trio (Indoor Stage)
-5pm: TBA (Indoor Stage)
-8pm: Hyena — Nine-piece Afro Beat Ensemble (Indoor Stage)
-7pm-8pm: Poetry/Dance/Music Performance Tony Passarell Trio with Poet Indigo Moor (Indoor Stage)