JazzAscona

JazzAscona was founded in 1975 by Swiss trumpeter Hannes Anrig and was held in Lugano, Switzerland, before relocating to Ascona in 1985. A new artistic director, Karl Heinz Ern served from 1997 through 2003. Hotelier and traditional jazz aficionado Nicolas Gilliet served as JazzAscona's artistic director from 2003 through 2019. The festival has always New Orleans-themed and attracts over 45,000 visitors, features more than 200 concerts with over 300 musicians, and hosts numerous jam sessions, exhibits, and conferences annually. New Orleans artists in the past have featured Doc Cheatham, Danny Barker, Snooks Eaglin, Marva Wright, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Lillian Boutté, Irma Thomas, Davell Crawford, Tricia Boutté, the Treme Brass Band, Glen David Andrews, Irvin Mayfield, Trombone Shorty, Jon Cleary and many, many more. The 10-day festival takes place from late June to early July on the Swiss shores of Lake Maggiore and is devoted to historical styles of jazz, particularly from New Orleans. The 37th JazzAscona takes place this year in Ascona-Locarno from Thursday June 24 through Saturday July 3, 2021.