MASS JUNE EXPERIENCE

The 2016 Jazz Aspen Snowmass June Experience looks to consist of one of the strongest June JAS line-ups in the organizations history. Motown legends, country rockers and exciting jazz performers are all accounted for, with additional acts still to be announced.

            JAS will kick-off the June Experience with a special performance at the JAS Café Upstairs at the Aspen Art Museum on Thursday, June 23, featuring the powerful singer/songwriter Gregory Porter. Porter, a California native, won the 2014 Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album for his album “Liquid Spirit.” The NY Times described him as “a jazz singer of thrilling presence, a booming baritone with a gift for earthy refinement and soaring uplift.”

            On the following night, Friday, June 24, the Experience moves over to the Benedict Music Tent in Aspen with a first ever JAS appearance for the legendary Diana Ross. Born and raised in Detroit, Ross rose to fame as a founding member and lead singer of The Supremes, which, during the 1960s became Motown’s most successful act. Following her time with The Supremes Ross went on to have an extremely successful solo career with hits like “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “I’m Coming Out,” and “Upside Down.” In 2012 she was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

            On Saturday, June 25, 9-time Grammy winner Sheryl Crow returns to the Benedict Music Tent (Sheryl last performed at JAS in 2011). Crow has sold more than 35 million albums, performed duets with musical luminaries such as Sting and Mick Jagger, has released 8 studio albums, a quadruple-platinum greatest hits collection and a Christmas album. JAS will be announcing the Sunday, June 26 performer early next year.

On June 30 and July 1 jazz trumpeter/vocalist Bria Skonberg will perform at the JAS Café Downstairs at the Little Nell. Skonberg made her Café debut last January, receiving rave reviews from audiences for her adventurous style rooted in New Orleans hot jazz and blues, world percussion, soul and cabaret. Says the Wall Street Journal of Skonberg, she is “poised to be one of the most versatile and imposing musicians of her generation.”

The June Experience concludes at the Benedict Music Tent on Saturday, July 2 with another Motown icon Smokey Robinson, co-presented by JAS and the Aspen Music Festival and School. Robinson’s career spans over 4 decades of hits, numerous awards and an induction into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame. Robinson, who founded the hit-making group The Miracles and served as Vice President of Motown Records throughout the 1960’s and early 70’s, has accumulated more than 4,000 songs to his credit and continues to thrill sold-out audiences around the world with his high tenor voice, impeccable timing and profound sense of lyric.

Tickets for all show are expected to go on-sale February 12, 2016. For more information on these performances, other JAS special events and JAS education programs please visit www.jazzaspensnowmass.org or