Jazz in Alaska? In the winter? You bet. In fact, this three-day festival, which takes place over the first weekend in February, has been going on for 17 years. And it continues to draw musicians from New Orleans, Detroit, San Francisco, and New York. The festival’s mission is to bring jazz to Sitka. Professional musicians headline evening performances, but music students also perform at the 650-seat Performing Arts Center. In fact, nearly 200 students come from around the state for classes in jazz theory, history, and improvisation. Students also play during lunchtime concerts downtown.
