Ticket sales heating up for jazz festival

Tickets are going fast for the 9th annual High Mountains Jazz at Sisters, September 17, 18 and 19.

Featuring music from 11 national and regional jazz bands, the festival offers the sounds of traditional Dixieland, Chicago-style and swing.

"Ticket sales are doing well because of our great lineup of bands," said Ray Buselli, High Mountains Jazz festival director. "The event is a favorite with music lovers, as well as bands from across the nation because of the spectacular setting."

This year's lineup features nine bands that have performed at past High Mountains Jazz festivals, including Chicago Six with Yve Evans; Black Swan Jazz Band with Marilyn Keller; Grand Dominion-Jazz Band; Boilermaker Jazz Band; Buck Creek Jazz Band; Fulton Creek Jazz Band; Gator Beat Band; Uptown-Lowdown Jazz Band; and Wall Street Jazz of Bend.

Bob Schulz's Frisco Jazz Band and Rise and Shine Youth Band are making their High Mountains Jazz debuts.

The musicians will perform on a rotating basis at four venues in Sisters throughout the three-day event. Special highlights will include free gospel services Sunday morning.

This year's event will also feature a raffle for a 10-day Caribbean cruise for two. The cruise, which is set for January, will depart from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and features stops in the Bahamas, Virgin Islands, Trinidad, as well as other Caribbean ports. The prize also includes airfare for two from the winner's nearest airport to Ft. Lauderdale.

Tickets for the raffle are selling for $25 each or five for $100. A limit of 1,000 tickets will be sold, according to High Mountains Jazz chair Jim Fisher. Profits from the raffle will be used to support future jazz festivals and youth band programs in Central Oregon.

Adult festival badges are $50 per person until August 17 and $55 per person thereafter. Individual day badges are available for each of the three days, ranging from $15 to $25. Admission is available on a daily or multiple-day basis. Children under 12 are admitted free, accompanied by an adult.

For more festival information and to order badges, call (800) 549-1332 or visit the High Mountains Jazz at Sisters web site at http://www.informat.com/bz/jazz.