Lineup of jazz bands will keep Masonic Temple swinging

Get all the way back to the roots of jazz at the 11th annual Spokane Dixieland Jazz Festival.

This three-day bash at the downtown Spokane Masonic Temple, 1108 W. Riverside Ave., features eight bands from throughout the West and numerous opportunities for jamming, dancing and listening.

It draws between 2,000 and 3,000 jazz-lovers every year, many of whom follow a circuit of jazz festivals up and down the West Coast.

The Spokane stop has always been one of the most popular of these Dixieland events. Organizers estimate that at least half the patrons are from out of the region.

For early birds, the music begins tonight with a pre-festival party from 7 to 10 p.m. in the Masonic ballroom, featuring the Dixie Dandies. The festival officially begins Friday at 3 p.m. and continues through Sunday at 5:30 p.m.

The featured bands include:

“The Night Blooming Jazzmen, from Claremont, Calif.

“CanUs Hot Jazz Band, Victoria, B.C.

“High Sierra Jazz Band, Three Rivers, Calif.

“Uptown Lowdown Jazz Band, Bellevue, Wash.

“Louisiana Joymakers, Vancouver, B.C.

“No Inhibitions Jazz Band, Bremerton

“Dixie Dandies, Spokane.

“Black Swan Classic Jazz Band, Portland.

These bands will combine to provide nearly nonstop music on three stages within the Masonic Temple, including a swing dance Saturday night at 7:30.

The festival’s traditional free gospel service will be Sunday at 9 a.m., featuring the Black Swan Classic Jazz Band.

Events wrap up Sunday night with an “after glow” dinner and dance at 6:15 p.m. at the Spokane Club. Tickets are $20, through TicketsWest.

For more information and a complete schedule, go to www.spokanedixielandjazzfest.com.