This is looking to be an awesome year for those visiting the 2019 Telluride Jazzfest. Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue will be headlining for the first time and bringing proper friends, Lettuce and Robert Randolph with them. It will most certainly be more of a New Orleans inspired, funkier jazz festival than ever before! Get your tickets now–dates are Aug. 9th-11th. Full lineup and more information here: https://www.telluridejazz.org/

For those going for the first time, here are a few thoughts. First of all, if you have the means, stay at the Telluride Hotel. This is a classic location for many performers and is just a great hotel overall. They offer shuttle service to the event (and around town), they have awesome rooms with incredible views and they are pet friendly! The stay is well worth the extra dollars–I mean, you’re in Telluride, right? For those on lower budget, there is quite a bit of camping available around the festival grounds, as well as in the surrounding mountain areas. Not a bad way to go if you want to experience nature to its fullest, just make sure to be prepared–its monsoon season.

Second, make sure to sample a few of Telluride’s fine dining experiences. Two of my favorites are Rustico Ristorante and Cosmopolitan. Rustico is the Italian staple of Telluride. It’s been there since as long as I have been traveling to Telluride (30+ years?) and is the real deal. It comes complete with a generally all Italian staff, beautiful outdoor dining and fantastic Italian fare. This is a must for one of the many dinners you will enjoy. The other option, Cosmopolitan, is more of a contemporary American feel that is jazzed up and very sheik. The Cosmopolitan is located in the Hotel Columbia (also a great stay) and combines very fine dining with an incredible atmosphere. You will definitely love the food!

Last, make sure to get out into nature while you’re down there. Telluride is one of the most beautiful and dramatic places that one will likely visit in their lifetime. It is a small town quietly nestled into the backdrop of a narrow valley with enormous and colorful mountains all around it. Unless you 4-wheel over one of a few mountain passes, there is really only one conventional way into Telluride, so it tends to remain hidden away from most travelers.

If you’re not heading to the Jazzfest on any particular day or just have free time I would recommend one or all of the following: 1) A hike up to Bridal Veil falls; 2) A 4-wheel and hike up to and around Alta Lakes; 3) A classic 14er hike of Wilson Peak (this is the mountain that is almost ubiquitous with Colorado and the Telluride area–it is also featured on the Coors Light can!) As extra credit, for those that are really into the mountains and all that they have to offer, may I suggest spending a night in Ouray first and then 4-wheeling over Imogene Pass to get into Telluride. This is a proper route for the avid adventurers in the crowd and you can soak in the hot springs in Ouray.

Overall, make sure to come down and have fun. Having the opportunity to hear and see music in such an amazing environment is a combination that is not often experienced at your typical “Jazzfest”. The performers really seem to get off on it and it produces high energy entertainment value for all. I’m sure Shorty and boys will bring it correct for this year’s festivities!