Burlington Discover Jazz Festival 2015 Credit: File: Brian MacDonald

The Burlington Discover Jazz Festival unveiled its initial 2019 lineup on Monday. The 10-day celebration of all things jazz takes over the Queen City from Friday, May 31, through Sunday, June 9. Scores of local, national and international acts perform all around the city, from the Church Street Marketplace to small clubs to large performing arts venues.

Pharoah Sanders Credit: Courtesy of Pharoah Sanders

Tenor saxophone legend and John Coltrane collaborator Pharoah Sanders takes top billing at the 36th annual edition of the BDJF. He’ll perform on Saturday, June 1, at the Flynn MainStage.

The large-scale tent shows held at Burlington’s Waterfront Park have become some of the festival’s  most anticipated and talked about performances. This year those shows include Alabama soul-rock band St. Paul & the Broken Bones on Thursday, June 6. New Orleans soul outfit Tank & the Bangas, known for winning National Public Radio’s 2017 Tiny Desk Concert contest, add support, along with local soul-jazz ensemble smalltalker.

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Then, on Saturday, June 8, Jamaican ska and rocksteady pioneers Toots and the Maytals play the Waterfront. Motown-infused reggae outfit the Big Takeover open, along with Burlington-based West-African psych-funk group Sabouyouma.

Highlighting the smaller stages, jazz pianist Christian Sands brings his trio to the FlynnSpace on Thursday, June 6.

Tia Fuller Credit: Courtesy of Tia Fuller

BDJF always includes an artist-in-residence who not only performs, but also leads seminars and workshops, participates in meet-the-artist interviews and generally engages with local groups, area music students and festival goers.

This year’s artist-in-residence is Berklee College of Music professor and former Beyoncé band member Tia Fuller. She plays two sets on Saturday, June 8, at the FlynnSpace.

The complete lineup for the 2019 Burlington Discover Jazz Festival will be announced soon. In the meantime, a ticket pre-sale for Friends of Discover Jazz members starts Thursday, January 31. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Thursday, February 7.

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Jordan Adams joined Seven Days as music editor in 2016. In 2021, he became an arts and culture staff writer. He's won awards from the Vermont Press Association and the New England Newspaper and Press Association. In 2022, he became a freelance contributor.

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