The rich and groovy flow of jazz is undoubtedly one of music’s most recognizable sounds. Add to that the characteristic chord progressions of moody blues music, and fans with Jazz Blues tickets are in for one hell of a treat. Over the next few days, various festivals and artists will throw up master-classes of jazz blues. Leading the line is Lenox’s famous Tanglewood Jazz Festival, while the electric blues of B.B. King will make for unforgettable hearing. Contemporary jazz blues is on the rise, perfectly embodied by innovative artists like Chris Botti and Fourplay, while Bela Fleck’s banjo-powered blues is a thing of beauty. With limitless opportunities at hand, quality jazz blues entertainment is only the purchase of a Jazz Blues ticket away.

Blues originated from America’s Deep South from 19^th century workers’ tunes, and has a prominent African American undertone. Jazz contains many blues influences, especially in its twelve-bar chord progression. The Tanglewood Jazz Festival in Lenox has an illustrious history stretching back to 1934, when some Berkshire music-lovers arranged three New York Philharmonic concerts at Interlocken. Ages later, Tanglewood began on the venue. B.B. King had a troubled upbringing when his mother and father both abandoned him, but he made a reputation as a guitarist in Inverness’s St. John’s Quartet before rocking Memphis’ famous WDIA station with his blues. Chris Botti was inspired by Miles Davis and was playing trumpet since 9, going on to study in Gresham’s Mount Hood Community College so that he could play in the evening in Portland clubs. The Fourplay super-group of Bob James (keyboards), Chuck Loeb (guitars), Nathan East (bass), and Harvey Mason (drums) got together in 1991, well-grounded in jazz foundations. Bela Fleck studied banjo since 15 under the tutelage of Tony Trischka and made waves with Spectrum (with mandolin great Jimmy Gaudreau) and New Grass Revival (with Sam Bush) before forming the Flecktones in 1988.

 
King is ranked as 3^rd greatest guitarist of all time, and his pioneering electric blues have earned him great recognition and spots in the Blues and Rock n Roll Hall of Fames, along with a National Medal of Arts. He has 15 Grammy wins too. Fourplay’s fame was all-conquering in the early 90s, when their first three albums topped jazz charts for over 150 weeks. Botti’s recent surge has seen the trumpeter win five Grammy nominations and release three chart-topping jazz albums. Fleck has been nominated in a record nine Grammy categories, showcasing his versatility, with 12 wins.
 
A classic jazz blues evening is sure to perk up the listeners’ moods as the maestros run through their evergreen compositions. Tanglewood is sure to see greater activity than its usual 350,000 attendance over Labor Day weekend, with other stars performing in Jacksonville, Bangor, and Mobile.
 
Lovers of pure untainted music for the soul could not ask for anything besides jazz blues. And with stellar performers converging across the length and breadth of America in the coming days, there is a mad rush for jazz blues tickets.