Well known as a warm and friendly community, Three Rivers, California, is considered “The Gateway To Sequoia National Park.”
In the early 70s, new resident Leuder Ohlwein (a native of Germany) dreamed of starting a Traditional Jazz band. He recruited locals Earl McKee, Charlie Castro, Bruce Huddleston, Vic Kimzey, and Doc Ropes. Under Leuder’s leadership, the Jazzberry Jam band was born. The first JAZZAFFAIR festival took place in April of 1973. The locals loved it & the Sierra Jazz Cub was formed. A year later, under the new leadership of dynamic Al Smith, the band soon transitioned into the world-famous “High Sierra Jazz Band.” In 1998, Pieter Meijers took the reins for another 20 years. Marc Caparone and the Sierra Stompers now continue the legacy.
Incredibly, this year, 2025, we will be celebrating JAZZAFFAIRs 50th anniversary!! We invite you to come and join our JAZZAFFAIR family and experience the magic with us again.
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