About Us

The Summit Jazz Foundation is an all volunteer organization and depends upon the dedication and continuing support of all those who give of their time and energy to make the events of the Foundation become a reality. For information on becoming a volunteer, contact us at 303-670-8471.

History

The first Summit Jazz weekend event was held in Silverthorne, CO in 1979 at the Ramada Inn and relocated in 1982 to the Beaver Run Hotel in Breckenridge. After recurring incidences of musicians and audience members having breathing difficulties attributed to the altitude (10,000 feet) and requiring medical attention, it was decided that Summit Jazz should be relocated. In 1989 this event moved to the "lowlands" of Denver (only 5,200 feet) – first at the Hyatt Regency Tech Center, then the Four Points by Sheraton and now at the Red Lion Denver Southeast. In 1990 the producers of Summit Jazz (Juanita and Alan Frederickson) formed the Summit Jazz Foundation as a Colorado non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation. The Swinging Jazz Concerts series began in 1998 being held at the Adams Mark Hotel that year and then moved in 1999 to the newly opened Seawell Grand Ballroom in the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.