Since 1977, Telluride’s majestic perch high in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado has been the site of an annual cultural event combining the finest pristine natural aesthetics with boundless artistic creativity. The Telluride Jazz Festival ranks among the world’s most scenic music events in the country. Add on the desirable intimate format and abundant offering of alpine recreational activities to historical performances and the result is an immersive live music experience that has brought audiophiles from around the world for over four decades.

Telluride Jazz Festival’s flagship educational scholarship program is the Telluride Student All-Star Jazz Ensemble. Dedicated Jazz students are invited to send audition recordings of their musical skills to program director Prof. Josh Quinlan. These esteemed jazz performance educators accept elite musicians to travel to Telluride the week preceding the festival to work on compositions and study music together.

Music education is at the core of the Telluride Society For Jazz and prominently on display during the festival weekend. Up-and-coming Jazz music students bring their talent, skills, and knowledge to the Telluride community, sharing them all on the Society Stage at Elks Park. These intimate and interactive artist sessions will help promote the Telluride Society for Jazz's mission of student education and music outreach. Taking place in the heart of historic downtown Telluride in the grassy outdoor amphitheater at Elks Park, these performances give you a chance to interact with artists and music students, all while learning about jazz culture, history and methods.

High School and College Bands and Ensembles are invited to participate in the Telluride Jazz Festival. This program offers students travel subsidies, food, lodging, general and backstage admission to the Town Park so they may have the opportunity to interact with jazz legends and experience the production side of the event.