The lineup for Labor Day 2023 is breathtaking: The Brothers Osborne, Old Dominion, and–drum roll, please…The Lumineers!

JAS gives a unique opportunity to enjoy these artists. Jazz Aspen Snowmass (JAS) was founded in 1991 with a mission to “present and preserve jazz and related forms of music through world-class events, performances, and education programs”. Entering its 32nd year of bringing famous artists into this small mountain town, JAS is one of the most anticipated events each year here in the Aspen/Snowmass community.

JAS originally started out as a three-day event in Aspen to showcase popular artists and bands. From there it has grown exponentially to a complex set of multi-day festivals throughout the Aspen/Snowmass area. Along with three days of incredible performances located at the Snowmass town park, JAS now offers year-round music education programs, a summer academy for jazz students, and the new addition of the JAS Cafe. This cafe features jazz musicians in venues around Aspen.

The Labor Day Experience is an outdoor concert featuring genres such as pop, R&B, rock, funk, blues, world, and soul. Every year fans of attending bands travel to Aspen in order to listen to outstanding music, with the stunning backdrop of the Elk Mountain Range. As Labor Day approaches, selected bands across the nation are preparing for their big night. Leading up to the JAS concerts, the Luminears are performing across Europe in the UK, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Belgium, and many more. So far, JAS has announced three of the attending bands, with more on the way.

AHS Senior Sophie Genshaft has been attending the JAS concerts since she was young. Having the opportunity to grow up in an environment that supports musical interests in the outdoors has greatly benefited Genshaft’s character and has influenced her interest in pursuing music herself.

“My favorite part about attending JAS concerts is the environment. I love being able to walk around a community of people just embracing the last few days of summer. I love the energy and all of the activities to do,” Genshaft said.

Since the JAS community has grown, the program has been able to bring more popular artists and bands to Snowmass Village. In the past, this organization has flown in many extravagant artists such as Earth, Wind, and Fire, Stevie Wonder, The Killers, Train, and Stevie Nicks. This is only a handful of the talented artists that have performed here. The list of big-name artists who have traveled to Aspen Snowmass to perform at the Snowmass Town Park is endless.

Freshman Eleanor Carroll has also been coming to these concerts since childhood. She has enjoyed the easy access to a musical environment and all of the memorable experiences she has developed over the years through JAS.

“I’m looking forward to going to the concerts this year with my friends because as I get older, I start to remember it more. So I’m excited to experience things I didn’t experience as much as when I was younger,” Carroll said.