Mountain Melodies: THE 48th Telluride Jazz Festival
“The town’s favorite festival,” A weekend of soulful performances & vibrant rhythms.
Check out our playlist here, inspired by this year’s festival.
“The town’s favorite festival.”
“I’m 100% coming back next year, and convincing a group of friends to join.”
These were some of the things we overheard at this year’s 48th annual Jazz Festival in Telluride, Colorado, which took place Aug. 8-10.
The family-friendly setting gave ample room to dance, sit, walk around, and enjoy the day. With the mountain backdrop, sun shining, and crisp evening air, the scene was set for a magical time.
Check out the artist lineup here.
The mix of artists brought a great balance of New Orleans, classic, modern, and Latin jazz.
Here’s a look at the standout performances we were able to catch during the festival. This wasn’t just a festival—it was an experience, and here’s how it unfolded, day by day.
Friday
We kicked off the weekend listening to Joslyn & The Sweet Compression, a band led by Joslyn Hampton that radiates warmth and soul. Their sound isn’t about holding things in—it’s about letting it out, freely and unapologetically.
Joslyn’s powerhouse vocals, backed by a band that grooves in every direction, made the mountains feel alive. We had the chance to sit down with Joslyn for an interview, so we’ll let her words do the talking—check out our full conversation here.
Next came BALTHVS, a Colombian trio that effortlessly blends psychedelic textures with funk-driven bass lines.
“We might be from Colombia, but music is universal, so here’s a little Turkish delight,” they said before sliding into their Middle Eastern melodic groove “Turkish Coffee.”
Their distinctly Colombian edge was saturated in rhythm, global in spirit, and impossible not to sway to.
Then came Cimafunk, who turned the stage into what felt like a full-on Havana block party. With a nine-piece band, the energy was relentless, infectious, and wildly fun. Cimafunk brought people on stage to dance, sing, and share the spotlight. It wasn’t just a performance—it was a celebration of Cuban funk in its most vibrant, living form.
We got to chat with a few members of the band outside of the festival, and their vibrant, friendly energy was just as prevalent then as it was on the stage.
Closing the night was Kamasi Washington, who reminded us all what patience in music can do. In an age of short clips and shrinking attention spans, Washington’s build-ups and band solos often stretched longer than the average song—and the payoff was pure power.
His presence carried no ego, just deep gratitude, as he continuously shifted the limelight to his bandmates. At one point, he brought his wife, Ami Taf Ra, on stage to perform her latest single produced by Washington. The single, “How I Became A Madman,” is part of Ami’s upcoming album, the first fully produced album Washington has created for someone else.
There was so much joy in this performance—from Washington talking about his four-year-old daughter’s newfound love for the piano (and all the ‘practicing’ sounds that come with it… at 7 AM), to his expressed gratitude for his band that shared the stage, including his own father. The set was full of human moments.
Washington’s use of hip-hop undertones threaded through cosmic jazz sounds, with a hint of something familiar, was unforgettable.
Some direct insight from people in the crowd around us included:
“That might be the best live performance I’ve ever seen.”
“That was spiritual.”
And we whole-heartedly agree.
Saturday
Our Saturday opened with the BTTRFLY Quintet, a technically skilled group that was musically tight. The bands lead saxophonist, Dom, is the “main music maker and saxophonist” for Big Gigantic, a popular EDM group that incorporates live instrumentation in their sets (see below for a taste of their music too).
The day took a turn toward magic with Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe.
The set exploded with joy, driven by vocalist Danielle Barker, otherwise known as Dani, who has an incredibly gritty, soulful voice and for us she quickly became the star of the show. The chemistry between the musicians was undeniable, their harmonies clear and commanding.
The crowd fed off their energy, erupting into dance and laughter. It was one of those sets where the line between performer and audience blurred into a shared wave of joy.
Sunday
On Sunday, Brass Queens graced the stage, proving that brass can be both powerful and playful. Their harmonies were tight, their presence commanding, and they had the rare ability to connect instantly with the audience. The result was a high-energy performance that left the crowd buzzing.
Closing out the weekend for us, Kokoroko offered something both fun and deeply reflective.
“We wanted to have fun and we started writing, then real life happened—and that filtered into the music,” they shared. Through the challenges and changes in their personal lives, their bond as a band only deepened, and it showed on stage.
Although they started out slow with a couple stage malfunctions, they were able to lift each other up in no time, and their set was soulful, tender, and layered with authenticity. It was a reminder that music isn’t just about entertainment—it’s about connection, growth, and resilience.
Check out this audio clip we captured at the festival, before Kokoroko played one of their favorite songs of their latest album, “Tuff Times Never Last.”
As the final notes faded into the mountain air, it was clear this wasn’t just another festival. It was a weekend of stories, told through music, through community, through shared awe in one of the most beautiful settings in the world.
Telluride Jazz isn’t just about the artists on stage; it’s about what happens when music, nature, and people collide in harmony. And if you weren’t there this year, you’ll want to join next time.
Check out our playlist below inspired by this year’s festival.
(All Photos by Em Wilson for Global Soundwaves Magazine & Telluride Jazz Festival)
