Today kicks off the five-day Bellevue Jazz & Blues Festival in Bellevue Washington. From May 29 until June 2, you can join other attendees with the 12th annual Bellevue Jazz & Blues Festival. Enjoy over 40 live shows hosted at various venues across the city.Bellevue Blues and Jazz Festival 2019

Headliners include Davina and the Vagabonds on May 31 at 7:30 PM at the Meydenbauer Center theater in downtown Bellevue. This local band has grown from a small blues band and one of the most exciting acoustic ensembles on the international stage. They have performed in 45 states, two Canadian provinces, and 12 European countries. You’ll hear sounds reminiscent of Fats Domino and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band all the way to Aretha Franklin and Tom Waits. Davina has been compared to Amy Winehouse, Billie Holiday, and Janis Joplin so it’s a headliner you won’t want to miss. Tickets are available on the website.

On June 1 is The Bad Plus, also playing at 7:30 PM at the Meydenbauer Center. With three band members, this group of passionate collaborators doesn’t have his own leader but blends together in fresh new compositions. The New York Times called their band and exhilarating document.

Other featured artists include Darelle Holden Quartet, Bake & Friends, and Kiki Valera. Participants can buy tickets for just one performance, all performances, or tickets to Bakes Bar & Bistro performances are available online It BakesplaceBellevue.com/reservations

Bellevue’s Jazz & Blues Festival started back in 2008 as a cultural and community event attracting national and local artists. Events will be happening all over the city at places like the Bellettini, Lincoln Square, el Gaucho, Paddy Coins Bellevue, the Seattle Marriott in Bellevue, AC Hotel in Bellevue, Cyprus Lounge at the Westin, Central Bar, Bellevue Arts Museum, and the Resonance at SOMA Towers. There’s something going on practically from 10:00 AM until midnight every day. Student tickets start at just $20.

Visit the website for more information and stay tuned to our blog for more local events and activities happening around Mercer Island and Bellevue Washington.