On Monday Jazz Aspen Snowmass closed out its fifteenth annual Labor Day Festival at Snowmass, CO’s Town Park. Anchored by Widespread Panic, who offered a pair of two-set performances, the multi-band gathering expanded to five days for the first time in its decade and a half history. On both Thursday and Friday Widespread Panic also added a third percussionist to its arsenal. As previously reported Thursday night Widespread Panic welcomed Wally Ingram to the stage for ‘Bayou Lena’. A night later, longtime road manager Steven Lopez played the shaker on a cover of War’s ‘Slippin’ Into Darkness.’ The festival’s collaborative spirit remained intact on Saturday night as the recently reunited Loggins & Messina welcomed original bass player, and Colorado native, Larry Sims onstage for the first time since the 1970s. On Sunday Willie Nelson also honored the victims of hurricane Katrina with a cover of Steve Goodman’s ‘City of New Orleans.’
After the festival’s daytime activities came to a close, a number of artists hosted guest-laden jam sessions throughout the resort town’s local establishments. On Thursday and Friday Particle performed at Aspen’s nearby Belly Up welcoming some familiar faces each night. Thursday the quartet jammed with Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe guitarist Brian Jordan and tour opener Gabby La La during ‘Silver Lining.’ Jerry Joseph also joined the band for a series of Creedence Clearwater Revival and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young covers (John Fogerty was among the festival’s headliners). A day later de Sol joined the group for a cover of Santana’s ‘Jingo.’
Galactic kept busy Friday performing an afternoon set at Snowmass, CO’s Town Park and a full late-night show at the Snowmass Conference Center. In addition to numbers like ‘Baker’s Dozen’ and ‘Chicken Pox’ the group also welcomed Cecil ‘P-Nut’ Daniels on midi sax for a version of ‘Hot Pants Road.’