Wilkes-Barre in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

America's First Jazz Festival

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

— February 23, 1951 —

America's First Jazz Festival Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 2, 2018

1. America's First Jazz Festival Marker

Inscription.

On February 23, 1951 history was made in Wilkes-Barre. Eight jazz bands got together for "The Cavalcade of Dixieland Jazz" which became the country's first Jazz Festival. On this occasion April 29, 1994 the City of Wilkes-Barre acknowledges and pays tribute to those early jazz musicians and promoters who initiated the tradition which continues today, not only here in its birthplace, but throughout the country.

Lee A. Namey
Mayor of Wilkes-Barre

Erected 1994 by City of Wilkes-Barre.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical date for this entry is February 23, 1951.

Location. 41° 14.769′ N, 75° 52.923′ W. Marker is in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, in Luzerne County. It can be reached from Public Square. Marker is near the NW corner of the Public Square, in downtown. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wilkes Barre PA 18701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Pennsylvania’s Anthracite Coal Region

and in the Wyoming Valley.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

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in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Birthplace of HBO (here, next to this marker); Birthplace of the AIME (here, next to this marker); The Fine Arts Fiesta (here, next to this marker); Public Square Park (here, next to this marker); AIME (here, next to this marker); Fort Wilkes Barre 1778 (here, next to this marker); Old Ship Zion Church Bell (within shouting distance of this marker); Wilkes-Barre Fort (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilkes-Barre.

Also see . . . The First U.S. Jazz Festival? (NPR Jazz Blog, 2011). (Submitted on May 4, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Markers near the NW Corner of Public Square image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr.

2. Markers near the NW Corner of Public Square

Credits. This page was last revised on May 5, 2018. It was originally submitted on May 4, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 771 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 4, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.