In the early years of the River Days Festival in Portsmouth, Ohio, local band directors had the vision to feature their favorite genre of music, live Big Band Jazz, as part of the community celebration. 35 years later, the Big Band Jazz sounds are still being played and enjoyed in Portsmouth on Labor Day weekend. This historic concert event has evolved from an American Federation of Musicians sponsored event to being fully supported by community sponsors. 

Thirty years ago, Julian Mohr, founder of the Portsmouth Beautification Society, welcomed the concert to the newly built bandstand at Tracy Park which became its permanent home. Originally promoted by the Southern Ohio Jazz Society, this concert event is now connected to the University of Kentucky Extension Community Arts Extension Program. Without this partnership, the administrative part of organizing this event would not be possible due to the dissolution of the Southern Ohio Jazz Society and the reduced availability of “green sheet” funds from the Musicians Union. 

The 2023 concert event celebrated the 35^th Annual Reunion Big Band on Sunday, September 3^rd from 7:00 – 9:00PM at Tracy Park. 18 professional musicians, an event manager, and a professional sound company came together with no rehearsal to present two hours of historically accurate live music for an audience that represented Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia. The musicians represented the same diverse locations as well as diversity of age, background, experience, nationality, and education. 

23 local businesses, individuals, and organizations donated in excess of $3,000 that was directly invested in securing professional services, offsetting travel expenses, marketing, and water. The Extension Service provided print programs, marketing, and administrative record keeping.