Ali Affleck and The Traveling Janes

Ali Affleck and The Traveling Janes: Six artists on a journey through the history  of jazz

Led by the queen of traditional jazz Ali Affleck, already beloved by the JazzAscona audience, The Traveling Janes return to JazzAscona 2026. Six international musicians bring early jazz and blues back to life, celebrating pioneers such as Louis Armstrong, Ma Rainey, Jelly Roll Morton, and Sidney Bechet with energy, irony, and freedom. Their name evokes the traveling janes of the early 20th century: women journeying by train and through itinerant theaters—rebellious spirits who carried music and entertainment across America, leaving an echo that still resonates today. The band will perform in a special concert (a musical brunch) on Sunday, June 28, at the Hotel Eden Roc, from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM.