Sunday • May 24, 2026 • 1:00 PM

The Jessie
40 E Adams Street • Jacksonville, FL 32202

How do you make it to the main stage at the Jacksonville Jazz Festival? Practice, practice, practice!

The Jacksonville Jazz Clinic is an educational component of the festival that gives music enthusiasts and aspiring musicians the opportunity to learn from experienced artists and industry professionals. Through engaging discussions and interactive sessions, attendees can explore the evolution of jazz, gain insight into the creative process, and deepen their appreciation for the genre.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

This year’s Jazz Clinic will feature a panel moderated by the Jacksonville Jazz Society, exploring the evolution of Smooth and Contemporary Jazz—including the infusion of funk. The session will include music samples and an opportunity for the audience to share their own listening experiences.

2026 panelists include Kia Nicholson, Professor Jerome (Musician), Marcus Click (Musician), Stan Skinner (Musician), Jerome Kyles (Musician) and Na’im Rashid.

Aspiring and accomplished jazz musicians of all ages are invited to learn, grow, and connect in an intimate setting. Attendance is free, no registration required!

Jacksonville Jazz Fest Sponsors - The Jessie
Portrait of Branford Marsalis

Branford Marsalis

New Orleans-born Branford Marsalis is a saxophonist, band leader, featured classical soloist, and a film and Broadway composer. In the process, he has become a multi award-winning artist with three Grammys, a citation by the National Endowment for the Arts as a Jazz Master and an avatar of contemporary artistic excellence.

The Branford Marsalis Quartet, formed in 1986, remains his primary means of expression. In its virtually uninterrupted three-plus decades of existence, the Quartet has established a rare breadth of stylistic range and has long been recognized as the standard to which other ensembles of its kind must be measured. The Quartet recently made its Blue Note Records debut with the release of Belonging, a full album interpretation of Keith Jarrett’s 1974 ECM album of the same name. A frequent soloist with classical ensembles, Branford is increasingly sought after as a featured soloist with acclaimed orchestras around the world. And his legendary guest performances with the Grateful Dead and collaborations with Sting have made him a fan favorite in the pop arena.

Branford has numerous screen credits as a composer including for the recent Netflix films Rustin and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. He received a 2021 EMMY nomination for Outstanding Music Composition for a Documentary and his work on Broadway has garnered a Drama Desk Award and a Tony Award nomination.