News • Jacksonville Jazz Festival

May 26, 2023

Texan wins piano competition, Sunday spot on Jacksonville Jazz Festival stage

The Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition kicked off Jazz Festival weekend with a few surprises Thursday night at the Florida Theatre. For one, a new rhythm section was in place to accompany the performers. Ulysses Owens Jr., who hosts his own Don't Miss a Beat Jazz Festival in Jacksonville and will play at the Jacksonville Jazz Festival on Saturday, played drums alongside bass player Reuben Rogers. They replaced the long-time rhythm section of Clyde Conner and...

Jacksonville Jazz Fest News

May 25, 2023

‘Glad to be alive:’ Downtown Jacksonville buzzing ahead of annual Jazz Festival

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Thursday night marks the start of the annual Jacksonville Jazz Festival, with a variety of food, drinks, and of course, some great jazz music with riverfront views. The free-of-cost festival has been a major attraction in Jacksonville for over 40 years now and is stacked with big name talent this year, including the likes of Chaka Khan, Charlie Wilson and more. The festival kicks off Thursday night with a piano competition at...

Jacksonville Jazz Fest News

May 24, 2023

From pianos to percussion, Jazz Fest will pulse through the weekend

As the ivories tinkle and the brass bellows, thousands of music lovers will descend on Downtown Jacksonville this Memorial Day weekend for the annual Jazz Festival. The event will begin with the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition on Thursday night, followed by three days of live, free entertainment in the heart of Downtown. The Jazz Fest has a long history, starting in 1979 when it premiered in Mayport, then moved to Metropolitan Park in 1982 as a...

Jacksonville Jazz Fest News

May 21, 2023

The Jacksonville Jazz Festival returns to Downtown Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The festival will feature free performances by several award-winning artists at two stages along the St. Johns River including Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Chaka Khan, Charlie Wilson, Samara Joy, Eric Roberson with special guest Jeff Bradshaw, Larry Carlton and more. The first day of the four-day music festival is the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition presented by Keyboard Connection. The Piano Place at the Florida Theatre on Thursday, May...

Jacksonville Jazz Fest News

April 8, 2023

Wynton Marsalis, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Samara Joy, Ulysses Owens Jr. and More to Play 2023 Jacksonville Jazz Festival

For more than 40 years, the Jacksonville Jazz Festival has brought international jazz legends and emerging artists, as well as offering local musicians the chance to be seen and heard. Held every Memorial Day Weekend, the festival attracts jazz fans from around the globe to soak up some (hopefully) warmer weather and cool sounds on different stages. This year is no exception. The festival just announced the lineup for this year, and it boasts another...

Jacksonville Jazz Fest News

June 30, 2022

Jazz renegade Theo Croker returns to his Jacksonville roots

Few musicians live in the present moment, at the convergence of what came before and what's up ahead, with more panache than Theo Croker. A trumpeter, producer and composer rooted in the jazz lineage, he's also within the vanguard of a peer group blending hip-hop, electronic music and contemporary R&B. The synthesis shines throughout his recent albums, notably the feature-laden Love Quantum, which arrives this summer, and BLK2LIFE // A FUTURE PAST, which released...

Jacksonville Jazz Fest News

May 31, 2022

Delta’s Honor Their Own Diva at Jazz Fest

Tens of thousands of music fans partook in the annual Jacksonville Jazz Festival 2022. The three-day line-up, included dozens of artist, performing on two stages. For forty years jazz enthusiasts and aficionados from around the world unite in Northeast Florida to celebrate the music, art, and culture of American jazz history. This year’s headliners included Stephanie Mills, Motown recording artist KEM, Ledisi, Herbie Hancock and the incomparable Patti Labelle ended the festival belting out her...

Jacksonville Jazz Fest News

Thousands show up for Jacksonville Jazz Festival

May 30, 2022

Jacksonville Jazz Fest News

May 30, 2022

News4JAX reporter and anchor Jenese Harris honored to introduce Patti LaBelle at 2022 Jazz Festival

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Quite a treat Sunday night for our very own Jenese Harris as she got to step on the stage at Jacksonville’s Jazz Fest and introduce legendary singer and icon, Patti LaBelle. Jenese said to introduce Ms. LaBelle was an honor and dream. Jenese said she’s been a fan since she was a little girl and listened to Patti LaBelle’s music with her parents. See Jenese introduce LaBelle in the video below. Patti LaBelle closed out a weekend...

Jacksonville Jazz Fest News

May 29, 2022

Jacksonville all jazzed up: Hundreds enjoy music festival downtown

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After a rough week in the news, hundreds of people flocked downtown on Saturday to enjoy the longstanding tradition of the Jacksonville Jazz Festival. It was refreshing to see smiling faces all having a good time, and people came to the free event prepared with lawn chairs, umbrellas -- and waters. For some people, this free event couldn’t have come at a better time. “Since the pandemic this is the first time we’ve had a jazz...

Jacksonville Jazz Fest News