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Like many other events, Jacksonville Jazz Festival canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19

Jazz Festival becomes most recent event to announce cancelation JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – In response to ongoing health concerns to due the COVID-19 pandemic, the Jacksonville Jazz Festival on Tuesday decided to cancel the event in 2020. The Jazz Festival said it the decision came at the direction of city officials. “The City of Jacksonville is committed to the health and safety of the community, and we urge everyone to follow the guidelines and protocols put forth by public...

City cancels 2020 Jazz Festival, postpones the event until 2021

The City of Jacksonville announced today the 2020 Jacksonville Jazz Festival has been cancelled. The City’s Office of Sports and Entertainment made the announcement, citing public health concerns in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The event has been postponed until May 2021, according to Nikki Kimbleton, director of public affairs for the city. “The City of Jacksonville is committed to the health and safety of the community, and we urge everyone to follow the guidelines...

Lineup Announced For 2019 Jax Jazz Festival; WJCT Launches Pop-Up Jazz Station

Gladys Knight and Brian Culbertson will be the headliners at this year’s Jacksonville Jazz Festival that will be held on Memorial Day weekend, May 23 – 26. Best known for her hit with the Pips, “Midnight Train to Georgia,” Knight gained widespread fame and is known as the Empress of Soul. Jazz, funk and R&B artist Brian Culbertson is known for smooth jazz hits like “Always Remember” and “Hookin’ Up.” Other performers set to appear include: Monty Alexander Ledisi Kirk...

Heat wave grips Jacksonville, Deep South, smashing records

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A scorching heatwave weeks before summer starts continues in the Deep South. High temperatures were at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 Celsius) on Sunday in Charleston and Columbia, South Carolina; Fayetteville and Wilmington in North Carolina; Savannah and Macon in Georgia; and Gainesville, Florida. All those cities tied or broke daily records and several haven’t seen a hotter day in May since records were kept. At Jacksonville International Airport on Monday, temperatures reached 100...

2019 Jacksonville Jazz Festival: What you need to know

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Music legends will heat up the stage this week for the 2019 Jacksonville Jazz Festival in downtown. Jazz fest, which started in 1981 has become one the largest jazz festivals in the country. One study found that last year's Jazz Fest brought in nearly $10 million. It also found that more than 8-thousand hotels were booked for visitors wanting to get in on the music. Here are some quick facts for Jazz Fest 2019: It's...

What to do this Memorial Day weekend in, around Jacksonville

Events taking place in northeast Florida over holiday weekend JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – If you're looking for something to do over the Memorial Day holiday weekend in the Jacksonville area, there's no shortage of choices. Many events are being held for the federal holiday. Memorial Day, a day to remember those who died while serving in the nation's armed forces, takes place this year on May 27. Some of the events taking place in northeast Florida and southeast Georgia include...

Memorial Day Weekend Tradition, Jacksonville Jazz Festival Features Big Names, Festival Veterans and Young, Emerging Artists

Downtown Jacksonville does more than just set the stage for the Jacksonville Jazz Festival. It becomes the stage! A Memorial Day weekend tradition, the 39th annual Jacksonville Jazz Festival features a lineup of big names, festival veterans and young, emerging artists on two stages at the courthouse lawn and Hemming Park. The legendary Gladys Knight is the 2019 festival headliner. Other artists include Brian Culbertson, Monty Alexander, The Noel Freidline Quartet with Maria Howell, Ledisi, Kirk Whalum, Jazmin...

Crowd favorite wins Jazz Festival Piano Competition

You could tell that Joe Davidian meant business from the moment he stepped onstage Thursday night at the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition. No messing around with the piano bench, no saying a few words to greet the crowd — Davidian walked on, gave a little wave and went to work on Jimmy VanHeusen’s “Suddenly It’s Spring.” His three-song performance, easily the favorite of the Florida Theatre crowd, was good enough to win him the title and...

Jazz Fest brings free live music downtown this weekend

THE STAGES Swingin’ Stage, at the Duval County Courthouse, Pearl and Adams Streets Groovin’ Stage, Hemming Park, Monroe and Laura Streets THE HOURS Friday: 6-11 p.m. Saturday: 3-11 p.m. Sunday: 3-10 p.m. THE SCHEDULE THURSDAY 7 p.m.: Jacksonville Jazz Festival Piano Competition, Florida Theatre ($13.50) FRIDAY 6:15 p.m.: UNF Jazz Ensemble 1, Groovin’ Stage 7:30 p.m.: Monty Alexander, Swingin’ Stage 7:45 p.m.: Jazmin Ghent, Groovin’ Stage 9:30 p.m.: Ledisi, Swingin’ Stage 9:30 p.m.: Alfredo Rodriguez Trio, Groovin’ Stage SATURDAY 10 a.m.: Jazz Fest Clinic with pianist Marcus Johnson, Ritz Theatre 3:15 p.m.:...