Additional performers and festival details will continue to be announced in the coming months through the festival’s Facebook page (Facebook.com/JacksonvilleJazzFestival), Twitter (Twitter.com/JaxJazzFest) and
JaxJazzFest.com.
This year’s festival will continue the tradition of jazz in Jacksonville with a variety of jazz genres and featured activities in the heart of downtown Jacksonville. Special components include Art in the Heart Downtown, a juried art show and sale, and the Wine Down/Brew Town Tasting Experience featuring a variety of
fine wines and craft beers. Other activities include the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition presented by Keyboard Connection Pianos & Organs, ‘Round Midnight Jazz Jams, Generation Next Youth Talent Competition, jazz brunch, exhibits and displays.
The Jacksonville Jazz Festival is free and open to the public unless otherwise listed.
Entertainment Stages
- The Florida Theatre (Thursday, May 24 only)
- Swingin’ Stage presented by the Jacksonville Aviation Authority (Monroe Street between Main and Ocean streets)
- Groovin’ Stage (Hemming Plaza)
- Breezin’ Stage (The Jacksonville Landing)
- Old Church (Snyder Memorial)
VIP Packages
“Experience Jazz” Package $240 (plus service charges)
Valid all festival days May 24 - 27
Exclusive access to an upfront preferred seating area during all festival days (limited; first-come, first-served) at The Florida Theatre for the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition presented by Keyboard Connection Pianos & Organs (Thursday), and performances on the Swingin’ stage presented by the Jacksonville Aviation Authority, Breezin’ stage and the Groovin’ stage on Friday - Sunday
- A ticket to the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition on Thursday, May 24
- A ticket to the Sunday Jazz Brunch at the Omni Jacksonville Hotel, the official co-host hotel of the Jacksonville Jazz Festival
- Wine Down / Brew Town Tasting Experience ticket (includes a commemorative glass and 6 tastes of featured wines or craft beers)
- Commemorative lanyard and VIP credential
- 2012 commemorative poster, signed and numbered by the artist
- Six drink tickets to be redeemed at festival beverage booths
- Commemorative lapel pin
- Commemorative event program, which may be picked up at the Official Jacksonville Jazz Festival Merchandise Store, 303 North Laura Street
- Merchandise coupon for official Jacksonville Jazz Festival merchandise
- Keepsake bag
- Discounts at participating downtown businesses
- Special reserved parking for all festival days is also available for purchase for an additional $15 for “Experience Jazz” VIP Package purchasers (first-come, first-served).
Seating areas will be limited in size, and access may become unavailable, if necessary, to keep the space from exceeding legal capacity. First-come, first-served. Chairs will be provided. Outside chairs and umbrellas will not be permitted.
Preferred Seating Day Passes
- Friday, May 25: $60 in advance/$70 day of show
- Saturday, May 26 & Sunday May 27: $70 per day in advance/$80 per day, day of show
- Exclusive access to an upfront viewing environment with preferred seating during all festival days (limited; first-come, first-served) at The Florida Theatre for the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition presented by Keyboard Connection Pianos & Organs (Thursday), and performances on the Swingin’ stage presented by the Jacksonville Aviation Authority, Breezin’ stage and the Groovin’ stage on Friday - Sunday.
Seating areas will be limited in size, and access may become unavailable, if necessary, to keep the space from exceeding legal capacity. First-come, first-served.
Purchase
Prior to the festival, “Experience Jazz” Packages and Preferred Seating Passes are available for purchase at the City of Jacksonville Office of Special Events,117 West Duval St., Ste. 280, Jacksonville, Florida 32202, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. or via phone (904) 630-3690. Preferred Seating Passes are also available online at
JaxJazzFest.com.
Packages may also be purchased during the festival at The Jacksonville Landing and the Official Jacksonville Jazz Festival Merchandise Store. For more information and purchase locations, visit
JaxJazzFest.com.
Jazz Festival Components and Highlights
Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition
Presented by Keyboard Connection Pianos & Organs
The Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition will feature five talented jazz pianists who will showcase their talents for cash prizes and the opportunity to perform during the festival on Saturday, May 28. Applications are available now at
JaxJazzFest.com and the postmark deadline for entries is March 12.
- Thursday, May 24
- 7 p.m. (Doors at 6 p.m.)
- The Florida Theatre
- Tickets: $10 (plus service charges)
- Visit JaxJazzFest.com for updates on ticket sales
Art in the Heart Downtown Juried Art Show & Sale
During the festival, browse through the works of talented artists and master craftspeople. Applications are now available for fine artists and craftspeople for the 2012 show. Visit
JaxJazzFest.com for applications and the postmark deadline is April 2.
- Adams Street from Laura to Main streets
- Free admission
- Friday, May 25, 5 - 10 p.m.
Judging 6 - 7 p.m.
- Saturday, May 26, 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
- Sunday, May 27, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Wine Down/Brew Town Tasting Experience
Enjoy the tasteful complement to the displays of art and the sounds of jazz during the festival.
- Laura Street between Monroe and Duval streets
- Friday, May 25, 6 - 9 p.m.
- Saturday, May 26, 4 - 9 p.m.
- Sunday, May 27, 2 - 6 p.m.
- Tickets
- $20 (includes 10 tastes of featured wines or craft beers and a complimentary glass)
- Six additional tastes can be purchased for $10.
- Tickets can be purchased at point of entry.
Generation Next Youth Talent Competition
Jazz musicians and vocalists ages 7 - 21 are encouraged to audition for the
4
th annual Generation Next Youth Talent Competition, a live talent showcase during the Jacksonville Jazz Festival. Contestants will be judged by a panel of music industry adjudicators who specialize in the fields of traditional and contemporary jazz and blues art forms. The winner will receive a savings bond to be used to further his or her music education. Complete information and applications are available at
JaxJazzFest.com.
- Auditions
- Saturday, April 14
- 2 - 5 p.m.
- Keyboard Connection Pianos & Organs
- Competition
- Saturday, May 26
- Breezin’ Stage (The Jacksonville Landing)
Jazz Dinner Cruise presented by Jax River Cruises
2012 Jacksonville Jazz Festival Poster
The official 2012 commemorative jazz festival poster was created by Tallahassee, Florida artist Joe Roache and is entitled “St. Johns River Rhapsody.” The poster is available for purchase for $40 (signed and numbered) or $25 unsigned. After the festival, the cost will be $65 (signed and numbered) or $40 unsigned. Posters can be purchased prior to the festival by contacting the
City of Jacksonville’s Office of Special Events at (904) 630-3690. Visit JaxJazzFest.com for order forms, an updated list of retailers and artist appearances.Jacksonville Jazz Festival Hall of Fame Nominations
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2012 Jacksonville Jazz Festival Hall of Fame for individuals who have made a positive impact to jazz in Jacksonville. Nominations can be submitted online at
JaxJazzFest.com until March 31.
Where to Stay
The Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront is the official host hotel and the Omni Jacksonville Hotel is the official co-host hotel of the Jacksonville Jazz Festival. Visit
JaxJazzFest.com for special rate packages for the festival. For a list of area hotels and a complimentary visitors guide, visit
VisitJacksonville.com/jazzfestival or call 1-800-733-2668.
Sponsors
The Jacksonville Jazz Festival is proudly produced by the City of Jacksonville
Office of Special Events with support from these
sponsors: Jacksonville Aviation Authority; Farah & Farah; Keyboard Connection Pianos & Organs; the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, the official host hotel; and the Omni Jacksonville Hotel, the official co-host hotel. For sponsorship opportunities, call (904) 630-3690 or email jlyons@coj.net.
Festival Information
Updated festival information will be posted on the official Jacksonville Jazz Festival website and social pages as details are available.
(904) 630-3690