The 2016 Jacksonville Jazz Festival kicks off tomorrow, Thursday, May 26, at The Florida Theatre with the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition presented by Keyboard Connection Piano & Organs, and will last throughout the Memorial Day weekend. The festival will feature more than 35 performers, four stages, and a vibrant street festival atmosphere.
The festival lineup includes performances by KEM, Jon Batiste and Stay Human, Dr. John, Snarky Puppy, the Yellowjackets, Somi, McCoy Tyner, Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, Chris Godber, Charenée Wade, Dizzy Gillespie™ Afro-Cuban Experience, Lizz Wright, Ken Ford, Warren Wolf and the Wolfpack, Cyrille Aimée, Nathan East, Jamison Ross, and Generation NeXt, along with local favorites.
Other festival activities include the Jazz Marketplace, Second Line Jazz Parade presented by iHeart Media, Omni Sacred Jazz Brunch with the Noel Freidline Quintet, Jazz Clinic presented by Buffet Crampon with Mark Pender, Eric Carter, and Charenée Wade, and Jazz Fest After Dark.
The Jacksonville Jazz Festival event footprint will include the Swingin’ Stage presented by JAA at the corner of Main and West Adams streets; the Groovin’ Stage at Hemming Park; and the Breezin’ Stage presented by Moe’s Southwest Grill at the Jacksonville Landing. Performances on all three stages will begin on Friday, May 27.
The Jacksonville Jazz Festival hours are as follows:
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Thursday, May 26th: 6 – 10 p.m. (Piano Competition Only)
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Friday, May 27th: 4 – 11 p.m.
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Saturday, May 28th: 1 – 11 p.m.
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Sunday, May 29th: 1 – 10 p.m.
Street closures will begin Thursday, May 26 and continue through Monday, May 30, at noon. Closures include:
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Laura Street from Church Street to Bay Street
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Adams Street from Hogan Street to Ocean Street
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Hogan Street from Monroe Street to Duval Street, east (right) lane only
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Duval Street from Hogan Street to Laura Street
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Duval Street from Main Street to Ocean Street
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Monroe Street from Hogan Street to Main Street
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Monroe Street from Main Street to Ocean Street
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Main Street from Church Street to Forsyth Street
The Jacksonville Jazz Festival is produced by the City of Jacksonville’s Office of Special Events, with support from Jacksonville Aviation Authority, UF Health, AARP, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Action News Jax Fox 30 CBS 47, Lowe’s, Keyboard Connections, Omni Jacksonville Hotel, Pastiche Catering, Little Black Dress Wines, Heineken, iHeart Radio V101.5, Coca Cola, Buffet Crampon, WJCT, SMG, JEA, and the Jacksonville Tourist Development Council.
The festival is free and open to the public unless otherwise listed. Additional festival features and information are available at JacksonvilleJazzFest.com.
About the City of Jacksonville Sports and Entertainment Office
The City of Jacksonville’s Sports and Entertainment Office attracts, hosts and creates opportunities that drive economic impact, accelerate the Jacksonville brand and improve the quality of life and cultural engagement for visitors and residents. Jacksonville hosts hundreds of diverse events each year making Northeast Florida a premier destination with rich tradition and world-class hospitality. The Sports and Entertainment office includes the Office of Special Events and the Film and Television Office. For more information, visit
www.coj.net.