Ah, summer: longer days, more sun, and summer concerts! If jazz is your thing, we’ve got you, and we’ll go through some of the upcoming summer jazz festivals in 2023. We’ll also cover some common jazz festival-related questions!
How Long Is a Jazz Concert?
How long a jazz concert lasts depends on many different factors, such as the performer and the venue. In the festivals we list below, we’ll give you the dates and provide the website so you can check out more details, like who’s playing when and for how long.
What Should You Wear to a Jazz Festival?
If you’re wondering what to wear to a jazz festival, you’re not alone. The answer is: whatever you want! We jazz lovers are a cool bunch, so you can dress up or dress down, keep it simple or jazz it up (pun intended!). In general, you want to wear something comfy and easy to get around in, and for a summer jazz festival, you want to stick with something cool and airy. Beyond that, just be you!
Summer Jazz Festivals in 2023
Okay, here are the upcoming jazz festivals for summer 2023!
Rochester Jazz Festival (Rochester, NY, June 23-July 1) The Rochester Jazz Festival is sure to kick off your summer with a bang! This jazz fest includes both ticketed and free performances. Some of the ticketed headliners include: Pat Metheny Side-Eye, Keb’ Mo’, and Omara Portuondo. Some of the free headliners include: St. Paul and The Broken Bones, Southside Johnny, and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue. Visit the link above to learn more and purchase tickets!
Twin Cities Jazz Festival (St. Paul, MN, June 23-24) Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, this FREE jazz fest includes headliners Paquito D’Rivera and the Dizzy Gillespie Afro Latin Experience, Christian McBride, and Lucia Sarmiento. Visit the link above to learn more; full schedule to be posted on the site soon!
Winter Park Jazz Festival (Winter Park, CO, July 15-16) This jazz festival is in its 40th year! You’ll see performers such as Damien Escobar, Norman Brown, Jazz in Pink, and Jazz Funk Soul ft. Jeff Lorber, Everett Harp, and Paul Jackson Jr. Hurry to get your tickets at the link above. As of the writing of this post, all early-access tickets are sold out, and according to the website, prices are scheduled to increase!
Newport Jazz Festival 2023 (Newport, RI, August 4-6) See performers like Jon Batiste, Kamasi Washington, Endea Owens and The Cookout, and Herbie Hancock. What’s more, you’re in for a special treat if you can catch 2023 Grammy winner Samara Joy here on August 6! You know the drill: For more details and tickets, check the link above!
Telluride Jazz Festival (Telluride, CO, August 11-13) Advertising an intimate experience with breathtaking mountain views, the Telluride Jazz Festival is not to be missed! Headliners this year include the Annie Booth Sextet, Gregory Porter, and The Soul Rebels. Get the full list of who you’ll see plus more details at the link above!
Long Beach Jazz Festival (Long Beach, CA, August 11-13) Headliners for this festival haven’t been announced yet, but 2022 performers included BK Jackson, Kandace Springs, and Damien Escobar. If you’re interested, click the link above to sign up for their newsletter, where you’ll likely be able to find out about performing artists as they’re confirmed.
Chicago Jazz Festival 2023 (Chicago, IL, August 31-September 3)
This summer lakefront jazz festival is being hosted at the Millenium Park and is free! The lineup has not been announced yet, but past acts have included Greg Ward, Carmen Lundy, the William Parker Quintet, and Aurora Nealand & The Royal Roses. Click the link above for more details!
Detroit Jazz Festival 2023 (Detroit, MI, September 1-4)
Only have a few days off for Labor Day weekend? The Detroit Jazz Festival 2023 may be the perfect festival to make it to! It’s one of the largest free jazz festivals in the world! Artists have not yet been announced for 2023. The link above gives the option to sign up for updates by email.
