Each year, numerous jazz festivals and concerts are held. This can make it hard to pick the ones you should attend. That’s where this guide comes in handy. We’ve shared a few of the must-see jazz concerts and jazz festivals of 2024 that are well worth your time. So, let’s dive into them and learn when they happen and who the top headliners will be!
Six Must-Attend Jazz Concerts & Festivals of 2024
Seabreeze Jazz Festival 2024
When: April 24-28, 2024
Where: Aaron Bessant Park Amphitheater, Panama City Beach, Florida
Top Headliners: Kenny G, Brian Culbertson, Candy Dulfer
The Seabreeze Jazz Festival, which takes place on the white sandy beach of Panama City Beach in Florida, is an event for all ages. Many popular smooth jazz musicians will perform some of the best jazz concerts of the year in one centralized location. With over 30 different musicians attending, it’s not something you’ll want to miss.
Read more: Three of the Best Relaxing Jazz Songs to Play in the Evening
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
When: April 25 to May 5, 2024
Where: Fair Grounds Race Course, New Orleans
Top Headliners: The Rolling Stones, Foo Fighters, Chris Stapleton
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage festival was created by George Wein in 1970, and the first of its kind took place in April of that year. Since then, it has taken place each year and has welcomed hundreds of thousands of people to take part in the festivities and history of New Orleans alongside some of the best jazz music ever recorded.
Red Bluff Music Festival 2024
When: May 17-19, 2024
Where: Riverfront Park in Montgomery, Alabama, USA
Top Headliners: Eric Gales, The Jerry Douglas Band, A Tribe Called Quest
This event offers some of the best experiences if you enjoy jazz, blues, southern soul, or country. This all-ages event also provides music, divine food, and art. Located on the riverfront of Montgomery each year, the location alone provides a rich history.
Read more: The Singular Sound of Jazz: Elements That Define Its Uniqueness
Capital Jazz Festival
When: June 7-9, 2024
Where: Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, Maryland
Top Headliners: Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Joss Stone, El Debarge
Another annual event for music-lovers is the Capital Jazz Festival. This jazz festival started in 1993, and today it boasts thousands of people in attendance each year. It offers some of the most famous musicians to perform, and this year will be no different.
Rochester International Jazz Festival
When: June 23 to July 1, 2024
Where: Rochester, NY
Top Headliners: Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Sheila E. and E-Train, Los Lonely Boys
Considered the world’s leading jazz festival, this nine-day event offers an opportunity to hear some of our time’s most talented musicians. It offers up to nineteen indoor and outdoor venues and up to three hundred shows, so you will not find yourself at a loss for what to do next when you attend this exciting festival.
Long Beach Jazz Festival
When: August 9-11, 2024
Where: Long Beach, California
Top Headliners: Sharon Marie Cline (more to be announced)
The family-produced Long Beach Jazz Festival is on its 35th year and promises to bring an epic lineup featuring some of the best award-winning Latin, R&B, and jazz performers, including Sharon Marie Cline. This festival promises good music, good food, and good vibes at a venue with a waterfront backdrop. VIP seating will also be available, so grab a ticket as soon as they go online!
Read more: How Improvisation Influences Jazz Composition and Performance
The Wrap-Up on 2024 Jazz Festivals
Now you know the best jazz festivals and jazz concerts to add to your calendar. Whether you’re new to jazz or an avid listener of the genre, these festivals will be an exciting adventure and food for the soul! However, if you want to prepare yourself thoroughly, why not consider brushing up on your jazz listening by checking out Sharon Marie Clines’s music? As one of the best jazz singers, her crooning soulful voice will prepare your ears for what’s to come.
