Savannah Jazz Festival 2024

Savannah Jazz Festival is one of the main annual music events in Savannah. The four-day festival, which takes place in mid-September, features an array of free and ticketed events for jazz enthusiasts. In addition, the festival offers the best food trucks in Savannah and a variety of food vendors. Savannah Jazz Festival takes place in Forsyth Park and several other locations, such as the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum and Lucas Theatre for the Arts.

2024 Schedule

The main free open-air concerts take place at Forsyth Park during the festival's weekend: on Friday, September 20, from 6 to 9 pm, and on Saturday, September 21, from 3 to 11 pm. The public can bring lawn chairs and blankets for comfortable seating. The festival also offers a ticketed Patron Tent with seats, drinks, and snacks throughout the festival. Other highlights of the festival include Latin Night with Gino Castillo & The Cuban Cowboys at 7 pm on September 18 at the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum and the Blues Night with Robert Lee Coleman & Jimmy Hall starting at 6:30 pm on September 19 at Lucas Theater.

Lineup

In 2024, Savannah Jazz Festival hosts this year's GRAMMY Jazz Vocalist of the Year, Nicole Zuraitis, a four-time World Series Champion Bernie Williams, the famous baritone jazz vocalist John Dokes with the Savannah Jazz Orchestra. and a virtuoso American jazz clarinetist Doreen Ketchens.

On the reopening night, the festival features Gino Castillo & the Cuban Cowboys. Robert Lee Coleman and Jimmy Hall perform on September 19th. The SCAD Bee Sharps and The Sapphire Bullets of Pure Love, Bernie Williams, and Nicole Zuraitis with the USC Left Bank Big Band perform on September 20th. University of North Florida Jazz Ensemble #1, Ed Calle, The Airmen of Note, Doreen Ketchens Band, John Dokes, and The Savannah Jazz Orchestra perform on September 21st. On the last day of the festival, the public can meet The Savannah Arts Academy SkyeLite Jazz Band, Hilton Head Christian Academy, Savannah Country Day Jazz Ensemble, and GA State Jazz Band.

History

Savannah Jazz was founded in 1981 to promote jazz music in Savannah. The annual festival, initiated by the Coastal Jazz Association, was sponsoring live performances, supporting jazz education, and bringing home Savannah jazz legends. Johnny Mercer, Ben Tucker, James Moody, Teddy Adams. Irene Reid, Ben Riley, Eddie Pazant, Sahid Shihab, Joe “King” Oliver, and other jazz legends have lived in Savannah. The Savannah Jazz Hall of Fame celebrates the city's rich jazz history, which is as old as that of New Orleans.

Tickets

Many of the Savanna Jazz Festival concerts are free. However, the public needs to purchase tickets to attend the Latin Dance Night and Blues Night. Admission starts from $35. Tickets are also needed for access to Patron Tent in Forsuth Park. A one-day ticket is $80, and a two-day ticket is $140.