All That Jazz Takes Over Downtown Jacksonville

Downtown Jacksonville will be hopping and bopping to the sounds of live music during the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, May 23-25.

The festival features free outdoor stages where audiences can groove to nationally renowned musicians such as singer Al Jarreau, keyboardist Lao Tizer, saxophonist Boney James and keyboardist Marcus Johnson, plus local favorites.

AARP is sponsoring the Swingin’ Stage on East Bay Street near the corner of Marsh Street. Other outdoor stages will be at East Bay and Newnan streets and Jacksonville Landing.
VIP packages, with preferred seating and festival parking privileges, can be purchased with special discounts available for AARP members. Call 904-630-3690 for information.

Additional festival events include an Art in the Heart of Downtown show and sale, the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition finals (May 22), an Off Jazz concert at the Florida Theatre (May 23), a Youth Jazz Talent Showcase (May 24) and free Jazz After Dark sessions, from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., at several downtown establishments.

Main stage dates and times are: Friday, May 23,  5-10 p.m.; Saturday, May 24, 1-10 p.m.; and Sunday, May 25, 1-8 p.m. Go to jaxjazzfest.com for details about venues, musicians, events, schedules and tickets. —Dave Montgomery