MELTON MUSTAFA JAZZ FESTIVAL

The 29th Annual Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival Weekend returns to Florida Memorial University for an unforgettable music alumni homecoming honoring Dr. Dawn Batson.

Artists:
Jesse Jones Jr. ~ Saxophone
Mark Strowbridge ~ Guitar
James Cotman ~ Drums
Leon “Foster” Thomas ~ Steel Pan
Doug Carter ~ Piano
Nicole Yarling ~ Violin, Vocal

The FMU Funk Jazz AllStars:
Wildmayer Marcelin ~ Saxophone
Mark McClary ~ Drums
Raignor Rollocks ~ Piano
Jaquan Hunter ~ Bass
Joel Chinnery

Day 2 – February 27, 2026
Cigars & Jazz | Dress to Impress!
Gardens Cigar Lounge
19801 NW 27th Avenue
Miami Gardens, FL 33056
8:00 – 10:00PM

Festival Tickets: $20.00 ~ $230.00

See full schedule for details.

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DC JAZZFEST

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DC JAZZFEST

Arena Stage | 1101 6th St SW, Washington, DC 20024

• Eric Byrd Trio | 1:00pm
• The JazzDC All-Stars Orchestra With Saxophonist Steve Wilson | 5:45pm
• Branford Marsalis Quartet | 7:45pm

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DC JAZZFEST

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DC JAZZFEST

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DC JAZZFEST

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GERALD ALBRIGHT, KANDACE SPRINGS, THE DANGERFIELD NEWBIES

MABRA LAW and 91.9 JAZZ WCLK present The WCLK JazzFest featuring saxophonist Gerald Albright, Kandace Springs and the Dangerfield Newbies for one spectacular night of music.

Gerald Albright is a Los Angeles, California born saxophonist and bass guitarist who has been a central figure in contemporary jazz since the 1980s. He’s known for his R&B instrumentals and has played with artists like Anita Baker, Whitney Houston, and The Temptations. Albright’s solo career began in 1987 with Just Between Us and has included 19 albums, chart-topping hits, and Grammy nominations. He’s also toured with Phil Collins and Summer Horns.

Kandace Springs is a Nashville-based singer and pianist who blends jazz, soul, and pop with contemporary influences. Her smoky voice and piano mastery have led to performances at the Afropunk and Bonnaroo festivals, as well as a sold-out Royal Albert Hall concert. Springs cites Norah Jones, Roberta Flack, and Nina Simone as her biggest influences. Her father, Scat Springs, sang backup for artists like Aretha Franklin and exposed her to a wide range of music.

The Dangerfeel Newbies are Jamal Ahmad, Darren “DJ” Wagner and Mark Angel. Inspired by the story of Dangerfield Newby, one of five African-Americans in the John Brown party, this Atlanta-based trio delivers a set that is deeply rooted in blues, jazz, soul, funk, hip-hop & house.

Tickets: $45.00

Bring your own food and libations. Food trucks on hand to purchase favorites.

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LATE NIGHT JAZZ JAM | AJF

Tribute To Churchill Grounds

Music Curated by Lil’ John Roberts & Russell Gunn

Hosted By Jamal Ahmad

Cover: $50.00

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ATLANTA JAZZ FESTIVAL

The 48th annual Atlanta Jazz Festival will take place in Piedmont Park, Midtown Atlanta, on Memorial Day Weekend from May 24th ~ 26th. The festival is free and open to the public, offering a celebration of jazz music, culture, and art. 

1:00pm  ~ Brandon Woody | Trumpet

3:00pm ~ Tyreek McDole | Vocal

5:00pm ~ Charles McPherson | Saxophone

7:00pm ~ Dianne Reeves | Vocal

9:00pm ~ Joe Gransden Big Band | Trumpet

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ATLANTA JAZZ FESTIVAL

The 48th annual Atlanta Jazz Festival will take place in Piedmont Park, Midtown Atlanta, on Memorial Day Weekend from May 24th ~ 26th. The festival is free and open to the public, offering a celebration of jazz music, culture, and art. 

1:00pm  ~ Kenny Banks Jr. | Piano

3:00pm ~ Jarrod Lawson | Vocal, Piano

5:00pm ~ Ravi Coltrane | Tenor & Soprano Saxophone, Clarinet

7:00pm ~ Andromeda Turre | Vocal

9:00pm ~ Russell Gunn & Blackhawk | Trumpet

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ATLANTA JAZZ FESTIVAL

1:00pm ~ Khari Cabral | Bass

3:00pm ~ Aneesa Strings | Bass, Vocal

5:00pm ~ Takuya Kuroda | Trumpet

7:00pm ~ Marsha Ambrosius | Vocal

9:00pm ~ Derrick Hodge | Bass

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MALA WALDRON QUARTET

Pianist, vocalist and educator Mala Waldron comes to Stony Brook, NY for the Harbor Jazz Festival and hits the Jazz Loft Lawn for an evening performance with her quartet.

A native of NYC whose first paid gig was playing keys and singing back-up vocals with a local R&B band, “Liquid Pleasure” at the Elk’s club at age 15.  Shortly after joining, the band was signed to RCA records Midland International.

She later enrolled at SUNY, Old Westbury study African-American Music Makanda Ken McIntyre, Richard Harper, Andrei Strobert, Warren Smith and Amina Claudine Myers, earning a Bachelors Degree.

The Band: Mala Waldron ~ Piano | Michael T.A. Thompson ~ Drums | Marcus McLaurine ~ Bass | Steve Salerno ~ Guitar

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HARBOR JAZZ FESTIVAL

2024 Harbor Jazz Festival

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ATLANTA JAZZ FESTIVAL

Atlanta Jazz Festival is regarded as one of the largest FREE jazz festivals in the country. An annual celebration of the music, culture and art of jazz begins in April and culminates each Memorial Day weekend, with an outdoor festival featuring jazz artists from all over the world.

Established in 1978, the Atlanta Jazz Festival has become a tradition that draws music lovers from all around the region to experience the latest and greatest in jazz music culture. Mayor Maynard Jackson founded the original jazz festival with the idea to spotlight jazz in the city, because, as he said, “Jazz music is America’s only original art form, and…Atlanta, with its growing reputation as an international center of the arts and education, has both the opportunity and the responsibility to promote an art form whose roots are indigenous to the South.”

Since then, Atlanta Jazz Festival has hosted luminaries of the jazz music tradition including, Lionel Hampton (1980), Dizzy Gillespie (1988/1990), Wynton Marsalis (1989), Nina Simone (2000), Ray Charles (2002), Miles Davis (1983), Herbie Hancock (2000) and many, many more.

The city’s commitment to present a free jazz festival, as it was originally named “The Atlanta Free Jazz Festival,” is representative of a commitment to ensure that everyone who resides in and visits Atlanta will have easy access to high quality cultural experiences.

Lineup:

1 PM – JUSTICE MICHAEL & THE PASSAGE

3 PM – KELS

5 PM – GROOVE CENTRIC

7 PM – ANDRÉ 3000: NEW BLUE SUN LIVE

9 PM – LIZZ WRIGHT

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ATLANTA JAZZ FESTIVAL

Atlanta Jazz Festival is regarded as one of the largest FREE jazz festivals in the country. An annual celebration of the music, culture and art of jazz begins in April and culminates each Memorial Day weekend, with an outdoor festival featuring jazz artists from all over the world.

Established in 1978, the Atlanta Jazz Festival has become a tradition that draws music lovers from all around the region to experience the latest and greatest in jazz music culture. Mayor Maynard Jackson founded the original jazz festival with the idea to spotlight jazz in the city, because, as he said, “Jazz music is America’s only original art form, and…Atlanta, with its growing reputation as an international center of the arts and education, has both the opportunity and the responsibility to promote an art form whose roots are indigenous to the South.”

Since then, Atlanta Jazz Festival has hosted luminaries of the jazz music tradition including, Lionel Hampton (1980), Dizzy Gillespie (1988/1990), Wynton Marsalis (1989), Nina Simone (2000), Ray Charles (2002), Miles Davis (1983), Herbie Hancock (2000) and many, many more.

The city’s commitment to present a free jazz festival, as it was originally named “The Atlanta Free Jazz Festival,” is representative of a commitment to ensure that everyone who resides in and visits Atlanta will have easy access to high quality cultural experiences.

Lineup:

1 PM – OKAN

3 PM – LUCA CIARLA TRIO

5 PM – JACQUES SCHWARZ-BART

7 PM – OLATUJA

9 PM – PAQUITO D’RIVERA

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ATLANTA JAZZ FESTIVAL

Atlanta Jazz Festival is regarded as one of the largest FREE jazz festivals in the country. An annual celebration of the music, culture and art of jazz begins in April and culminates each Memorial Day weekend, with an outdoor festival featuring jazz artists from all over the world.

Established in 1978, the Atlanta Jazz Festival has become a tradition that draws music lovers from all around the region to experience the latest and greatest in jazz music culture. Mayor Maynard Jackson founded the original jazz festival with the idea to spotlight jazz in the city, because, as he said, “Jazz music is America’s only original art form, and…Atlanta, with its growing reputation as an international center of the arts and education, has both the opportunity and the responsibility to promote an art form whose roots are indigenous to the South.”

Since then, Atlanta Jazz Festival has hosted luminaries of the jazz music tradition including, Lionel Hampton (1980), Dizzy Gillespie (1988/1990), Wynton Marsalis (1989), Nina Simone (2000), Ray Charles (2002), Miles Davis (1983), Herbie Hancock (2000) and many, many more.

The city’s commitment to present a free jazz festival, as it was originally named “The Atlanta Free Jazz Festival,” is representative of a commitment to ensure that everyone who resides in and visits Atlanta will have easy access to high quality cultural experiences.

Lineup:

1 PM – NEW JAZZ UNDERGROUND

3 PM – SULLIVAN FORTNER

5 PM – BUTCHER BROWN

7 PM – CÉCILE MCLORIN SALVANT

9 PM – SOMETHING ELSE!

10 PM – LAUREN HENDERSON | Park Tavern, 500 10th Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30309

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MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL MIAMI

Thursday ~ February 29 | 3~Day VIP Holders Pre~Opening Reception Special Performance by ELEW

Friday | March 1st ~ Jon Batiste & Friends with Cécile McLorin Salvant, Israel Houghton, Lia De Itamaracá, Rogét Chahayed, Justin Kauglin

Saturday | March 2nd ~ Daniela Mercury, Seu Jorge, Cimafunk, Adrian Cota & The Winston House Band

Sunday | March 3rd ~ Daryl Hall, The Wailers, Cory Henry, Emily Estefan, Mathis Picard

Legendary Montreux Jam Session: $109 | Keeping with the tradition of the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, we are offering nightly late night Jam Sessions after the headliners.   This is a seperate ticket exclusively for the late night Jam Sessions starting at 11pm.  Each night will feature the MJFM House Band with special guests and surprises.

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LISA FISCHER & GRAND BATON | BRANFORD MARSALIS

Lisa Fischer set out to take center stage with her own award-winning style after four decades of featured background singing with icons like The Rolling Stones, Chaka Khan, Luther Vandross, Tina Turner, and Nine Inch Nails.  The 2013 Best Documentary Oscar winning film, “Twenty Feet from Stardom,” altered the course of Fischer’s musical journey by telling her story through clips of her legendary duets with Mick Jagger and Sting. The film left audiences eager to hear more, leading to her organic fusion of Caribbean psychedelic soul and jazzy progressive rock which has been exciting fans worldwide! Lisa Fischer will take the stage with Grand Baton, an Afro-Caribbean progressive rock and jazz fusion band. Fischer and Grand Baton have performed at several jazz festivals including The Monterey Jazz Festival, The Newport Jazz Festival, and The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

After four decades in the international spotlight, the achievements of saxophonist Branford Marsalis continue to grow. From his initial recognition as a young jazz lion, he has expanded his vision as an instrumentalist, composer, bandleader, and educator, crossing stylistic boundaries while maintaining an unwavering creative integrity. In the process, he has become a multi award-winning artist with three Grammys, a citation by the National Endowment for the Arts as a Jazz Master, and an avatar of contemporary artistic excellence.

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DAVID SANCHEZ & NAJEE

David Sanchez has emerged as one of the most respected jazz musicians of the 21st century, blending Afro-Caribbean rhythms from his Puerto Rican upbringing with jazz influences. He’s garnered critical acclaim and multiple awards for his diverse and innovative compositions. During Jazz Fest his ensemble will consist of a piano, acoustic bass, drums, percussion, and guitar.

Najee, a two-time Grammy nominated saxophonist and flautist has become an international pioneer in the industry by pushing musical boundaries throughout his career and collaborating with legendary artists such as Prince, Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder and Chaka Khan. His fusing R&B and jazz into a unique and captivating sound has resulted in six #1 albums on the Billboard charts.

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DAVE KOZ & FRIENDS

Featuring Jonathan Butler with special guests Rebecca Jade and Marcus Anderson
And introducing Justin Lee Schultz

Dave Koz and Friends announce the 26th anniversary of the longest-running jazz-based Christmas tour!

Beginning the next era of this rich musical tradition, Koz and Friends will perform fresh renditions of timeless Christmas classics — as well as a Hanukkah medley — and hits from their respective catalogs.

The tour reunites Koz with a longtime musical partner, guitarist-singer Jonathan Butler, and will feature special guests saxophonist/flutist Marcus Anderson, making his debut, and vocalist Rebecca Jade, marking her third time with the tour. Traversing 25 cities in one month, the tour will also introduce musical prodigy Justin Lee Schultz, a 16-year-old South Africa-born, U.S.-based pianist, guitarist, vocalist and social media sensation.

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DC JAZZ FESTIVAL | THE WHARF

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GEORGE V. JOHNSON JR.

Tribute To Charlie Parker | AH~LEU~CHA

Native Washingtonian, jazz vocalist-songwriter, and recording artist George V. Johnson Jr. will perform (alongside his bandmates) excerpts from the “jazzical” Jazz Iz Really Classical Music, a.k.a. Ah-Leu-Cha, a spirited tribute to Charlie Parker featuring Johnson’s original lyrics.

Deemed “Next in Line” by Eddie Jefferson, the father of the art of jazz vocalese, Johnson continues the legacy of writing lyrics to improvised solos and telling stories we love and appreciate. The performance will be an unforgettable evening celebrating the music of Charlie Parker.

Imagine listening to a seasoned jazz musician rip into a bebop solo so sizzling and smooth it makes your senses tingle. Close your eyes and play along. Try and picture the sweat bouncing off the performer like the notes that leap through the air. See if you can hear the mesmerizing melodies go up and down, bringing you through joy and sadness, taking your emotions on a sensory experience unlike any other. Now picture that musician and his beloved instrument: his voice.

Band members Donvonte McCoy (trumpet), Elijah Easton (tenor saxophone), Allyn Johnson (piano), Herman Burney (bass), and Dana-j Hawkins (drums) are seasoned visionaries who’ve performed across the globe. Join us for a memorable performance.

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CHARLIE PARKER JAZZ FESTIVAL

Featuring: The Cookers | Ndudzo Makhathini Trio | Endea Owens & The Cookout | Akua Allrich & The Tribe | DJ Sets by Uptown Vinyl Supreme

As part of the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival, the Cookers headline a group of innovative artists that embody a sense of community. Most of this super septet—comprising Billy Harper, Cecil McBee, George Cables, Eddie Henderson, Billy Hart, David Weiss, and Donald Harrison—are veterans of the heady mid-’60s when hard bops gave way to the next wave of jazz, and have been pushing the limits of the sound ever since. Endea Owens and the Cookout is led by the titular house bassist for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Hailing from Detroit, Juilliard graduate Owens has found a home in Harlem, where she hosted community cookouts during the COVID-19 pandemic, playing music with her band of fellow virtuosos and handing out hundreds of free meals. Nduduzo Makhathini has become a rising star of South African jazz in both art and academia; the award-winning pianist, improviser, healer, and scholar brings his latest trio to perform selections from The Spirit Of Ntu, his 2022 album for Blue Note Africa. Rounding out the bill is Akua Allrich and The Tribe, led by the jazz and pan-African vocalist with deep musical roots in the blues, soul, and R&B. Allrich and her group the Tribe have drawn accolades for their annual events honoring the defining female voices of Black music, but are also known to craft soul-stirring originals.

Plus, see “We’re Outside”, an exhibition of 10 local artists, curated by Fable Jones Studio, August, 26th, 3-7pm on the west lawn of Marcus Garvey Park (123rd & Mt Morris Park West side) hosted by Heath Gallery and MMPCIA.

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AKUA ALLRICH

Charlie Parker Jazz Festival 2023

Jazz vocalist and DC-native Akua Allrich has proven herself to be a musician of extraordinary talent and crowd-moving passion. With finesse and charisma, this vocalist, composer and teacher, has successfully etched out a place for her unique musical expression, electrifying audiences in and around the nation’s capital with sold-out performances.

With the launch of her independently produced albums, A Peace of Mine in 2010, Uniquely Standard, Akua Allrich Live! in 2012, and her latest release Soul Singer, the young artist’s music and concerts created a significant buzz with critics and music-lovers alike. Said Franz Matzner of All About Jazz, “Akua Allrich’s music flows with a free, natural energy as engaging as her equally ingenuous personality.” Her appeal soon reached across US borders and attained international attention. In early 2011, Allrich signed a distribution deal with Japanese record label AGATE/Inpartmaint Inc. Her debut CD, A Peace of Mine, was released in Japan during their “Golden Week” of May 2011. Music lovers and tastemakers from around the world expressed their appreciation and excitement for this new music.

Allrich’s style is fluid and ever evolving. Her musical roots run deeply into blues, soul and rhythm and blues, with a clear grounding in jazz and pan-African music. She sings in many languages including Portuguese, French, Spanish, English, Xhosa, and Twi. Given her ability to capture the essence of a broad range of musical genres, Allrich is often likened to legendary artists such as Oscar Brown, Jr., Miriam Makeba and Nina Simone. She has developed popular tribute programs involving the latter two women and other great African American women of jazz.

Akua Allrich was educated at Howard University, where she obtained her BM in jazz vocals and a master’s degree in social work. She was taught, coached and mentored by talented musicians such as world-renowned singer Kehembe V. Eichelberger, singer/drummer Grady Tate, and pianist Charles Covington.

Joining her is The Tribe: Kris Funn ~ bass, Samuel Prather ~ keys, Tyler Leak ~ drums

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