Savannah Jazz, in partnership with the City of Savannah and other sponsors, announces that the 44th Savannah Jazz Festival will take place September 19-21. 15 free events are presented by the City of Savannah and Robert Faircloth, with lead sponsorship by Nickel & Oak, and supported by Miner Family Winery, The Colonial Group, JodyJazz Inc., Roger Wood Foods, and Spyhop Media.

“We are deeply grateful to the City of Savannah for its continued support, and to Mr. Robert Faircloth for their presenting partnerships to deliver more free shows during the Savannah Jazz Festival than any other music festival in our region,” says Paula Fogarty, Executive Director. Fogarty goes on to explain, “The demand for the festival is still tremendous, and we anticipate more people than ever to visit Savannah for the festival and to host roughly 50,000 people.”

The organization’s mission is to deliver free, world-class music for free to the most diverse and inclusive audience. Although the festival events in Forsyth Park are free, there are tickets for purchase in the Patron’s Tent with seating and refreshments for those who do not want to bring their own seats, and they can be purchased at www.savannahjazz.org.

Our World-class Lineup

The events open with a tribute to the Blues – one of the major foundations of Jazz – with The Eric Culberson Band. Eric is a Savannah Blues legend and has been a festival favorite for many years. Sponsored by Spyhop Media.

Headlining Friday night in Forsyth Park is the world-renowned popular jazz sensation, Spyro Gyra. This George Benson Lifetime Achievement Award-winning band is one of the most entertaining live acts. Sponsored by Nickel & Oak, the new jazz and music lounge opening on Congress Street this fall.

The Saturday night headline act features the JodyJazz 25th Anniversary Celebration with two-time GRAMMY-winning saxophonist and songwriter Kirk Whalum. The performance is sponsored by JodyJazz, Inc. the premier maker of saxophone and clarinet mouthpieces made in Savannah, GA.

The Savannah Jazz Hall of Fame Band will celebrate James Moody’s 100th birthday this Saturday with a special performance.

Female artists take the stage once more as Jocelyn Gould performs with the USC Left Bank Big Band on Friday evening, sponsored by Miner Family Winery. GRAMMY-nominated clarinetist Anat Cohen will join the Savannah Jazz Orchestra on Saturday, with support from National Office Systems and The Colonial Group.

Memphis-born bassist, composer, and educator Rodney Jordan will lead his Quintet on Friday, featuring GRAMMY award-winning drummer Quentin E. Baxter from Ranky Tanky. This event is sponsored by Miner Family Winery.

B-3 organ sensation Tony Monaco will heat the stage on Saturday with Howard Paul and Ulysses Owens.

Hailing from Jacksonville, FL, LPT is a 10-piece orchestra delivering salsa and Afro-Cuban music with their high-energy live shows. Sponsored by Roger Wood Foods.

Additional performers include the University of North Florida Jazz Ensemble #1 and an Armed Forces Band to be announced. The traditional Late Night Jam Session, led by Savannah’s Jazz Ambassador, Teddy Adams, will be held at the DeSoto Hotel on Saturday, September 21 at 11:00 p.m. The festival will conclude with School Band Day on Sunday at District Live to encourage the next generation of jazz stars!

Savannah Jazz, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is seeking your support to keep our festival free. Your individual and corporate sponsorships will reach over 100,000 people worldwide. For the complete schedule and lineup details, visit www.savannahjazz.org.