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Unlike previous festivals, which saw performers on multiple stages, this year will be in one place on one stage.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Originally reported by the Florida Times-Union
Kool & the Gang, Janelle Monae and the Roots are scheduled to headline the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, which will be held near EverBank Stadium over Memorial Day weekend.
The festival opens on Thursday, May 22, with the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition, which pits five up-an-coming pianists against one another for a spot on the main festival stage.
The main festival will be held at Tailgaters Parking, across the street from the stadium. Unlike previous festivals, which saw performers on multiple stages at Metropolitan Park, Daily’s Place, Riverfront Plaza, James Weldon Johnson Park and other locations, all of the music this year will be in one place, on one stage.
The lineup for Friday, May 23, is headlined by Kool & the Gang, who had big hits in the ’70s and ’80s. Maysa, Spyro Gyra and Jacksonville’s Let’s Ride Brass Band featuring Bella Kosal are also on the bill for that day. Music begins at 4:30 p.m.
Saturday’s lineup includes Monae, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Tank and the Bangas, the piano competition winner and the jazz combo from Jacksonville’s Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. Music starts at 3:45 p.m.
The festival will wrap up Sunday, May 5, with sets by the Roots, Boney James, the Branford Marsalis Quartet, Connie Han and the University of North Florida’s Jazz Ensemble 1. Music begins at 3:15 p.m.
Admission to the festival is free, but VIP packages and “preferred seating options” are available for a fee.
