Jazz is a genre of music that has been around for decades, and it has been celebrated in festivals all over the world. From the Cape Town International Jazz Festival to the Miami Smooth Jazz Festival, there are plenty of amazing jazz festivals to explore. Whether you're looking for a vibrant and free celebration of jazz in New York or a complete musical event in Monterrey, here's a guide to some of the best jazz festivals around the world. The Cape Town International Jazz Festival is one of the most important annual jazz events in Europe. This vibrant festival brings together stories, veteran musicians, and the next generation of jazz artists.
It also promotes appreciation for the highly influential and world-renowned artist Charlie Parker. The Miami Smooth Jazz Festival celebrates several musical genres with emphasis on Smooth Jazz, Latin Jazz, and R&B. Generous support for this festival is provided by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council; the National Endowment for the Arts; and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M.The Atlanta Jazz Festival has been held every summer since 1979 and has been home to an on-the-go jazz community since the 1960s. With more than 40 years of history, this festival has been the backdrop for musical legends such as Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, and Nina Simone. The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival has made it its mission to mix a wide mix of artists and genres, attracting some of the biggest names in modern music to its legendary stages. This festival runs over two weekends in late April and early May and features an eclectic selection of musical genres, from jazz to zydeco. The Montreux Jazz Festival in July is a complete musical event that includes more than 100 performances, workshops, films, conferences, and exhibitions.
Special program series include Jazz for Kids, Future Sound of Jazz, and Jazz'n Poetry. The Chicago Jazz Festival, first organized in honor of Duke Ellington after his death in 1974, now attracts more than 150,000 music lovers to various events in Millennium Park and downtown on Labor Day weekend. The Eltham Jazz, Food & Wine Festival, held in February in Melbourne's suburb of Eltham, puts on a worthy show with an emphasis on local foods. This festival includes both free concerts and ticketed performances as well as music competitions, jazz workshops, and live music cruises on Lake Geneva. The Monterrey Jazz Festival, held in September, is a complete musical event that includes more than 100 performances, workshops, films, conferences, and exhibitions. This year's edition has moved to The Gunnery in Washington Connecticut and coincides with the conclusion of the four-week Litchfield Jazz Camp. Finally, next year Cape Town will host the International Jazz Day Global Concert - an event that will make the city even more the center of attention for jazz. From music with festival views combined with history and heritage - these are some of the great jazz celebrations around the world.
