Thu 6/25-Sat 6/27
Once again, for the 47th year, it’s time for another Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland. And while it went through a number of different formations in its earlier years, it’s now comfortably settled into its three-day format at Playhouse Square. The biggest change is that this is the first year with its new executive director Orlando Watson (who formerly worked as its associate director from 2019-2022), following longtime director Terri Pontremoli’s retirement.
But the format that Cleveland music fans have avidly supported remains the same: ten ticketed indoor concerts at various Playhouse Square theaters and a free outdoor festival in the street on Friday and Saturday with a big stage at the corner of East 14th and Euclid with both local and out-of-town bands in a variety of genres.
There’s one big kickoff concert Thursday evening at the State Theatre featuring percussionist Sheila E. who is best known for her work with Prince, and her 1984 hit “The Glamorous Life.” But she has performed with a wide variety of pop, R&B and jazz artists including Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Ringo Starr, and Dave Koz.
On Friday there are four more indoor concerts and on Saturday there are five, concluding with a band that’s distinctly not jazz: 70s/80s funk superstars the Ohio Players, at the State Theatre. Friday’s other concerts include Cleveland Tri-C JazzFest stalwart, trumpet player Dominick Farinacci (director of the Tri-C JazzFest Academy) with jazz pianist Jon Thomas (Hanna Theatre); veteran jazz fusion band Spyro Gyra (Mimi Ohio Theatre); R&B singer/songwriter Durand Bernarr and Cleveland smooth jazz ensemble Hubb’s Groove with a tribute to Cleveland’s Levert (State Theatre); and jazz vocalist Kurt Elling and pianist Fred Hersch (Hanna Theatre).
On Saturday jazz bassist Ron Carter’s Foursight Quarter plays at the Hanna Theatre; Chris Dave & the Drumheds bring their hip hop/jazz/funk/gospel/soul blend at the Mimi Ohio Theatre; jazz vocalist Laurin Talese performs at the Hanna Theatre; and the Nicholas Payton Trio, led by trumpeter Payton and featuring bassist John Patitucci and drummer Brian Blade, are at the Mimi Ohio Theatre.
Meanwhile, outdoors in the street (which is blocked off for the event), people can hang out for free, grab food from numerous food trucks and a drink in the beer tent, shop vendors, check out a student art show, watch culinary demonstrations and artist talks, and check out jazz, rock, soul, gospel, Latin, African and hip hop bands and even tap dancer Savion Glover and his ensemble.
Get a full schedule and tickets here.