Prepare to be entertained at the 40th Savannah Jazz Festival on Sept. 23-26. It’s three days featuring 16 live performances of world-class jazz and great blues. And it’s free!
Last year, about 175,000 people live-streamed performances, but this year you can attend in-person or live-stream it from the comfort of your living room.
What’s not to love? Forsyth Park, one of the most iconic sites in this fabled city, makes a fantastic setting, and September offers ideal weather for outdoor concerts.
A local favorite since 1982, this free outdoor musical event is held annually in late September. Thousands of concertgoers pack Forsyth Park’s expansive lawn with chairs, blankets, and picnic spreads for several nights of live jazz performances. Bring a cooler or purchase food and beverages on-site.
Events start on Thursday, Sept. 23, with Afternoon Master Class at four schools and a movie night (check back on topic and venue).
But, things heat up on Friday, Sept. 24, with Blues Night at Forysth Park with three performances. Local jazz legend Eric Culberson takes the stage at 6:30, followed by guitarist Robert Lee Coleman, who has played for Percy Sledge and James Brown. At 9:15 p.m., Anna Popvic makes her first appearance at the Savannah Jazz Fest. Popvic is a seven-time nominee for “Blues Rock Artist of the Year” at the Blues Music Awards, including 2021.
On Saturday, the music starts at 3 p.m. It continues throughout the afternoon with bassist John Lee and Grammy Award-winning pianist Lawrence Hobgood at 5:15 p.m. and the U.S. Navy Band Commodores presenting a tribute to America’s great military bands at 6:40 p.m.
Conga drummer Terry “Doc” Handy takes the stage at 8 p.m., followed by the Savannah Jazz Divas with the Savannah Jazz Orchestra at 9:20 p.m., featuring some of the area’s most outstanding female jazz vocalists.
Sunday brings another full slate of music starting at 3 p.m. with Gospel music, before performances by guitarist/songwriter Grant Green Jr., then pianist Kenny Banks, who brings a mix of jazz and gospel styles. Saxophone and flute virtuoso Don Braden and Grammy Award-winning quintet Ranky Tank round out the festival’s line-up with Sunday evening performances.
A stay at our one-bedroom Forsyth Park Avenue Haven puts you steps from the music and close to everything else Savannah has to offer. Larger groups can book our three-bedroom On Forsyth Park, with a balcony that overlooks the park.
It’s the perfect remedy to end-of-summer blues.
