One of the most respected jazz festivals in the country, Tri-C JazzFest dates back more than four decades. Set to take place on June 25, 26 and 27, this year’s festival will feature 10 indoor concerts.
“We are thrilled about this year’s Tri-C JazzFest lineup,” says Orlando Watson, executive director of Tri-C JazzFest, in a press release. “It’s a bold celebration of jazz in all its forms, with artists coming together not just to perform but also to create unforgettable moments of pure musical joy for our community.”
The first African-American and the youngest executive director in the festival’s history, the 34-year-old Watson is back at the organization where he previously served as associate director from 2019 to 2022.
The festival kicks off on Thursday, June 25, with a performance by “Queen of Percussion” Sheila A. On Friday, June 26, trumpeter Dominick Farinacci, a local success story who’s a 2022 recipient of the Cleveland Arts Prize, performs as do jazz fusion act Spyro Gyra and R&B singer-songwriter Durand Bernarr. The local jazz/R&B/soul group Hubb’s Groove will open for Bernarr. In addition, jazz veterans Kurt Elling and Fred Hersch will perform that same night with their group Wildflowers.
On Saturday, June 27, Ron Carter’s Foursight Quartet will perform a late afternoon show and so will drummer Chris Dave’s group the Drumhedz.
Singer Laurin Talese, trumpeter Nicholas Payton and the Ohio Players will all play separately ticketed shows that same night.
In addition, free community performances will take place in the plaza at Playhouse Square over the festival weekend. Festival passes — which offer seating to all ticketed concerts, discounts on JazzFest merchandise, early entry into the late-night afterparty and more — are on sale through the Playhouse Square website until May 15. Individual concert tickets go on sale on March 20 through the Playhouse Square box office.
For a full schedule of events, visit the Tri-C JazzFest website.
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