Originating in New Orleans around the beginning of the 20th century, jazz is a uniquely American musical genre. Spontaneous and infectious, it spread far and wide during the ensuing decades — and like blue jeans and Hollywood movies, it became one of our greatest exports to the rest of the world.
You'll find jazz clubs on every continent. In Europe alone, more than 500 jazz festivals are staged every year — many of them headlined by American jazz greats.
The first organized jazz festival in North America took place in 1954 in Newport, Rhode Island. Since then, jazz fests have proliferated across the United States. Some are day- or weekend-long events in a single venue; others span up to 10 days in numerous venues around a host city.
The following is a list of eight of the best fests for 2016.
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Louisiana
April 22 - May 1
As the birthplace of jazz, you can count on New Orleans to keep the tradition alive through its rousing annual jazz fest, staged at the Fair Grounds Race Course. A cultural force in the Big Easy since 1970, it was first produced by George Wein, the jazz empesario behind the Newport Jazz Festival.
The event blends a wide mix of international musicians, representing a variety of genres in addition to jazz, including gospel, Cajun, R&B, African and Latino. More than a half-million fans are expected for the 2016 event, including Stevie Wonder, Pearl Jam, Snoop Dogg, Paul Simon and Van Morrison.
Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Florida
May 26-29
Jacksonville's jammin' jazz fest has grown over three decades to become a Memorial Day weekend tradition — and one of the largest free jazz festivals in the country. Staged downtown along the St. Johns River, this epic street party will bring in another all-star cast for 2016, including Dr. John, Snarky Puppy, The Yellowjackets, Lizz Wright, Dizzy Gillespie’s Afro-Cuban Experience, Generation Next, Spice & The Po Boys and the Longineau Parsons Ensemble.
D.C. Jazz Festival, Washington, D.C.
June 10-19
Now in its 11th year, the D.C. Jazz Festival has grown to become the capital's leading summer music soireé. The 2016 event will host more than 100 performances in dozens of concert venues around the District.
The fest presents an enriching and entertaining mix of the jazz genre's most acclaimed artists as well as emerging stars. Among them: the Chuck Brown Band, Kamasi Washington, Regina Carter Quartet, Maceo Parker, Kurt Elling, Eddie Palmieri and the Judy Nardone Trio.
Twin Cities Jazz Festival, Minnesota
June 23-25
Founded 18 years ago as a one-day event promoting local jazz artists, the Twin Cities festival has grown into a three-day affair featuring name jazz groups as well as area up-and-comers. It is staged in Mears Park in St. Paul's historic Lowertown neighborhood.
A dedicated roster of sponsors helps keep it a free event. Jazz masters Ellis and Delfeayo Marsalis, guitar wizards Russell Malone and John Pizzarelli, and multiplatinum artist Michael Franti headline this year's event, along with Booker T. Jones, Corey Stevens and Lil' Ed & the Blues Imperials.
Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival, New York
June 24 - July 2
The 15th rendition of Rochester's largest and most popular summer event features nine days of nonstop music emanating from the city's East End Cultural District.
More than 200,000 jazz fans are expected, and they'll be entertained by 1,500 artists performing 324 concerts, indoors and out (including 93 free shows), at 19 venues around the city. Headliners for 2016 include Chris Botti, Chick Corea Trio, Greg Allman, Grace Potter, Erykah Badu, Eyjo, Joey Alexander Trio and Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers.
Fillmore Jazz Festival, California
July 2-3
Every summer, the Fillmore Jazz Festival welcomes more than 100,000 enthusiastic guests who gather against the picturesque backdrop of Fillmore Street in San Francisco to celebrate the tradition of jazz, culture and cuisine.
It's the largest free jazz festival on the West Coast, and it draws the best talent the Bay area has to offer — from new discoveries to seasoned acts. On hand for the 2016 fest are the likes of Kim Nalley, The California Jazz Conservatory, Sheldon Brown Group, Gary Zellerbach Quartet, W-Beez, Soul Power, and the Terrence Brewer Quartet.
Newport Jazz Festival, Rhode Island
July 29-31
Born in 1954 (as the First Annual American Jazz Festival), this event made a case for the legitimacy of jazz as an art form — bringing to stage such luminaries as Dizzy Gillespie, Bobby Hackett and Billie Holiday. Over the years, nearly all the greats of jazz have performed at Newport, including Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Louis Armstrong and Dinah Washington.
Nowadays, most performances are staged at Fort Adams State Park, a lovely venue situated at the mouth of Newport Harbor. A ceremonial Friday evening concert is presented at Newport Casino — but good luck trying to get tickets for this or any festival concert. Prices are sky-high, and tickets will have probably sold out by the time you read this.
Nonetheless, headliners for 2016 include Nora Jones, Chick Corea, Lizz Wright, Joey Alexander Trio, Nels Cline, 2015 Grammy winner Gregory Porter and Kamasi Washington.
Monterey Jazz Festival, California
Sept. 16-18
First presented in 1958, the MJF bills itself at the longest consecutively running jazz festival in the world. Explanation: Newport began in 1954 but was canceled in 1960 due to a fan riot. The nation's two major jazzfests share a similar legacy, year after year spotlighting the great names in jazz.
In its 59th annual rendition, the MJF boasts nearly 500 artists performing 100 shows on eight stages at Monterey County Fairgrounds. Headliners (appearing on the pricier Arena Stage) include the Branford Marsalis Quartet, Pat Metheny, 2016 Grammy winner Cecile Mclorin Salvant, Maceo Porter with the Ray Charles Orchestra and the Raelettes, Kamasi Washington, Jacob Collier and the Wayne Shorter Quartet.
