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Nine days. World-class performances. Unforgettable jazz. Join us April 21–29, 2025, for an expanded festival featuring Terence Blanchard, Jazzmeia Horn, Paquito D’Rivera, Donald Harrison, and more! In partnership with Spoleto Festival USA, the Charleston Gaillard Center, the College of Charleston, The Establishment, Fox Music House, Circular Congregational Church and Charleston Music Hall, this is a must-attend celebration of jazz in the Lowcountry.
FESTIVAL LINEUP
April 21 – Terence Blanchard’s Fire Shut Up in My Bones: Opera Suite in Concert
7PM, Charleston Gaillard Center
Grammy Award-winning trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard will present Fire Shut Up in My Bones: Opera Suite in Concert with his acclaimed ensemble, E-Collective, featuring special guests Justin Austin and Adrienne Danrich. This performance bridges the worlds of jazz and classical music, capturing the emotional depth and improvisational spirit that defines Blanchard’s signature style.
April 22 – College of Charleston Faculty Jazz Ensemble
7PM, College of Charleston
The festival continues with a showcase by the College of Charleston Faculty Jazz Ensemble, highlighting original compositions and timeless jazz standards performed by Charleston’s esteemed jazz educators and musicians.
April 23 – Jazz Dinner with the Richard White Trio
6PM, The Establishment
This intimate evening pairs an exceptional three-course dining experience with a live performance by the Richard White Trio, led by one of Charleston’s most dynamic jazz pianists and composers, Richard White.
April 24 – Lowcountry Jazz Day
6PM + 8PM, Featuring the Mark Sterbank Quartet & Kenney/Khayat/Baxter Trio
The Mark Sterbank Quartet will open the evening with a program of original compositions, ballads, blues, and swing. The second performance will feature the Kenney/Khayat/Baxter Trio, presenting a modern jazz interpretation of the music of Motown and soul legends such as Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, and Otis Redding.
April 25 – Grammy-Nominated Jazzmeia Horn
7PM, Charleston Music Hall
Recognized for her powerful vocal range and compelling stage presence, Jazzmeia Horn will headline this evening’s concert, bringing a contemporary and deeply expressive approach to jazz vocal performance. Opening the night is Tonya Nicole’s Four Women, a tribute to Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, Erykah Badu, and Lauryn Hill.
April 26 – Grammy Award-Winner Paquito D’Rivera with the Charleston Jazz Orchestra
5PM + 8PM, Charleston Music Hall
Celebrated Cuban-American saxophonist and clarinetist Paquito D’Rivera will join the Charleston Jazz Orchestra for two performances, featuring his distinctive blend of Latin jazz, classical music, and bebop. With multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy Awards, D’Rivera is widely regarded as one of the most influential Latin jazz musicians of his generation.
April 27 – Big Chief Donald Harrison Quartet
5PM, Presented in partnership with Spoleto Festival USA
The festival’s finale will showcase the Big Chief Donald Harrison Quartet. As an NEA Jazz Master and cultural ambassador, saxophonist Donald Harrison seamlessly fuses New Orleans traditions, modern jazz, and funk, offering an unparalleled performance that reflects the evolution of jazz from its roots to its future.
Educational and Community Engagement -
April 28 – In-School Performance & Masterclass
Donald Harrison will engage with students through an in-school performance and a masterclass for Charleston Jazz Academy youth combo students.
April 29 – FREE Public Talk & Performance, Time TBD
Fox Music House
In partnership with Spoleto Festival USA, the festival will conclude with a discussion featuring Larry Blumenfeld, Jazz Curator at Spoleto Festival USA, and Donald Harrison, exploring jazz tradition and community-building through culture. More details coming soon.
The 2025 Charleston Jazz Festival offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience the best of jazz in one of the nation’s most historic cities.
For tickets and full festival details, please click the link below:
https://charlestonjazz.com/jazz-festival-2/
The Charleston Jazz Festival is made possible in part by the Oliver S. and Jennie R. Donaldson Charitable Trust, Hilton C. Smith Jr., Explore Charleston, the Byron Fellowship Educational Foundation, and the South Carolina Arts Commission.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Charleston, S.C., United States
Tickets
