Savannah Jazz Festival 2021
It’s no secret that Savannah is home to a bustling jazz scene throughout its history. Starting with well-known legends like Johnny Mercer and Joe “King” Oliver, the city has seen some of the greatest talents and continues to foster an active jazz community.
The 40th Annual Savannah Jazz Festival is scheduled to open its doors on September 23-26 with a fantastic and diverse lineup that is sure to impress! With the hardships 2020 brought, this festival aims to lift the spirits of attendees with live music, performances, and fun.
While the city government has not yet confirmed approval of the venue, organizers are hopeful that they can host this year’s festival at their usual Forsyth Park location. In an effort to keep residents safe, Mayor Vann Johnson is holding off on giving the go-ahead until they can get a better picture of the COVID-19 trend closer to the festival dates. If no approval is given, the festival will be held at Savannah Station and will be live-streamed to the audiences. Organizers are committed to bringing the best of modern jazz to fans, regardless of the circumstances!
The 2021 Lineup of artists includes some of the most prominent jazz figures with over 16 live performances from some of the best-known artists in the jazz scene including:
Ranky Tanky is a Grammy Award-winning band that originated in Charleston, South Carolina. They perform music born from the Gullah culture and have been featured on NPR and the Today Show. With songs topping the Billboard, Amazon, and iTunes charts, they are prepared to put on a show and will be performing on Sunday, September 26th at 8:10 PM. This is one performance you don’t want to miss!
The Savannah Divas with the Savannah Jazz Orchestra are also headlining and performing on Saturday, September 25th at 9:30 PM. The city of Savannah is proud to host its very own female jazz vocalists joined by the city’s jazz orchestra. Priscilla Albergottie Williams, Cynthia Utterbach, and Stephanie Nakasian are world-renowned vocalists who have traveled internationally to show off their talents.
Ana Popovic will be headlining the festival’s “blues night” on Friday, September 24th at 9:15 PM. Ana is a Serbian blues legend who has been playing the guitar and singing the blues for over two decades. She is no stranger to festivals, but this will be her debut performance at the Savannah Jazz Festival.
Along with these artists, many others will also grace the stages of the Savannah Jazz Festival like the U.S. Navy Commodores Band, Terry “Doc” Handy, the Savannah Jazz Hall of Fame, and many more.
With the great talent lined up for this festival, there is sure to be something for everyone. The Savannah Jazz organization is passionate about keeping jazz music alive and accessible for everyone, and this free event is a great opportunity to dive in and enjoy the tunes. Food and beverage vendors will also be in attendance to serve festival-goers, so all you have to worry about is showing up and having a great time!
