Mmm, sunshine.… it makes jazz festivals seem even more enticing, especially if they involve outdoor performances on riverfront stages, in fancy amphitheaters, or in appealing parks. Sure, the acoustics might not stack up against an insulated club – and there likely won’t be as attentive an audience – but there is something about soaking up some jazz on a 70-degree night.
While the chances of finding live music on Antarctica are slim, some individuals stationed at research bases there recently did the next best thing: They celebrated International Jazz Day by streaming the UNESCO-organized global concert held in Chicago on April 30. That’s probably the extent of jazz available in that glacial terrain, though.
For the rest of us? We’ll have no trouble finding jazz festivals on the other six continents during the warmer months.
Africa
The Cape Town International Jazz Festival already happened in late March, but any jazz fan near Morocco between July 2-11 should try to make it to Casablanca for the annual Jazzablanca event. This year's lineup, as in years past, features several jazz stars, including pianist Hiromi and vocalist Jose James, but also plenty of pop, rock, funk, soul, and world musicians like Lauryn Hill, Robbie Williams, and Scorpions. Jazzablanca is a good example of a festival that uses the word “jazz” loosely, meaning a significant portion of the lineup may consist of musicians from other genres.
Asia
Next spring, keep in mind Java Jazz Festival in Jakarta and Seoul Jazz — both held in May. Those festivals are massive and feature top-shelf talent.
Europe
One of the most prestigious festivals — Montreux Jazz Festival — will celebrate their 60th anniversary from July 3-18. They have widened the pool considerably to welcome artists from many other genres, but you could hardly ask for a better setting on the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland. The bill includes saxophonist Charles Lloyd, singer Gregory Porter, electric bassist Marcus Miller, and drummer Billy Cobham.
If Montreux isn’t in the cards for you, head to Denmark for the Copenhagen Jazz Festival, held roughly over the same stretch, July 3-10. This festival features about 1,200 concerts at over 100 venues. Pianist Jason Moran, guitarist Bill Frisell, vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant and harpist Brandee Younger are some of the headliners.
If you’d prefer Holland, The North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam is the largest indoor music festival in the world from July 10-12. Their lineup offers the most impressive collection of jazz stars of any location this year: vocalist Cassandra Wilson; multi-instrumentalist Jon Batiste; bassist-vocalist Esperanza Spalding; pianists Kenny Barron, Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Vijay Iyer; and guitarist Pat Metheny.
North America
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is one of the more recognizable North American jazz festivals starting in late April, just before the summer sets in. This festival features more than jazz — such as rock, pop, and R&B — but it often highlights some great jazz artists in their lineup.
The crown jewel for jazz festivals in North America is held in Montreal June 25 through July 4. The Montreal Jazz Festival is the biggest in the world, with nearly 150 indoor concerts and more than 350 free, open-air shows. When it comes to the Montreal Jazz Festival, it’s quality and quantity. Vocalists Diana Krall and Melody Gardot, as well as saxophonists Joshua Redman and Kamasi Washington, are just a handful of jazz stars who will be on-hand.
Likewise, two of the premiere festivals in the U.S. take place on opposite coasts. Newport Jazz Festival, which happens in Rhode Island July 31 through August 2, will feature pianists Herbie Hancock and Robert Glasper, trumpeter Chief Adjuah, and guitarist John Scofield on the bill this year. Monterey Jazz Festival in California September 25-27, showcases bassist Ron Carter’s Foursight Quartet, as well as the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra directed by trumpeter and jazz advocate Wynton Marsalis.
South America
If outdoor jazz concerts are your thing, circle September 12 and 13 on your calendar and visit Bogotá, Colombia for their Jazz al Parque weekend.
The Rio das Ostras Jazz and Blues Festival, held about 170 kilometers northeast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, offered concerts, lectures, and workshops over a four-day stretch in early June. Saxophonist Nubya Garcia and guitarist Stanley Jordan, among others, performed, making it a festival to keep on your radar for next year.
Oceana
Though this is a list of summer festivals, the most popular Australian jazz festivals, Melbourne International Jazz Festival and Adelaide International Jazz Festival, will take place in October during the region’s spring. Vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater has already signed on for the Melbourne festival, as has The Bad Plus, who are on their farewell tour.
The Wellington Jazz Festival in New Zealand, held around the same time, will have R&B icon Macy Gray as the headliner.
One of the big draws of festivals is the opportunity to experience many of your favorite groups for the price of one ticket — or, in some cases, for free.
Some festivals will sell day passes to one central performance stage or hub. In essence, you stay in one place and the musicians come to you. Other festivals have concerts in venues throughout the host city – or even region. In those cases, you’ll buy individual tickets for specific shows.
If you hope to attend a free show, especially if it’s in a small club, plan ahead. You’ll not only be in competition with locals for a seat, but also the tourists who have converged on the scene.
This list merely scratches the surface for upcoming jazz festivals taking place all around the world during the warmer season. So, no matter where you live – or where you’d like to travel — there’s bound to be some great music within earshot.
