The Houston International Jazz Festival, celebrating its 21st season, is rich in heritage, culture and sound. Kicking off Jazz Month in Houston, the August 5-7 Festival includes a kick-off party at House of Blues, followed by two days of evening concerts at Discovery Green, and the Mayor’s Scholarship Jazz Brunch. More than 10,000 music lovers and jazz enthusiasts are expected to experience this sensational weekend of events.
The festive weekend begins with a party Friday, August 5 at 8 p.m. at House of Blues, with live music by Kyle Turner and Joe Carmouche. Reservations are required through www.jazzeducation.org. Then the fun moves outdoors for two days of musical magic Saturday and Sunday evenings, August 6-7 at Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney.
The festival includes a special appearance by the Summer Jazz Workshop All-Stars followed by jazz aficionados the Texas Brass Band w/ Frank Lacy, and Fourplay on Saturday, August 6 for what is certain to be a cool evening of joyful jazz. On Sunday, August 7, the Mayor’s Scholarship Jazz Brunch takes place at the Wortham Theater, 610 Preston, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to honor the history of jazz and its students past, present and future. That evening, Theresa Grayson, Mindi Abair, and Will Downing take the stage at Discovery Green to close the festival out in style.
Gates open at Discovery Green at 4 p.m. daily with music until 10 p.m. Select booths and delectable food and drink vendors round out the entertainment offerings at the outdoor amphitheater setting.
Sponsors of the Houston International Jazz Festival weekend include Cadillac, Kroger, Comcast, Bud Light, City of Houston, Houston Arts Alliance, The Greensheet, Houston Press, Hilton Americas, House of Blues, Choice KTSU 90.9.FM, Texas Lottery, Discovery Green and chaired by City Council Member Jarvis Johnson.
Tickets to Houston International Jazz Festival are $25 for general admission lawn seating and $35 for VIP reserved seating per day when purchased in advance at www.jazzeducation.org. Day-of gate prices are $30 for general admission and $40 for reserved seating
All proceeds of Houston International Jazz Festival benefit Jazz Education Inc. to help fund educational programs including the “Jazz & Poetry Series” and the “Summer Jazz Workshop.” The Jazz & Poetry Series serves more than 30,000 elementary school students throughout greater Houston, while the Summer Jazz Workshop, now in its 40th season, trains over 100 teenage jazz musicians yearly. For more information about the Houston International Jazz Festival or Jazz Education Inc., visit www.jazzeducation.org or call 713.839.7000.
About Jazz Education Inc.
Jazz Education Inc. (JEI) was founded by Jazz artist Bubbha Thomas, who saw a need to fill a void where music education and youth were concerned. With a grant from The National Endowment for the Arts, he started an 8-week “Summer Program for Youthful Musicians” at St. James Episcopal Church. Seventy students attended the first FREE session. Since then, JEI has grown from a part-time-one-program project to a daily operation with full and part-time employees. The roster of activities ranges from mini-performances featuring national artists to annual programs ranging from an in-school educational program serving more than 30,000 elementary school children to a five-week Summer Jazz Workshop-serving more than 100 teenagers (middle school through college age) to an International Jazz Festival and a Holiday Jazz Concert. This year marks the 40th Anniversary of The Summer Jazz Workshop.
