Organizers of the 38th Annual Flint Jazz Festival said this year’s lineup of world renown musicians will be one of the best ever. A fantastic weekend is on tap at Riverbank Park in downtown Flint starting Friday, July 26 and going through Sunday, July 28.
“Our headliners are not to be missed,” said the ever-enthusiastic Greg Fiedler, President and CEO of the Greater Flint Arts Council. “Banda Magda gets things started on Friday with an incredible group of international musicians. On Saturday, we’re featuring Najee, an American saxophonist with two platinum and four gold albums under his belt. Then, we finish big on Sunday evening with smooth jazz gospel musician and native Detroiter, Tim Bowman!”
As always, the festival also features a talented mix of local and regional artists who will be hitting all the high notes starting at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, 1:30 on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Headliners take the stage each evening at 7 p.m. (See the full schedule below)
According to Fiedler, seating is not provided, so bring your cushions, blankets and folding chairs and then, sit back and relax.
“Plus, if you want to get a head start on the weekend, join us for our JAZZWALK on Thursday night,” said Fiedler. “We’ll be hitting five downtown clubs that night. Visit us at geneseefun.com for details.”
Admission to the Flint Jazz Festival is $10 per day or $25 for a weekend pass. The weekend pass is only available on Friday and there are no advance sales. Tickets are cash only at the gate.
No outside food or beverages are allowed. Instead, organizers encourage attendees to support the vendors on-site.
The annual Flint Jazz Festival is produced by Greater Flint Arts Council and is made possible by generous funding from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, William G. & Katherine S. Huber Fund, HAP, Totem Books, Mott Community College, Hamilton Community Health Network, Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and National Endowment for the Arts.
For more information about exactly what, where and when something fun is happening, visit geneseefun.com or call the Greater Flint Arts Council at 810-238-ARTS.
Full Schedule
Friday, July 26
5:30-6:30 Kevin Collins, African Jazz
7-8:30 Banda Magda
Saturday, July 27
1:30-2:30 Smooth Operation Project
3:00 – 4:00 Gwen Pennyman Hemphill
4:30 – 5:00 Tapology
5:30 – 6:30 Carl Cafagna
7:00 – 8:30 Najee
Sunday, July 28
2:00- 3:00 Organissimo
3:30-4:30 Jazz Cycle
5 – 6:30 People’s Jazz Band
7:00 – 8:30 Tim Bowman
JAZZWALK!! Thursday, July 25, 5-10PM in FIVE downtown clubs TBA
