The United States is home to some of the best jazz festivals in the world. From the PDX Jazz Festival in Portland to the XJAZZ Berlin Festival in Germany, jazz fans have plenty of options to choose from. Each festival offers something unique, from educational opportunities to free performances. Whether you're looking for a legendary artist or a rising star, these festivals have something for everyone. The PDX Jazz Festival is one of the most popular jazz festivals in the US.
Now in its fifteenth edition, it takes over downtown Portland for eleven days a year to honor those who have made jazz what it is today, as well as those who will continue to push the genre forward. With a variety of musical genres, from jazz to zydeco, this festival is sure to inspire and delight jazz fans around the world. The Reno Jazz Festival is another great option for jazz fans. At almost 60 years old, it isn't your normal festival experience. Focused on education, the festival welcomes students, educators and professional musicians to the University of Nevada for exhibits, impromptu sessions, contests and prizes. The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is possibly the most famous jazz festival in the world.
Colloquially known simply as Jazz Fest, it celebrates the unique bond between its city and the music that is nourished there. The first weekend of the month of the Memphis in May International Festival, the origins of the Beale Street Music Festival date back to the 19th century. With almost every blues legend you can imagine from the past 40 years, it has expanded to welcome a wide range of artists. The Clearwater Jazz Holiday has also been held since 1979 in Clearwater, Florida. This is a world-class four-day, four-night event held every October and is generally enjoyed by more than thirty-five thousand visitors.
This event takes place at Coachman Park in Clearwater and features a combination of great artists and a wide variety of jazz styles that are sure to inspire and delight jazz fans around the world. The XJAZZ Berlin Festival is another great option for jazz fans. Today, jazz festivals also include acts that inspire and have been inspired by jazz; the only criterion for music selection seems to be an inclination towards creative ingenuity. This creates a new and unique type of jazz that can only be found at The XJAZZ Berlin Festival, so for jazz fans of the younger generation and for those who enjoy the evolution of jazz, head to Berlin, Germany in May. One of the unique aspects of this festival is Jazz in the 'Hoods, with performances in each of the city's neighborhoods. Although this music festival may not have the same level of intensity as some of the other jazz festivals on this list, it offers a variety of musical and family entertainment, where you can undoubtedly learn about the rich history and culture of jazz and celebrate it to the fullest. The Chicago Jazz Festival is another great option for jazz fans.
What began as three festivals - one in honor of Duke Ellington, one for John Coltrane and one for the Chicago Jazz Institute - came together in 1979 to form this annual event. The main festival runs over two weekends, in late April and early May, and features an eclectic selection of musical genres. The CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival is one of the world's leading jazz festivals featuring legendary artists, well-known favorites, rising stars and new discoveries of talent and music from around the world. Savor delicious food and drinks, shop at the Jazz Marketplace and attend dozens of performances free of charge. Held from the last weekend of April to the first weekend of May, this festival is a tourist attraction with thousands of people coming to the city to celebrate jazz and immerse themselves in the festival season. No matter which jazz festival you choose to attend, you're sure to have an unforgettable experience.
The best jazz music can transport a listener to a different time and place, taking every bit of emotion out of them before returning them to the present. As jazz began to incorporate and mix sounds from other genres, jazz festivals began to relax the type of artists and art they presented at their events.