Wilmington gives a warm welcome to all of the jazz lovers attending our 44th North Carolina Jazz Festival!

Thursday Night Showcase:

Thursday night, our “Special Event” night, is when we feature different styles of jazz. This year we will open with The Port City Trio, a Wilmington based group that is well known in the area for the Jewell Family’s tradition of playing jazz, blues and pop styles of music. We welcome them to our stage, as they feature their daughter Annie, a violinist who was in our very first masterclass, given by Bucky Pizzarelli and Jonathan Russell. Not giving away ages, but Jonathan was about 12 then, and so was Annie!

Our “main event” for the evening will be The Emmet Cohen Trio. Emmet, a multifaceted young American jazz pianist and composer has emerged as one of his generation’s pivotal figures in music and the related arts. Last year he came to Wilmington as pianist for Tootie Heath, who gave a concert at UNCW. The reception by the local jazz community was spectacular, and now we have the opportunity to present Emmet with his own trio as our very special introduction to his “style” of jazz.

The evening’s music will come to a close with some of our weekend All-Stars in a Traditional Jazz Jam!

Friday and Saturday Nights:

We will continue our celebration with 15 All-Star musicians playing in the traditional seven sets of six or seven players, each set with a different leader. You will see/hear many of our favorite NCJF musicians plus new additions to our lineup. An exciting 44th annual North Carolina Jazz Festival, you will definitely want to be here for it! These will be 4 ½ hour concerts.

Patron Brunch:

On Saturday from 10:30 until 2pm we treat our patrons to a musical brunch, when all of our All-star musicians play for their pleasure while everyone enjoys a delicious brunch.  During the last hour we have a “jam” when the patrons who are musicians have the opportunity to play with the All-stars.  Fun for all!

Fest Date: February 1 - 3, 2024

Time: All Evening Concerts Will Begin At 7:30PM

Location: Hotel Ballast, 301 North Water Street, Wilmington, NC 28401

General Admission:
Thursday $45
Friday & Saturday $65 each night
Discounts for Active Military $25 – Students $15 all nights
(Seating may be reserved in tables of ten only)

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