Jazz Festival 2025

 Jazz Festival 2025

Welcome to a new year full of fantastic opportunities for life and 2025 jazz festivals! 

If you are a jazz lover, you already know how enriching a live jazz festival experience can be, and our 2025 jazz festival in Tucson will not disappoint! 

Get ready to immerse your senses in the culture, history, and community that you’ve come to expect from what we have to offer. After all, jazz is not just about music, and Tucson is a must-attend event out of all the Jazz Festivals coming in 2025!

What’s Coming

We are proud to announce that the Tucson Jazz Festival 2025 will be bigger than ever, and as always, there will be something for everyone. 

This 2025 jazz festival experience includes stellar musical performances, boutique shopping, award-winning food and cocktails, and much more! 

Just imagine yourself sipping a Mezcal cocktail with your fellow jazz enthusiasts as the soulful sounds of a jazz quartet wash over you, bathing you in rhapsody. The weather couldn’t be more perfect – it’s cool enough to enjoy your favorite jacket but not cold enough to run inside. And you’re breathing in the fresh Tucson air, enjoying every minute! 

Welcome to the 2025 Jazz Festival experience you’ve been waiting for.

 

TJF2025 Artist-Sheila E. and the E-Train
TJF2025 Artist-Charles Lloyd Ocean Trio Feat. Gerald Clayton and Anthony Wilson

 Who’s Who Of Our Jazz Festival 2025

While there’s so much to say about jazz festivals in 2025, we wouldn’t be one of the best 2025 jazz events without the internationally renowned artists and their spectacular sounds and talent. 

Our 2025 jazz festival will include the top talent you’ve come to expect from the Tucson area and beyond. Don’t miss out on this year’s performers, which include Sheila E (“Queen of Percussion”), Grammy award-winner Paquito D’Rivera, NEA Jazz Master Charles Lloyd, and many more!

Sheila E. was immersed in music from a young age. Her dad was a percussionist and Godfather, none other than Latin star Tito Puente. For Uncles, Sheila names former Santana member, Azteca founder Coke Escovedo, and The Dragons frontman Mario Escovedo! Following her work with legendary artist Prince, Sheila E. launched her solo career and found ongoing success producing, arranging, writing, and, of course, performing. You won’t want to miss this musical powerhouse at the 2025 Jazz Festival.

Paquito D’Rivera hails from Cuba and started performing at the young age of 10! His work has led to a combined 16 Grammy and Latin Grammy Awards, and his music is a celebration of both Latin and Caribbean jazz. In addition to jazz music, Paquito D’Rivera has made award-winning contributions to classical music. If you love music, Paquito D’Rivera is a can’t miss performer!

Charles Lloyd is among our most impressive 2025 Jazz Festival performers. His lifetime of music has led to becoming an inductee into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame and a recipient of the prestigious Chevalier des Arts et Lettre from the French Minister of Culture. He was also notably one of the first jazz artists to sell a million copies of a recording. When you hear Charles Lloyd, you hear the richness of jazz from one of its history-makers.

You can expect talents such as these and more (Emmet Cohen, Gunhild Carling, Delfeayo Marsalis and The Uptown Jazz Orchestra, to name a few) at our 2025 jazz festival in Tucson!

Why Choose the Tucson Jazz Festival?

The Tucson Jazz Festival is an opportunity to experience jazz in a personalized way, with the flexibility to curate your own 2025 jazz festival lineup.

Our Tucson Jazz Festival 2025 will engage all your senses because we attract jazz musicians and performers with out-of-this-world talent. As a 2025 jazz festival participant, you’ll have the opportunity to witness live performances by renowned artists, including established jazz legends and up-and-coming talents you’ll want to remember. 

Our jazz festival in 2025 will showcase a wide range of jazz styles, including traditional, contemporary, fusion, Latin, and more.

The Tucson Jazz Festival is a celebration of not only jazz music but also the cultural vibrancy of Tucson. It’s not just the artists that show up – our local restaurants, breweries, hotels, art galleries, and retail shops partner with us to bring you the best! Out of all the jazz festivals 2025, make sure you add Tucson to your list. You’ll quickly discover that our bias is warranted! 

This 2025 jazz festival also provides a great opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals who share a passion for music. Attendees can meet fellow jazz lovers, discuss the performances, and form connections with musicians, artists, and other festival-goers. The jazz festival 2025 atmosphere fosters the sense of community and camaraderie you’ll learn to expect from events like these. 

In short, the Tucson Jazz Festival is one you don’t want to miss for the 2025 jazz festival season!

TJF2025 Artist-Paquito D'Rivera
TJF2025 Artist-Emmet Cohen Trio

What to Expect at Our Jazz Festival 2025

So, what should you expect from the 2025 Jazz Festival in Tucson? 

For starters, you can expect to have one of the best times of your life! 

Let’s break it down: 

The Best Artists

Our 2025 jazz festival brings together some of the best names in jazz from around the world! Sheila E., Paquito D’Rivera, Charles Lloyd, Emmet Cohen, Gunhild Carling, Delfeayo Marsalis and The Uptown Jazz Orchestra are just the beginning!

Access To New Artists In The Jazz Scene

One of the best things about our 2025 jazz festival is the opportunity to hear from legends alongside new artists adding their talents to the jazz community.

Jazz embraces people from many different areas of the world and brings those unique musical flavors to the scene. 2025 jazz festivals will be a great place to experience up-and-coming jazz artists before they become a household name within the jazz community. Get to know them in smaller venues before they hit the main stage – a true treat for music lovers of any genre.

Community Connections

Being among other jazz lovers to experience an event is a special experience you’ll enjoy when participating in jazz festivals in 2025. For many of our festival goers, they leave the event with new life-long friends and an expanded jazz family! 

Education

One of the main objectives of the Tucson Jazz Festival is to celebrate the important role jazz plays in creating, exploring, and finding inspiration in life. 

We care deeply about continuing the energy, culture, and history that’s deeply integrated with the jazz music genre. Because of this, educating others on what jazz music stands for and its key elements is a cornerstone of our program.

Don’t be surprised if you have the opportunity to see one of the local Tucson youth bands perform at our 2025 jazz festival! Teaching new generations of jazz musicians and enthusiasts is part of what The Tucson Jazz Festival Education Program aims to instill in the community. 

Exploration of Local Restaurants, Shops, and Outdoor Opportunities

There is no better way to enjoy jazz music at a 2025 jazz festival than to do it while enjoying great food, drinks, and the beautiful Tucson area!

If you are a foodie, you are certainly in for a treat. We have joined forces with Tucsonfoodie.com to offer signature cocktails and dishes specially made for our 2025 Jazz festival. 

Our downtown Tucson area is a great place to explore for both daytime shopping and nightlife. Many of our jazz festival 2025 performances take place in venues such as The Century Room and the Fox Tucson Theater, which make it easy to stroll to other locations before or after experiencing artists. 

Finally, the 2025 jazz festival in Tucson puts you close to the Saguaro National Park where you will find a plethora of outdoor adventures from hiking tours and bike rides to camping and nature watching. Come for the jazz, stay for so much more!

Here’s What Others Are Saying About The Tucson Jazz Festival 

How fortunate Tucson is to have such quality live jazz! Thanks to the Tucson Jazz Festival sponsors and volunteers, we can enjoy both local and internationally-renowned jazz musicians at Tucson venues. The performances we’ve attended these past couple of years have been phenomenal. Thank you to everyone who make these possible! 

Gina Gentry

This jazz festival just keeps getting better and better. Biggest names in jazz are here. They love the venues and so do we. Best weather in the country to enjoy the jazz, and downtown Tucson is such a vibrant and happening place. Best jazz, Best Artists, Best town and Best venues. What else is there? 

Alan Stein

The Tucson Jazz Festival is world class. The musicians are top notch, from university student ensembles all the way through to Grammy winners. We travel to Tucson each year to attend in January and it is delightful. Kudos to the TJF organizers who put on this great festival! – Madeleine Elmer

TJF2025 Artist - Endea Owens & The Cookout w/Special Guest Chef Janos Wilder
TJF2025 Artist-Gunhild Carling and Caity Gyorgy

How To Book 

Our jazz festival 2025 is an experience you can customize to the personal experience you want to have. Each artist’s performance has separate admission, with ticket prices ranging from free to under $200 per show. 

Book each show separately on the artist page or look on our home page for a spot to purchase your tickets. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Need more information? We’ve got you covered! Here are some of the most common questions we get and answers to help you plan your experience.

Who is coming to the Tucson Jazz Festival 2025? 

For our 2025 festival season, you can expect the same top-notch level of amazing performers you’re used to at the Tucson Jazz Festival. This year, we’re excited to welcome Sheila E., Paquito D’Rivera, Charles Lloyd, Emmet Cohen, Gunhild Carling, Delfeayo Marsalis and The Uptown Jazz Orchestra!

Past artists have included the Blue Note Quartet, Calexico with TSO, Bill Cantos, Lizzy and the Triggermen, Trombone Shorty, Arturo Sandoval, and the emerging talents of Isiah J. Thompson.

The specific artist lineup will be found on the Your TJF2025 home page or on the “Get Tickets” page.

Where do I learn more about the artists?

Each artist coming to our 2025 jazz festival has their own artist page, complete with highlights about their styles, accolades, and more. 

Why should I choose the Tucson Jazz Festival? 

Jazz music is something special! It’s music that connects you to storytelling, history, and raw emotion. 

The Tucson Jazz Festival is set to be one of the best jazz festivals in 2025 because of our ability to showcase all the amazing facets of this soul-moving genre. After ten years of experience, we have a track record of pulling off an amazing jazz event that keeps guests and performers coming back for more. 

Are there nearby accommodations for the 2025 Tucson Jazz Festival?

The 2025 jazz festival in Tucson is sure to leave you feeling exhilarated and enlightened. After enjoying the music, community, and downtown area, you’ll be pleased to know that there are several excellent options for resting your head before another day full of soul. 

The Tucson Jazz Fest in 2025 is excited to have HSL Properties as our title sponsor again. HSL Properties include many beautiful hotels, like The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain, Hampton Inn & Suites Tucson East, Embassy Suites by Hilton East, Hampton Inn & Suites Marana, El Conquistador, Doubletree Suites by Hilton East, La Quinta Inn & Suites, and the Best Western Tucson Int’l Airport.

Other accommodations available include the Hotel Congress and the AC Hotel Downtown Tucson, among others. 

Visit https://tucsonjazzfestival.org/tucson-hotels/ to learn more.

What should I bring to the Tucson Jazz Festival in 2025? 

This 2025 jazz festival boasts both indoor and outdoor venues at various times throughout the day. Because of this, you’ll want to prepare for many different situations. We recommend packing sunblock for the day, a sweater or other layer for cooler nights, and both casual and evening wear. 

Tucson weather in January ranges between 39°F (4°C) and 64°F (18°C), so it’s best to dress comfortably and bring a couple of options for warmer days and cooler nights.

Be sure to also pack comfortable shoes, hand sanitizer, a portable phone charger, and cash for fun finds and shopping! 

Most importantly, you’ll want to bring your sense of adventure and a readiness to learn about new artists. 

TJF2025 Matthew Whitaker at the Century Room

Where do I buy tickets for the Tucson Jazz Festival 2025? 

You can secure your tickets to each show by visiting individual artist or event pages. You can find these artist pages by clicking the artist or event photo. There are many different event and concert options, each with a unique opportunity to experience the artists of your choice. With nine days of jazz and lively entertainment, the 2025 Tucson Jazz Festival isn’t one to miss!

Who do I contact to learn more about the Tucson Jazz Festival? 

The best place to learn more about this amazing festival is through the website and the Tucson Jazz Festival social media outlets – Facebook, Youtube, and Instagram. 

You can also contact us via the “contact us” form on our website, email us at info@tucsonjazzfestival.org, or call us at 520-762-6260. 

What are the dates for New Orleans Jazz Fest 2025?

The 2025 New Orleans Jazz Fest is April 24th – May 4th, 2025. The Tucson Jazz Festival would be a fantastic way to start your 2025 jazz festival journey before hitting the New Orleans Jazz Fest 2025.

What is the biggest jazz festival?

The biggest jazz festival in the world is the Montreal International Jazz Fest. 

The festival holds the 2004 Guinness World Record for the largest jazz festival. This event hosts over 2 million visitors annually from all over the world! It showcases roughly 3,000 artists and puts on about 650 concerts.  

While the 2025 Tucson Jazz Fest isn’t as large, we have several locations throughout the downtown area where you can enjoy top jazz bands from all over the world, each with their own special sound. 

If you’ve been part of a large crowd experiencing live jazz music before, you know there’s a lot of incredible, fun energy produced from the artists and crowd!

What is the best jazz festival in the US?

The Newport Jazz Festival in Newport, Rhode Island, is often credited with being the “first American jazz festival” in 1954. This festival continues to be a summer hit. 

With so many great jazz festivals in 2025, it’s hard to say which is the best. We are pretty partial to our Tucson Jazz Festival and can’t wait for you to join us for this amazing experience. 

What is the most important jazz festival in the world?

From the perspective of size and influence, the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal is undoubtedly important. This festival is known for its passion for music; something we here at the Tucson Jazz Festival can fully understand! Jazz music is our passion and lifeblood, and we’re so excited for you to see for yourself at our 2025 jazz festival!

What is the largest free jazz festival in the world?

While 2025 jazz festivals can stretch the budget, you’ll be glad to know there are several options to experience live jazz without breaking the bank. 

Currently the Detroit Jazz Festival holds the title of largest free jazz festival in the world. It hosts around 325,000 to 350,000 people over their 4-day event. 

Here in Tucson, our jazz festival 2025 also has several free or nearly free jazz concert opportunities. 

Where are the best free jazz festivals in the world?

In addition to the 2025 jazz festivals in Detroit and our free shows in Tucson, the Chicago Jazz Festival also boasts free admission. Held over Memorial Day weekend, this festival has a history of honoring jazz legends such as Duke Ellington and John Coltrane.