Jazz Festival Activities and Lineup

Jacksonville, FL -The City of Jacksonville is proud to announce an exciting lineup of activities for the 2008 Jacksonville Jazz Festival Friday, April 11, through Sunday, April 13.

This year's festival will take place in The Florida Theatre Friday, April 11, and at Metropolitan Park Saturday, April 12, and Sunday, April 13.

"The Jacksonville Jazz Festival is one of the city's signature events. It gives us a chance to listen to great music and show off our city to attendees who travel here from throughout the country," said Mayor John Peyton.

Metropolitan Park will also be the site of Art at the Met, an art show and sale featuring many of the Southeast's finest artists and craftspeople and 38° Latitude: A Wine Tasting Experience.

General admission to the festival each day is $10 plus applicable service charges. Experience Jazz VIP packages are good at both venues all festival days for $125 plus applicable service charges. Tickets will be on sale beginning in early March (see Ticket Pricing for complete information).

The ‘Round Midnight Jazz Jam on Saturday, April 12, at The Jacksonville Marriott is free to the public. Jazz fans are encouraged to bring their instruments and jam with festival performers.

The Metropolitan Park Jazz Brunch on Sunday, April 13, will be $40 plus applicable service charges. Brunch tickets include general admission to the festival. (See Ticket Pricing for complete information.)

Entertainment Schedule

The Florida Theatre- 128 East Forsyth Street
Friday, April 11

6 p.m.        Doors Open
7 p.m.        The Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition

The Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition has been a Jacksonville tradition for more than 20 years. Five finalists, chosen by a selection committee through "blind" judging, will compete for the honor of this award. The first-place winner will receive a prize of $3,500 and will perform at the 2008 Jacksonville Jazz Festival Saturday, April 12, at Metropolitan Park. The finalists will be announced the week of March 3.

A rhythm section will accompany the five finalists during the piano competition with Danny Gottlieb on drums.

Entertainment Schedule

Metropolitan Park - 1410 Gator Bowl Boulevard
Saturday, April 14

Noon                  Gates Open
1 p.m.                 Music Begins
1 p.m.                 Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition Winner
2 p.m.                 Lynne Arriale Trio featuring special guest Benny Golson Lynne Arriale (piano), Rufus Reid (bass), Anthony
                           Pinciotti (drums), and Benny Golson (tenor sax)
3:30 p.m.            20th Anniversary Celebration of the University of North Florida Jazz Program "Past, Present, and Future" 
                           featuring the UNF Jazz Ensemble 1 Big Band, the UNF Jazz Faculty and the 2008 UNF Alumni Reunion Group.
5:30 p.m.            Terence Blanchard
7 p.m.                 The St. Johns River City Band with John Pizzarelli
9 p.m.
Noon-10 p.m.      Art at the Met Art Show and Sale
Noon-10 p.m.      38° Latitude: A Wine Tasting Experience

Ticket Pricing (all tickets will be on sale early March)

General Admission

General admission ticket prices are $10 per day plus applicable service charges. Tickets may be purchased online at http://www.jaxjazzfest.com/ or at The Florida Theatre Box Office (904) 355-2787 (ARTS). The Florida Theatre Box Office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tickets may also be purchased on site during festival hours at Metropolitan Park and The Florida Theatre (Friday, April 11, festival hours only).

A limited number of Jazz Brunch tickets are available. Tickets are $40 plus applicable service charges and include general admission into Metropolitan Park on Sunday, April 13. Tickets may be purchased online at www.jaxjazzfest.com or at The Florida Theatre Box Office (904) 355-2787 (ARTS). The Florida Theatre Box Office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Brunch tickets may also be purchased Sunday, April 13, at the Metropolitan Park gates. Children 3 years and under are free.

Experience Jazz as a VIP

VIP tickets are available for all festival days and venues at a cost of $125 plus applicable service charges.

The 2008 Jacksonville Jazz Festival VIP experience includes:

• Access all festival days to seating under the Metropolitan Park pavilion and front stage as well as limited VIP seating (first-come, first-seated) at The Florida Theatre for The Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition.
• Coupon for $5 off with the purchase of $25 or more of jazz merchandise
• Signed and numbered official 2008 Jacksonville Jazz Festival poster
• Jacksonville Jazz Festival tote bag
• Two beverage tickets per day for Saturday, April 12, and Sunday, April 13, for use at Metropolitan Park
• One meal ticket per day for Saturday, April 12, and Sunday, April 13, for use at Metropolitan Park
• Jacksonville Jazz Festival commemorative lapel pin
• Access to 38º Latitude: A Wine Tasting Experience with eight complimentary tastes and commemorative wine glass
• Admission to the Jazz Brunch Sunday, April 13, at Metropolitan Park
• Parking for both festival days at Metropolitan Park

VIP tickets may be purchased online at www.jaxjazzfest.com.  Experience Jazz VIP packages can be redeemed at The Florida Theatre or Metropolitan Park during festival hours or prior to the festival at City Hall at St. James, Suite 280, Tuesday, April 1 through Thursday, April 10 (excluding Saturday and Sunday) between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Bring VIP ticket for confirmation and entry.

Jazz Brunch
Sunday, April 13
Metropolitan Park

10 a.m.-1 p.m. Brunch tickets are $40 plus applicable service charges and include two beverages and preferred seating. Brunch tickets will be available on http://www.jaxjazzfest.com/ and at The Florida Theatre Box Office (see ticket pricing for complete information). Doors open at 9:30 a.m. and seating is limited. Brunch tickets include general admission to the festival for Sunday, April 13.

Art at the Met

In conjunction with the 2008 Jacksonville Jazz Festival, the City of Jacksonville is proud to once again feature Art at the Met, an art show and sale of prize-winning items produced by artists and master craftspeople from throughout the region. While visiting Art at the Met, enjoy both the sounds of first-rate jazz performers and browse the works of talented artists. Located along the scenic riverfront within Metropolitan Park, the artists' pavilion will be a must-see destination. Admission to Art at the Met is free with park admission.

Hours for Art at the Met are as follows:
Saturday, April 12 Noon - 10 p.m.
Sunday, April 13 Noon - 4:30 p.m.

38° Latitude: A Wine Tasting Experience

A tasteful complement to the displays of fine art and the sounds of jazz at Metropolitan Park: 38° Latitude: A Wine Tasting Experience. Purchase a Tasting Ticket for $15 at the point of entry to this special region, and receive a souvenir wine glass and eight samplings of featured wines. An additional five tastes may be purchased for $10. A selection of wines will be featured for tasting and can be purchased by the bottle (for consumption within Metropolitan Park only).*

Times are as follows:
Saturday, April 12 Noon - 10 p.m.
Sunday, April 13 Noon - 4:30 p.m.
*Wine store hours will mirror the hours of the festival each day.

Round Midnight Jazz Jam

Saturday, April 12
10 p.m. - 2 a.m.
The Jacksonville Marriott
4670 Salisbury Road-Southpoint
Free admission

Hosted by The Kelly-Scott Jazz Quintet, featuring Lisa Kelly, JB Scott, Joshua Bowlus, Dennis Marks & Danny Gottlieb Witness the young and young-at-heart join for a jam session like no other. This mix of talented artists is a must-see experience to keep the sounds of jazz running into the early morning hours. Musicians of all ages are encouraged to bring their instruments and participate.

2008 Jacksonville Jazz Festival Poster

The 2008 commemorative Jazz Festival poster, titled "Jazz at Night," by Sergio Lazo is available for purchase for $25 (signed and numbered) or $15 for an unsigned copy. After the festival, the cost will be $50 (signed and numbered) or $25 unsigned, while supplies last. Posters and other Jacksonville Jazz Festival merchandise will be available at all festival venues. Posters can also be purchased prior to the festival by contacting the City of Jacksonville Office of Special Events at (904) 630-3690. Visit www.jaxjazzfest.com for order forms and an updated list of art retailers offering the posters for sale.