Lineup and Passes
Lineup and Passes
The two-day outdoor festival features 10 acts in Cain Park’s covered Evans Amphitheater, with a lineup that celebrates both the roots of jazz and the forward-thinkers in the genre today.
2021 Tri-C JazzFest highlights include an energetic, world-infused performance by Banda Magda; extraordinary piano trios led by Christian Sands and Emmet Cohen; vocalists ranging from a 21-year-old recent Sarah Vaughan Competition winner to veteran Grammy Award-winning vocalist Catherine Russell; three thrilling horn players; and the explosive salsa of the Spanish Harlem Orchestra.
Passes, sold by day, are available through ticketmaster.com or by calling 216-371-3000. The Cain Park box office is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Reserved passes are tiered, available for $50, $65, $75 and $100. Lawn seating is $35.
Check out the schedule and learn more about each artist below.
| Time | Artist |
| 3:30 p.m. | Samara Joy featuring Pasquale Grasso Trio |
| 4:45 p.m. | Lakecia Benjamin and Pursuance |
| 6:15 p.m. | Christian Sands Trio |
| 7:45 p.m. | A Moment in Cleveland |
| 9:15 p.m. | Spanish Harlem Orchestra |
| Time | Artist |
| 2 p.m. | Marquis Hill |
| 3:30 p.m. | Bria Skonberg |
| 5 p.m. | Emmet Cohen Trio |
| 6:30 p.m. | Catherine Russell |
| 8 p.m. | Banda Magda |
Samara Joy featuring Pasquale Grasso Trio
With a voice as smooth as velvet, 21-year-old Samara Joy’s star seems to rise with each performance. Winner of the 2019 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, Joy is currently recording her debut record featuring Pasquale Grasso Trio. Performing with Joy is Pasquale Grasso (guitar), Ari Roland (bass) and Keith Balla (drums).
Check out Samara Joy
Lakecia Benjamin and Pursuance
A charismatic and dynamic saxophonist and bandleader, Lakecia Benjamin fuses traditional conceptions of jazz, hip-hop and soul. Her latest album, Pursuance, was chosen as one of the Top 20 best albums of 2020. It’s an intergenerational masterpiece that takes one on a journey through the lineage of music with the works of John and Alice Coltrane. Her JazzFest performance features Zaccai Curtis (piano), Lonnie Plaxico (bass) and EJ Strickland (drums).
Check out Lakecia Benjamin
Christian Sands Trio
Steinway artist and five-time Grammy nominee Christian Sands is an emerging jazz force. His abundant piano technique perfectly matches his conception, accomplishing a much deeper musical goal: a fresh look at the entire language of jazz.
Check out Christian Sands
A Moment In Cleveland
The performance of A Moment in Cleveland will be an intergenerational celebration of Cleveland jazz talent featuring Dominick Farinacci, Ernie Krivda and more.
Check out Dominick Farinacci
Spanish Harlem Orchestra
Three-time Grammy-winning salsa and Latin jazz band Spanish Harlem Orchestra sets the gold standard for excellence in authentic, New York-style hardcore salsa. Whether in a concert hall or at an outdoor jazz festival, there is no easing you in — they come at you full force, from start to finish. Band members include: Oscar Hernandez (piano/leader), Marco Bermudez (vocals), Carlos Cascante (vocals), Jeremy Bosch (vocals), Manuel Ruiz (trumpet), Alex Norris (trumpet), Doug Beavers (trombone), Noah Bless (trombone), Mitch Frohman (sax/flute), Luis Quintero (timbales), George Delgado (congas), Jorge Gonzalez (bongos) and Gerry Madera (bass).
Check out Spanish Harlem Orchestra
Marquis Hill
Internationally renowned trumpeter, composer and bandleader Marquis Hill constantly breaks down the barriers that divide musical genres. To Hill, contemporary and classic jazz, hip-hop, R&B, Chicago house and neo-soul are all essential parts of his African American creative heritage. He’ll be performing with Jeremiah Collier (drums), De’Sean Jones (tenor and soprano sax), Junius Paul (bass) and Jahari Stampley (piano).
Check out Marquis Hill
Bria Skonberg
Trumpeter, vocalist and songwriter Bria Skonberg has performed festivals and stages all over the world, from New Orleans to Montreal. She is known for her smoky vocals, unique arrangements and blistering trumpet solos. Her 2016 debut LP won a Canadian JUNO award and made the Top 5 on Billboard jazz charts.
Check out Bria Skonberg
Emmet Cohen Trio
30-year-old jazz pianist and composer Emmet Cohen has emerged as one of his generation's pivotal figures in music. With the command of a seasoned veteran, the vibrant solo performer leads the Emmet Cohen Trio and is in constant demand as a sideman. Cohen will perform with Russell Hall (bass) and Kyle Poole (drums).
Check out Emmet Cohen
Catherine Russell
Jazz vocalist Catherine Russell’s musical resume includes six chart-topping albums and a Grammy as a featured artist on the Boardwalk Empire soundtrack. She has toured the world, performing and recording with David Bowie, Cyndi Lauper, Paul Simon, Steely Dan, Michael Feinstein and Wynton Marsalis, among others. Her interpretations of gems from the 1920s to the present burst with soul and humor.
Check out Catherine Russell
Banda Magda
Led by firecracker performer, composer and multi-instrumentalist Magda Giannikou, Banda Magda is a world music collective that merges the acoustic folk elements of Brazilian music with the lush romanticism of French music, a little bossa nova and a nod to Columbian and Mexican music. The result is something that is laid back, relaxed, intimate and spicy at the same time. Banda Magda features Magda Giannikou (accordion/vocals), Matt Aronoff (upright and electric bass), Ignacio Hernandez (electric and acoustic guitar), Chris McQueen (electric guitar) and Keita Ogawa (percussion/drums).
Check out Banda Magda