Outdoor Festival Features

Between performances, there's even more to discover across the festival grounds:

Student Art Show

Immersive Surround Sound Exhibit

Artisan and Vendor Tents:

• Bomani Beauty MD
• Culture Connect by Alice
• Elyce and Jonathan Fashions and Accessories
• EENY EYEWEAR
• Linked by Laur
• My Turquoise Kitten
• Soap Girl
• Uncle Crunch

Food Trucks:

• Blasian Fusion
• Feelin' Good Ice Cream
• Island City
• Kochi Flava Factory
• Soul City B-B-Q
• The Cleveland Fish and Seafood Company
• The Dawg Bowl Food Truck Cajun Cuisine
• The Urban Wrap Co.

Food Stands:

• Kettle Corn Shoppe
• Lizzie's Bakery Nut Free
• Mickey Flickey's Phase II
• Overnight Success Coffee Co.

Beer Tent

Late Night Jam Sessions in Bin 216

Whether you're grabbing a bite, discovering new artists or just soaking up the atmosphere, every corner of the festival offers something new.

New this year, JazzFest introduces three immersive districts, each offering unique experiences for all ages and interests:

Refresh District
Focused on wellness, movement, renewal and release, this space invites you to recharge and reconnect.

Spotlight District
Celebrate music, creativity, culture and discovery through interactive experiences and artistic exploration.

Family District
Designed for all ages, this area centers on play, learning, support and connection, making it perfect for families to explore together.

JazzFest is more than a festival — it's a place to connect with new ideas and opportunities:

Explore programs from across Tri-C, including:

• School of Creative Arts
• School of Nursing and Health Professions
• School of Business, Legal Professionals and Hospitality
• School of Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering and Computer Science
• School of Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Workforce Innovation Academies
• The Center for Entrepreneurs at Corporate College^®

Enjoy live podcasting at the City Club of Cleveland

Attend educational talks at Westfield Studio Theatre

There's no shortage of excitement throughout the festival:

• Jazz Kitchen Culinary Demonstrations
• JazzNEO Talk Tent Artist Interviews
• Cleveland Water Buggy
• The Jamboree After Party
• Mobile Rage Room
• DJ Through the Decades
• And so much more

Dan Bruce

The Mars Express

Kenesha Terrell

Dre Walton

Aaron Smith

Savion Glover is a Tony Award–winning choreographer and one of the most influential tap dancers of his generation. The son of Yvette Glover, he began his remarkable career on Broadway at just 10 years old, launching more than four decades of groundbreaking work in dance and choreography.

Deeply rooted in the education of rhythm and sound, Glover has dedicated his life to expanding the expressive possibilities of tap. His contributions to the art form have earned widespread recognition, including an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from Montclair State University.

Throughout his career, Glover has drawn inspiration from some of tap dance’s most revered masters, including Jimmy Slyde, Isaiah “Lon” Chaney, Gregory Hines, Charles “Honi” Coles, Chuck Green, and George Hillman. Their mentorship helped shape his distinctive approach — one that blends tradition, innovation, and a profound respect for the history of the form. 
Widely regarded as both an ambassador and a living legend of tap dance, Glover continues to share the teachings and philosophies passed down to him by earlier generations of artists. His work reflects a deep belief in dance as a powerful form of self-expression and communication.

As Glover has said of his life in dance, he takes pride in knowing that movement remains a vital way for people to articulate emotion and ideas beyond words — and that he has been able to contribute to that enduring and powerful tradition.

Tito Puente Jr. carries the legacy of his legendary father, imprinted in his music, joy, and spirit. On a passionate mission to preserve and expand the Puente musical heritage, he brings vibrant, high-energy performances to audiences worldwide. Over the past five years, he has performed more than 300 shows in casinos, performing arts centers, symphony halls, and jazz festivals.

His 2004 album, In My Father’s Shoes, revisited classic Puente titles and inspired a BET Jazz television special of the same name. He was featured in NBC’s tribute The Apollo at 70: A Hot Night in Harlem and appeared with his big band on ABC’s One Life to Live. Symphony performances include Dallas, San Antonio, Colorado, and South Bend, with upcoming appearances alongside the Palm Desert Symphony and the National Symphony Orchestra under Marvin Hamlisch.

Puente Jr.’s latest album, Got Mambo?, blends the classic Puente sound with his own musical voice, featuring guest artists Bobby Cruz and Hansel & Raul. The project has earned critical praise in Tropical and Latin Jazz circles.

Rooted in South Florida, Tito Puente Jr. continues to honor his father’s monumental influence while connecting new audiences to the joy of Latin music. He is also a devoted father to Miranda and Antonio, carrying forward not only a musical legacy but a family one as well.

Nestor Torres is a Latin Grammy Award-winning and multi-Grammy-nominated Puerto Rican flautist whose playing blends Latin jazz, pop, straight-ahead jazz, and classical styles. Born in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, Torres began playing drums at age five and flute at twelve, studying at the Escuela Libre de Música and later at Inter American University. His early influences included his father, Nestor Ramon, a pioneer of Latin jazz, and the legendary singer Ruth Fernandez.

Torres continued his studies at Berklee College of Music, Mannes School of Music, and the New England Conservatory, and quickly made a name for himself performing with Tito Puente, Ray Barretto, Larry Harlow, Hector Lavoe, Herbie Hancock, Paquito D’Rivera, and Arturo Sandoval. He has also performed with the New World, Cleveland, and Singapore Symphony Orchestras.

Throughout his career, Torres has released 18 albums, earning four Latin Grammy nominations, one Latin Grammy Award, and a Grammy nomination. His first major solo jazz album, Morning Ride, launched his national recognition, and his Latin Grammy-winning This Side of Paradise cemented his status as a pioneering instrumentalist and composer.

Torres has been commissioned for cross-cultural works, including compositions performed for the Dalai Lama, and has toured internationally as an Ambassador of Culture and Peace. Highlights include performances with the Miami Children’s Chorus, collaborations with Deepak Chopra, and meetings with Nobel laureates and royalty to promote music as a force for education, healing, and global understanding.

Rooted in Puerto Rican tradition yet globally minded, Nestor Torres continues to inspire audiences worldwide through his virtuosic flute playing, multi-genre compositions, and dedication to using music as a tool for hope, healing, and cultural connection.

LoConti is a seven-piece rock and funk band from Cleveland, Ohio, known for blending alternative rock with elements of funk, jazz, and soul. Built on tight rhythms, layered guitars, saxophone, and melodic vocals, the group creates a sound that balances groove-driven energy with expressive songwriting. The band began as a group of self-taught friends in their early twenties, playing bar gigs and house parties while developing their shared musical language.

In 2023, LoConti released their debut album, Cherry Red, recorded in a Cleveland home studio. That same year, they were named Best New Artist by the Cleveland Music Awards. The band followed with their second album, Reflections (2024), earning Best Band honors from Cleveland Scene and expanding their reach with regional touring. The album showcased a deeper, rhythm-forward direction, incorporating heavier grooves and drum–and–bass–driven textures.

In February 2024, the band experienced a profound loss when drummer Michael LoConti tragically passed away in a car accident during the recording of their third album. His passing deeply affected the band and the community that had grown around their music.

After taking time to reflect and heal, the group chose to continue making music in his honor. LoConti now features Billy Carrick on drums alongside Henry LoConti (guitar, vocals), Eric Sconyers (saxophone, synth), Erin Donovan (vocals, percussion), Trevor Carmichael (guitar), and Leo Traum (bass).

With a third album currently in progress, the band continues to evolve its sound while honoring the spirit that brought them together. For LoConti, the music has always been about connection — between bandmates, audiences, and the community that continues to support their journey.

Alvin Frazier "Gifted" and "versatile" are two words that best describe singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Alvin Frazier. His artistry embodies the timeless spirit of soul while pushing the boundaries of contemporary R&B and jazz. Known for his smooth vocals, heartfelt songwriting and captivating stage presence, Frazier has built a reputation as a dynamic solo artist with music that resonates across generations. In addition to being an awesome vocalist, he is also noted for being an electrifying jazz guitarist, drawing comparisons to George Benson, Norman Brown and Earl Klugh. A jazz album is currently in the works for 2026.

He has released three albums as a vocalist and tours nationally and internationally sharing stages with some of the finest in soul and R&B, including Kenny Lattimore, Angie Stone, Switch, Frank McComb, Avery Sunshine, Eric Roberson, Chanté Moore and George Clinton. Each encounter adds to his depth and reach as a dynamic artist.

Aside from his solo career, Frazier is a member of the legendary Grammy Award–winning Dazz Band, a group whose groundbreaking fusion of funk and R&B helped define an era. Their mega-hit "Let It Whip" is still filling up dance floors worldwide. With this affiliation, Frazier proudly carries forward a legacy of excellence in Black music while carving his own lane as a modern soul man and storyteller through song.

Whether delivering a passionate ballad, a smooth jazz groove, an up-tempo R&B anthem, funkin' on the one, or taking off into outer space with some fusion, Frazier embodies the essence of musical excellence. His shows are more than performances — they are experiences filled with heart, soul and undeniable groove.

Tommy Lehman is a trumpeter, vocalist, composer/arranger, bandleader, and educator based in Northeast Ohio. Growing up in a musical family surrounded by educators, professional musicians, and curators, Lehman was immersed in music from a young age.

He earned an associate degree from Cuyahoga Community College’s Jazz Studies Department, a bachelor’s from the Hartt School of Music, and a master’s from Cleveland State University. Since then, he has released two studio albums, Faith>Fear and Uplift, featuring top musicians from the Northeast Ohio scene.

Lehman leads his own projects and contributes to ensembles including Anthony Taddeo’s Alla Boara, Chris Coles’ Gleam and Nine Lives Project, Nathan-Paul & The Admirables, and JT’s Electric Blackout. His notable collaborations also span the Cleveland Ballet Company (Alice in Wonderland), choreographer Dominick Moore-Dunson (Alright?), the Akron Art Museum (Nick Cave: Heard), Dan Wilson (Things Eternal), and Karamu House’s Black Nativity at Playhouse Square.

For over a decade, Lehman has shared his passion for music education throughout Northeast Ohio, teaching at the Hudson School of Music and maintaining a private studio, inspiring the next generation of musicians while continuing to perform and innovate.

Anyah Nancy is an American neo-jazz singer known for her soulful tone and emotionally resonant performances. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and raised in the church, her voice reflects the influence of legendary vocalists such as Nina Simone and Billie Holiday while embracing the evolving sound of modern jazz and soul.

Performing with her band, Anyah blends traditional Black jazz with contemporary soul, creating music that feels both timeless and current. Her sound balances classic vocal phrasing with modern sensibilities, allowing her to move fluidly between intimate storytelling and powerful, expressive performances.

With the release of her debut album, Sounds Like Honey (2025), Anyah Nancy has emerged as one of the most compelling new voices in neo-jazz. The album highlights her gift for weaving vulnerability, strength, and grace into every performance, offering listeners a deeply emotional and immersive musical experience.

From her early roots in Pittsburgh to performances on international stages, Anyah continues to captivate audiences with her authenticity and artistry. Sounds Like Honey marks not only the beginning of her recording career, but the arrival of a distinctive voice helping shape the next chapter of neo-jazz.

AJ Tyus

Weedie Braimah is a djembist, composer, producer, and folklorist whose rhythm carries audiences on a vibrant journey through Africa and the diaspora. Hailing from a distinguished lineage of drummers — including his mother, jazz drummer Ann Morris, and his father, composer and drum master Oscar Sulley Braimah — he has spent over 30 years performing, teaching, and preserving African musical traditions while exploring innovative crossovers in jazz, funk, fusion, world music, and hip hop.

Braimah leads Weedie Braimah & The Hands of Time, a band that places the djembe at the forefront, blending West African folk music with modern ensemble arrangements. His debut album, The Hands of Time (2021), was named one of Time magazine’s Top 10 Albums of the year and earned him two Grammy nominations, including Best Instrumental Solo with Christian Scott. Collaborations span luminaries such as Cécile McLorin Salvant, Baaba Maal, Trombone Shorty, Pedrito Martínez, Oteil Burbridge, and Christian Scott aTunde-Adjuah.

Praised for combining tradition, evolution, and soul, Braimah’s music both honors African percussion heritage and positions it at the cutting edge of contemporary music. Critics highlight his ability to fuse African folk rhythms into modern ensemble settings while maintaining deep cultural identity, creating a new model for global percussion performance.

With performances across Europe, Cuba, Dubai, and the United States, Braimah continues to inspire and educate, expanding the reach and influence of the djembe worldwide and establishing himself as one of the leading voices in African percussion today.

Maimouna “Mumu Fresh” Youssef is a GRAMMY-nominated singer, songwriter, and activist whose work bridges hip-hop, soul, jazz, and Afro-Indigenous musical traditions. She has built an international reputation over two decades as a dynamic performer, emcee, and cultural advocate.

A recipient of the Indigenous Music Award and multiple Washington Area Music Awards (WAMMYs), Mumu Fresh has also served as a Musical Ambassador for the U.S. State Department. She is an active leader in the music community as Co-Chair of the Social Action Committee for the Recording Academy’s GRAMMY DC Chapter and as an ambassador for the Black Music Collective.

In 2024, Mumu Fresh released her fourth solo album, The Healing. She has appeared at major festivals, performing alongside major artists. That same year, she made her debut as a headlining solo artist at the historic Monterey Jazz Festival and appeared on additional sets.

Mumu Fresh has also reached wide audiences through collaborations and media appearances. Her work has been featured in ESPN’s ESPY Awards tribute to the Black Lives Matter movement and on Salaam Remi’s album Black on Purpose. Her viral performances for NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series and her feature on Tobe Nwigwe’s song “Tundah Fiyah” further expanded her global following.

Beyond the stage, Youssef is deeply committed to mentorship, education, and activism. She has mentored emerging artists through GRAMMY U and founded the online education platform Muniversity Studies, which helps independent musicians develop sustainable creative careers.

In 2024, Mumu Fresh and her mother, Wapajea Walks on Water, opened Mountain Eagle Place, a family sound and healing center dedicated to spiritual wellness and cultural restoration. The center hosts retreats and workshops focused on sound healing, yoga, permaculture, natural building, and community care.

Currently, Mumu Fresh is a recipient of the Cllctvly Artist-in-Residency grant and a resident artist at the Mwasi Healing Center, where she is writing a memoir and companion workbook scheduled for release in winter 2026.

Nathan-Paul Davis, a pastor’s son from Cleveland, Ohio, delivers sound medicine through a velvety, lo-fi soul party that mixes modern trap, ’70s funk, and fiery Southern gospel. Writing with generosity at the heart of his process, he describes it like “extreme Southern hospitality. I’ll always have something for you. I won’t let you leave until you take something with you.”

Singing in the church choir by age five, Nathan-Paul is a multi-instrumentalist on saxophone and flute, as well as a skilled producer and composer. A Jazz Studies graduate of the University of Akron, he is an improviser influenced by Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Louis Armstrong. His music often defies genre but is deeply rooted in the Black American musical tradition.

From 2018 to 2023, Nathan-Paul was a Rope A Dope Records artist, releasing multiple projects and quietly contributing to the label’s legacy while representing Cleveland’s musicianship with characteristic humility. He also served as music director for Wesley Bright & The Honeytones, arranging, songwriting, and opening for acts like WAR, Tower of Power, Lee Fields, and Charles Bradley. A song he wrote for Bright, “Happiness,” earned a placement with Nike Skateboarding.

With Nathan-Paul & The Admirables, he channels a rock-edged intensity, prioritizing energy over notes. The group has toured with Moon Hooch and backed soul legend Dwele. As Nathan-Paul says, “I’m a student of Black American music—James Brown, Miles Davis, John Coltrane. You might hear swing, funk, hip-hop, or something in between. It’s all an expression.”

With over six albums and seventy singles released, Nathan-Paul is one of Cleveland’s quietly prolific voices—an artist some are just discovering, others consider a hidden treasure. Rooted in Cleveland Heights, he embodies the city’s past, present, and creative future.

Charles Haynes and the Tabernacle create music that draws deeply from the Earth’s rhythms while inviting audiences to the dance floor. Blending Afrobeat, jazz, gospel, and hip-hop, the group’s vibrant sound features a dynamic mix of horns, keys, vocals, and percussion that channels both spiritual depth and irresistible groove.

Led by drummer, producer, and composer Charles Haynes, the ensemble explores the musical traditions of the African diaspora while shaping a fresh, contemporary sound. Their performances move fluidly between improvisation and rhythm-driven energy, reflecting a musical vision rooted in heritage while reaching toward new creative possibilities.

Haynes has built a wide-ranging career across genres and disciplines, working as a music director, producer, arranger, and drummer for artists including Ed Sheeran, Queen Latifah, Lady Gaga, and Kanye West. In the jazz world, he has collaborated with leading musicians such as Kenny Garrett, Shedrick Mitchell, Keyon Harrold, Roy Hargrove, Robert Glasper, and Samara Joy.

With new music scheduled for release in 2024 and 2025, Charles Haynes and the Tabernacle continue to expand their sonic landscape. Their work bridges tradition and innovation, bringing audiences into a musical space where ancestral rhythms meet the evolving sounds of today.

Marquis Hill