Jazz is 'alive and well': Annual Jazz Fest shows how far it's come, and where it's going
The 2024 Jazz Fest in downtown Pensacola will be the first without founder Dr. Norman Vickers, but organizers are planning to build off his legacy by introducing new elements near and dear to his heart.
The free event on April 6-7, powered by Jazz Pensacola, takes place every April in Seville Square.
“People are welcome to come and go as they please, said Jazz Pensacola President Derrick Fishback. "We’ll have great acts of music, and since it’s the first festival in Pensacola, we really bring the energy and put it all out there to kick things off for the year.”
Even though the vendor list is in the process of being finalized, with sponsorships and vendor opportunities still available, the 2024 lineup is already locked in.
“We’re working to push the word out harder,” Fishback said. “Especially about the changes in the variety of music.”
More: Pensacola loses Dr. Norman Vickers, giant of Northwest Florida jazz scene
In past years, where one type of jazz music was featured more prominently than others, Fishback hopes that changing things up will reach a wider audience.
“It depends on your flavor,” Fishback said. “If you leave the fest and come back, it’ll be a different type of jazz music playing. The purpose of changing the tempo of the music has also been to get younger people interested.”
This year’s lineup will be jam packed with performances by local, regional and national jazz artists including Mike Levine’s Miami Spice Band, New York-based jazz flutist Ali Ryerson, and the Danny Abel Trio with Joe Ashlar from New Orleans.
“The first half of our festival each day will just be students from schools and universities playing,” Fishback said. “We have high school bands, we even have middle school bands. I’m always just taken aback by the level of talent, and our festival gives them a chance to shine.”
Hobbs Middle School from Milton will kick things off on Saturday at 10 a.m., followed by Bailey Middle School from Pensacola, Ransom Middle School from Cantonment, and Gulf Breeze Middle School closing it out shortly before noon.
“I cannot wait for them to perform,” Fishback said. “Because you have these talented students performing. And then you see all of their families attending and showing their support. It made me understand what we were trying to do. It made me understand what Jazz Pensacola is all about.”
But if you stick around until Saturday night, you’ll get to see the newly-created 17 piece Jazz Pensacola Orchestra make its debut.
“I ventured out, and asked myself, ‘what does our city have? What does our city not have?’ We have a Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, but we don’t have a Jazz Orchestra,” Fishback said. “So we created one. We hope to play a second event in the Fall.”
Since being elected in 2022, Fishback’s tenure as Jazz Pensacola president has been squarely focused on the future.
“So I was originally a photographer for Jazz Pensacola,” Fishback said. “I’d go to all the events, and then I decided to sign up to be on the board. In the same week, I was elected president. I was thinking, ‘OK. This is new.’ But I knew I wanted to make a difference and build upon our legacy.”
When Jazz Pensacola’s founder and retired physician Dr. Norman Vickers passed away this past October at the age of 92, that further underscored the importance of the organization’s mission.
“That’s when it really hit me, the seriousness of what we’re continuing to build,” Fishback said. “Dr. Vickers held a strong belief in the advancement of music education and keeping the spirit of jazz music alive.”
Having students perform at Jazz Pensacola’s signature event simply scratches the surface.
“It’s not just Jazz Fest, it’s Jazz Pensacola,” Fishback said. “We hold monthly jazz jam sessions for students to perform with professional musicians. We have a Student Jazz Competition happening later on this month at Pensacola State College. Our next phase will be hosting workshops.”
But that’s not the only takeaway Fishback wants Jazz Fest Pensacola attendees to receive.
“I want people to know that jazz is not dead,” Fishback said. “Someone said to me the other day that ‘jazz is dead.’ No it isn’t. Jazz is not dead. Jazz is alive and well. We’re keeping it going. These students are keeping it going. And that’s how we grow. We keep moving.”
Admission to the fest itself is free, but there will be VIP opportunities available if you’d like to enhance your Jazz Fest Pensacola experience. One Day VIP Passes for Saturday or Sunday can be purchased online for $50, plus a service fee. That gets you access to the festival, as well as covered seating under a tent and snacks. Looking to receive the VIP treatment for both days? The two-day pass is an additional $25, plus a service fee.
But if you’re thinking about bringing a cooler or a four legged friend with you, you’ll have to leave them both at home. Pets won’t be allowed and buying your food and beverages onsite is strongly encouraged. After all, that’s how Jazz Pensacola has been able to continue offering free admission to those who wish to attend.
If you’re interested in becoming a sponsor for Jazz Fest Pensacola 2024, or purchase VIP Tickets, call 850-433-8382 or visit www.pensacolajazzfest.com.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola Jazz Fest returns to Seville Square April 6-7 2024