On May 3, 4, and 5, 2024, The Wilkes Barre Cavalcade of Jazz will come to downtown Wilkes-Barre, bringing a focus to restaurants, coffee houses, and bars. The festival starts on Friday, May 3rd, with a free concert and happy hour at the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts. Then, all attendees can find great meals and LIVE jazz music in downtown bars and restaurants throughout the night. On Saturday, May 4th, Abide Coffeehouse will host a morning Jazz and Java performance; that evening will feature the festival’s headline artist: 10-time Grammy-winning jazz legend Arturo Sandoval with the Cavalcade of Jazz Big Band under the direction of Marko Marcinko in a ticketed concert at the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts. Sunday morning will round out the festival weekend with a jazz brunch at the Stegmaier Mansion with Scott Edmunds and The Jost Project performing.
Festival Schedule (additional venues and artists to be announced):
Friday, May 3:
5:30 p.m. – Opening Ceremony and reception at the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts featuring a performance by Joe Michaels Trio. This event is free and open to the public.
6:15 p.m. – Jazz Walk throughout downtown Wilkes-Barre. Featuring performances by Tim Husty (Lush Life Ensemble), Bill Washer, Mike Stevens, Erin Malloy & Jimmy Waltich, South Side Five, Brendan Brisk Band, and more (to be announced). Venues include Bank & Vine, Café Toscana, The Vault, Senunas, and more to be announced.
Saturday, May 4:
9:30 a.m. – Jazz and Java at Abide Coffeehouse, featuring a performance by the Williams Brothers
6:30 p.m. – Special ticketed performance by 10-time Grammy-winning jazz legend Arturo Sandoval with the Cavalcade of Jazz Big Band under the direction of Marko Marcinko
Sunday, May 5:
11 a.m. – Jazz Brunch at the Stegmaier Mansion, featuring music by the Jost Project and Scott Edmunds
