Salem Jazz and Soul Festival

08/16/2024

Big round of applause for the amazing sponsors of Salem Jazz and Soul Festival!

These local heroes are the reason we can keep the music playing - for FREE!

Swipe to see the incredible businesses and organizations that make our festival possible. Without their generous support, we couldn’t bring you:

• A full day of fantastic live music
• Our interactive education tent
• The refreshing beer garden
• And so much more!

These sponsors are the backbone of our community. They’re your neighbors, friends, and local business owners who believe in the power of music to bring us all together.

Next time you’re out and about in Salem, why not stop by one of these businesses? Grab a coffee, shop local, or simply say thanks. Your support of them is support for events like ours!

Remember, when you enjoy our free festival on August 17th at Salem Willows, you’re experiencing the generosity of these amazing sponsors. Let’s show them some love! ❤️

Tag a friend to spread the word about these community champions!

Marketing support for the festival was generously provided by Creative Collective MA

08/16/2024

Ooohh.. what do you think is in the boxes 🙂

08/13/2024

Check out this show Friday night with HDRnB at Chianti Restaurant and Lounge to kick off this weekend's festival!

08/11/2024

A HUGE shout-out to all of our sponsors and a handy dandy schedule.

Please support our sponsors and thank them for supporting this free community event!

Looking forward to seeing you all next weekend!

08/11/2024

Tune into "Brunch by the River" this morning on 92.5 the River, a major festival sponsor!

08/10/2024

One week from today, it's all going down at the Willows. Arrive early to see Salem's student musicians and Barrence Whitfield's early set with Four Piece Suit!

08/10/2024

Julianna was literally the festival's first sponsor back in 2007, when her good friend and festival founding member, the late Jenny Reardon, asked her to help out. Julianna did not hesitate and made a sizable donation to get us started, as she had with many Salem nonprofits through the years. We'll miss both of these strong women, who left us too soon. Condolences to Julianna's family and friends.

Thank you to everyone who has reached out to express their condolences following the unexpected passing of Julianna Tache.

Julie was a special person who touched many lives and she was deeply loved. Information about her services will be shared once they are finalized.

Your support and patience during this difficult time are greatly appreciated.

08/06/2024

Check out the festival's program for 2024, where you'll learn about who's playing, who's educating, and get a look at our new site map.

08/06/2024

We're looking to borrow 3-4 wooden, whisky/cider barrels for the day of the festival, if anyone has some. Thanks.

08/03/2024

Supporters, we need to borrow a couple outdoor seating sets (similar to the one pictured) for our green room and sponsor hospitality area for one day, Aug. 17. Does anyone have one we could borrow for the day? Will pick up and drop off, if needed. Thank you.

08/01/2024

Get ready for a taste of New Orleans right here in Salem! The Jambalaya Horns Orchestra is bringing the heat to the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival on August 17th at the Salem Willows!

From 2 to 3 PM, this 14-piece powerhouse will turn Salem Willows into a mini French Quarter. Led by the talented Carlos Menezes Jr., they're cooking up a spicy mix of funk, soul, and brassy second-line rhythms that'll transport you straight to Bourbon Street!

With a rotating cast of the North Shore's top horn players, this band is like a who's who of local music talent. Trust us, you've never heard anything like this in Salem before!

Remember, admission is FREE! It's all part of the magic of the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival - world-class music right in our backyard.

Tag a friend you want to groove with, and we'll see you on the dance "floor" on August 17th at Salem Willows!

08/01/2024

Thanks to the Patch for the coverage!

"It's an opportunity to bring our community together over a shared love of jazz and soul entertainment and appreciation of art and education at a historic place where you can still hear echoes of Duke Ellington resonating from his first stint here almost 100 years ago," Festival president Larry Claflin Jr. said. "We aim to amplify those good vibes with the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival and with our giving initiatives in the community, as well as a lot more evenings of entertainment throughout the year."

Who is excited about this year's festival?

SJSF 2024
Salem Willows
FREE!
August 17, 2024
11AM - 7PM

The festival, which has raised more than $70K for education programs since 2007, is Aug. 17 at Salem Willows.

08/01/2024

We'd like send out a big shoutout to Justin and his team at Longboards Restaurant & Bar for their offer to supply our sponsors with some lunch items at this month's Salem Jazz and Soul Festival. Thanks so much for your generosity!

07/31/2024

The festival could use some support from the community. We really need volunteers to help set up and breakdown the festival, and help to get tucks loaded/unloaded on the 16th and 18th. Please check out this link and grab a shift. Thank you!

07/29/2024

The festival is upcoming and some critical volunteer slots remain open. Please look at the openings and see if something works for you. It's a low cost for rich benefits. Thank you.

Salem Jazz and Soul Festival volunteers can assist year round. Projects include marketing, promotion, planning, merchandise & special projects.

07/26/2024

Chianti Restaurant and Lounge and SOSS Records will have a festival kickoff party on Aug. 16! This is sure to sell out so get your tickets soon!

Join us at to kickoff the 🎶 Founding member and his band will get you into the groove with their funk, soul, rhythm and blues. Thanks for supporting local, live music!

07/23/2024

Hello, supporters. We’re looking for a licensed electrician to donate a couple hours to the festival in mid-August for a straightforward job. In exchange we would provide an in-kind sponsorship. Please let us know. Thank you!

07/21/2024

The Salem Jazz and Soul Festival takes place in just under a month and we still could use your financial support to produce the all-day, nonprofit concert on Aug. 17. Please consider donating to our crowdfunding campaign in any denomination. Thanks for your help and we'll see you on the 17th!

We're raising money to offset the cost of putting on the 2024 Salem Jazz and Soul Festival. Please support our nonprofit mission of producing free concer...

07/21/2024

Check out Brunch by the River, on now at @92.5 the River, a festival sponsor!

07/20/2024

Barrence Whitfield fans should keep in mind that he plays the festival early on Aug. 17, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. If you want to see/hear this North Shore treasure with Four Piece Suit, arrive by noon!

07/20/2024

Help our education chair Brian Cogger celebrate his 30th birthday tonight with his band Candlepin Slim at Chianti Restaurant and Lounge! Doors open at 6.

Doors at 6pm Ryan Kaiserman Band 7-8:30 Instantly recognizable by his tender baritone voice, Ryan Kaiserman strives to push the boundaries of honesty in songwriting. His delicate yet complex approach to the nylon string guitar paired with a one-of-a-kind harmonic approach creates a world of vibr

07/20/2024

Jazz Fest, friends! Would you like to volunteer and be part of the magic of the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival? There are many needs, from vendor assistance to load in and out to assistance in the Education tent!

We are less than a month away and we need your help to pull it off! Come and be part of the Jazz Fest team! Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B45ABAC2BA0FFC52-49986294-salem #/

07/15/2024

Check out our new promotional posters, designed by Salem's Ejyo Katagiri of Visual Voices, http://www.visualvoices.net .

07/13/2024

Discover Local Artisans at Salem Jazz and Soul Festival!

While enjoying the music on August 17th at Salem Willows, explore these talented local creators:

Witch DR: Exquisite handmade glass art pieces that capture the essence of creativity and craftsmanship. Each unique item showcases the beauty of glass work.

3Dazzle Creations: Intricate 3D printed toys, figures, cosplay items, home decor, and collectibles. Featuring a range of movie memorabilia for film enthusiasts.

The Oaken Olive: A wide array of sublimation items including customized drinkware, cozy blankets, welcoming doormats, versatile tote bags and backpacks, mesmerizing wind spinners, journals, clocks, lights, hair clips, spell boards, and key chains.

High Maintenance Products: A variety of CBD-infused bath and body products designed to soothe and relax. Embrace wellness with these specially formulated items.

Ruby Jules Gifts: Beautiful, natural stone jewelry and seasonal charm earrings. Hand-crocheted accessories including popular pom-pom hats, faux fur headbands, and scarves crafted with unique and colorful yarns.

FREE admission! Join us on August 17th at Salem Willows for a day of music and art!

07/09/2024

Salem, get ready to boogaloo! Yahuba Garcia's Boogaloo Collective brings the rhythm to the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival on August 17th.

From 3:30 to 5 PM, we're turning Salem Willows into a 1960s New York dance hall. Yahuba Garcia-Torres (fresh off tour with Jerry Harrison & Adrian Belew) has assembled an all-star cast of New England musicians to celebrate the merger of Salsa and R&B.

With special guests like Eguie Castrillo, Jen Kearney, and Sonya Rae Taylor, this performance is going to be off the charts. It's a slice of music history, served up with a side of Salem flair!

Free admission, world-class musicians, and a beat that'll get your feet moving. That's the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival for you!

See you on the dance floor on August 17th at Salem Willows!

07/06/2024

Get ready to move, Salem! Barrence Whitfield is teaming up with Four Piece Suit at the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival on August 17th.

From 12:30 to 1:30 PM, these powerhouses will rock Salem Willows with full-throttle soul. Barrence's incredible vocals and boundless energy paired with Four Piece Suit's eclectic style? It's a match made in music heaven!

Did you know Four Piece Suit scored HBO's S*x and the City? Now they're bringing that talent right here to Salem. With Barrence fronting the group, we guarantee you'll be up and dancing in no time.

This is the local music scene at its finest, folks. Free admission, world-class talent, right in our backyard. That's what the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival is all about!
See you on August 17th at Salem Willows!

07/04/2024

Latin Breeze, a festival-sponsored band, plays tonight from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on the Mainstage of the Salem Fireworks celebration on Derby Wharf! See you there!