The smooth sounds of the world-class jazz musicians will fill the Pabst Theatre in Milwaukee as the 2025 festival returns for its sixth year. The event is expected to be a highly anticipated one, ranking among the nation’s best. World-Class Talent
The festival will feature 12 concerts over a 3-day period, from Thursday, August 21 – Saturday, August 23. The lineup includes some of the most talented artists in the smooth jazz scene, including Jeff Lorber Fusion, one of the pioneers of the genre, and pianist and composer Kayla Waters. The Braxton Brothers and guitarist Chris Standring will also perform, along with a mix of local and national artists.
- Some of the highlights of the festival include the wine tasting event called ‘The Pairing’ on Thursday, August 21, 2025, featuring the music of Sade and Napa Valley wine.
- The festival also offers the Fresh Coast Cruise on Saturday, August 23, 2025, a cruise along Milwaukee’s beautiful freshwater coastline while enjoying a delicious lunch, a cash bar, and live jazz.
- Some of the other notable acts include Gerald Albright and local artist, The Whippoorwill.
- The festival offers two signature events: the wine tasting event and the Fresh Coast Cruise, in addition to the concerts.
The Fresh Coast Jazz Festival has a philanthropic mission, with portions of the proceeds benefiting education, the arts, and healthcare in the Greater Milwaukee community.
“Philanthropically we are always looking to do new and different things but this year we felt like we wanted to continue what we do as far as scholarships, providing grants, sending kids to music camps and providing school supplies but we really felt that we wanted to do even more in terms of giving kids the opportunity to dream and see possibilities beyond what might be their current reality,” said Carl Brown, CEO of the Fresh Coast Jazz Festival.
The festival makes a significant impact on the community, generating nearly $600,000 in direct economic benefits. With thousands of attendees from 23 states and six countries, about 60% stay in hotels for three or more days, boosting local tourism and business.
| Ticket Options | Pricing |
|---|---|
| Student Ticket | $25 |
| General Admission | $69.50 |
| Premium Seating | $89.50 |
| VIP Ticket | $129.50 |
| VIP Experience | $179.50 |
The festival also offers raffle tickets for a chance to win two VIP experiences at the 2026 festival, with proceeds benefiting the festival’s charitable programs. Carl Brown commented on the legacy of the Fresh Coast Jazz Festival, “One, is that it is important to have events like this in Milwaukee. I hope this is something that will be an integral part of Milwaukee. My daughter already understands that it is her job to continue this and keep this going long after I’m gone. The other thing is I want to make sure that the legacy of giving back to the community and pouring into the lives of young people will always be associated with Fresh Coast Jazz.”
“The legacy of giving back to the community and pouring into the lives of young people is something that I take very seriously,” said Brown. “I want to make sure that the festival will continue to have a positive impact on the community for years to come. I also want to make sure that the lineups are always the best in the industry, and that people are just going to love the show that we put together every year.”
A Party with a Purpose
The Fresh Coast Jazz Festival has a unique approach to its philanthropic mission. The festival makes a significant impact on the community, generating nearly $600,000 in direct economic benefits. Philanthropic Mission
The festival’s philanthropic mission is focused on giving back to the community. Portions of the proceeds benefit education, the arts, and healthcare in the Greater Milwaukee community. The festival also provides grants to local artists and organizations, and offers scholarships to students.
| Philanthropic Efforts | Description |
|---|---|
| Grants | Provided to local artists and organizations. |
| Scholarships | Offered to students. |
| Education | Benefiting the community. |
| Arts | Benefiting the community. |
| Healthcare | Benefiting the community. |
A Celebration of Jazz
The Fresh Coast Jazz Festival is a celebration of smooth jazz, with a lineup that features some of the most talented artists in the genre. The festival offers 12 concerts over a 3-day period, from Thursday, August 21 – Saturday, August 23. Highlight of the Festival
The wine tasting event called ‘The Pairing’ on Thursday, August 21, 2025, featuring the music of Sade and Napa Valley wine, is a highlight of the festival. The festival also offers the Fresh Coast Cruise on Saturday, August 23, 2025, a cruise along Milwaukee’s beautiful freshwater coastline while enjoying a delicious lunch, a cash bar, and live jazz. The festival is expected to be a highly anticipated one, ranking among the nation’s best. The event is expected to draw in thousands of attendees from 23 states and six countries, about 60% of whom will stay in hotels for three or more days, boosting local tourism and business.
Getting Tickets
Tickets for the festival are available for purchase, with options starting at $25 for a student ticket. Other tiers include $69.50 for general admission, $89.50 for premium seating, and $129.50 for a VIP ticket. Ticket Options
The festival offers a variety of ticket options, including a $179.50 VIP ticket that includes access to all concerts for the day, premium seating, entry to the VIP lounge, hors d’oeuvres, and a complimentary cocktail. The festival also offers raffle tickets for a chance to win two VIP experiences at the 2026 festival, with proceeds benefiting the festival’s charitable programs.
Legacy of the Festival
Carl Brown, CEO of the Fresh Coast Jazz Festival, commented on the legacy of the festival, “One, is that it is important to have events like this in Milwaukee. The other thing is I want to make sure that the legacy of giving back to the community and pouring into the lives of young people will always be associated with Fresh Coast Jazz.”
Legacy of Giving Back
The legacy of giving back to the community is something that Carl Brown takes very seriously. He wants to make sure that the festival will continue to have a positive impact on the community for years to come. He also wants to make sure that the lineups are always the best in the industry, and that people are just going to love the show that they put together every year. The festival is expected to be a huge success, with thousands of attendees from 23 states and six countries. The event is expected to draw in a significant amount of revenue, with portions of the proceeds benefiting education, the arts, and healthcare in the Greater Milwaukee community.
Conclusion
The Fresh Coast Jazz Festival is a celebration of smooth jazz, with a lineup that features some of the most talented artists in the genre. The festival has a unique approach to its philanthropic mission, with portions of the proceeds benefiting education, the arts, and healthcare in the Greater Milwaukee community. The festival is expected to draw in thousands of attendees from 23 states and six countries, about 60% of whom will stay in hotels for three or more days, boosting local tourism and business. The event is expected to generate nearly $600,000 in direct economic benefits, making it a significant impact on the community. The festival is a celebration of jazz, with a legacy of giving back to the community and pouring into the lives of young people. The festival is expected to be a huge success, with a lineup that features some of the most talented artists in the genre.
