The 2025 John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival is set to take place from Saturday, August 30th to Sunday, August 31st, at the picturesque Oak Hollow Festival Park in High Point, North Carolina. The festival celebrates the life and legacy of jazz legend John Coltrane, with a diverse lineup of Grammy-winning artists and innovative new talent.
The Festival Lineup
- Snarky Puppy: A five-time Grammy Award-winning collective known for their innovative blend of jazz, funk, and world music.
- Meshell Ndegeocello: A three-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and musician who is a visionary artist with a legacy rooted in fearless creativity and authenticity.
- Snarky Puppy
- Lizz Wright: A modern American singer/songwriter with soul-searing vocals that transcend social divides and convey a deep sense of humanity.
- The Headhunters: Innovators of Jazz-Funk who have continued to evolve the genre since recording their groundbreaking albums of the 1970s with Herbie Hancock.
- “From Withers to Wonder”: A tribute celebrating the timeless genius of Bill Withers and Stevie Wonder, featuring Nnenna Freelon, Clint Holmes, and Take 6.
- Stanley Clarke: A four-time Grammy Award-winning bassist known for his spellbinding dexterity on the bass and trailblazing solo work and collaborations.
- The Smooth Jazz Ensemble: A lineup of three top chart-topping artists, including Rick Braun, Richard Elliot, and Peter White.
- The Baylor Project: An eight-time Grammy-nominated duo featuring vocalist Jean Baylor and drummer Marcus Baylor, delivering a unique blend of jazz, blues, and gospel.
- The NC Coltrane All-Star Band: Led by bassist and composer John Brown, featuring acclaimed vocalist José James and a renowned ensemble of musicians.
Honoring John Coltrane’s Hometown
The festival also celebrates John Coltrane’s hometown, High Point, with a curated weekend itinerary highlighting local gems. Visit High Point has created a weekend getaway package that includes suggestions for where to stay, dine, and explore, including local attractions like the John Coltrane Statue.
Day One: Saturday, August 30th
Saturday, August 30th, kicks off the festival with Snarky Puppy, a five-time Grammy Award-winning collective known for their innovative blend of jazz, funk, and world music. Their music is characterized by intricate arrangements, infectious grooves, and the joy they exude during live performances.
Following Snarky Puppy, Meshell Ndegeocello takes the stage, showcasing her vision as a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. She is a masterful spoken word artist and has built a legacy rooted in fearless creativity and authenticity.
The Saturday lineup also features Lizz Wright, a modern American singer/songwriter with soul-searing vocals that transcend social divides and convey a deep sense of humanity. The Headhunters, innovators of Jazz-Funk, will also perform, continuing to evolve the genre since recording their groundbreaking albums of the 1970s with Herbie Hancock.
“From Withers to Wonder” is a standout Saturday highlight celebrating the timeless genius of Bill Withers and Stevie Wonder. This powerful tribute brings together an all-star ensemble, including Nnenna Freelon, Clint Holmes, and Take 6.
Day Two: Sunday, August 31st
Sunday, August 31st, features four-time Grammy Award-winning bassist Stanley Clarke, known for his spellbinding dexterity on the bass and trailblazing solo work and collaborations.
Clarke co-founded the groundbreaking jazz fusion band Return to Forever in the 1970s alongside legendary pianist Chick Corea, laying the foundation of the jazz-fusion genre. His solo work and collaborations with keyboard master George Duke, the Rolling Stones, and numerous other musicians across genres and cultures, have been equally innovative and influential.
Smooth Jazz fans are in for a treat on Sunday as three of the genre’s most celebrated chart-topping artists, Rick Braun, Richard Elliot, and Peter White, take the stage together. Braun has amassed over 20 top ten hit albums throughout his career. Grammy-nominated Elliot, known for his dynamic sound, is a former member of both the renowned jazz fusion band Yellowjackets and the outstanding funk band Tower of Power, whose horn section has a legacy all its own.
White, revered for his artistry, stands among the most prolific acoustic guitarists in contemporary jazz today.
The Baylor Project, an eight-time Grammy-nominated duo featuring vocalist Jean Baylor and drummer Marcus Baylor, will also perform on Sunday, delivering a unique blend of jazz, blues, and gospel.
The festival concludes with a performance by The NC Coltrane All-Star Band, led by bassist and composer John Brown, featuring acclaimed vocalist José James and a renowned ensemble of musicians.
About the Festival
The festival is held annually over Labor Day Weekend. Gates open at 3 p.m.
