All. That. Jazz!

For nearly five decades, the rhythm of summer in downtown Cleveland has carried the unmistakable sound of jazz. This June, the Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland presented by KeyBank returns to Playhouse Square with its 47th and most expansive celebration yet, blending legendary performances, educational opportunities and community connection into one of Northeast Ohio’s signature cultural events.

Running June 25-27, the festival continues a tradition that began in 1980 when founders Dr. Thom Horning and Reginald Buckner envisioned an event that would honor jazz history while ensuring the genre continued to evolve for future generations.

That mission remains at the heart of Tri-C JazzFest today.

Festival organizers describe this year’s lineup as genre-bending and forward-thinking, featuring artists ranging from hometown favorites to internationally recognized innovators. Performances will take place both indoors and outdoors, creating an immersive experience that highlights jazz’s deep roots while embracing its future.

Over the years, Tri-C JazzFest has earned national recognition for its programming and artistic depth. DownBeat Magazine praised the event for offering “the type of diverse, top-tier talent typically found at a much larger festival, along with some adventurous programming that was spiced with compelling international flavors.”

But Tri-C JazzFest has always been about more than the music.

As one of America’s first educational jazz festivals, the event was built on a commitment to teaching, mentorship and accessibility. Throughout the year, Tri-C JazzFest supports students and aspiring musicians through programs including the Tri-C JazzFest Academy, Summer Camp, DownBeat Education Days and master classes with visiting artists.

The festival’s educational outreach connects students of all ages with professional jazz musicians from Cleveland and around the world. Organizers say those experiences help nurture the next generation of performers while also providing cultural access to underserved communities throughout Northeast Ohio.

That educational spirit is visible year round inside the Gill and Tommy LiPuma Center for Creative Arts at Cuyahoga Community College, home to the Tri-C JazzFest Legends Wall.

Unveiled in 2016, the 25-foot installation celebrates the history of JazzFest and honors recipients of the Cleveland Music Legends Award for their contributions to American music. The interactive exhibit combines photographs, video interviews, vintage posters and archival festival materials that allow visitors to explore the evolution of jazz in Cleveland.

During festival weekend, music spills far beyond the concert halls. The free outdoor component includes a talk tent where audiences can meet artists, live cooking demonstrations in the Jazz Kitchen, food trucks, shopping vendors, a beer garden and street performers who transform Playhouse Square into a lively cultural destination.

For longtime jazz lovers and first-time attendees alike, Tri-C JazzFest continues to serve as both a celebration and an invitation —a place where jazz history is honored, new voices are discovered and the city gathers around the universal language of music.

After 47 years, the festival’s heartbeat remains steady, proving that jazz in Cleveland is not only alive, but still evolving. 

Tickets for festival passes and indoor performances can be purchased by visiting playhousesquare.org/events-tickets/events/festivals/tri-c-jazzfest.

The 47th Tri-C JazzFest

Playhouse Square

1501 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland

216-987-4444

Tri-C.edu/jazzfest