The Clifford Brown Jazz Festival is a week-long celebration of music, culture, and community honoring Wilmington’s own Clifford Brown, one of the most influential trumpet players in jazz history. Since its founding in 1989, the festival has grown into the largest free jazz festival on the East Coast, attracting thousands of music lovers from across the region and around the world.
For seven unforgettable days, Rodney Square becomes an outdoor concert venue unlike any other. Grammy Award winners, international touring artists, rising stars, hometown favorites, and groundbreaking performers share one stage in the heart of downtown Wilmington. Whether you’re a lifelong jazz fan or simply love great live music, every evening offers something new—from straight-ahead jazz and soul to funk, gospel, Afrobeat, Caribbean rhythms, R&B and musical traditions from around the globe.
Best of all, every performance is free.
Bring a chair, bring your friends, and discover why the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival has become one of the country’s premier summer music traditions.
Elevation is Delaware’s only professional vocal ensemble. Their performances fuse traditional, classical choral music with jazz, hip-hop, R&B, storytelling, and spoken word. Photo attached
Jonathan Butler
South African music legend Jonathan Butler is celebrated for his smooth guitar work and soulful vocals that effortlessly blend jazz, R&B and gospel. His melodic style and unmistakable voice have made him one of contemporary jazz’s most beloved performers.
Marcus and Jean Baylor bring extraordinary chemistry, heartfelt vocals and world-class musicianship to every performance. Their concerts move seamlessly from joyful, swinging jazz to deeply moving spirituals, delivering an emotional experience that bridges generations.
Delaware native Matt LaVon has become a fixture on New York City’s vibrant jazz scene. Blending jazz with rock, funk, R&B, fusion and hip-hop, his performances reflect both his Wilmington roots and his dynamic contemporary sound.
Led by multi-instrumentalist E. Shawn Qaissaunee, Q Factor Quintet fuses jazz, funk and global musical traditions into an adventurous, high-energy performance featuring everything from guitar and piano to traditional Afghan instruments.
Philadelphia bassist Mike Boone is one of the region’s most respected jazz musicians, known for his deep groove, versatility and collaborations with many of today’s leading artists.
Saxophonist, composer and producer JustKing Jones blends jazz with Caribbean rhythms and gospel influences to create music that is spiritually uplifting and rhythmically captivating. His impressive résumé includes performances alongside Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, Gorillaz, Talib Kweli and Bilal.
A two-time Grammy Award winner, Nicholas Payton is one of jazz’s most influential modern voices. Trumpeter, vocalist, composer and producer, he continually pushes musical boundaries while honoring the rich traditions of Black American Music and New Orleans jazz.
Vibraphone virtuoso Warren Wolf leads an electrifying ensemble that blends post-bop jazz with R&B and soul. Known for astonishing technical ability and musical creativity, Wolf has earned acclaim as one of today’s premier jazz instrumentalists.
Terri Lyne Carrington – We Insist! featuring Christie Dashiell
Four-time Grammy Award winner and NEA Jazz Master Terri Lyne Carrington joins acclaimed vocalist Christie Dashiell for a powerful reimagining of Max Roach’s historic Freedom Now Suite. The performance continues Carrington’s lifelong commitment to using jazz as a voice for social justice and artistic innovation.
Award-winning vocalist April May Webb and trumpeter Randall Haywood combine jazz with R&B, gospel and country influences in a fresh contemporary sound that has earned Billboard chart success and national recognition.
With a voice that effortlessly moves between jazz, soul and R&B, Grammy Award-winning vocalist Ledisi has become one of America’s most celebrated performers. Her commanding stage presence and remarkable artistry promise one of the festival’s signature performances.
Five-time Grammy Award winner Marcus Miller is one of the most influential bassists, composers and producers of the past four decades. His unmistakable sound has shaped countless recordings across jazz, R&B and film music while inspiring generations of musicians worldwide.
The legendary “Queen of Percussion” brings unmatched energy, musicianship and showmanship to the Clifford Brown stage. From Prince to jazz to Latin music, Sheila E. has built one of the most remarkable careers in modern music, earning Grammy, Emmy and Latin Grammy recognition along the way.
Winner of the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Bass Competition, Ben Williams is among today’s most acclaimed jazz bassists. His innovative approach and contemporary sound have earned critical praise and numerous industry honors.
Four-time Grammy nominee Weedie Braimah leads an exhilarating ensemble that blends traditional West African percussion with jazz, funk and hip-hop into a powerful musical celebration of the African diaspora.
Widely regarded as the world’s premier Native American flutist, R. Carlos Nakai has introduced audiences around the globe to the expressive beauty of Indigenous music while selling more than four million albums throughout his extraordinary career.
Anthony Tidd – Quite Sane
London-born bassist, composer and educator Anthony Tidd has performed with some of contemporary music’s leading artists while serving as Creative Music Program Director at Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center. His group Quite Sane brings adventurous, genre-crossing jazz to the festival.
International bass sensation Mohini Dey has quickly become one of the world’s most exciting musicians. Recognized among the top bassists of the 21st century, she combines dazzling technique with fearless musical exploration.
Closing out the festival with an explosion of Caribbean energy, Kes the Band mixes calypso, soca, rock and island rhythms into an irresistible party. Their infectious live performances have earned them audiences around the world and appearances alongside artists including Usher, Maroon 5, Sean Paul and Ne-Yo.
Start each festival day with hands-on musical fun for all ages. Presented by the Jersey Surf Drum & Bugle Corps, this interactive experience lets guests explore percussion, try instruments and make music together before the evening performances begin.
