Calling all jazz lovers—make your plans now to join us here at Hotel Ballast from January 23-25 for the 40th Annual North Carolina Jazz Festival.One of the largest and preeminent jazz festivals in the Southeast, this year’s event will start off with a Thursday evening performance by “Rising Young Stars” Veronica Swift alongside the Emmett Cohn Trio and the Jon Hill Ensemble. The smooth jazz stylings continue throughout the weekend with four-hour concerts, featuring seven sets of world-class musicians, all performed with 6-7 musicians per set, each led by an assortment of different artists. This year’s lineup includes many of our favorite returning performers along with some artists that are new to the festival.
In addition to the opening night, we’ll be presenting second-generation jazz trumpet musician Ben Polcer along with Bruce Harris and vocalist Judy Kurtz. Another second-gen jazzman, drummer Chris Gelb will be joining percussionist Chuck Redd, and newcomer Champian Fulton will join grand pianist Rossano Sportiello. Also, we are particularly proud to feature such gifted female jazz musicians as vocalist Nicki Parrott and Champian on piano and vocals.
