On Wednesday, Tri-C announced the lineup for the 44th Annual JazzFest, set to run June 22-24 at Playhouse Square.
Following last year’s return to Playhouse theaters — after a pandemic-induced derailment forced Tri-C to stream the event in 2020 and plan a smaller in-person performance at Cain Park in 2021 — the fest hits 2023 with powerhouse musicians including Herbie Hancock and the 2023 Grammy’s Best New Artist, Samara Joy.
Spread across eight theaters where ticketed performances will be held, locals can enjoy a smattering of free outdoor concerts throughout Playhouse Square from 3 p.m. to midnight that Friday and Saturday, featuring local and student musicians.
Diversity in the 2023 lineup will bring the world to Cleveland — from Africa to New Orleans, says JazzFest Director Terri Pontremoli in a press release — and that global connectedness taps The Land into something broader, bringing opportunities from across the world into the city’s own backyard.
“I feel that we're very important to the jazz scene in general here in Cleveland,” she explained in a 2022 interview with Cleveland Magazine, “but also, when you present jazz any place except New York and Los Angeles or San Francisco, you know, it's sometimes a lonely feeling. But you realize you're really connected to a lot of great stuff. And I think that that connection is important, not only to us as an organization — feeling like we're part of a bigger thing, a bigger network … all over the world. The jazz musicians in this town get experiences through us. They can get opportunities to work with national musicians.”
Festivities kick off Thursday, June 22, with five-time Grammy winner Angelque Kidjo and Cameroon-born bassist Richard Bona at Mimi Ohio Theatre.
Herbie Hancock is set to play on Saturday, June 24, with JazzFest’s ticketed performances wrapping up after a set from Steve Smith and Vital Information on the heels of the group’s 40th anniversary.
Tickets go on sale in April through the Playhouse Square box office.
