Schedule:

Thursday, February 6,2025

Thursday Night Showcase
Carlos Garcia Trio will open with a tribute to Bill Evans

Carlos Garcia graduated from UNCW in 2019 with a degree in Music; Jazz Studies. You can find him playing various types of music across North Carolina. He recently played with the Unheard Project at the 2024 NC Folk Festival. He also was a member of the Bajissima Latin Jazz group led by Dr. Natalie Boeyink. Carlos Garcia has also played with various artists at the Sharp Nine Gallery in Durham NC. This will be his second time playing at the North Carolina Jazz Festival, the first time was performing with the Jon Hill Trio in 2020, which was the opener for Emmet Cohen. His performance this year will be dedicated to Bill Evans. Bill Evans was one of the first pianists Carlos gravitated to in his early development and has continued to be a major influence to his playing. Expect to hear some classics of Bill Evans music, as well as some arrangements of his lesser-known tunes.

Gregg Gelb Will Be Our Thursday Night Headliner

Gregg Gelb has been a professional musician since the 80's, performing with Group Sax, Paul Montgomery, Kathy Gelb and the Gregg Gelb Swing Band, The Heart of Carolina Jazz Orchestra, The NC Jazz Repertory Orchestra, The NC Symphony, the Second Line Stompers, La Fiesta Latin Jazz Quintet and his small groups. He is an arranger and composer, having written over 250 charts for his eight piece band and over 50 charts for big band. He directs the award winning Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble, which has been selected to the finals of Jazz at Lincoln Center's Essentially Ellington Competition and Festival five times.

Friday, February 7,2025

We will continue our celebration with All-Star musicians playing in the traditional seven sets of six or seven players, each set with a different leader. You will hear many of our favorite NCJF musicians plus new additions to our lineup. You will not want to miss this exciting 45th Annual North Carolina Jazz Festival! These will be 4 ½ hour concerts.

Saturday, February 8,2025

We will continue our celebration with All-Star musicians playing in the traditional seven sets of six or seven players, each set with a different leader. You will hear many of our favorite NCJF musicians plus new additions to our lineup. You will not want to miss this exciting 45th Annual North Carolina Jazz Festival! These will be 4 ½ hour concerts.

PATRON JAZZ BRUNCH
On Saturday from 10:30 AM until 1:00 PM we treat our patrons to a musical brunch, when all our All-Star musicians play for their pleasure while everyone enjoys a delicious meal.  During the last hour we have a “jam session” where the patrons who are musicians have the opportunity to play with the All-Stars.

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Date: February 6-8,2025

Location: Hotel Ballast Ballroom - 301 North Water Street, Wilmington, NC 28401

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