Our Mission

The Savannah Music Festival is dedicated to presenting a world-class celebration of the musical arts by creating timeless and adventurous productions that stimulate arts education, foster economic growth, and unite artists and audiences in Georgia's first city.

For nearly three weeks in late March and early April, the SMF produces over 100 programs for adults and children in theatres, schools and historic and intimate venues. Featuring an array of musical performances that includes dance, film and narrative programs, more than 400 classical, jazz, blues, bluegrass, and international artists make SMF a distinctive destination event and one of the highlights of springtime in Savannah.

SMF presents acclaimed artists from a variety of genres. Past artists have included: Frederica von Stade, Ricky Skaggs, Richard Goode, Wayne Shorter, Emmylou Harris, Les Ballets Africaines, The Blind Boys of Alabama; Deborah Voigt, Buddy Guy, Eddie Palmieri, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Del McCoury, Marcus Roberts, Andre Watts, Joshua Redman & the San Francisco Jazz Collective, Hubert Sumlin, The Codetalkers, Peru Negro, Dick Hyman, Derek Trucks Band, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Rockin' Dopsie, Emerson String Quartet, Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, Carey Bell, The Tallis Scholars, The Heath Brothers, Hamilton de Holanda, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Buddy Guy, Toots Thielemans, Bill Charlap and many others.

SMF stages originally conceived, one-time only productions, including numerous premieres, commissioned works and ongoing series. During the past five years, these have included: "Welcome to Georgia Town" and "Savannah Trails" by Wycliffe Gordon; "Celeste" by Stewart Copeland; "An Evening with Beethoven" featuring Mia Farrow and the Beaux Arts Trio; Hank Jones Trio + Symphony Orchestra; "East Meets West" featuring Daniel Hope, Derek Trucks, Gaurav Mazumdar and Ayaan & Amaan Ali Bangash; "Mando Madness" with David Grisman, Sam Bush, Mike Marshall, Don Stiernberg & Tony Williamson; George Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess" and "Gershwin for Lovers;" "Yamacraw" by James P. Johnson; "Jazz Guitar Heaven" with Bucky Pizzarelli, Frank Vignola, Howard Alden, Martin Taylor & Jimmy Bruno; "Masters of Mexican Music;" and many others. Commissioned works have included: "Transfigured Night," a new ballet by Alex Ossadnik; "Concerto for Hope," a violin concerto by Roxanna Panufnik; "In the Spirit of Place," a music and dance work for full gamelan orchestra by Gamelan Cudamani; "Trio" by Uri Caine, written for the Beaux Arts Trio; and "Moody's Groove" by Jimmy Heath, written for Savannah native James Moody's 80th birthday hometown celebration.

The Festival remains committed to producing a superlative musical event that advances the public's understanding and appreciation of music through a variety of educational initiatives. Leading up to and continuing throughout the Festival, the SMF produces free educational programs for school children in the surrounding eight-county area (including lower South Carolina) in an effort to help teachers and students gain a more profound understanding of the musical arts. During the 2007 Festival, more than 20,000 youth will participate in our programs. Additionally, our 2nd annual High School Jazz Band Workshop will be held for ten outstanding bands from across the Southeast, and the students will be mentored by several of the finest jazz musicians of our time.

The Savannah Music Festival regularly collaborates with organizations including the Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD), Telfair Museum of Art, Savannah Tour of Homes and Gardens, The King-Tisdell Cottage/Beach Institute, The Savannah Garden Exposition, and a variety of the city's houses of worship, all of which have helped to draw record numbers of locals and tourists alike.