What series would be complete without dramatic and tragic elements? In this concert, Philip Dukes and Friends feature three incredible French masters who, for different reasons, suffered through various addictions or afflictions: Gabriel Fauré’s chain-smoking contributed to his death, alcoholism killed Erik Satie, and Ernest Chausson’s mental health issues resulted in an apparent suicide when […]
In the 100-year anniversary of her birth, the late Hazel Dickens’ pioneering musical legacy will be celebrated by her former duo partner Alice Gerrard, along with some of the leading women of bluegrass, Laurie Lewis and Della Mae. In a career spanning more than 50 years, Alice Gerrard has known, learned from, and performed with […]
As with all nomads, the Mongols have an oral culture, passed on through generations in stories, music and songs, and thus Anda Union sings their history. The band’s thoroughly addictive combination of Mongolian musical styles is a reflection of their roots. Formed in 2000, Anda Union has influenced a generation of young Mongolians in Inner […]
Visionary Grammy Award-winning artist Warren Haynes is a cornerstone of the American music landscape, lauded as one of the most formidable guitarists and vocalists of the modern era, and a prolific songwriter and producer. He effortlessly cross-pollinates genres and unfurls solos that broil with passion in his distinctive signature style. Throughout his prolific career as […]
Known as one of the most vibrant emerging artists in jazz, Endea Owens is a Detroit-raised bassist and composer. She has been mentored by Marcus Belgrave, Rodney Whitaker, and Ron Carter. She has toured and performed with Wynton Marsalis, Jennifer Holliday, Diana Ross, Rhonda Ross, Solange, Jon Batiste, Jazzmeia Horn, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Cyrus […]
As with all nomads, the Mongols have an oral culture, passed on through generations in stories, music and songs, and thus Anda Union sings their history. The band’s thoroughly addictive combination of Mongolian musical styles is a reflection of their roots. Formed in 2000, Anda Union has influenced a generation of young Mongolians in Inner […]
Following his acclaimed projects Überbach, This Is (Not) Beethoven, and The Mozart / Nyman Concert, Savannah Music Festival favorite Sebastian Knauer’s artistic journey has now taken him to Hollywood. His latest album, Hollywood, showcases the work of American composers such as George Gershwin, Aaron Copland, Alex North, Elmer Bernstein, Bernard Herrmann, and Jerry Goldsmith—all of […]
For 60 years, South Africa’s five-time Grammy Award-winning ensemble Ladysmith Black Mambazo has warmed the hearts of audiences worldwide with uplifting vocal harmonies, signature dance moves and charming onstage banter. The group sings a traditional music style called isicathamiya (Is-Cot-A-Mee-Ya), which developed in the mines of South Africa. It was Paul Simon’s 1987 Graceland album […]
Solas is hailed by The Boston Globe as “the finest Celtic ensemble this country has ever produced.” Since forming in New York City in 1995, they have been a galvanizing element in the Irish music scene—a lightning rod of talent and inspiration that set new standards for musicianship, repertoire, and intensity. Over the course of […]
For more than three decades, Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas have toured extensively, performing everywhere from local Louisiana spots to international stages, with an ensemble that has always been a family affair. Bandleader Nathan Williams started his professional music career at 21, recording singles for his brother’s El Sid label. Sid also opened a […]
Solas is hailed by The Boston Globe as “the finest Celtic ensemble this country has ever produced.” Since forming in New York City in 1995, they have been a galvanizing element in the Irish music scene—a lightning rod of talent and inspiration that set new standards for musicianship, repertoire, and intensity. Over the course of […]
For more than three decades, Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas have toured extensively, performing everywhere from local Louisiana spots to international stages, with an ensemble that has always been a family affair. Bandleader Nathan Williams started his professional music career at 21, recording singles for his brother’s El Sid label. Sid also opened a […]
Saxophonist Branford Marsalis is one of the most influential and revered figures in contemporary music. The NEA Jazz Master, Grammy Award winner and Tony Award nominee is equally at home performing concertos with symphony orchestras and sitting in with members of the Grateful Dead, but the core of his musical universe remains the Branford Marsalis […]
Following an impressive run of albums in the 2010s that earned him a devoted fanbase, accolades from outlets like The New York Times, Fresh Air, and Pitchfork, and a place in the upper echelon of modern Americana singer-songwriters, John Moreland recently took an entire year off from playing shows and didn’t use a smartphone for […]
Motion and music have always been synonymous, as was Dvořák and his obsession with trains—hence the title “The Locomotive Man”—and his love of cigars and beer. Philip Dukes and his chamber musician friends present some of Dvořák’s best-loved chamber works, which include the evergreen “American” String Quartet and the beguiling Piano Quartet in E-Flat. This […]
Senegalese griot Ablaye Cissoko is part of a new generation of artists from his home country and is one of the most famous kora players in the world. Also a gifted singer, he brings Mandinka traditions into various global roots music, jazz and even classical and Baroque music universes. This collaboration with the well-known French […]
Senegalese griot Ablaye Cissoko is part of a new generation of artists from his home country and is one of the most famous kora players in the world. Also a gifted singer, he brings Mandinka traditions into various global roots music, jazz and even classical and Baroque music universes. This collaboration with the well-known French […]
To witness a live performance by the alto saxophonist, emcee, and bandleader Lakecia Benjamin is to never forget it. The success of her most recent releases has positioned Benjamin among jazz music’s most celebrated recording artists. In addition to absolute raves in outlets like The New York Times, The Guardian and DownBeat, she received three […]
Students in SMF Jazz Academy perform for and receive feedback from Lakecia Benjamin. The bands will be playing Benjamin’s tunes as well as their own compositions. This masterclass features the Messengers, SlamBand and Outreach ensembles, with students in 6th-12th grade from nine different schools. Funding for community impact programming is provided by the Wall Lynch […]
The Grammy-nominated Danish String Quartet continues to assert their preeminence among the world’s finest string quartets. Celebrated for their “intense blend, extreme dynamic variation (in which they seem glued together), perfect intonation even on harmonics, and constant vitality and flow” (Gramophone) and renowned for the palpable joy they exude in music-making, the Danish String Quartet […]
To witness a live performance by the alto saxophonist, emcee, and bandleader Lakecia Benjamin is to never forget it. The success of her most recent releases has positioned Benjamin among jazz music’s most celebrated recording artists. In addition to absolute raves in outlets like The New York Times, The Guardian and DownBeat, she received three […]
Students in SMF Jazz Academy’s Messengers, SlamBand and Outreach ensembles perform for and receive feedback from Allison Miller, including works from Rivers in Our Veins. These three ensembles are open to SMF Jazz Academy students by audition only, and offer unique opportunities for public performance in professional settings. Funding for community impact programming is provided […]
Grammy-nominated artists Alfredo Rodriguez and Pedrito Martínez first worked together on Rodriguez’s 2012 release The Invasion Parade. Since that initial recording session, they have had the rare occasion to perform together as a duo, leaving audiences completely mesmerized by their fearless and virtuosic playing. Each artist brings a different approach to the collaboration. A protégé […]
Join the local musicians of SMF’s 2024-25 Songwriting Workshop as they discuss creative process, songcraft, music in Savannah, and their work with the 2024-25 Artist in Residence, Kaia Kater. They will also perform select works-in-progress. Savannah Music Festival’s Artist-in-Residence Kaia Kater is a Canadian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist known for her innovative blend of folk, bluegrass, […]
Grammy-nominated artists Alfredo Rodriguez and Pedrito Martínez first worked together on Rodriguez’s 2012 release The Invasion Parade. Since that initial recording session, they have had the rare occasion to perform together as a duo, leaving audiences completely mesmerized by their fearless and virtuosic playing. Each artist brings a different approach to the collaboration. A protégé […]
Junior Brown’s inimitable brand of country music fuses western swing with the blues, rockabilly, bluegrass and rock n’ roll. A guitarist and lap steel player of the highest order, he and his luthier Michael Stevens developed his signature double-necked instrument, the guit-steel, in the mid-80s, when switching cables between his lap steel and guitar on […]
Acclaimed drummer and composer Allison Miller invites you to embark on a riveting journey through her commissioned jazz suite, Rivers In Our Veins, exploring cultural, environmental, and ecological themes surrounding American rivers. Rivers In Our Veins is an immersive live performance that seamlessly blends original music, captivating river imagery, and the expressive artistry of contemporary […]
Junior Brown’s inimitable brand of country music fuses western swing with the blues, rockabilly, bluegrass and rock n’ roll. A guitarist and lap steel player of the highest order, he and his luthier Michael Stevens developed his signature double-necked instrument, the guit-steel, in the mid-80s, when switching cables between his lap steel and guitar on […]
Panel begins at conclusion of Allison Miller’s Rivers in our Veins concert. Join Allison Miller, UGA Marine Science Institute, and others in conversation about Miller’s original jazz suite and the unique cultural and ecological significance of rivers in our lives. A brief Q&A will follow the discussion. Funding for community impact programming is provided by […]
A Jason Isbell record always lands like a decoder ring in the ears and hearts of his audience, a soundtrack to his world and magically to theirs, too. Weathervanes carries the same revelatory power. This is a storyteller at the peak of his craft, observing his fellow wanderers, looking inside and trying to understand, reducing […]
PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PLANT RIVERSIDE DISTRICT Eddie 9V has always been drawn to the raw, soulful sound of Capricorn Studios in Macon, Georgia. Inspired by its legendary history, the Atlanta-born guitarist left school at 15 to cut his teeth on the Southern circuit, earning acclaim for Left My Soul in Memphis (2019) and Little […]
Join SMF’s 2025 Artist in Residence Kaia Kater and eight local songwriters in this very special showcase! Eight local songwriters have been honing their songcraft all year long with SMF’s Artist in Residence Kaia Kater, and are premiering original works in Savannah on September 25 at Front Porch Improv. Don’t miss a spectacular performance! (Doors […]
PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PLANT RIVERSIDE DISTRICT At a time when most people feel constantly distracted by technology and barraged by the news, authenticity and straightforward honesty are paramount. There’s something about the music of The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys that cuts right through the noise of the world and speaks plainly to the soul. Formed […]
Join us for this special off-season chamber music concert! Several years in the making, SMF is proud to present Raphael Bell with this esteemed trio in our first concert at the exquisitely restored Regina Coeli Hall. Violinist Stefan Jackiw, celebrated for his breathtaking lyricism and rare emotional clarity, has become a favorite of audiences and […]
Join the Savannah Music Festival on January 31st, 2026 at 5:00 PM for a night of music, fun, and philanthropy at Winter Bash: Havana Nights The event will feature a reception, dinner, live auction, professional dancers, and a performance by the SMF Jazz Academy.This unforgettable night will conclude with a performance from the acclaimed Cuban […]
Against the backdrop of the Savannah River, student musicians from across Savannah will perform in the first-ever student showcase. Schedule of performers:12 PM Charles Ellis Jazz Band 12:30 PM Jacob G. Smith Vibrant Voices 1 PM Savannah Christian Preparatory School Lower School Chorus 1:30 PM Heard Elementary Concert Band 2 – 4 PM (Break) 4 […]
As part of a new partnership with the Hilton Head International Piano Competition, SMF is honored to present 2025 HHIPC First Prize winner, Jonathan Mamora. Acclaimed for his “most assured pianism” and “natural, songful lyricism” by The Dallas Morning News, pianist and educator Jonathan Mamora has performed with such orchestras as the Royal Scottish National […]
Stefon Harris & Blackout, led by the visionary vibraphonist Stefon Harris, is a pioneering force in contemporary jazz. Harris has been named DownBeat Critics Poll Vibraphonist of the Year multiple times and has been heralded as “one of the most important young artists in jazz” by the Los Angeles Times. Characterized by a stellar lineup […]
Larkin Poe, the dynamic sister duo known for their electrifying blend of Southern rock, blues, and Americana makes their SMF debut with this band (although they played a bluegrass show as The Lovell Sisters at SMF 2009). Already hailed for the sincerity of their songcraft, the Lovell sisters now place an even greater spotlight on […]
St. Louis–born vocalist, composer, and educator Alicia Olatuja is celebrated for her rich fusion of jazz, gospel, classical, R&B, and Afropop. Classically trained as a mezzo-soprano, Olatuja earned degrees from the University of Missouri and Manhattan School of Music, debuting at Carnegie Hall and Opera Memphis. She gained national attention singing at President Obama’s 2013 […]
Mike Marshall is one of the world’s most accomplished and versatile string instrumentalists and a three-time Grammy nominee. A master of mandolin, guitar, mandocello, and violin, he blends American roots with classical, jazz, pop, and Brazilian music. At 19, he joined the David Grisman Quintet and has since produced over 40 recordings while collaborating with […]
Since their 2014 SMF debut, The Lone Bellow has appeared on The Tonight Show, Austin City Limits, and The Late Show, topped Americana charts, and headlined storied venues from Carnegie Hall to the Ryman Auditorium. Having recently recorded a new album live in Muscle Shoals after a writing retreat in a converted Kentucky firehouse, The […]
“To be moving is better than to be standing still,” Richard Thompson says, and Richard Thompson should know. The influential singer-songwriter and virtuosic guitarist has been on a singular musical journey for over half a century, from his days in the ‘60s as a pioneer of British folk rock with Fairport Convention, to his seminal […]
Tank and the Bangas explore the most tender and true parts of life’s journey. Unique and with a vibrance that could only come out of New Orleans, lead vocalist Tank has stretched her vocals over quirky raps, poetry, and rich melodies since the release of their debut album Think Tank in 2013. Four years later, […]
Over the course of 7 years, Atlanta filmmakers/ Sacred Harp singers, Matt & Erica Hinton, created Awake, My Soul: The Story of the Sacred Harp, the first feature documentary to explore the history, music, and traditions of Sacred Harp singing, the oldest distinctively American music. This haunting music has survived over 200 years tucked away from […]
Caleb Klauder and Reeb Willms are a dynamic duo in the world of modern honky-tonk and roots music. Known for their soulful harmonies and original songs, they’ve become key figures in the Pacific Northwest’s country scene. Both hail from Washington State–Caleb from the coastal islands, and Reeb from the high desert. In addition to touring […]
CANCELLED: This concert has unfortunately been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. Ticket holders can contact the SCAD Box Office at 912.525.5050, and are encouraged to exchange their ticket(s) for any other General Admission concert at SMF2026. Dobet Gnahoré is a virtuosic singer, dancer, percussionist, and songwriter who has taken the modern Afropop sounds of her […]
Caleb Klauder and Reeb Willms are a dynamic duo in the world of modern honky-tonk and roots music. Known for their soulful harmonies and original songs, they’ve become key figures in the Pacific Northwest’s country scene. Both hail from Washington State–Caleb from the coastal islands, and Reeb from the high desert. In addition to touring […]
Pat Metheny is a groundbreaking jazz guitarist and composer. He started playing trumpet when he was eight, then switched to guitar at 12, and quickly gained recognition in Kansas City by the time he was 15. His 1975 debut album, Bright Size Life, redefined jazz guitar for a new generation. Metheny’s career spans collaborations with […]
CANCELLED: This concert has unfortunately been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. Ticket holders can contact the SCAD Box Office at 912.525.5050, and are encouraged to exchange their ticket(s) for any other General Admission concert at SMF2026. Dobet Gnahoré is a virtuosic singer, dancer, percussionist, and songwriter who has taken the modern Afropop sounds of her […]
The Infamous Stringdusters are a three-time Grammy-winning band marking their 20th anniversary and honoring their two-decade journey of innovation, collaboration, and boundless creativity. Formed in Nashville in the early 2000s, the quintet of Chris Pandolfi, Travis Book, Jeremy Garrett, Andy Hall, and Andy Falco continues to push bluegrass into new sonic territories, fusing traditional roots […]
For Caleb Klauder & Reeb Willms, country music is soul music. Blending classic country, bluegrass, old-time, and Cajun influences, the duo offers a refreshing departure from the often sorrowful themes found in traditional music. As a vocally-led band, Caleb & Reeb focus on the art of harmony, captivating listeners with the joy of telling universal […]
Dirk and Amelia Powell are a father-daughter duo with deep Cajun roots in the bayous of Louisiana and Appalachian heritage from the mountains of Kentucky. Amelia is known for her hard-driving guitar and soulful vocals, while Dirk’s banjo, fiddle, and guitar playing has earned him a reputation as a “musician’s musician.” Dirk has been a […]
CANCELLED: This concert has unfortunately been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. Ticket holders can contact the SCAD Box Office at 912.231.5811, and are encouraged to exchange their ticket(s) for any other General Admission concert at SMF2026. Amjad Ali Khan is an award-winning sixth-generation sarod virtuoso from the Bangash lineage credited with the creation and development […]
The Grammy-nominated, pioneering, and progressive jamgrass ensemble Yonder Mountain String Band has redefined bluegrass music by pushing the envelope into realms of rock and roll and soulful improvisation for over 25 years. Yonder Mountain String Band is one of the most innovative groups on the live music scene and is comprised of founding members Adam […]
Plena Libre combines the traditional Plena and Bomba rhythms with other Afro-Caribbean styles and jazz to create a contagious dance music that honors the group’s deep sense of their unique indigenous musical traditions, while embracing modern sounds. The trailblazing Plena Libre has been thrilling international audiences for nearly three decades. Masters of the traditional Puerto […]
Tord Gustavsen began playing piano at four and composing before reading music. Trained in classical, gospel, and jazz traditions, he studied psychology, religion, and musicology at the University of Oslo before completing jazz studies in Trondheim. His debut trio album Changing Places launched an acclaimed international career, followed by several trilogies exploring lyrical, meditative jazz. […]
Benjamin Manis, conductor | Philip Dukes, viola Savannah Philharmonic Chorus | Paul Thornock, chorus master PROGRAM: CARLOS SIMON Wake Up! Concerto for OrchestraVAUGHAN WILLIAMS Flos CampiELGAR Enigma Variations, Op. 36
The Grammy-nominated, pioneering, and progressive jamgrass ensemble Yonder Mountain String Band has redefined bluegrass music by pushing the envelope into realms of rock and roll and soulful improvisation for over 25 years. Yonder Mountain String Band is one of the most innovative groups on the live music scene and is comprised of founding members Adam […]
Plena Libre combines the traditional Plena and Bomba rhythms with other Afro-Caribbean styles and jazz to create a contagious dance music that honors the group’s deep sense of their unique indigenous musical traditions, while embracing modern sounds. The trailblazing Plena Libre has been thrilling international audiences for nearly three decades. Masters of the traditional Puerto […]
Hailing from Greensboro, North Carolina, Sam Fribush is on the frontlines of the Hammond organ revival. Featuring Fribush on Hammond organ, Will Darity on guitar, and Chuck Pinckney on drums, the Sam Fribush Organ Trio recently released its latest LP People Please, featuring grooves like “Ok Boomer,” “Fat Nap,” and the title track “People Please.” […]
Felix Mendelssohn Octet for Strings in E-Flat Major, Opus 20 Johnny Mercer Selections (arr. Simon Mulligan) A fascinating fusion concert featuring the music of the boy genius Felix Mendelssohn and one of Savannah’s most celebrated sons, Johnny Mercer. The first half features Mendelssohn’s evergreen and dynamic String Octet, written when he was just 16 years […]
Three-time Grammy-winning guitarist John Scofield stands as one of modern jazz’s most innovative and versatile artists. Over his 54-year career, he has developed a distinctive sound that blends bebop, blues, funk, rock, and electronic jazz. Having recorded nearly 50 albums as a leader and collaborated with legends like Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, and Pat Metheny, […]
There are a lot of musical influences and sources that Daniel Donato has drawn on during his career and that inform Reflector, the Nashville guitarist-singer-songwriter-bandleader’s first all-original album. But within those Donato has carved out a unique and individualized spot for himself, one that speaks to the deep American music heritage that inspires him — […]
