Marcus King faces heartache, addiction, and mental health head-on in his music. The Grammy-nominated fourth-generation musician from Greenville, SC, started playing guitar at eight years old following in the footsteps of his guitarist father and grandpa. Logging thousands of miles on the road as “The Marcus King Band,” he established himself with unparalleled performance prowess. […]
Väsen + Hawktail is the culmination of decades of influence and musical relation. Brittany Haas, Jordan Tice and Paul Kowert met while in college on the East Coast, jamming on Väsen tunes and attending their concerts. These experiences proved highly formative to their musical identities. There’s a strong tie between their respective fiddle traditions and […]
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 […]
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 many […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 Family
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 by […]
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, and […]
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 the Wall […]
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 DISTRICTEddie 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 Black […]
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 open at […]
PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PLANT RIVERSIDE DISTRICTAt 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 in […]
Join the Savannah Music Festival on January 31st, 2026 at 5:00 PM for a night under the lights in the Salzburg Ballroom Plant Riverside.The theme for this year’s SMF gala is 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 […]
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 […]
3-Day Wristband EligibleSt. 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 […]
3-Day Wristband EligibleMike 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 […]
3-Day Wristband EligibleSince 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 […]
“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 […]
3-Day Wristband EligibleTank 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 […]
Wristband EligibleCaleb 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 […]
Wristband EligibleDobet Gnahoré is a virtuosic singer, dancer, percussionist, and songwriter who has taken the modern Afropop sounds of her native Ivory Coast in exciting new directions. Known for her jaw-dropping dance moves, powerful stage presence and richly emotional vocal style, Gnahoré has earned numerous accolades throughout her career, including a Grammy Award for Best […]
Wristband EligibleCaleb 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 […]
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 […]
Wristband EligibleDobet Gnahoré is a virtuosic singer, dancer, percussionist, and songwriter who has taken the modern Afropop sounds of her native Ivory Coast in exciting new directions. Known for her jaw-dropping dance moves, powerful stage presence and richly emotional vocal style, Gnahoré has earned numerous accolades throughout her career, including a Grammy Award for Best […]
Wristband EligibleThe 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 […]
Wristband EligibleDirk 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 […]
Wristband EligibleAmjad Ali Khan is an award-winning sixth-generation sarod virtuoso from the Bangash lineage credited with the creation and development of the sarod. Trained by his father, the legendary Haafiz Ali Khan, Amjad performed his first recital at the age of six. Recognized by Songlines Magazine as “one of the 20th Century’s greatest masters of […]
Wristband EligibleThe 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 […]
Wristband EligiblePlena 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 […]
Wristband EligibleTord 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 […]
Wristband EligibleThe 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 […]
Wristband EligiblePlena 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 […]
Felix Mendelssohn Octet for Strings in E-Flat Major, Opus 20Johnny 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 old. In the […]
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 — […]
Reverie Road is a genre-defying Celtic powerhouse ensemble, uniting founding Solas members Winifred Horan (fiddle) and John Williams (accordion) with former Gaelic Storm fiddler Katie Grennan and Steinway Artist jazz and Raga pianist Utsav Lal. Together, these four exceptional musicians are celebrated as some of today’s most accomplished traditional and virtuosic folk music artists. Reverie […]
Giuseppe Verdi Quartet String Quartet in E minorWolfgang Amadeus Mozart String Quartet No. 16 in E-Flat Major, K. 428Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart String Quintet No. 5 in D Major, K. 593In this concert, we welcome back to SMF the renowned Escher String Quartet who have delighted audiences on many recent occasions since their October 2021 debut. In […]
Reverie Road is a genre-defying Celtic powerhouse ensemble, uniting founding Solas members Winifred Horan (fiddle) and John Williams (accordion) with former Gaelic Storm fiddler Katie Grennan and Steinway Artist jazz and Raga pianist Utsav Lal. Together, these four exceptional musicians are celebrated as some of today’s most accomplished traditional and virtuosic folk music artists. Reverie […]
