The first week of Savannah Music Festival was a huge success! With over 17 incredible performances spanning more than 5 diverse genres, downtown Savannah was alive with music, energy, and community. From intimate acoustic sets to full-band showcases, there was truly something for everyone to enjoy.
Bronwyn Keith-Hynes Band/East Nash Grass
Saturday 3/29 @ Metal Building at Trustees Garden
Grammy-nominated bluegrass artist Bronwyn Keith-Hynes had a fantastic set this weekend. Her fiddling skills are one of the best I’ve seen live. She kept the crowd engaged and cheering throughout the entire performance, effortlessly commanding the stage and connecting with the audience in a powerful way.
Modern-day bluegrass band, East Nash Grass really knows how to put on an entertaining show. They brought a fresh yet authentic vibe to the traditional bluegrass scene. I was pretty blown away by how well their instruments and vocals all blended together bringing an infectious high energy to the crowd. If you didn’t catch them at SMF 2025, keep this up-and-coming band on your radar because you must see them live.
View our tiny mic interview with East Nash Grass here!
Catherine Russell & Sean Mason
Saturday 3/29 @ District Live at Plant Riverside District
This Grammy-nominated duo was absolutely not to be missed this past weekend at District Live. The intimate venue set the perfect mood for a night of incredible jazz. Catherine Russell has the smoothest, most soulful voice and Sean Mason had such a connection with the piano it almost felt as if it were an extension of himself. A note was never missed, and their subtle shifts in mood and tempo added so much color to each piece. Together, they sounded like pure perfection
Kiki Valera y su son Cubano
Saturday 3/29 @ Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum
This was easily one of the most fun performances I attended all weekend. Kiki Valera y su Son Cubano brought the very best of Cuban beats to Ships of the Sea, turning the venue into one big dance party. The energy was infectious and not a single seat stayed occupied because the entire crowd was out on the floor. Their sound was vibrant, joyful, and impossible to resist. From start to finish, it was a high-energy celebration that had everyone smiling, dancing, and completely in the moment.
Angeliqué Kidjo
Saturday 3/29 @ Lucas Theatre for the Arts
Angelique Kidjo’s performance on Saturday at the Lucas Theatre for the Arts was incredible. She absolutely tore up the stage with her booming voice and joyful dance moves. She had the entire crowd on their feet dancing, waving their arms in the air and beaming smiles. At one point, she even invited an audience member on stage, making the experience feel spontaneous and exciting. Despite the physical barrier of the stage, Angélique managed to break that divide completely. Her energy, warmth, and charisma made the entire room feel like one unified, vibrant community. It was easily one of the most engaging and unforgettable performances of the weekend.
View our tiny mic interview with Angélique Kidjo here!
Philip Dukes & Friends I
Sunday, 3/30 @ Metal Building at Trustees Garden
Philip Dukes & Friends kicked off Day 4 of the festival with a spectacular Mozart performance in the Metal Building. The first half unfolded like a classic chamber concert, with beautifully executed renditions of Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, K. 478 and Violin Sonata No. 21 in E minor, K. 304. It wasn’t until after intermission when things became a little interesting as they all returned to the stage wearing 18th century costumes, wigs and all, adding a layer of theatrical fun to the evening. The crowd absolutely loved it. They closed out their performance with Divertimento No. 1 in D Major, K. 136 and Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, K. 525. It was a charming blend of tradition and creativity.
Taj Mahal
Sunday, 3/30 @ Lucas Theatre for the Arts
Taj Mahal had a full-house show at the Lucas Theatre this past Sunday. He played his classic blues as the whole crowd sang his lyrics back to him, keeping the energy high throughout his whole performance. His performance was laid-back and soulful, it brought a unique and heartfelt vibe to the venue.
Jenny Scheinman
Sunday, 3/30 @ District Live at Plant Riverside District
Jenny Scheinman performed her All Species Parade project about her hometown in the Pacific Northwest with Bill Frisell, Carmen Staaf, Tony Scherr and Kenny Wollesen alongside her at District Live. If you haven’t seen her before you must. Her musicianship is remarkable. She has this amazing gift of storytelling through sound. The band really knew how to speak with each other through their instruments. Scheinman also took time to interact with the audience between pieces, offering thoughtful context and personal anecdotes that made the music feel even more meaningful. Her warmth and authenticity created a space that was not only musically impressive but emotionally resonant.