By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
MOBILE, Ala. — The 2025 Gulf Coast Ethnic and Heritage Jazz Festival kicks off this week with four days of performances celebrating deep roots, rising stars, and legendary voices.
Though public events begin Thursday, July 24, the work has already begun behind the scenes. At the Marcus Johnson Summer Jazz Camp, middle and high schoolers have spent weeks rehearsing under the guidance of jazz educators like Andrew Ayers—and Mobile icon Ted Keeby, who sat beside his grandson, Nate, in a recent session.
“These kids aren’t just learning music—they’re learning legacy,” said Ayers.
The festival’s biggest night may come Friday, when hometown heroes Fred Irby III and Willie Lee Hill will be honored with the Hosea London Jazz Education Award. Irby recently retired after 51 years at Howard University; Hill led the Fine Arts Center at UMass Amherst. “They are so happy to be coming home,” said founder Creola Ruffin.
Saturday’s show features Roman Street, vocalist Tonya Boyd-Cannon, and a rare local appearance by Fred Wesley Jr., the Mobile-born funk legend who played with James Brown.
Sunday closes the festival with a second-line parade and performances by Excelsior Band, Jukebox Brass Band, and more.
Festival Highlights:
July 24 – Evening of Poetry | $10
July 25 – Jazz Gala with Ayers & Johnson Camp | $40
July 26 – Roman Street, Fred Wesley Jr., Tonya Boyd-Cannon | $25
July 27 – Second line & Sunday finale | $25
Tickets available via Eventbrite and at Temple Downtown.
