Honoring History and Community Through Music
The 3rd annual series will welcome renowned artists Common, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Keb’ Mo’, and more
Tickets go on sale this Friday, November 10 at 10:00 AM
Continuing tradition, the Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series is set to welcome another year of exceptional performances to the historic grounds of Fort Mose Historic State Park in St. Augustine, Florida. From February 8-17, 2024, the event promises to blend rich history with the vibrant sounds of jazz and blues, featuring a lineup of internationally renowned artists like Common, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (JLCO) with Wynton Marsalis, Keb’ Mo’, and more.
The Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series, set at historic Fort Mose, celebrates the fusion of history, community, and music. This unique event not only offers an unforgettable experience for music enthusiasts but also honors the historical significance of Fort Mose, the site of the first legally sanctioned free African settlement in what is now the United States.
“Music has this amazing ability to tell stories and connect people, and that’s exactly our aim with this series each year,” said Gabe Pellicer, President/CEO of SJC Cultural Events, Inc. “It’s much more than a series of concerts; it’s an opportunity to highlight an essential piece of American history. Our team is honored to play a part in celebrating the legacy of Fort Mose.”
Tickets for the 2024 Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series go on sale this Friday, November 10 at 10:00 AM at The St. Augustine Amphitheatre Box Office, online at Ticketmaster.com, and DiscoverFortMose.com. As with previous years, a portion of proceeds from a charity fee built into each ticket will support the Fort Mose Historical Society in their mission to promote and preserve the site’s rich history.
The 3rd Annual Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series lineup includes:
- February 8: Common – An illustrious rapper, actor, and writer, Common has won numerous accolades, including multiple Grammys, an Oscar, and an Emmy Award. Known for his poetic and thought-provoking music, he brings a unique fusion of hip-hop and jazz to the stage.
- Show: 7:00 PM (6:00 PM Gates)
- Ticket Prices: $52.00 – $139.00
- Ticket Link: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/22005F62CF441605
- February 9: Preservation Hall Jazz Band – This New Orleans-based band embodies the spirit of traditional jazz. With a history dating back to the early 1960s, their performances are a journey through the heart and soul of New Orleans’ musical heritage.
- Show: 7:00 PM (6:00 PM Gates)
- Ticket Prices: $22.00 – $79.00
- Ticket Link: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/22005F63963E139A
- February 10: Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis – Led by the legendary Wynton Marsalis, this orchestra is renowned for its commitment to jazz education and preservation. Marsalis, a trumpet virtuoso and a multiple Grammy winner, ensures an unforgettable night of jazz excellence.
- Show: 7:00 PM (6:00 PM Gates)
- Ticket Prices: $52.00 – $139.00
- Ticket Link: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/22005F639972140E
- February 16: Christone “Kingfish” Ingram with special guest Taj Farrant – Hailed as the future of the blues, Ingram returns to Fort Mose for the 2024 series. Since bursting onto the scene in 2019, Ingram’s raw and expressive guitar work has not only earned him a Grammy but also 10 Blues Music Awards.
- Show: 7:00 PM (6:00 PM Gates)
- Ticket Prices: $42.00 – $99.00
- Ticket Link: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/22005F639A84141D
- February 17: Keb’ Mo’ – A modern master of American roots music, Keb’ Mo’s music reflects a deep appreciation for his blues heritage. A multiple Grammy Award winner, his music is a testament to the enduring power of the blues.
- Show: 7:00 PM (6:00 PM Gates)
- Ticket Prices: : $42.00 – $99.00
- Ticket Link: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/22005F639BE91441
Fort Mose is the site of the first legally sanctioned free African settlement in what is now the United States. In 1738, an estimated 100 Africans made Fort Mose their home and sanctuary in seeking liberation from English enslavement amidst a large-scale power struggle between European powers in the New World. Pulling from Native American, Spanish and English cultural customs, the founding residents of Fort Mose created a new cultural community. In 1994, Fort Mose was designated as a Historic National Landmark.
“Fort Mose Historical Society is grateful for this invaluable partnership,” said Charles Ellis, President of the Fort Mose Historical Society. “Each February, soulful notes fill our backyard with the rich musical narrative of Black history. Generous donations from concert goers help us ‘tell the Fort Mose story’ through popular interpretive events. And soon, our Founders Day, Flight to Freedom, First Harvest and Battle of Bloody Mose reenactments will unfold against a dramatic background of the 1738 fort reconstruction.”
In its inaugural year in 2022, the Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series set a high bar, garnering overwhelming praise for its powerful performances in a unique setting. Attracting over 3,000 attendees, the series featured a lineup of acclaimed artists such as Gregory Porter, The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra, and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue. Building on this success, the 2023 series elevated the experience by welcoming over 4,200 attendees and a star-studded roster, including Gladys Knight, Mavis Staples, and Rhiannon Giddens, among others.
Over these two years, the Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series has not only celebrated musical excellence but also focused on bringing awareness to the historic site and supporting the Fort Mose Historical Society in its goal to reconstruct a representation of Fort Mose. This goal, pursued since the mid-1990s, is closer to realization. With the backing of the Florida State Parks Foundation, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Recreation and Parks, and other generous donors, groundbreaking for the 1738 Fort Mose reconstruction project is set to begin in early 2024. In total, the Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series has raised over $97,000 in support of Fort Mose Historical Society’s ongoing efforts.
“There’s something truly magical about experiencing live music on the historic grounds of Fort Mose,” adds Dylan Rumrell, Chairman of SJC Cultural Events, Inc. “It’s not just the outstanding talent on stage; it’s the powerful and immersive experience the series offers. This is an event everyone should witness first-hand.”
The Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series is produced by SJC Cultural Events, Inc., which manages and operates award-winning entertainment venues and cultural series including The St. Augustine Amphitheatre, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, and Sing Out Loud Festival. The series is supported by the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council, Fort Mose Historical Society, City of St. Augustine, St. Johns County, St. Augustine Distillery, Sunbelt Rentals, St. Augustine Distillery, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors & Convention Bureau, Florida State Parks Foundation, Flying Saucer Presents, AVL Productions, and Jalaram Hotels.