SA Popular Jazz Festival, Jazz’SAlive, Launches Refreshed Branding & Moves to Civic Park at Hemisfair
SA Popular Jazz Festival , the 40th Annual Jazz’SAlive festival is migrating to its new home in Civic Park and will serve as the Grand Opening of the long-awaited, new urban green space.
- Single-Day Premium ‘Patron Seat’ (Friday and Saturday seats sold separately)
- VIP Experience Table for 8 (Friday and Saturday tables sold separately)
Founded in 1981, the San Antonio Parks Foundation has produced the City of San Antonio’s official jazz festival, Jazz’SAlive, since 1984 in Travis Park. In 2023, the two-day event is turning the page, diving headfirst into its new chapter as the first anchor event held in Civic Park, the highly anticipated green space at Hemisfair.
“Showcasing the momentum and legacy of Jazz’SAlive, in tandem with the opening of San Antonio’s premier urban park, offers new and exciting opportunities to collaborate, connect, and play,” says Libby Day, Director of Communications for the San Antonio Parks Foundation.
Jazz’SAlive is one of the largest free jazz festivals in the country and the San Antonio Parks Foundation is committed to maintaining free General Admission entry for all ages.
“Our core values of equity, culture, and community drive our philosophy regarding free programming. Financial and physical accessibility is paramount to demonstrating the power and purpose of parks,” continues Day.
The public is invited to attend the Grand Opening Ceremony on Friday, September 29th from 4:30 PM to 5:00 PM before music kicks off on the main stage at 5:00 PM.
“We are thrilled to host Jazz’SAlive as the inaugural event at Civic Park,” Andres Andujar, CEO of Hemisfair said. “Partnering with the San Antonio Parks Foundation for one of the largest free jazz festivals in the country is a natural fit for the opening of ‘One of the World’s Great Public Places’ as we welcome the whole country in celebrating this momentous occasion.”
While producing a free festival for 15,000+ guests is no easy feat, the Foundation relies on sponsorships, corporate and foundation grants, and individual donations and memberships to fund quality community programming and operations.
Want to support and have a little fun in the process? The 40th Annual Jazz’SAlive offers a limited number of premium ‘Patron Seats’ at the main stage for those who want to upgrade their viewing experience and leave the lawn chairs at home. Patron Seats are sold as single-day tickets. Fans who wish to have a Patron Seat on both Friday and Saturday will need to purchase a ticket for each day. Each ticket includes 1 priority seat at the main stage with access to a cash bar and cocktail service. Patron Seats are $60 per seat, per day.
The VIP Experience presented by Security Services, includes private seating for 8 guests, complimentary food and beverage curated by Silo Elevated Cuisine on Friday, and “NOLA In The Park” from the team of Chefs Peter and Susan Sypesteyn on Saturday. Along with the private table seating and delectable culinary experience, VIP guests will enjoy access to air-conditioned restrooms and private, invite-only Friday evening after party. The VIP Experience is open to fans who are 21 years of age or older and is open 5 PM to 11 PM both Friday and Saturday evenings with food service taking place 6 PM to 9 PM. The VIP Experience table for 8 is $1,500 per table, per day.
The Jazz’SAlive main stage presented by Michelob Ultra delivers an outstanding lineup of national, regional, and local jazz talent including Memphis based smooth jazz saxophonist and twelve-time Grammy Award nominee, Kirk Whalum; blues guitarist and songwriter, Jackie Venson; New Orleans treasure, Big Sam’s Funky Nation; Japanese pianist, Yuko Mabuchi; the Aaron Prado Sextet featuring Azul Barrientos, United States Air Force Band of the West’s Dimensions In Blue Jazz Ensemble featuring Gerald French & The Original Tuxedo Band; San Antonio based Cuban trumpet player, Haile Uriarte & Havana Soul; experimental jazz fusion group, Jamail; and the St. Mary’s University Jazz Band directed by educator and contemporary jazz artist, Dr. Adrian Ruiz.
The Heritage Stage presented by The PM Group features the Dirty River Jazz Band led by drummer, vocalist, and arranger, Chris Alvarado. A mainstay in San Antonio’s jazz community, no revelry is complete without a Dirty River performance. The San Antonio Parks Foundation takes pride in highlighting San Antonio’s wealth of talent, old and new. For those with a keen ear for blossoming new music, euphonia delves into original tunes with elements of jazz and prog genres. The Jazz Protagonists led by Barry Brake will hold down the Heritage Stage on Friday evening with Anthony Thomas Martinez & The Jazz Standard opening the Heritage Stage earlier in the day.
While there’s no shortage of experiences available to fans who attend the heritage jazz festival, the Foundation has teamed up with the Ambassador Theatre Group to offer a new amenity: The Jive Smart WiFi Lounge presented by The Espee, San Antonio’s newest, revamped live music venue located at the historic St. Paul Square. Furnished by local, 20th century modern design outlet, Period Modern, the lounge offers complimentary WiFi during the event for fans to stay connected to friends and family, and share memories.
“Since 1981, the SA Parks Foundation has funded music and cultural experiences in parks. When we invest in our green spaces, we are promoting the health and well-being of an inclusive community and that is a vision we can all support. We are energized as the opening of Civic Park brings us closer to that vision” says Mary Jane Verette, President & CEO of the San Antonio Parks Foundation.
The foundation actively invests in a culture of excellence that values and advances diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the organization’s thought processes, structures, and spaces. In our vision, everyone deserves to live in a neighborhood with healthy land and water, and access to quality parks, trails, and civic infrastructure that fosters a nurturing environment as we collectively strive to become better learners living in a more connected community.
Experience the joy for yourself this September at the new Civic Park at Hemisfair!
The San Antonio Parks Foundation would like to thank our official sponsors of The 40h Annual Jazz’SAlive: Michelob Ultra, The Majestic Theatre, The PM Group, Security Services, Jefferson Bank, Hemisfair, Credit Human, Ancira Auto Group, Yellow Rose Whiskey, Licor 43, Lolea, Thomas J. Henry, Spectrum Reach, NuStar Energy, Frost Bank, Texas Automobile Association, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, KRTU 91.7 FM, The St. Anthony Hotel, San Antonio Current, NBC4, CW35, WOAI, iHeart Media, and the City of San Antonio Parks & Recreation Department and Department of Arts & Culture.
All San Antonio Parks Foundation programming is free and open to the public, enabled by sponsorships and underwriting.
