The Lavilla Jazz & Heritage Festival is a FREE jazz fest and celebration of the rich history of one of Jacksonville’s most culturally significant neighborhoods. Lavilla was a popular destination for America’s music royalty during Jazz’s golden era, dubbing the district, the Harlem of the South.
Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, and many other jazz and entertainment legends all played in Lavilla. Ray Charles lived and performed in the district as well as many local musicians. The vast entertainment options in this culturally rich community provided a vibrant nightlife to complement the thriving business, industry, transportation, and residential sectors of the well plotted grid of the now-Downtown neighborhood.
One of the goals of this free Jazz Fest is to create a sense of place at the birth site of James Weldon & John Rosamond Johnson. We are proud to recognize these great men by reflecting and celebrating their accomplishments. A bipartisan bill has been introduced in congress to further this goal with 22 cosponsors!
During this one day event on April 22, 2018, the Lavilla Jazz & Heritage Festival will feature some of the best traditional jazz being played today along with tasty local food, cold beverages, and local arts and crafts.
The event is scheduled as a precursor to the City’s annual Jacksonville Jazz Festival. It will take place on the hallowed ground of Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park, the birth site of James Weldon Johnson and John Rosamond Johnson.
A self-guided history map of the robust historic sites of Lavilla will be available and we strongly encourage exploration of this important community.
