Pensacola JazzFest 2013 will be held from 10 a.m.–6:30 p.m., Saturday–Sunday, April 6-7 in Seville Square, a beautiful park located in the center of historic downtown Pensacola. The venue location features a sprawling live oak canopy and a picturesque central gazebo used as the main stage. Seating is provided, though many attendees bring lawn chairs and picnic baskets or purchase food from one of the quality food vendors.

JazzFest is a free, family-oriented festival that celebrates all types of jazz and attracts approximately 16,000 enthusiastic listeners over the weekend. The music will include a variety of jazz styles, presented by prominent national, regional and local artists, as well as area college and high school jazz bands. In addition, the finalists in the Jazz Society’s third annual Student Jazz Competition will perform. There is also a Jazz Jam for Kids both days at 2 p.m. with harmonicas and kazoos provided to the children for free. An arts and crafts exhibition will also delight festival goers as they browse wares.

Headliners include: Harry Allen Quartet featuring Rossano Sportiello; jazz pianist Rossano Sportiello; Giacomo Gates; Roman Street; Rick Trolsen and the New Orleans Po’Boys; Marvin Stamm, special guest performer with the Pensacola State College Jazz Ensemble; Steve Williams, special guest performer with the University of West Florida Jazz Ensemble; Eric Doney, special guest performer with the Northwest Florida State College Jazz Ensemble; DownBeat Jazz Orchestra; and Joe Occhipinti Big Band Plays the Music of Count Basie.

The schedule of events is as follows:

Ssaturday Aapril 6-

10–10:25 a.m.: Bailey Middle School Jazz Ensemble

10:30–10:55 a.m.: Booker T. Washington High School Jazz Ensemble

11–11:30 a.m.: JSOP 2013 Student Competition Winners

11:45 a.m.–12:30 p.m.: Northwest Florida State College Jazz Ensemble, featuring Eric Doney

12:45–1:30 p.m.: Pensacola State College Jazz Ensemble, featuring Marvin Stamm

1:45–2:30 p.m.: Giacomo Gates

2:45–3:30 p.m.: Rick Trolsen and the New Orleans Po’Boys

3:45–4:30 p.m.: Harry Allen Quartet with Rossano Sportiello

4:45–5:30 p.m.: Roman Street

5:45–6:30 p.m.: Joe Occhipinti Big Band Plays the Music of Count Basie

Sunday April 7-

10:30–10:55 a.m.: Tate High School Vocal Jazz Ensemble

11–11:35 a.m.: Tate High School Jazz Ensemble

11:45 a.m.–12:30 p.m.: Georgia College Jazz Ensemble

12:45–1:30 p.m.: University of West Florida Jazz Ensemble, featuring Steve Williams

1:45-2:30 p.m.: Rick Trolsen and the New Orleans Po’Boys

2:45–3:30 p.m.: Giacomo Gates

3:45–4:30 p.m.: Harry Allen Quartet with Rossano Sportiello

4:45–5:30 p.m.: Roman Street

5:45–6:30 p.m.: DownBeat Jazz Orchestra

The two-day event will cap off a week of Jazz performances in venues throughout the area, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of JazzFest. This exciting line-up of shows, called Viva Pensacola Jazz!, will feature local and regional jazz artists. The complete schedule of these Viva events is available at www.jazzpensacola.com.

The Jazz Society of Pensacola (JSOP) has been the sole presenter of the Pensacola JazzFest since 1999, following WUWF-FM’s tenure as event presenter. The event is a gift to the community from Jazz Society members and its sponsors, and funds are raised in various ways throughout the year. More than $40,000 is raised from both JSOP member and non-member donors, as well as corporate sponsors who are dedicated to seeing this annual event take place.

For mor information, contact Kathy Lyon, Jazz Society administrator at 850-433-8382, info@jazzpensacola.com or Norman Vickers at 850-484-9183.

Who: Jazz Society of Pensacola presents

What: 30th Annual Pensacola JazzFest

When: Saturday April 6, 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Sunday April 7, 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

Where: Seville Square, historic district, Pensacola Florida