Boney James
You know him, you love him and he headlines the 2024 Fresh Coast Jazz Festival. Four-time Grammy-nominated, platinum-selling, chart-topping hitmaker Boney James brings his smooth funky sounds to Milwaukee on Saturday, August 24. 2024. Billboard named him one of the top three Contemporary Jazz Artists of the decade and if you have ever seen him live you know why! Tickets are going to sell fast for this show so get your tickets now so you can be in the house for this non-stop party!
Lemek & Quintin Gerard W
This father-and-son duo was the first in the history of the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart to be number one and number two on the chart at the same time in 2023. Fresh off performances at the Catalina Island Jazz Trax Festival and Seabreeze Jazz Festival, this show will take you on a music journey! Lemek is one of the hottest young guitarists on the scene. His debut song went straight to number one and his debut album is chock full of chart-topping hits. Quintin scored multiple number-one hits in 2023 and has continued to cement his reputation as one of the funkiest sax players in the genre. Those who have seen this show have absolutely raved about it! You are in for a real treat with this one!
Andréa Lisa
From South Africa by way of New Zealand, Andréa rose to prominence playing guitar and singing with the likes of Jonathan Butler and Kirk Whalum. This lady has got the chops and the licks to keep the crowd groovin’. Her smash 2023 hit Vortex was introduced here to a host of fans from around the world and we are excited to have her bring her melodic sounds and captivating vocals to the fresh coast.
https://youtu.be/8bPcGlfEBT8?si=kttLznwzqXb-6IZX
Ryan LaValette and Nathan Mitchell
Get your popcorn ready because this show is going to be straight-fire! All the way from New Zealand, Ryan LaValette just made music history. He is the first artist to have his first four singles all reach number one on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz charts. This multi-instrumentalist (guitar and saxophone) has been wowing fans across the globe and now you get to see him live in Milwaukee. Ryan teams with keyboardist extraordinaire Nathan Mitchell for this unique high-energy show. Nathan was the 2023 Seabreeze rising star but make no bones about it, he has been making hit music for a long time for himself and the likes of artists like Najee. This Grammy-nominated showman has been number one on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz charts three times and has won 3 NAACP Image awards. He tickles the ivory like no one else. Nathan and Ryan are set to light it up on Friday, August 23, 2024. Don’t miss it!
https://youtu.be/ceYmhLOAMAg?si=EYdtjLvIfqsC2u3R
Kim Scott
She was Smooth Jazz Network’s 2021 emerging artist and in 2022 her album “Shine” went all the way to number one on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz chart. Kim has played some of the biggest jazz festivals in the world and she will make her Fresh Coast Jazz Festival debut on Friday, August 23, 2024. Her stage show is infectious and just plain fun. Get ready for a great time. Be sure to bring your dancing shoes!
Kirk Whalum
He is one of the saxophone greats of our time! Not only does he have 12 Grammy nominations to his credit but he boasts the world’s most recognizable saxophone solo on Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You.” But that is just the tip of the iceberg! Kirk’s soulful, stirring sound has resulted in over 25 solo albums, several number-one hits, and performances all over the world. His music has the power to transport you to another time and place. It’s been a long time coming but he will be back in Milwaukee to help Fresh Coast Jazz Festival celebrate its fifth anniversary and we couldn’t think of a better headline artist to grace our stage on Friday, August 23, 2024!
https://youtu.be/iHzctNuDVTM?si=Q6kO3GZJM2pxrQUe
Marcus Adams
Since he last graced the Fresh Coast Jazz Festival stage a few years ago, saxophonist Marcus Adams has been touring the country as a headline artist and playing with the likes of Rick Braun, Brian Simpson, Julian Vaughn, and more. We are excited to have Marcus and Dee Lucas lend their talents to the music of Grover Washington Jr. at The Pairing.
Dee Lucas
You have probably heard him on smooth jazz radio or maybe even seen him out on tour. Saxman and composer, Dee Lucas has been making smooth jazz hits for over 20 years. He will make his Fresh Coast Jazz Festival debut in 2024. You can see him perform at The Pairing or on the Fresh Coast Cruise. Better yet, check him out at both events. You will be glad you did.
The Hometown All-Stars Showcase Winner
Each year we do a contest to identify the area’s top jazz act and give them a chance to share the Fresh Coast Jazz Festival stage. Come out and witness this bonus performance for yourself. You never know, you might be seeing the next big thing in jazz. The Hometown All-Stars Showcase winner will get things started at The Pabst Theater at 5 pm on Saturday, August 24, 2024.