8th Annual Ocean City Jazz Festival July 1 & 2

The 8th Annual Ocean City Jazz Festival (OCJF) is no ordinary jazz festival.  Held in North Topsail Beach, NC on July 1st and 2nd, it has a laundry list of HEADLINERS and encompasses every genre of jazz!!!  The event has become an annual celebration for jazz-minded adults where the allure of great beaches, a plethora of activities like golf, water sports and fishing all combine for a true vacation getaway.

The festival offers straight ahead, fusion and smooth jazz.  The OCJF’s straight ahead element includes multi-Grammy award winning Randy Brecker.  2016 Trombonist-of-the-Year Wycliffe Gordon is performing with Grammy nominee and director of the jazz program at Duke University John Brown. The 2011 best jazz soloist at the Villanova Jazz Festival, Wilmington NC native Lynn Grissett is also performing.   Pianist Lao Tizer, bandleader for the 2011 band of the year with special guest, the incredible violinist Karen Briggs, adds the fusion element. Laying down the smooth jazz sound is Philly’s bass guitar master Gerald Veasley performing with the 2008 jazz artist of the year, Jackiem Joyner. Let’s not forget Charlotte guitarist John Dillard.

This will be the best music event in the area for 2017.  Festival organizer Carla Torrey said “The festival offers a terrific value. Tickets are $35.00 for a one-day pass, and $60.00 for a two-day pass.  It’s a great celebration of the luminous history of the community.  We also have great food trucks and a Silent Auction.”

The commemorative festival poster artist, Barton Hatcher, will have his artwork for purchase and the vibrant festival poster entitled “Ocean Breeze Trio” will be available for sale. If you are looking for more festival comforts, performances are underneath a 90 x 100 ft. Pavilion tent with seating!!

Pender County Director of Tourism Tammy Proctor says, “The Ocean City Jazz Festival delivers outstanding musical entertainment to Topsail Island annually. It’s a highlight of our summer.”

Realtor Chris Rackley says “Lewis Realty has enjoyed being a part of the Ocean City Jazz Festival for several years. The festival is a wonderful blend of headline jazz acts, wonderful atmosphere, great food, history and other family activities.”

The Ocean City Jazz Festival is the product of the nonprofit organization, the Ocean City Citizens Beach Council whose mission is the preservation, and continued awareness of the Ocean City community. Started in 1949 as the first coastal community in which African Americans could purchase land.