Ocean City Jazz Festival Returns for 15th Year With Star-Studded Lineup and Rich Cultural Legacy

NORTH TOPSAIL BEACH, NC – This Independence Day weekend, the Ocean City Jazz Festival will celebrate its 15th year with an unforgettable mix of world-class jazz performances, heritage programming, and community fellowship. Set for July 4–6, 2025, the beloved festival is held in the historic Ocean City Beach community, one of the first areas in North Carolina where African Americans could purchase coastal property.

A Weekend of Music, Culture & Legacy

The 2025 Ocean City Jazz Festival will feature a powerhouse lineup of acclaimed artists, including:

• Phillip “Doc” Martin

• Adam Hawley

• Brian Simpson

• Althea René

• Marion Meadows

• Phylicia Rae

• Jacob Webb

• John Brown Quintet

• Jeff Lorber

• Everette Harp

• Paul Jackson Jr.

• Nathan Mitchell

In addition to world-class jazz performances, this year’s festival offers a series of interactive and cultural enrichment activities designed to engage, educate, and entertain:

• June 28: Artist Talk – “Black Beaches During Segregation”
  A compelling discussion exploring the cultural history and impact of African American beach communities, including the significance of Ocean City Beach.
• July 4–6: Day Party Featuring Peter Terry of The 910 SoulStepazs
  A vibrant daytime celebration with line dancing instruction from Peter Terry, bringing together fun, fitness, and community. (Free with ticket purchase)
• July 5: Learn & Hike
  A guided hike blending outdoor activity with storytelling focused on Black resilience and coastal heritage.
• July 5: Uncle Nearest Experience
  This immersive tasting and storytelling event honors the legacy of Nathan “Nearest” Green, the formerly enslaved man who taught Jack Daniel the craft of whiskey distilling. This signature event highlights Black innovation in spirits and invites guests to sip, savor, and learn more about this pivotal yet often overlooked figure in American history.

Celebrating a Pioneering Community

Founded in 1949, Ocean City Beach has long been a symbol of resilience, pride, and Black excellence. Inducted into the Jacksonville-Onslow African American Heritage Trail in 2014 and the North Carolina Civil Rights Trail in 2022, this historic neighborhood remains at the heart of the festival’s purpose—to honor legacy through jazz.

This year’s theme, “Celebrating History Through the Language of Jazz and Unity,” reflects the festival’s ongoing mission to unite generations through storytelling, music, and community.

Travel Package Offers VIP Experience

Travelers departing from RDU can take advantage of an exclusive Ocean City Jazz Fest Travel Package for $777, which includes:

• Concert tickets for all days
• Hotel accommodations at Hampton Inn Jacksonville
• Luxury charter travel
• Flexible monthly payment plan ($111 per month)

Single occupancy packages are available for $925, with final payment due June 15, 2025.

How to Join the Celebration

With multiple ways to engage, from on-site concerts to community talks and excursions, the Ocean City Jazz Festival is more than an event—it’s a cultural homecoming.

Visit OceanCityJazzFest.com to purchase tickets, register for travel packages, and learn more.

Photo: Ocean City Jazz Festival