Tickets Still Available For Clearwater Jazz Holiday Oct. 14-17 At BayCare Ballpark

CLEARWATER, FL — After taking a year off due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Clearwater Jazz Holiday festival is back for the 42nd year with some major talent including Kool & The Gang, Gloria Gaynor and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

However, due to the construction of the Imagine Clearwater project at Coachman Park, this year's festival has a new venue.

Clearwater Jazz Holiday is teaming up with the city of Clearwater and the Clearwater Threshers/Phillies Florida to present the 2021 Clearwater Jazz Holiday event Oct. 14 to 17 at BayCare Ballpark, 601 Old Coachman Road.

Organizers say the stadium will be transformed into the Bay area's largest outdoor jazz fest during the four days and nights of live performances.

Gates open at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 14, and the festival continues Friday at 3:45 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m. with a fireworks show scheduled for Saturday at 10:45 p.m.

The lineup of artists includes:

• Kool & The Gang
• Snarky Puppy
• Gloria Gaynor
• Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
• Lettuce Dustbowl Revival
• Eric Marienthal featuring the Silverman Brothers
• Lucy Woodward
• Jason Miles presenting "To Grover With Love" with Maya Azucena, Marion Meadows, Elan Trotman, Felicia Collins, Richie Goods and Adrian Harpham
• Special EFX All-Stars featuring Chieli Minucci, Elliott Yamin, Eric Marienthal, Lao Tizer, Karen Briggs, Dave Livolsi and Joel Rosenblatt
• The Joe Marcinek Band featuring Taylor Galbraith, Ashley Galbraith, Tommy Shugart and Chris Sgammato
• Gumbi Ortiz & Electric Rendezvous
• Lemon City Trio
• Gloria West & The Gents "The Last Hurrah"
• Ariella
• The Clearwater Jazz Holiday / Ruth Eckerd Hall Youth Jazz Band

Clearwater Holiday Jazz, one of the city's signature events, is attended by more than 35,000 people the third week of every October.

The festival evolved from a series of concerts on the back of a flatbed truck more than 40 years ago into one of Tampa Bay's largest music festivals.

Other the years, Clearwater Jazz Holiday has hosted jazz artists like Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Mann, Dave Brubeck, Tito Puente, Stephan Grappelli, Stan Getz and the Count Basie Orchestra.

As the festival grew, so did the genre of music presented. It now features straight ahead and smooth jazz, swing, blues, jamband, rock, folk, Americana, funk and Zydeco.

It's hosted legendary artists like Tony Bennett, Earth, Wind & Fire, Chicago, Bonnie Raitt, Trombone Shorty, Buddy Guy, Gladys Knight, Commodores, UB40, Grace Potter, Sheryl Crow, Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins.

The festival is organized by the nonprofit Clearwater Jazz Holiday Foundation, which funds music-related education and community outreach initiatives. Click here for tickets.

For more information, call the Clearwater Jazz Holiday office at 727-461-5200, visit Clearwater Jazz Holiday or visit the Clearwater Jazz Holiday Facebook page.