Chicago, Detroit Jazz Festivals Return With Free Citywide Concerts

The 2025 jazz festival season kicks off with major events in Chicago, Detroit, and San Antonio, showcasing a blend of legendary artists and local talents. Chicago's Jazz Festival runs from August 28 to 31, featuring headliners like Wynton Marsalis, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Makaya McCraven, and highlights the city's rich jazz heritage rooted in the Great Migration and Bronzeville's historic music scene. The Detroit Jazz Festival, the world's largest of its kind, spans Labor Day weekend from August 29 to September 1, with performances across multiple venues including Wayne State University and featuring artist-in-residence Jason Moran. San Antonio's free Jazz'SAlive festival on September 26-27 will spotlight Endea Owens from the "Late Show" band and Grammy-nominated percussionist Pedrito Martinez. Despite cuts in arts funding by the Trump administration impacting some Chicago area festivals, events remain free and continue to celebrate jazz's diversity and innovation. These festivals emphasize both honoring jazz traditions and pushing creative boundaries, reflecting the evolving music landscape across generations.