Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival
For Immediate Release
January 15, 2025
Media Contact:
Yvette N. Harris
Harris Public Relations
Ph: 786.897.8854
Email: Yvette@harrispublicrelations.com
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28th Annual Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival Celebrates Jazz Legacy with a "Tribute to Jaco Pastorius"
Miami, FL (January 15, 2025)- The 28th Annual Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival returns to the Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater in Overtown, Miami, from February 28 to March 2, 2025. This year's event, themed "Tribute to Jaco Pastorius," promises an unforgettable celebration of Jazz, culture, and community. The festival will feature performances by The Jaco Pastorius Big Band, directed by Peter Graves, with a special guest artist, alongside The Legendary Melton Mustafa Orchestra, Mr. Entertainment Jesse Jones Jr., and talented student ensembles from middle schools, high schools, and colleges across the nation.
"This festival pays tribute to the timeless legacy of Jazz and the remarkable contributions of my father, Melton Mustafa Sr., and the legendary Jaco Pastorius. It represents more than just music; it is about honoring history, nurturing young talent, and uniting the community in the heart of Overtown, where Jazz has always found a home. We are proud to continue this tradition and share the transformative power of Jazz with audiences of all ages.”- Melton Mustafa Jr.
For the 10th consecutive year, the festival will take place at the 111-year-old Historic Lyric Theater, a treasured cultural landmark in the heart of Overtown. Once known as "The Harlem of the South," Overtown was a thriving hub for legendary musicians, including Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Aretha Franklin. The Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival continues this rich tradition by bringing world-class Jazz to this historically Black neighborhood.
Melton Mustafa Jr., the festival's director and son of its founder, Melton Mustafa Sr., reflects on the event's significance: "This festival was significant to my father and my mother. Not only does it bring phenomenal jazz music to Overtown, but the workshops and master classes offered to students are invaluable experiences for young musicians."
Kamila E. Pritchett, Executive Director of the Black Archives, underscores the festival's importance: "Jazz has been the soundtrack to significant moments in Black history and connects people across the African Diaspora. This festival offers everything a jazz lover could want, from captivating performances to educational workshops. Supporting the Mustafa legacy is an honor."
Since its inception in 1996, the Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival has prioritized student engagement through performances, workshops, and master classes. These programs provide students with hands-on opportunities to learn from world-class musicians, covering jazz history, theory, improvisation, and stage presence. The workshops also offer students a rare chance to interact directly with professional artists, inspiring the next generation of jazz greats.
Festival Highlights
- Opening Night: Live jazz and poetry performances.
- Saturday Workshops: Jazz education sessions for middle, high school, and college students.
- Closing Event: Red-carpet concert featuring headline acts.
This year, the festival aims to raise $100,000 to establish an endowed music scholarship for talented, at-risk, and underprivileged youth pursuing arts education. Contributions will support future programming to expand access to music education, workshops, and mentorship opportunities for underserved communities.
The Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival welcomes all lovers of Jazz, celebrating the diversity that has shaped this dynamic art form. By bringing people together through music, the festival fosters an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and inspired.
Tickets and more information are available at https://MMJF28.eventbrite.com. Don't miss this extraordinary celebration of Jazz and culture!
About MSM Arts United, Inc.
MSM Arts United is a non-profit organization committed to preserving and advancing the arts through concerts, performances, workshops, scholarships, and mentorship for the global community.
Visit: http://www.msmartsinc.org
What: 28th Annual Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival: "Tribute to Jaco Pastorius"
Who: Presented by MSM Arts United and host sponsor, The Black Archives History & Research Foundation of South Florida, Inc.
When: Thursday, February 28 through Sunday, March 2, 2025
Where: Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater, 819 NW 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33136
The 28th Annual Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival Weekend Schedule
2/28 PRE-FESTIVAL MIXER @ DUNNS-JOSEPHINE HOTEL (RSVP) 7:00PM - 9:00PM
3/1 JAZZ WORKSHOPS @ African Heritage Cultural Arts Center 8:00AM - 2:00PM
3/1 COLLEGE ALL-STAR CONCERT @ African Heritage Cultural Arts Center 2:00PM - 3:00PM
3/1 DINNER & JAZZ @ Lil Green House Grill (RSVP) 7:00PM - 10:00PM
3/2 JAZZ BRUNCH @ The Red Rooster Restaurant (RSVP) 11:00AM - 1:00PM
3/2 MMJF25 RED CARPET EVENT & MELTON MUSTAFA JAZZ FESTIVAL CONCERT 5:00PM - 9:00PM
@ Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater
Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater
819 NW 2nd Ave
Miami, FL 33136
786-708-4610
HOST HOTEL– Dunns-Josephine Hotel
1028 NW 3rd Ave
Miami, Florida 33136
877-571-9311 or 513-477-7781 email staywithus@dunns-josephinehotel.com
African Heritage Cultural Arts Center
6161 NW 22nd Ave
Miami, FL
305-638-6771
Lil Green House Grill
1300 NW 3rd Ave
Miami, FL 33136
Phone: 786-277-3582
Red Rooster Overtown
920 NW 2nd Ave
Miami, FL 33136
Phone: 305-640-9880
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