Salem Jazz and Soul Festival

03/28/2025

We had such a fun time last night at All Souls Lounge raising money for the festival's mission! Thanks to ownership and staff, and to those of you who turned up. We appreciate your support!

Send a message to learn more

03/23/2025

📅 THIS THURSDAY NIGHT: March 27th! 🎵

Join us for a groovy fundraiser at where 15% of EVERY food & drink purchase supports the Salem Jazz & Soul Festival! From happy hour until closing, enjoy soulful vibes while savoring their legendary grilled cheese sandwiches, gourmet hot dogs, and craft cocktails in Salem's favorite neighborhood hangout.

No tickets needed—just bring your appetite and love for music! Your evening out helps keep our summer festival FREE while funding vital music education programs across the North Shore.

The vintage jukebox might take a break, but the soul-stirring atmosphere continues all night. Come support local music, enjoy great food, and help us preserve Salem's rich jazz legacy!

03/23/2025

📣 SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT 📣

Today we're celebrating Salem Historical Tours & Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour - a devoted festival supporter who shares our passion for preserving Salem's rich cultural heritage! 👻🎵 Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tours & Salem Historical Tours

Established in 1997, they're Salem's oldest independent walking tour company, operating from their historic 1805 Custom House. For over 25 years, they've been doing for Salem's history what we're doing for its musical legacy - keeping it alive, accessible, and relevant for new generations.

Their knowledgeable guides lead several immersive experiences, including the original Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour, the comprehensive 1692 Witchcraft Walk, and Salem 101 General History Tour. Beyond these signature offerings, they provide specialized experiences exploring Salem's maritime history, revolutionary war perspectives, and even Salem's connections to HP Lovecraft!

The parallels between our organizations run deep - just as we celebrate the jazz heritage of Salem Willows where Duke Ellington once performed, Salem Historical Tours honors the multiple layers of our city's 400-year history through expert storytelling and community engagement.

We're grateful for partners like Salem Historical Tours who understand that preserving cultural heritage - whether through music or historical narratives - strengthens our community and enriches our shared experience.

Tours depart from 8 Central Street, Salem, MA 01970. Visit their website at www.SalemHistoricalTours.com or call (978) 745-0666 to book your historical adventure!

03/22/2025

✨ VENDOR APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN ✨
Be part of Salem's musical legacy! The Salem Jazz and Soul Festival is seeking creative vendors for our 2025 celebration of jazz, soul, and community. Information can be found on our website. salemjazzsoul.org

🎷 FESTIVAL DETAILS:

Saturday, August 16, 2025
Historic Salem Willows
11AM to 7PM
FREE admission for attendees
Expected attendance: 6,000+

📌 VENDOR INFORMATION:

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis
All selections will be announced in mid-June
Limited spaces available - apply early!
Preference for handmade and music-inspired items

⚠️ PLEASE NOTE:

Food and beverage vendors not accepted for this event
No shared tents permitted

Since 2007, the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival has raised over $70,000 for music education while producing 100+ free concerts. Your participation helps us continue this vital work in our community!
Apply today through the link in our bio! 🎵

03/15/2025

📣 SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT 📣

This week we're shining the spotlight on Mercy Tavern, an incredible supporter of the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival! 🎵 Mercy Tavern

Located at 148 Derby Street in Salem, Mercy Tavern isn't just any gastropub – it's a community hub where music and social responsibility meet. Their commitment to our festival reflects their broader dedication to Salem's vibrant cultural scene.

What makes Mercy special? Their "Farm to Fork" philosophy brings you seasonal, locally-sourced dishes (don't miss the famous Mercy Burger and Truffle Fries with roasted garlic!), while their dedication to live music – hosting performances up to five days a week – makes them natural partners for our festival.

The name "Mercy" reflects their core values of strength through unity and compassion – values we share as we work to make music accessible to everyone in our community. A portion of every bill at Mercy goes directly to community causes, making your dining experience doubly meaningful.

As we prepare for this year's Salem Jazz and Soul Festival, we're grateful for sponsors like Mercy Tavern who understand that music brings us together and strengthens our community bonds.
Visit them at 148 Derby Street, Salem, MA and experience for yourself why they're such perfect partners for our festival!

03/15/2025

📣 MAKING MUSIC MATTER IN OUR COMMUNITY 📣

From Duke Ellington's historic performances at Salem Willows to today's vibrant festival, we're not just creating concerts—we're building a legacy of music education across the North Shore!
Since 2007, we've:

*Raised over $70,000 for music education
*Produced 100+ FREE concerts for our community
*Funded scholarships to regional music camps
*Donated instruments to local school programs
*Created audio production internships for high school students
*Established workshops for children of all abilities

Every donation to our crowdfunding campaign (Link in bio) directly supports these initiatives that make REAL change in our community. Music education changes lives, and we're making it accessible to everyone.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 16, 2025, at Salem Willows for our next festival! 🎵

03/14/2025

📣 SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT 📣

Today, we celebrate one of our longest-standing supporters: The Lobster Shanty! 🦞

For over 40 years, this beloved Salem institution has been serving up classic New England fare with zero pretense and 100% heart. Their support helps us keep the music playing freely for our entire community!

When you visit The Lobster Shanty, you're experiencing a genuine piece of Salem's character - a place where "you can let your freak flag fly" while enjoying both traditional and Connecticut-style lobster rolls on their covered deck. Don't miss their famous lobster martini! 🍸

This "little place with a big heart" embodies the same community spirit that drives our festival—welcoming everyone, supporting local culture, and creating spaces for people to come together.
Next time you enjoy one of our free concerts, remember that sponsors like The Lobster Shanty help us keep music accessible while supporting education initiatives across the North Shore.

🗓️ MARK YOUR CALENDARS! The Lobster Shanty opens for the 2025 season on April 1st!

Visit them at 25 Front Street, Salem, MA 01970 and tell them the Jazz & Soul Festival sent you!

03/12/2025

📅 MARK YOUR CALENDAR:
Thursday, March 27th! 🎵

Join us ALL NIGHT at where 15% of EVERY food & drink purchase goes directly to supporting the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival!

Groove to jazz, funk & soul while enjoying their famous grilled cheese sandwiches, gourmet hot dogs, and classic cocktails in a true neighborhood vibe. Their vintage jukebox might take a break, but the soulful tunes will keep flowing all evening!
Come hungry, leave happy knowing you're helping keep our summer festival FREE and supporting music education across the North Shore!

No tickets, no cover—just good food, great drinks, and groovy vibes for a good cause.

03/10/2025

From Big Band to Big Impact: Support the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival's Mission

When the legendary Duke Ellington played at Salem Willows decades ago, he helped establish a musical legacy that we're honored to continue today—but we need your help to keep the rhythm going.

Since 2007, the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival has produced over 100 FREE concerts while raising more than $70,000 for music education causes throughout the North Shore. Our impact spans from distributing scholarships for music camps to creating programs for children on the autism spectrum, from donating equipment to high school jazz bands to providing audio production internships for local students.

On August 16, 2025, we'll return to the historic Salem Willows for another day of incredible free music—but producing a free festival with real impact requires community support.
Your contribution to our crowdfunding campaign directly supports:

Maintaining FREE admission for everyone in our community
Expanding our educational programs across the North Shore
Supporting our instrument donation program for local schools
Funding our high school audio production internship program
Creating workshops for children of all abilities

Join us in preserving Salem's musical legacy while empowering the next generation of musicians. Together, we can ensure that music remains accessible to all community members.

https://fundly.com/salem-jazz-and-soul-festival-2025 #

Every donation, no matter the size, helps keep the music playing. Thank you for your support!

To offset the cost of producing the nonprofit Salem Jazz and Soul Festival's 2025 season, its 19th, in support of its cause -- free concerts and music ed...

03/08/2025

BE THE HEARTBEAT OF THE FESTIVAL

The Salem Jazz and Soul Festival returns to The Willows on Saturday, August 16th, and WE NEED YOU to make the magic happen!

Volunteer positions are now open for our FREE community celebration of music, education, and Salem's rich jazz heritage.

Choose your perfect role:

Stage crew (setup, hands, breakdown)
Education tent assistants
Beer tent crew (TIPS certification needed for some positions)
General setup and cleanup teams
And more!

Volunteering isn't just about helping out—it's about being part of something special.

Every volunteer directly supports our mission of providing free concerts and funding music education across the North Shore.

No slots are filled yet, so grab your friends and secure your spot in making this year's festival unforgettable.

Volunteer with the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival SIGN UP TODAY! As an all-volunteer-run organization, we can’t produce free concerts and raise funds for music education initiatives without HELP FROM the VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY! Since our founding in 2007, we've proudly produced over 100 free concerts a...

03/07/2025

THAT'S A WRAP on our most successful Mardi Gras fundraiser yet!

We're still buzzing from the incredible energy at our sold-out "Night of New Orleans Jazz & Soul" at Backbeat Brewing Company! The Jambalaya Horns had everyone dancing, the community showed up in full force, and together we raised vital funds for music education across the North Shore.

None of this would be possible without our generous sponsors and supporters who believe in our mission of preserving Salem's rich jazz legacy while creating new opportunities for musical education and expression.

We've put together a proper thank you to everyone who made this magical night happen. Check out our full blog post to see all the wonderful businesses and individuals who support free music and education in our community!

Don't forget to mark your calendars for the main event:
📅 Salem Jazz and Soul Festival 2025
Saturday, August 16th at Salem Willows
FREE admission from 11AM-7PM

Together, we're keeping the music playing for generations to come.

The Salem Jazz and Soul Festival extends our deepest gratitude to everyone who made our "Night of New Orleans Jazz & Soul" Mardi Gras fundraiser an incredible success!

03/06/2025

Throwback to our 2016 Festival at Salem Willows!

Nearly a decade ago, these magical moments captured the spirit that continues to drive our mission today - creating community through the power of music. This brings back memories of incredible performances and sunshine-filled days by the water.

When Duke Ellington played close by almost 100 years ago, he was starting a tradition we're proud to continue in 2025.

Mark your calendars for Salem Jazz and Soul Festival 2025: Saturday, August 16 at Salem Willows (167 Fort Ave) from 11AM-7PM. Always FREE!

What's YOUR favorite festival memory from over the years? Share in the comments!

02/28/2025

While our Sunday Mardis Gras fundraiser is sold out, you have TWO MORE chances to see Jambalaya Horns, tonight and tomorrow at Gloucester Stage Co.!

SHOWS Feb 28 JAMBALAYA MARDI GRAS @ Gloucester Stage Night I Friday, February 28, 2025 7:30 PM 9:00 PM Gloucester Stage (map) Google Calendar ICS Join the Jambalaya Horns with special Guest Henri Smith for night one of our 2025 Mardi Gras Celebration!Tickets $25-$35ALL AGES!Tickets: https://glou...

02/27/2025

Our Mardis Gras event this Sunday is sold out. There will be no tickets sold at the door. If you'd like to support the festival, please check out our Donation page. Thank you.

Donate NowMusic is a unifier of cultures, communities, conversation and collaboration. No matter the age, beliefs, life status or education level, music is the THING that unites us. MUSIC’S effects of positive change to the lives and well-being of people, specifically our youth, has been studied, ...

02/22/2025

Dan from Marblehead Cycle has always been so generous to the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival over the years, donating several bicycles to auction at our fundraisers. He's done it again this year, offering up a cool, beach cruiser. We look forward to seeing you all on March 2! Thanks, Dan!

Built with an aluminum frame for the perfect blend of durability and lightness, this cruiser invites you to experience the essence of summer all year long. Whether you prefer a leisurely single-speed journey or crave the versatility of a 7-speed option, the Tuesday August Series delivers a ride that...

02/19/2025

🚨 ONLY 15 TICKETS LEFT! 🚨

Get ready for Mardi Gras magic!
are bringing the soul of New Orleans to Beverly on March 2 at 🎺

Join us for an unforgettable evening of funk & soul to support the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival. Every ticket helps fund free community concerts and music education across the North Shore! 🎵

📅 Sunday, March 2nd
⏰ 5-8 PM (Music 6-8 PM)
📍 Backbeat Brewing Company, Beverly
💵 $20 advance / $25 at door
🎟️ Limited tickets remaining - grab yours now before they're gone!

Full bar & kitchen open throughout the event. Don't miss the raffles and auctions!

Tickets and info: salemjazzsoul.org/events

02/15/2025

Yesterday, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem Massachusetts honored the festival and former board member Brian Cogger for all the amazing work he's done running music workshops at the club. Special thanks to Coffee Time Bake Shop for donating the cake and to Joyce Arcisz for coordinating!

02/12/2025

CALLING ALL ARTISANS & MAKERS!

The Salem Jazz and Soul Festival is now accepting vendor applications for our 2025 festival! Join us for a day of music, community, and creativity at historic Salem Willows.

📅 Saturday, August 16, 2025
📍 Salem Willows, Salem, MA
⏰ 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM

VENDOR DETAILS:
💫 10'x10' space: $150
✨ Handmade and music-inspired items preferred
🎪 Limited spaces available
📝 Rolling acceptance process
🎵 Final decisions made by mid-June

IMPORTANT NOTES:

No food/beverage vendors for this event
No shared tents permitted
Larger spaces: Contact us directly
Payment info sent via email after acceptance ⚠️ Beware of scams - we NEVER request payment through social media

About Us: The Salem Jazz and Soul Festival is a nonprofit organization dedicated to producing free concerts and supporting music education programs across Massachusetts' North Shore. Your participation helps us continue this mission!

Ready to apply? https://www.salemjazzsoul.org/vendor-applications-sjsf