According to Stereogum.com, the inaugural LA Jazz Festival, which was scheduled to begin on August 7, has been canceled at the last minute by organizers. The 17-day festival was set to bring artists from more than 13 countries to venues across Los Angeles, with organizers expecting approximately 250,000 attendees throughout its run. “Due to significant, unanticipated last-minute public safety and municipal costs associated with the final permitting of the On The Beach Festival, we have reached the decision to unfortunately postpone this year’s inaugural LA Jazz Festival,” organizer Martin Ludlow said in a statement.
Ludow adds: “Although this decision was an extremely difficult one to reach, our commitment to the audiences and artists participating in the festival is to have a first-class experience worthy of the great legacy of Jazz and our great city. We were encouraged by the enthusiastic support of the artists on the bill, the fans and our sponsors for this inaugural event, and we look forward to presenting all of the components of this incredible cultural opportunity for Los Angeles and the world in 2027 and beyond.”
John Legend, Janelle Monáe, Parliament Funkadelic featuring George Clinton, Raphael Saadiq and Charlie Wilson were among the artists scheduled to perform at L.A.’s Dockweiler Beach during the festival’s Jazz on the Beach closing weekend on August 22-23. The weekend was also set to feature Free Nationals & Friends, Big Freedia, Original Koffee, Joey Alexander and Ezra Collective. Other special performances and collaborations included Michelle Coltrane Celebrates the Coltrane Centennial and an appearance by the L.A. Jazz Festival Foundation Youth Band.
Photo Credit: Sharon Alagna
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