ALL ABOUT THE TWIN CITIES JAZZ FESTIVAL
All performances at all venues & clinics are free & open to all!
The Twin Cities Jazz Fest is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the mission of bringing communities together to enjoy and appreciate the art form of jazz and inspire new generations of youth. What started as a small one-day event in downtown Minneapolis 24 years ago has grown into one of the largest free civic jazz festivals in the upper Midwest. The festival is located in and around Mears Park in the Lowertown neighborhood of downtown Saint Paul. There are two outdoor stages at Mears Park and one outdoor stage next to the Farmers Market. In addition, over 15 St. Paul venues have jazz programed throughout the weekend. The Jazz Fest is a walking event. Most of the stages and venues are within walking distance.
FESTIVAL FAQ’S
THE NUMBER 1 QUESTION: HOW CAN WE POSSIBLY DO THIS EVENT FOR FREE? Thanks to the support from our great sponsors, foundations, grants and of course from folks like you, we’ve been able to produce this great event for free for 24 years! Please consider making a donation so we can continue doing so. Donation
COVID RESTRICTIONS: The Twin Cities Jazz Festival follows all CDC, State & City safety guidelines. Please check back for updated information.
WHAT’S ALLOWED? Lawn chairs, blankets.
WHAT’S NOT ALLOWED? Weapons of any kind, illegal drugs, outside alcohol, vendors that support or oppose any political candidate or cause.
IS THE FESTIVAL WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE? YES! ALL venues of the festival are wheelchair-accessible. Wheelchair-accessible seating is located at the front right side of the main stage at Mears Park. Please feel free to contact any volunteer or staff for assistance. All Lowertown parking ramps are Wheelchair-accessible.
WHAT ABOUT COOLERS? Discouraged. Our free festival’s success and continuation relies upon your support of food/beverage revenues. Help keep the festival free by purchasing your food & beverages at the festival!
WHAT ABOUT RAIN: If severe weather approaches, please take shelter. Do NOT wait out a storm under a tent. Once the storm passes, the show will go on so don’t go far. There’s lots of music in many nearby indoor venues . Please check our Facebook page for any venue changes.
HOW LONG ARE THE SETS: Most sets are one hour, but headliners will perform from 75 to 90 minutes.
WHY DO THE OUTDOOR STAGES END AT 10:00 PM: City curfew.
The Twin Cities Jazz Festival is funded by our generous corporate sponsors, grants and individual donations.
– Steve Heckler Executive Director
TWIN CITIES JAZZ FEST BOARD OF DIRECTORS / STAFF
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Alden Drew – Chair
Issac Peterson
Kevin Barnes
Michael Cook
Doug Brown
Barbara Davis
Steve Heckler
Phyllis Olin
Jim Scheibel
Tio Aiken
Tara Graff
Marvin Martin
Maia Maiden
Ryan Garmoe (Student)
TEAM
Steve Heckler – Executive Director (retiring in 2023)
Dayna Martinez Co -Executive Director (transitioning to ED in 2023)
Kristine Heckler – Project Coordinator
Craig Eichhorn – Producer, Technical Director / Stage Manager
Mary Fenske & Jean Ryan (JRI) Sponsorship Inquiries
Nemer Fieger – PR/Communications
SPOT COMMUNICATIONS
John Lozoya – Director of Logistics
Tom Waitros (TJ) Food Vendor Coordinator
Marvin Martin– Director of Volunteer Programs
Steve Wiese – Creation Audio – Sound
Neil Wallace – Event Pro – Sound
Andrea Canter – Photography
Bobby Commodore – Stage Manager
Chris Wussler – Bar/Beverage Manager
Darrel Hansen – Transportation Coordinator
John Moreno – Labor Coordinator
Bryan Hauer – Website
Disclaimer: Twin Cities Jazz Fest attendees assume all risks and accept sole responsibility for any injury or illness, including COVID-19 and its variants, which attendees allege was experienced, incurred, or contracted in connection with attending an event sponsored by the Twin Cities Jazz Fest. Attendees acknowledge the highly contagious nature of COVID-19 and understand COVID-19 can be contracted anywhere in the community.
All Twin Cities Jazz Fest events follow CDC and Minnesota Department of Health guidelines. Please do not attend this event if you are not feeling well or have been in contact with anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. Masks are currently not required at Twin Cities Jazz Fest outdoor events (subject to change), but we encourage you to wear one if you have not been fully vaccinated.
