29TH ANNUAL MELTON MUSTAFA JAZZ FESTIVAL WEEKEND

Welcome to the 29th Annual Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival Weekend! Join us for a weekend filled with incredible jazz performances at the Lou Rawls Center for the Performing Arts. Get ready to groove to the smooth sounds of talented jazz musicians and enjoy a vibrant atmosphere with fellow jazz enthusiasts. Don't miss out on this unforgettable event celebrating the art of jazz!

The Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival was founded 1996 by International Jazz Trumpet Legend and Miami Native Melton Mustafa Sr. The MMJF is now considered a staple in the community and celebrates 29 years of pure Jazz. This years jazz festival is dedicated to Dr. Dawn Batson, the late Zakiyyah Mustafa and late Melton Mustafa Sr. We thank you for your dedication to the preservation of Jazz Music. This festival is a performance platform for local artists, international artists, students, educators, local businesses and the community. The MMJF29 welcomes all Jazz lovers regardless of their age, background, gender, social economic status, sexual preference, disability or education. Let's Jazz together!!!

Mustafa Jr.

29th ANNUAL MELTON MUSTAFA JAZZ FESTIVAL WEEKEND SCHEDULE

February 26 - March 1, 2026

The Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival celebrates 29 years of providing the best

Jazz in South Florida. Get ready to have an amazing time!!!

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

DAY 1 - February 26, 2026

Dinner & Jazz at Lorna's Caribbean & American Grill

Artists: The Jesse Jones Jr. Quartet featuring George Tandy, James Cotman, Julian Pratt & special guest.

7:00 - 9:00PM

LORNA'S CARIBBEAN & AMERICAN GRILL

1952 NW 27TH Ave

Miami Garden, FL. 33056

(RSVP 305-623-9760)

Dress to Impress!

DAY 2 - February 27, 2026

CIGARS, JAZZ AND SPOKEN WORD featuring the Funk Jazz All Stars

8:00 - 10:00PM

GARDENS CIGAR LOUNGE

19801 NW 27th Ave

Miami Gardens, FL 33056

Dress to Impress!

JAZZ WORKSHOPS/MASTER CLASSES
Location: Marshall L. Davis, Sr. African Heritage Cultural Arts Center

6161 NW 22nd Avenue
Miami, Florida 33142
Tickets: $20.00 for students - FREE for parents

8:00AM - 12:00PM | STUDENT BAND PERFORMANCES

12:00PM – 1:00PM | LUNCH (FOOD TRUCKS)

1:00PM - 1:45 | JAZZ WORKSHOP FEATURING GUEST ARTISTS

** COLLEGE JAZZ ALLSTAR CONCERT

1:45PM - 2:15 | FLORIDA MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY JAZZ ENSEMBLE under the direction of Zachery Bartholomew.

2:15PM - 3:00PM | BROWARD COLLEGE BIG BAND under the direction of Waldron Dunkley.

JAZZ FESTIVAL MIXER
7:00PM - 9:00PM | Jazz Mixer featuring TBA
Day 3 - February 28, 2026

Laid back jazz social event. Great networking opportunity.

Tickets: FREE (Please call to RSVP)

Location: Sonesta Select Miami Lakes

15700 NW 77th Ct.

Miami Lakes, FL 33016

RED CARPET EVENT & MMJF29 FESTIVAL CONCERT

Location: LOU RAWLS AUDITORIUM
15800 NW 42nd Ave

Miami Gardens, FL 33054

5:00PM - 6:00PM | Red Carpet Event & VIP Reception featuring FMU Jazz Combo under the direction of Zachery Bartholomew.
(Meet and greet our featured artists on the Red Carpet)

HOSTED BY: THE REAL TRACEY FIELDS

6:00PM - 7:00PM | MMJF29 FESTIVAL CONCERT

Featuring: FMU Alumni Chorale, FMU Alumni Steel Pan Ensemble, FMU Alumni Jazz Allstars - Leon Foster Thomas, Kirk Green, Doug Carter, Mark Strowbridge, James Cotman

7:00PM - 7:15PM | Intermission

7:15PM - 9:00PM | MMJF29 FESTIVAL CONCERT

Melton Mustafa Orchestra directed by Melton Mustafa Jr.
Featuring: Melton Mustafa Orchestra, South Florida’s Favorite Entertainer Jesse Jones Jr. Nicole Yarling, Leon Foster Thomas,Billy Ross, Jason Moss, Randy Emerick, Miles Fielder, Mark Griffen, Jim Gasior, Tom McCormick, Steve Sigmund, Tom Warfel, Mike Balough, Roger Umana, Dereck Sims, Dr. Courtney Jones, Jim Gasior, James Cotman, Vince Dupoint, Yamin Mustafa

Attire: Dress to impress

Tickets:

• MMJF29 Student Workshop Tickets: $20.00
• MMJF29 Red Carpet Event & Concert: $50.00 ($60 @ the Door)
• MMJF29 Red Carpet Event, VIP Reception and Concert: $80.00

*VIP Guests will sit near the performance stage and will have access to the VIP ONLY areas.

For tickets & info, visit

#MMJF29

Info: Please come camera ready and ready to mingle and network with other jazz enthusiast!!! Featuring

Info: Private VIP reception. Come meet, greet and hang out with our featured artists and enjoy some great food and drinks.

Info: Featuring: FMU Alumni Chorale, FMU Alumni Steel Pan Ensemble, FMU Alumni Jazz Allstars - Leon Foster Thomas, Kirk Green, Doug Carter, Mark Strowbridge, James Cotman

Info: The Melton Mustafa Orchestra is a 18 piece big band which was founded by International Jazz Trumpeter Melton Mustafa. The band plays in the style of Count Basie, Duke Ellington Orchestra and Frank Sinatra band. The band is known for swinging hard and showcases the finest jazz musicians in South Florida. This concert will feature South Florida's favorite entertainer Mr. Jesse Jones Jr., Jim Gasior, Nicole Yarling, Leon Foster Thomas, Billy Ross, Jason Moss, Randy Emerick, Miles Fielder, Mark Griffen, Jim Gasior, Tom McCormick, Steve Sigmund, Tom Warfel, Mike Balough, Roger Umana, Dereck Sims, Dr. Courtney Jones, Jim Gasior, James Cotman, Vince Dupoint, Yamin Mustafa and many more!!!! This band will perform original music written by Melton Mustafa and some our favorite jazz standards from the great American song book. Hosted by The Real Tracy Fields

Also check out other Music events in Miami Gardens, Entertainment events in Miami Gardens, Festivals in Miami Gardens.