On February 18th, the inaugural Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series will commence. Over the course of two weekends, the event will host five unforgettable performances at Fort Mose State Park in St. Augustine, FL.
Artists like The Count Basie Orchestra, Amythyst Kiah, Gregory Porter, Tank And The Bangas, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, and more will take the stage, honoring the rich history of American jazz and blues music as well as the legacy of the historic venue, the first free Black settlement in what is now the United States.
In 1738, an estimated 100 Africans made Fort Mose their home and sanctuary in seeking liberation from English enslavement. To honor the history and celebrate the cultural significance of Fort Mose, the Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series will bring award-winning artists to the historic state park from February 18th–26th. Proceeds from this event will support the construction of an on-site fort representation and the development of interpretive resources.
Read on for a look at all five shows included in the Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series. For more information on Fort Most State Park, head here.
February 18th, 2022 – The Count Basie Orchestra
Event Time: 7:00 p.m. | Tickets: $65 – $115
Formed by William James “Count” Basie in 1935, the Count Basie Orchestra has continued its legacy as one of America’s premier jazz institutions to this day, nearly 40 years after the death of its founder. The orchestra has won every respected jazz poll in the world at least once, raked in 18 Grammy Awards, performed for kings, queens, and other royalty, and hosted concerts at every major jazz festival and concert hall in the world. Some of the greatest soloists, composers, arrangers, and vocalists in jazz history have worked with the group, including Lester Young, Billie Holiday, Frank Foster, Thad Jones, Sonny Payne, and many more.
On Friday, February 18th, The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra will take the stage at Fort Mose State Park. Over the course of the evening, the Count Basie Orchestra will perform two sets directed by the acclaimed Scotty Barnhart [get tickets].
February 19th, 2022 – Amythyst Kiah
Event Time: 7:00 p.m. | Tickets: $45 – $65
Amythyst Kiah has found breakout success as of late with the release of her 2021 album, Wary + Strange. The Chattanooga, TN-born multi-hyphenate musician has made her bones conjoining roots music with the alt-rock sounds that first sparked her musical passion. She has been featured in the New York Times, PEOPLE magazine, Rolling Stone, and even notched a nomination at the 2022 Grammy Awards for her Wary + Strange single, “Black Myself”.
Amythyst Kiah – “Black Myself” [Official Music Video]
On Saturday, February 19th, Amythyst Kiah will headline the Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series, closing out the first weekend of the festivities. The show will start at 7:00 p.m. with vocalist/songwriter MJbaker serving as support on the evening [get tickets].
February 24th, 2022 – Gregory Porter
Event Time: 7:00 p.m. | Tickets: $70 – $120
Brooklyn, NY-bred singer-songwriter Gregory Porter has spent his career soothing ears around the world with his silky smooth baritone vocals that float atop crisp melodies. He has twice won a Grammy for “Best Jazz Vocal Album”—2014’s Liquid Spirit and 2017’s Take Me to the Alley—and constantly pushes the boundaries of jazz, blues, soul, and gospel music.
“I would say Donny Hathaway, Nat King Cole, Bill Withers – I hear something of me in all of them that is similar to the culture that I grew up in i.e. Gospel music,” he said of his influences in a 2014 interview with UK Vibe. “I could hear the familiarity to Gospel music in the songs of someone like Ray Charles; just voices that influence my soul and are rooted in Gospel music.”
Alberto Cebollero, a St. Augustine jazz/classical/R&B musician, will join Porter as he kicks off the second weekend of the Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series on Thursday, February 24th. Doors will open at 7:00 p.m. with tickets ranging from $70 to $120 [get tickets].
February 25th, 2022 – Tank And The Bangas
Event Time: 7:00 p.m. | Tickets: $40
Tank And The Bangas’ performance will come just weeks after the announcement of their latest album, Red Balloon, a conceptual companion piece to 2019’s Green Balloon, due out on May 13th via Verve Forecast. Alongside the album announcement, Tank And The Bangas shared the lead Red Balloon single, “No ID”, which arrived as an excited yet inquisitive disco-funk jam that, paired with a music video, took listeners to a roller rink for some old-school fun.
Tank And The Bangas – “No ID” [Official Music Video]
On Friday, February 25th, Tank And The Bangas will make the trip from New Orleans, LA to St. Augustine for a show at Fort Mose State Park. The evening will see frontwoman Tarriona “Tank” Ball lead the group through its unique blend of soul, hip-hop, R&B, funk, and jazz music, complete with deep lyricism, versatile instrumentation, and infectious grooves. Ramona + The Riot will be on as support for the event [get tickets].
February 26th, 2022 – Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
Event Time: 7:00 p.m. | Tickets: $65 – $115
Another New Orleans, LA staple, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, will be on hand for the Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series. Trombone Shorty, real name Troy Andrews, has spent his career bringing his jazz stylings around the world. Best known as a trombone and trumpet player, Andrews has shared a stage and collaborated with some of the biggest names in music, including B.B. King, Jeff Beck, Mick Jagger, Lenny Kravitz, Usher, Crosby, Stills and Nash, and many more. He has performed at the iconic New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, MusiCares, the 56th Grammy Awards, made several rounds on late-night television, and even performed at The White House in both 2012 and 2015.
On Saturday, February 26th, at 7:00 p.m. Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue will close out the inaugural Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series. The event will feature support from Bronero and will start at 7:00 p.m. [get tickets].
