Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival 2016

The Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival is produced by the Delaware Celebration of Jazz. Dennis Santangini, president; Leon Galitzin, vice president; Kas Naylor, head of hospitality; and Bing Crosby, webmaster. Cover artwork is by Mike Massengale.

Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival Parking Information

With performers playing multiple venues across the Cape Region, parking is unique to each stage.

Parking at Performing Arts Theatre at Cape Henlopen High School, Epworth United Methodist Church and Rehoboth Elementary School is located on-site and is free.

At the Baycenter in Dewey Beach, concertgoers can park on the streets.

Town officials will allow parking in posted “No Parking” areas for this weekend only, although motorists are advised not to park on private property or block driveways.

Also in Dewey, events at the Rusty Rudder will have on-site parking, although it will cost $20. Those who park at the Rudder will receive a $20 voucher for food and drink on the day of issue.

Jazz is in the air

Oct 19

Fall is the time of year when the air is crisp and is filled with smooth sounds throughout the cape region at large and small venues. Restaurants offer music and concerts take place in town. True Blue Jazz Festival kicks off another year of live straight ahead jazz Oct. 16-...

2019 Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival Program

Oct 11

ON THE COVER: Artist Mike Massengale returns as creator of this year’s program cover art, commemorating the festival’s 30th anniversary. The official Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival program was inserted into Cape Gazette’s Tuesday, Oct. 8 edition for subscribers and the Friday...

Jazz festival salutes Gerald Albright

Oct 10

Gerald Albright is a favorite of the Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival. One of the biggest stars of R & B, contemporary and straight-ahead jazz, Albright has earned his reputation as a musician’s musician. It’s the smooth stylings of this polished saxophonist and his...

Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival turns 30

Chris Flood

Oct 07

The Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival turns 30 this year, and with a lineup Oct. 17-20 featuring world-famous musicians and venues nearly sold out, festival President Denny Santangini said things are going great. “Getting butts in the seats with great musicians is what it’s all...

Jazz festival salutes John Ernesto

Chris Flood

Oct 06

This year, Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival has named another jazz festival contemporary as its producer of the year. Berks Jazz Festival General Manager John Ernesto said he was surprised to learn he had been named the Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival 2019 Producer of the Year –...

In 29th year, Rehoboth jazz fest hits high note

Cape Gazette staff

Oct 15

Less than 24 hours after the conclusion of the 29th annual Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival, Dennis Santangini said the weekend-long music celebration was absolutely fabulous. “There was huge attendance, and most of the shows were sold out,” said Santangini, who has been...

Big plans in store for 2019 Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival

Oct 12

Board members of the Delaware Celebration of Jazz, producers of the Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival, are pleased to announce the expansion of the event for 2019 to include 10 days of concerts and special events. The 2019 festival, slated for Oct. 11-20, will mark the event’s...

2018 Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival Program

Oct 12

The official Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival program was inserted into Cape Gazette’s Tuesday, Oct. 9 edition for subscribers and the Friday, Oct. 12 edition for newsstands. Flip through the pages using the arrows below to view the booklet online.

Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival teams up with Lung Force walkers

Oct 08

On Sunday afternoon, Oct. 14, the Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival will team up with the American Lung Association’s Lung Force Walk to raise funds for lung health awareness and to defeat lung cancer. The Lung Force Walks are a time to learn, promote fitness and to forge...

Jazz-inspired artwork returns to Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival

Oct 06

Jazz-inspired paintings, prints, and ceramics by Lee Hoffman, from the Will Farrow Collection, along with paintings and artwork from the collection of Sydney Arzt, known for bringing jazz to the beaches, will be on display at Cape Henlopen High School during the Rehoboth...

Matt Marshak is on a musical quest

Oct 04

Since Day One, Artist of the Year Matt Marshak’s calling has been diversity. With early days as a rock/pop sideman on New York City’s Bleeker Street to an international solo career in the funk/jazz world, he now continues his quest to expand his musical horizons. Fans can...

Chuck Snyder: Rehoboth through and through

Sep 22

The behind-the-scenes production of any live performance, show or event is varied and extensive. Producing the Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival is an ongoing, year-long endeavor. By the time the first note is struck on opening night, hundreds of people have been involved and...

Jazz all-stars rock Epworth stage

Nick Roth

Oct 15

Gerald Veasley, Lindsey Webster, Marc Antoine and others took to the stage at Epworth United Methodist Church Oct. 14 to put on an all-star performance for a sold-out crowd.

Boney James thrills Cape High crowd

Nick Roth

Oct 15

Four-time Grammy winner Boney James thrilled a sold-out crowd at Cape Henlopen High School Oct. 14 as part of the annual Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival. James performed several of his classic songs as well as a few from his 2017 album “Honestly.”

Jazz fest keeps the beat at Cape

Dan Cook

Oct 15

The 28th Annual Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival brought its high-powered sound to Cape Henlopen High School Oct. 12.

28th annual Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival underway

Ron MacArthur

Oct 14

The Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival continued its tradition of bringing national and international acts to stages throughout the Cape Region. Lalah Hathaway delighted the audience Oct. 13 at Cape High.

2017 Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival Program

Oct 10

The official Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival program will be inserted into Cape Gazette’s Tuesday, Oct. 10 edition for subscribers and the Friday, Oct. 13 edition for newsstands. A free PDF is also available to download by clicking the link below...

Saxophonist Boney James’ album ‘Honestly’ hits No. 1 on charts

Oct 03

“Tone, or the ‘sound’ of my horn is really crucial to me,” says the 4-time Grammy nominated James Oppenhein - tagged “Boney James” in his early 20s as a thin, struggling musician. The winner of four RIAA gold albums, a Soul Train award and an NAACP award nomination...

Remembering Leon Galitzin, devoted Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival Vice President

Ryan Mavity

Jun 13

Leon Galitzin, a driving force in making the Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival one of the resort’s top events, died June 11 at the age of 70. Born in Paris, Galitzin immigrated to America as a child in 1949. He became an American citizen in 1957, and his family settled in...

Jeffrey Osborne tears it up in Dewey Beach

Deny Howeth

Oct 21

R&B legend Jeffrey Osborne returned to the Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival Oct. 15 at the Baycenter in Dewey Beach with special guest Gerald Albright. His smooth, silky voice thrilled the audience with gold and platinum hits as well as more recent tunes. His energy was...

Jazz fest lights up Rehoboth Beach

Dan Cook

Oct 17

BWB takes to the Cape stage

Nick Roth

Oct 15

Jazz supergroup BWB took to the stage at Cape Henlopen High School Oct. 15 for an afternoon show at the annual Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival. Members Norman Brown, Kirk Whalum and Rick Braun have released three albums together in addition to their own solo works. See more...

Bette and Sal Gallo, cherished gifts to jazz fest, the community

Oct 14

Everyone associated with the Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival values and appreciates the generous support of Bette & Sal Gallo. As major sponsors of what is now a nationally recognized event, these two entrepreneurs have been a cherished gift not only to the festival, but...

2016 Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival Program

Oct 14

The official Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival program was inserted into Cape Gazette’s Tuesday, Oct. 11 edition for subscribers and the Friday, Oct. 14 edition for newsstands. A free PDF is also available to download by clicking the link below...

Patti Austin jump starts 27th annual jazz festival

Ron MacArthur

Oct 13

Patti Austin, named Artist of the Year, is the featured performer on the first night of the Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival. The festival continues Saturday, Oct. 15, and Sunday, Oct. 16. See a complete schedule at rehobothjazz.com.

Alex Bugnon in Jazz Meets James is must-see event

Oct 13

Meet jazz pianist and composer Alex Bugnon from Montreux, Switzerland! Alex is one of the primary keyboard elements of the Jazz Meets James event for this year’s Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival. He joins Nick Colionne, Rick Braun, Steve Cole, Eric Darius, Matt Marshak, Art...

Rippingtons to celebrate 30 years with jazz fest performance

Oct 13

Grammy®-nominated contemporary jazz group The Rippingtons was founded by guitarist and composer Russ Freeman in 1985. Russ picked up the guitar at age 10, and by the time he was 16 was playing professionally on recording sessions. After moving to L.A. from Nashville in 1978...

Norman Brown is smooth jazz at its best

Oct 13

For well over two decades, Norman Brown has enjoyed an engaging and mutually rewarding relationship with his audiences and fans. This guitarist, composer and singer blends classic R&B and contemporary jazz using his own inimitable style. As part of BWB with trumpet...

BWB delivers a trio of stellar performers

Oct 12

Think of Rick Braun, and you think of deep grooves riding over an even deeper sub-bass. Wanna hear it? Simply play Cadillac Slim on a big stereo system! Rick’s crystal-clear trumpet intro sets the stage for nothing more than a bass guitar and a tambourine. But it’s a...

Jeffrey Osborne: Showstopper returns to Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival

Oct 12

The musical apple does not fall far from the tree! Jeffrey Osborne’s father, Clarence “Legs” Osborne, played trumpet with Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington. Apparently predisposed to a lifelong affinity for music, the talented Jeffrey Osborne was born the...

Patti Austin will dazzle at Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival

Bob Yesbek

Oct 12

Patti Austin, Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival’s Artist of the Year for 2016, has been a music industry professional since the age of five. She was a protégé of Dinah Washington and Sammy Davis, Jr., and her 1969 UA single "Family Tree" cracked the R&B Top 50. Austin cut...

Get set to be uplifted, inspired at Jazz Mass

Oct 12

The choirs of All Saints’ Church and St. George’s Chapel, Rehoboth Beach and Harbeson, Hood College, Frederick, Maryland, and the Andrea Wood Jazz Quartet, NYC, will join forces this year for the annual Jazz Mass, held in conjunction with the Rehoboth Jazz Festival...

Gerald Albright to join Rippingtons for star-studded show at Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival

Oct 12

R&B, contemporary and straight-ahead jazz would not be the same without Gerald Albright. True to his longstanding reputation as a “musician’s musician,” Albright’s love of music was piqued when his piano teacher gave him a saxophone. By the time he enrolled at the...

Nick Colionne takes it to the next level

Oct 11

Chicago-born guitarist/vocalist Nick Colionne was born into the business, exploring the fretboard by the age of nine. At 15, he was already touring professionally with older musicians. He smiles as he recounts his efforts to pencil-in a fake mustache in order to fit in on...

Brian Simpson: Class act keeps delivering goods

Oct 08

Brian Simpson was born in Gurnee, Illinois. The inspired keyboardist, composer and producer sums his childhood up pretty well: “Our house was filled with music. My older brother and sister both played instruments, and my brother’s rock band rehearsed in our living room...

Ramsey Lewis’ star still on rise

Oct 07

Pianist and composer Ramsey Lewis has been a major force in contemporary jazz since the late 1950s. His welcoming style and warm personality paved the way for a rare crossover into both the R&B and pop charts. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Lewis was introduced to music by...

Van Williamson Trio returns to Rehoboth Beach Jazz Fest

Oct 04

The Van Williamson Trio will return to Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival. With new members Bob Abbott and Wes Crawford, the trio has performed for 20 years in the Washington, D.C., Annapolis and Delmarva Peninsula regions. The trio will perform on the following dates and times...

True Blue Jazz in downtown Rehoboth Beach

Ron MacArthur

Oct 25

As part of the True Blue Jazz Series, the Rehoboth Concert Band performs Oct. 17 at the Bandstand in downtown Rehoboth Beach.

Rehoboth Jazz Festival: Performers on stage and singing in the street

Dan Cook

Oct 25

The Cape Region was alive with the sounds of jazz Oct. 15-18, as performers gathered for the annual Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival.

Jazz, pizzazz invade Rehoboth Beach

Taylor Goebel

Oct 19

Music festivals are a summer favorite, but autumn is really where it's at. The pizza and hot sandwiches make you feel more like a squirrel getting ready for hibernation than someone with major food baby regret. The sun may be out but it's not burning backs. And the air has...

Bettye LaVette lays down the soul at jazz fest

Deny Howeth

Oct 18

Bettye LaVette thrilled listeners with her vocals filled with soul and history Oct. 17 at Epworth UMC during Rehoboth Jazz Festival. Check back at capegazette.com for more photographs of the performance and see more coverage next week in the print edition of the Cape...

Jarreau performs to sold out jazz festival crowd

Ron MacArthur

Oct 17

Al Jarreau – seven-time Grammy winner – was headline performer Oct. 16, at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center.

BWB, Sax Pack kick off Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival

Nick Roth

Oct 16

Jazz trios BWB and the Sax Pack played to a full crowd at the Cape Henlopen High School theatre Oct. 15, kicking off the 2015 Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival. The festival will continue throughout the weekend with concerts in Lewes and Rehoboth Beach. View the full schedule in...

True Blue Jazz series opens with South African jazz vocalist

Deny Howeth

Oct 15

The Fred Hughes Trio returned to Rehoboth Oct. 14, as part of the True Blue Jazz Series at Clear Space Theatre. Pianist Hughes joined bassist Amy Shook and drummer Frank Russo. Featured artist with the threesome was South African jazz vocalist Vuyo Sotache, first-place...

Coloring jazz with Shades of Blue

Taylor Goebel

Oct 15

It is Christy Taylor’s final lesson of the night. For the other woman sitting at the keyboard, it is the first of many. As she pushes her fingers onto the instrument with Taylor’s instruction, the sun ducks, sooner every evening as autumn crawls in. A last-of-the-summer...

2015 Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival Program

Oct 14

A free PDF of the Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival program is available to download by clicking the link below. 2015 REHOBOTH BEACH JAZZ FESTIVAL PDF »

Peabo Bryson, Gerald Albright to share stage

Oct 13

Peabo Bryson has established a career as one of the premier male vocalists in contemporary music of the last quarter century. Possessing a beautifully rich, almost operatic voice, this two-time Grammy Award-winner has survived and prospered despite the passage of time and...

Bettye LaVette will dazzle audience Oct. 17

Oct 13

Bettye LaVette has emerged as one of the most dynamic purveyors of the genre known as soul music by way of recordings and electrifying stage performances worldwide. LaVette will take the stage for a special Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival performance at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct...

Fourplay celebrates silver anniversary

Oct 13

Exploring the limitless possibilities of jazz has allowed Fourplay to evolve musically, drawing musical elements from a wide range of styles, to hone their own unique and innovative sound. The quartet performs at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Performing Arts Theatre...

Cool Canadians: Four80East to fill dance floor

Oct 13

Four80East is an electro-jazz collective that’s all about the groove. Mixing jazz with soul music and electronic production, the Canadian producer duo of Rob DeBoer and Tony Grace have created a signature bass-propelled sound that entrances listeners of their recordings and...

Just in Thyme for jazz fest

Oct 13

Just in Thyme, located on Route 1 at Robinson Drive, between Rehoboth and Dewey Beaches, will feature a full slate of live entertainment for jazz festival weekend. The fun starts Friday, Oct. 16, when Just in Thyme will showcase the Michael Arenson Trio from 6 to 10 p.m...

Bugnon, Marshak, Cole share the stage

Oct 13

From Montreux, Switzerland, pianist Alex Bugnon's life was surrounded by the atmosphere of the famous Montreux Jazz Festival; which instigated his love of the jazz piano. His uncle, the legendary Donald Byrd, and dear friend Herbie Hancock, shaped this artist’s unparalleled...

Stanley Jordan at Epworth is a must-see

Oct 13

In a career that took flight in 1985 with commercial and critical acclaim, guitar virtuoso Stanley Jordan has consistently displayed a chameleonic musical persona of openness, imagination, versatility and maverick daring. Be it bold reinventions of classical masterpieces or...

Art Sherrod Jr. brings urban jazz Oct. 17

Oct 13

Smooth and urban jazz saxophonist Art Sherrod Jr. returns to Rehoboth for a performance at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at The Rusty Rudder in Dewey Beach. Club Phred will also perform at the free concert. At age 5 Sherrod was singing in the choir, and at age 13 he joined the...

Boney James: The return of a jazz giant

Oct 13

Four-time Grammy® nominee and multi-platinum-selling saxman Boney James will perform at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Performing Arts Theatre at Cape Henlopen High School. James’ 15th CD, “Futuresoul” contains 10 original songs produced and written or co-written by James...

Rehoboth will be jazzed

Oct 12

The 2015 Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival: Thursday, Oct. 15 through Sunday, Oct. 18. For tickets and information go to rehobothjazz.com or call 800-595-4849. An asterisk * denotes an...

David P. Stevens: From Philly with love

Oct 12

Most contemporary urban jazz artists take a few years off between albums these days, but multi-talented composer and guitarist David P. Stevens, true to the name of his critically acclaimed 2013 album, had an Epiphany right after its release. The versatile artist who...

Kim Waters will delight at Rudder show

Oct 12

Saxophonist, composer and producer Kim Waters is a trendsetter in the world of contemporary jazz. He has scored ten No. 1 hits, recorded 13 chart-topping albums and sold over a million records, placing him among the top 5 best-selling instrumentalists in contemporary jazz...

Trio to sizzle at late-night show

Oct 12

As a stellar guitarist and vocalist, Nick Colionne has been described as one of the most exceptional performers to come along in a long time. Honored as Artist of the Year at this jazz festival in 2011, his musical style will give the discerning jazz fan a real treat. Don’t...

Al Jarreau shines

Oct 12

Al Jarreau’s unique vocal style is one of the world’s most precious treasures. His innovative musical expressions have made him one of the most exciting and critically-acclaimed performers of our time with seven Grammy® Awards, scores of international music awards and...

Guitarist Williamson marks 25 years at jazz festival

Oct 12

Guitarist Van Williamson will perform at his 25th Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival with his trio - Tom Anthony on electric and string bass and Wes Crawford on drums. The trio has a full roster of events coming up: • Thursday, Oct. 15, 6 to 9 p.m., Dos Locos Restaurant, 208...

Groove with BWB and the Sax Pack

Oct 12

Individually, they are three titans of contemporary music: Rick Braun, the gifted trumpeter/flugelhornist with the golden voice; Grammy-winning tenor saxophonist Kirk Whalum, the Memphis-born wunderkind who mixes Beale Street, gospel, the blues and bop; and Norman Brown,...

Jazz holds a special place in Calagione's heart

Maddy Lauria

Oct 07

There was once a time when Sam Calagione, the charismatic face of Dogfish Head and avid supporter of the local arts and business communities, did judge an album by its cover. He grew up on the sounds of Frank Sinatra and Barbara Streisand, music suited for a clean-cut...

Cape jazz students take center stage Oct. 17 on Bandstand

Sep 30

Aspiring musicians from Cape Henlopen High School will let their creative juices flow as they appear Saturday, Oct. 17 at a free concert from noon to 3 p.m. at the Rehoboth Bandstand. The event is hosted by the 2015 True Blue Jazz Series. “Our True Blue Mission is...

Fralinger Mummers String Band returns to Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival

Sep 25

The Fralinger Mummers String Band will return to the Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, for a performance in downtown Rehoboth Beach. The free family concert will take place at 219 Rehoboth Ave. in front of the Rehoboth Beach Fire Department. The...

True Blue Jazz series returns to Rehoboth Beach

Sep 15

True Blue Jazz, an independent, nonprofit jazz series produced by Eddie Sherman and Peggy Raley, will return to Rehoboth Beach Oct. 14-17 for four nights of live straight-ahead jazz. A series of tour de force performances by top-notch regional and international artists will...

2015 Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival Photos

Sway to the sweet memory of last year’s festival by checking out our photo galleries! Past program PDFs are also available for free download in the Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival Archive.