Concord Jazz Festival returns Aug. 4

Concord, CA – Just announced: The 2021 Concord Jazz Festival comes alive early August with five special events being dubbed “Take 5,” in honor of Concord native and Jazz legend, Dave Brubeck. These music-filled events are certain to engage and connect with the casual or passionate Jazz fan.

“We’re ecstatic to have the festival return live this year.” Says Visit Concord CEO and President, Elaine Schroth. “Last year we opted for a virtual event due to Covid so you can imagine how this year’s live events will be greatly anticipated and appreciated by locals and visitors. They’ll be able to immerse themselves in live Jazz with family, friends and fellow Jazz fanatics.”

Here is the schedule for the 2021 Concord Jazz Festival “Take 5” events:

• Wednesday, August 4: Guitar virtuoso Jinx Jones is the perfect choice to start this year’s festival. The one-time side man to the great Chuck Berry performs his style of jazz live at The Veranda as part of The Veranda Unplugged. Showtime is 6pm to 7:30pm. This event is FREE to the public!
• Thursday, August 5: A tribute to the legacy of jazz in Concord happens on the Main Stage at Music & Market in beautiful Todos Santos Plaza. The tribute will be followed by the night’s performers The Big Jangle, Tom Petty Tribute Band. Showtime is 6:30pm to 8pm. This event is FREE to the public!
• Friday, August 6: Midtown’s Concord Tap House invites locals and visitors for a night of cold craft brew, delicious food and LIVE jazz from Valente of Glib Rig. Showtime is 5pm to 7pm. Admission is FREE!
• Saturday, August 7: Visit Concord welcomes you to a special event at the Concord Visitor Center where you can listen to the summer sounds of Concord’s true aficionado of jazz, Dave Brubeck, while taking in the center and shopping Concord merchandise. Event is 12pm to 4pm. Admission is FREE and includes a 2021 reusable cold cup (while supplies last).
• Sunday, August 8: Take in a “throwback” Java & Jazz event with the Concord Historical Society featuring the Matt Zebley Jazz Quartet at Galindo Home and Gardens. CHS will have plenty of iced tea and iced coffee to cool down on a hot day. Your $15 ticket includes a collectible hot/cold cup with unlimited pours (while supplies last) and, of course, plenty of cool jazz. All proceeds benefit the Concord Historical Society! Event is 1pm to 4pm.

Participants can pick up their own exclusive Concord Jazz Festival merchandise (including tees, pins and drink ware) at the Concord Visitor Center or online at https://www.visitconcordca.com/jazz/jazz-merchandise/. Proceeds from sales will benefit multiple non-profit groups including Mt. Diablo Music Education Foundation and Blue Devils Non-Profit Special Needs Guard highlighting Concord’s passion to a thriving music legacy.

For more information and updates, go to visitconcordca.com, or follow Visit Concord on Instagram (@visitconcordca) and Facebook (@VisitConcordCA).

About the Concord Jazz Festival

Founded in 1969 by local businessman Carl Jefferson, the Concord Jazz Festival drew 17,000 attendees in its first year, and has since become one of the city’s most beloved annual events. Last year marked what would have been Concord’s own Dave Brubeck’s 100th birthday.

Visit Concord is the brand identity created for the Concord Tourism Improvement District (TID), located in San Francisco’s East Bay. Visit Concord and the TID aim to improve economic growth by building awareness and consideration of Concord as a destination for travelers and meeting and event planners. Serving as the organization that defines the brand, Visit Concord is the source of travel inspiration through creative marketing programs and unique destination events. For more information, go to visitconcordca.com.