40th Annual Seacoast Jazz Festival

In partnership with
FESTIVAL POSTPONED TO SCHEDULED RAIN DATE:  SUNDAY AUG 27

The 40th Annual Seacoast Jazz Festival, in partnership with Prescott Park Arts Festival, with presenting sponsor, Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club is back on the Wilcox Main Stage on Sunday, August 27. Headliners Orrin Evans with Special Guest Tia Fuller, and Steven Bernstein with his Millennial Territory Orchestra will make this year’s Jazz Festival unlike any other in its history!

We are delighted to present the annual festival that will feature a host of local, regional, and international talent, amplifying the different styles of jazz. The festival has a tremendous history on the seacoast. The first festival was held in 1983 under the name, Portsmouth Jazz Festival. For the last 26 years, it has been known as the Tommy Gallant Jazz Festival, to honor legendary local jazz pianist and composer, Tommy Gallant. It has now become the Seacoast Jazz Festival in the hopes to expand the festival’s reach in the future as a destination event featuring acclaimed jazz artists from around the globe.

The Seacoast Jazz Festival is a part of the Prescott Park Arts Festival taking place at Prescott Park in Portsmouth, NH.  The Festival has a suggested donation of $10, and is general admission.  Picnic blankets and tables can be reserved and rented from the Prescott Park Arts Festival.

The Seacoast Jazz Festival is a part of the PortsmouthNH 400 festivities, celebrating with Portsmouth in its 400th year!

A sincere thank you to this year’s presenting sponsor, Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club, and event sponsors, Morgan Stanley, Michael and Rebecca Harrison, and Live from Matt’s House, LLC.

2023 Seacoast Jazz Festival Lineup
Presenting Sponsor
Event Sponsors
Michael and Rebecca Harrison
Live from Matt’s House, LLC
   1pm Chris Humphrey and the Voice of Clark Terry
   2pm Emilio Teubal Trio
   3pm YellowHouse Blues Band
   4pm Soggy Po’ Boys
   5pm Steven Bernstein’s Millennial Territory Orchestra
   6:15pm Orrin Evans with Special Guest Tia Fuller

Rain Date: Sunday, August 27

Seacoast Jazz Festival Week

One day of jazz just isn't enough!  To get ready for the big day, we've partnered with The Dance Hall just across the river in Kittery to bring you two pre-festival shows to whet your whistle.

Thursday, August 24  |  6-7PM
        Emilio Teubal Trio Concert/Workshop
Emilio Teubal's music has a strong influence from Argentine folk music. In this workshop the band will explain the basic rhythmic elements that make a Chacarera, a Zamba and other styles of Argentine music, and how those elements are modified and adapted to the modern vocabulary of Emilio's compositions. 
The workshop and the concert are intertwined, and it is open to all: professional and/or amateurs musicians, or just music lovers or audience members curious to learn about new music.
Friday, August 25  |  8-9:30PM       
        Seacoast Jazz Festival Kickoff Concert: Anick/Klaxton Quintet
The Dance Hall is excited to host the kickoff concert for the 2023 Tommy Gallant Jazz Festival, featuring none other than Seacoast favorites, Jason Anick and Chris Klaxton. Joining forces with some of the top jazz musicians in the seacoast area for this special performance (Mike Effenberger on keys, Eric Von Oeyen on drums, and Matt Hogan on Bass), they will perform an eclectic mix of contemporary jazz and creative arrangements of pop tunes. 
Seacoast Jazz Society