For 30 years the North Carolina Jazz Festival has brought world-class jazz musicians to Wilmington and the Cape Fear Coast.During the weekend of February 4 through 6, the North Carolina Jazz Festival (a 2010 Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Event) will celebrate those 30 years with concerts by more than a dozen traditional jazz artists who perform in a cabaret-style setting at the Hilton Wilmington Riverside's newly renovated ballroom. Fans can see and hear their favorite traditional jazz musicians perform live, along with opportunities to meet and mingle with the artists.
This year's North Carolina Jazz Festival kicks off on Thursday night with a "Styles of Jazz" concert vocalist Stephanie Nakasian & the Hod O'Brien Trio; New Orleans style jazz by the Duke Heitger Sextet; and local favorites Grenaldo Frazier (piano, vocals) and Kevin Kolb Quartet.
On Saturday morning festival patrons will enjoy a musical birthday cruise along the Cape Fear River with New Orleans style jazz and North Carolina barbecue. On Friday and Saturday nights the festival features 14 world-renowned musicians.
Presented in partnership with the Cape Fear Jazz Society, the North Carolina Jazz festival is the only traditional jazz festival of its size from Virginia to Georgia. Advance reservations are recommended, as this event often sells out. Individual concert ticket prices vary.
Wilmington & North Carolina’s Cape Fear Coast beckons year-round with a historic riverfront town and the island communities of Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach.
For more information about top events in North Carolina, take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in North Carolina at www.topeventsusa.com/state-events-north-carolina.html
Or, take a look at the official web site for Wilmington/Cape Fear Coast CVB at www.cape-fear.nc.us/