The Pensacola JazzFest, now in its 26th year, is a FREE all-jazz festival held in downtown, historic Seville Square. The Jazz Society of Pensacola (JSOP) produces the event with able assistance from a variety of corporate sponsors and community organizations. The 2-day festival, held in early spring each year, celebrates America's unique musical art form-Jazz. JSOP works all year to present this festival as its annual gift to the community, and we sincerely thank our individual and corporate donors as well as the Arts Council of Northwest Florida and the Florida Arts Council for their essential support.

With its beautiful live oaks and historic surroundings, Seville Square Park offers a perfect springtime setting for the Pensacola JazzFest. A state-of-the-art sound system brings the music to wherever you are in the park. In addition to the great music lineup, food, drinks and jazz merchandise will be offered for sale at reasonable prices. JSOP will have tents and volunteers set up for purchase of JazzFest posters, a variety of jazzy shirts and memorabilia, plus beer and wine and soft drinks (please note that the JSOP merchandise sales help support the festival). In addition, local area venders will offer some tasty food options for the hungry jazz listeners. Young people are always welcome to enjoy themselves at the play area and special offerings on the Youth Stage. Some seating is provided, but your favorite reclining lawn chair will make it just right. Please do not bring your pet dog, however, since Pensacola city ordnance prohibits dogs in the park. In addition, for those who wish a shorter walk to the park, valet parking for a nominal fee will be available in front of Dharma Blue restaurant. JSOP invites you come and enjoy two afternoons of great jazz in a beautiful place.

In spite of some rain, the 25th Annual Pensacola JazzFest 2008, held April 5 and 6, 2008, was a great success. Nationally known headliners included Butch Thompson's Big Three performing traditional jazz with his piano-banjo-trumpet trio, the Shelly Berg Trio playing high energy mainstream jazz, and the Jazz Guardians, a swinging 18-member big band stationed at Army Ft. McPherson, GA. Local artists included saxophonist Bob Maksymkow, vocalist Holly Shelton, the Guffman Trio, pianist Bobby Van Deusen, and the Dixieland Dandies. College groups included the Pensacola Junior College Jazz Band and the University of West Florida Jazz Band. Additionally, the winner of the UWF/Phillips Jazz Piano Competition, Donald Vega, performed in a trio setting and platinum recording artist Alan Hewitt presented a clinic titled "Making Music for Movies" on the Youth Stage in Fountain Park.

Quality Inn in nearby Gulf Breeze is official lodging headquarters for Pensacola JazzFest. Just across a three-mile bridge from Pensacola and JazzFest site gives easy access to our festival.