The Salem Jazz and Soul Festival is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that produces free concerts and supports music-education causes on Massachusetts’ North Shore. The festival is passionately dedicated to enriching the North Shore’s cultural landscape. It orchestrates a spectacular array of free concerts that showcase a vibrant mix of jazz and soul music as well as other genres. Moreover, the organization actively fundraises to provide vital financial support to music education initiatives throughout the North Shore region, fostering the next generation of musical talent.
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
The Salem Jazz and Soul Festival (SJSF) is excited to announce its return to Salem Willows on Aug. 17, 2024 for a full day of music and celebration. This free festival will showcase a fantastic lineup of local, regional, and national bands. Our funding comes from various sources, including merchandise sales, personal contributions, grants, and corporate sponsors. We are a community-focused organization managed by a group of North Shore residents who volunteer their time to serve on our board of directors.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Since 2007, SJSF has raised more than $70,000 for music education causes north of Boston.
SOME HIGHLIGHTS
- Disbursed scholarships for students to attend regional music camps
- Made grants to area group homes and after-school music programs
- Donated money and new equipment to North Shore high school jazz bands
- Created a monthly music series for grade-schoolers at Salem Public Library and homeless families at a North Shore hotel
- Produced more than 100 free concerts
- Run an annual music-related art contest for children in elementary school
- Funded an 8-week interactive workshop for children in the autism spectrum
- Developed an intern program in which local high school students can learn audio production
- Won Massachusetts Cultural Council’s Gold Star Award in 2013
The Salem Jazz and Soul Festival does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.