Salem Jazz & Soul Festival Returns for 18th Annual FREE Concert Celebrating Community, Culture, and Music Education.
Contact:
Salem Jazz and Soul Festival
Email: info@salemjazzsoul.org
Website: salemjazzsoul.org
Instagram: @salemjazzandsoulfestival
Historic Salem Willows to Host Day-Long Musical Celebration on Saturday, August 16, 2025, Featuring Heavy Metal Horns, Los Sugar Kings, and Educational Workshops for All Ages
SALEM, Mass. – The Salem Jazz and Soul Festival will transform the historic Salem Willows into a vibrant celebration of music and community on Saturday, August 16, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM. This FREE, family-friendly festival continues an 18-year tradition of making world-class music accessible to all while supporting vital music education programs across Massachusetts' North Shore.
The 2025 festival lineup bridges generations and genres, headlined by the Heavy Metal Horns featuring festival co-founder Henley Douglas Jr., and the high-energy Latin jazz ensemble Los Sugar Kings. The day kicks off with the Salem High School Jazz Band at 11:00 AM, showcasing the direct impact of the festival's educational mission, and includes performances by internationally acclaimed guitarist Albino Mbie and the soulful Zayra Pola Sessions. DJ Skot Void will provide entertainment between main stage sets.
"Every year, we're reminded why we started this festival – to ensure that cost never prevents anyone from experiencing great live music," said Larry Claflin Jr., Festival President. "When we see families spread out on blankets, kids dancing, and generations coming together at Salem Willows, we know we're fulfilling our mission."
"For almost two decades the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival has enlivened our city with its amazing celebration of music and community," said Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo. "This free program brings incredible energy and positive spirit to the Salem Willows, connects kids with music education, and brings people together. It also keeps alive a remarkable history of live music, and jazz specifically, at the Willows, which dates back generations. I'm looking forward to this year's festival and want to express the City's gratitude to the musicians, volunteers, board members, and sponsors who all make it possible."
The festival carries forward a rich musical legacy established when Duke Ellington and other Big Band era musicians played at Salem Willows in the early 20th century. The venue's Charleshurst Ballroom, which once hosted Count Basie, Guy Lombardo, and Glen Miller, stood where the Willows Casino is now located.
Since its founding in 2007, the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival has raised more than $70,000 for music education initiatives and produced over 100 free concerts. The organization won the Massachusetts Cultural Council's Gold Star Award in 2013 for its outstanding contribution to arts and culture.
Festival Impact on Music Education
The festival's year-round educational initiatives include:
Monthly music series for grade-schoolers at the Salem Public Library
Music programs for homeless families at a North Shore hotel
An innovative intern program teaching audio production to local high school students
Eight-week interactive workshops for children on the autism spectrum
Scholarships for students to attend regional music camps
Grants to area group homes and after-school music programs
Equipment and funding donations to North Shore high school jazz bands
New for 2025: Expanded Educational Programming
This year's festival features an enhanced Music Education Tent with hands-on workshops throughout the day:
12:00-12:30 PM: Pop-up Percussion and Flute Jam with Steve Tapper and Shira Moss
1:30-2:00 PM: Clave: Rhythm and Dance with Patiño Vázquez (Los Sugar Kings)
3:15-3:45 PM: Arranging Video Game Music with Reset Button Brass Band
5:00-5:30 PM: The Heartbeat of Mozambique with Albino Mbie
The popular MusiKidz Tent returns, offering children the opportunity to explore and play various instruments with guidance from professional musicians and educators.
Festival Features:
Main Stage Performances: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Music Education Tent: Interactive workshops and intimate performances
MusiKidz Tent: Hands-on musical exploration for children
Artisan Marketplace: 30 vendors featuring handmade crafts and music-inspired items
Beer & Cider Pavilion: Hosted by Mercy Tavern on Mercy Tavern Lawn (21+)
Food Options: Salem Willows' legendary eateries include E.W. Hobbs (serving since 1897), Clam Shack, Holy Cow Ice Cream, Sage's Fusion Kitchen, Super Taco, and more
Transportation and Accessibility
The Salem Trolley will provide convenient transportation with stops at the National Parks Visitor Center, Blaney Street Wharf, Bentley Academy, Innovation School (free parking), and Salem Willows. Service is FREE for Salem residents with proper ID and $10 round-trip for visitors.
The 2025 festival is made possible through the generous support of the Salem Cultural Council, Massachusetts Cultural Council, 92.5 The River Boston, Peabody Essex Museum, Volvo Cars Danvers, Off Cabot Comedy & Events, Guitar Center, Mercy Tavern, and the Levitt Foundation, with Creative Collective MA serving as media partner.
Photo by John Andrews for Creative Collective
Main Stage Performance Schedule:
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Salem High School Jazz Band (Led by Cyndi Napierkowski)
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM: Zayra Pola Sessions
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Albino Mbie
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM: Los Sugar Kings
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM: Heavy Metal Horns (Led by co-founder Henley Douglas Jr.)
Event Details:
What: Salem Jazz and Soul Festival
When: Saturday, August 16, 2025, 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Where: Salem Willows, 167 Fort Avenue, Salem, MA
Admission: FREE
Info: salemjazzsoul.org | @salemjazzandsoulfestival
About the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival
The Salem Jazz and Soul Festival is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2007 by Salem residents including Henley Douglas Jr., Jonathan and Jennifer Reardon, Larry Claflin Jr., and Sarah Corbett. The festival began after Douglas shared the concept with Claflin at a 2006 New Year's party, leading to the inaugural sold-out fundraiser on April 21, 2007.
The organization is dedicated to enriching the North Shore's cultural landscape through free concerts and vital support of music education initiatives. The annual festival draws more than 6,000 visitors to Salem Willows each August while maintaining year-round programs that provide music education to underserved communities, fund scholarships, and donate instruments to local schools. The festival does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status in any of its activities or operations.