The Savannah Music Festival (SMF) is pleased to announce its 2023 season, which runs from March 23 through April 8, 2023.
SMF offers distinctive live performances spanning American and international roots music, jazz, classical, jam, rock, and blues genres. Performances take place at various venues across the city.
Called “one of the Southeast’s most creative cross-cultural musical events” by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the 17-day festival has been raising the bar each year by showcasing an exceptional cross section of award-winning icons, trailblazing contemporaries and dynamic newcomers. SMF 2023 features a series of outdoor performances at Trustees’ Garden, including two nights showcasing living legend and blues pioneer Buddy Guy on his “Damn Right Farewell” tour with special guests Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Eric Gales, King Solomon Hicks and Jontavious Willis.
The Tedeschi Trucks Band returns after a four-year hiatus, and New Orleans jam favorites Galactic teams up with funk maestro Cory Wong and the jazz, R&B and pop fusion of Nate Smith + KINFOLK for a special performance.
Classical highlights include:
- The Philip Dukes & Friends chamber music series, led by the world-renowned viola player and SMF Associate Artistic Director Dukes.
- A concert by the Zurich Chamber Orchestra, also with Dukes and former SMF Artistic Director Daniel Hope, represents a symbolic passing of the baton from Hope to Dukes.
- The esteemed chamber ensemble the Emerson String Quartet makes a stop in Savannah on their final tour, the Dover Quartet performs with Savannah’s own Joseph Conyers.
- Acclaimed emerging pianists Alexander Malofeev and Drew Petersen give recitals.
Also known for unique artist collaborations, the 2023 festival will offer a number of one-time-only programs and special double bills.
Melding world music with Americana, Malian master of the ngoni (precursor to the banjo) Bassekou Kouyate performs with Jake Blount. Blount is a scholar/performer of the Black string band tradition, appearing with Nic Gareiss and Laurel Premo.
Old-time and bluegrass masters, Bruce Molsky, Tony Trischka and Michael Daves plays with The Onlies. The collaboration finds the mentors sharing the stage alongside a young, award-winning string band.
Newgrass pioneers Sam Bush and Jerry Douglas perform together. Bush’s set features the inimitable music of the late John Hartford.
Acclaimed jazz violinist Regina Carter offers “Gone in a Phrase of Air.” The original music and multimedia performance explores the urban renewal of the 1950s and 1960s.
Kenny Barron, Dave Holland and Johnathan Blake celebrate Barron’s 80th birthday, Terence Blanchard & E-Collective perform with the Turtle Island Quartet, and Grammy Award-nominated jazz singer Cécile McLorin Salvant shares the stage with vocal sextet San Salvador.
Always exceeding expectations for festival goers who are eager to discover new favorites, 2023 debut artists include:
- Terence Blanchard
- Patty Griffin
- St. Paul & the Broken Bones
- Leo Kottke
- Regina Carter
- Sona Jobarteh
- Natu Camara
- Stanton Moore Trio
- Los Lobos
- The Alt with Oisin McAuley
- Téada
- S.G. Goodman
- Harold Lopez-Nussa’s “Timba a la Americana” and more.
Additional highlights include:
- Zydeco Dance Party featuring Jeffery Broussard & The Creole Cowboys
- Latin Dance Party with Eddie Palmieri’s Latin Jazz Band
- Cajun Dance Party featuring The Lost Bayou Ramblers
Tickets start at $31 and can be purchased online at savannahmusicfestival.org, by phone at 912.525.5050 or in person at the Savannah Box Office. CONTACT: Savannah Music Festival – Ryan McMaken – info@savannahmusicfestival.org – 912.234.3378