Jazz Month in Delray Beach
April is Jazz Month, and here in Delray Beach we are celebrating in a big way. Jazz Month is a national celebration of one of America’s greatest original art forms, born from the soul of Black American culture and shaped by generations of extraordinary musicians who turned improvisation, rhythm, and storytelling into something the whole world embraced. Every April, communities across the country come together to honor that legacy, and Delray Beach is no exception.
The Black American Story
- Saturday, April 4
- 5:00 PM
- Vintage Gymnasium at Old School Square
Chamber member Spady Cultural Heritage Museum kicks off Jazz Month with a one-of-a-kind evening. The Black American Story is a music-driven experience that blends live jazz and storytelling to explore the richness, resilience, and complexity of Black history. Featuring Brian Knowles alongside musicians Lafayette Gilchrist, Bashi Rose, and Emperor King Bishop | Solomon Selassie, the program weaves narrative and live music into something truly unforgettable. The evening also marks three major milestones: the second graduating class of the Black History Studies program, the 100th anniversary of the Spady House, and the 25th anniversary of the Spady Museum. This is history, music, and community all in one room.
Tickets: https://spadymuseum.charityproud.org/EventRegistration/Index/26707
Walter Smith III Trio
- Saturday, April 4
- 8:00 PM
- Arts Garage
Chamber member Arts Garage welcomes saxophonist Walter Smith III to celebrate the release of his new album TWIO Vol. 2, out March 2026. Smith is Chair of Woodwinds at Berklee College of Music and a veteran of the Roy Haynes Fountain of Youth Band, the Terence Blanchard Quintet, and over 100 recordings worldwide. He performs in a classic saxophone, bass, and drums trio format drawing from the jazz standard repertoire. Intimate, masterful, and not to be missed.
Tickets: https://artsgarage.org/event/walter-smith-iii-trio/
Mel & Ella Swing! featuring Billy Stritch and Gabrielle Stravelli
- Saturday, April 11
- 8:00 PM
- Arts Garage
Arts Garage brings the Great American Songbook to life with this joyful celebration of two jazz legends, Mel Tormé and Ella Fitzgerald. Iconic pianist-singer Billy Stritch, a 25-year collaborator of Liza Minnelli and former musical director for Tony Bennett, joins acclaimed vocalist Gabrielle Stravelli for an evening of beloved standards and swinging classics including The Man I Love, A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square, Cheek to Cheek, and more. A night of pure joy from two world-class performers.
Tickets: https://artsgarage.org/event/mel-ella-swing-ft-billy-stritch-gabrielle-stravelli/
Bria Skonberg
- Sunday, April 19
- 4:30 PM and 7:30 PM
- Arts Garage
Juno Award-winning trumpeter, vocalist, and composer Bria Skonberg is one of the most versatile and commanding performers in jazz today. The New York Times called her the shining hope of hot jazz and she has headlined festivals from New Orleans Jazz and Heritage to Monterey, Newport, and Montreal. Her seventh studio album, What it Means, was recorded in New Orleans with the Crescent City’s finest and released in July 2024. Two showtimes are available for this electrifying night of hot jazz.
Tickets: https://artsgarage.org/event/bria-skonberg-430pm/
Christian McBride and Ursa Major
- Saturday, April 25 at
- 5:30 PM and 8:30 PM
- Arts Garage
Save the date for the marquee event of Jazz Month. Eleven-time GRAMMY-winning bassist Christian McBride brings his quintet Ursa Major to Arts Garage for what is sure to be the concert of the year. McBride is the host of NPR’s Jazz Night in America and Artistic Director of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, and he is joined by four extraordinary young musicians: saxophonist Nicole Glover, guitarist Ely Perlman, pianist Mike King, and drummer Savannah Harris. This is next-generation jazz built on the deepest roots and two showtimes are available so grab your seats before they are gone.
Tickets for the 5:30 PM show: https://artsgarage.org/event/christian-mcbride-ursa-major-530pm/
Tickets for the 8:30 PM show: https://artsgarage.org/event/christian-mcbride-ursa-major-830pm/
April in Delray Beach is always something special, but this year with Arts Garage and the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum delivering a month of world-class jazz, it is shaping up to be truly extraordinary. Jazz Month is a reminder that live music has the power to bring people together, spark conversation, and connect us to something bigger than ourselves. We are proud to celebrate these two outstanding Chamber members and the vital role they play in making Delray Beach one of the most vibrant communities in South Florida. Get your tickets, bring a friend, and let the music move you.