What do you get when you combine the best in jazz together with devoted fans, a beautiful white sand beach, and good old “Crystal Coast Charm”? You get the most exciting, most talked about jazz festival in the North Carolina!
The Ocean City Jazz Festival celebrates its 10th year with a tried and true formula of the top names in jazz and the vacation destination of North Topsail Beach!
History:
The Ocean City Community founded in 1949, was the only place African Americans could purchase coastal property in North Carolina, 15 years before the Civil Right Act.
In 2009, to celebrate its 60th anniversary, a Fayetteville, NC jazz saxophonist and his accompanists were invited to provide entertainment on the porch of the Community Center.
It was enjoyed by all in attendance, bringing in surrounding visitors to Topsail Island, NC and thus, the annual Ocean City Jazz Festival was launched as a vehicle to promote the history of the Ocean City Community.
Ocean City has been designated as a historical site on the Jacksonville-Onslow County African American Trail and provides a wonderful 2-day venue for jazz lovers of all ages.
The John Brown Quartet
Annual Ocean City Jazz Festival Thu, Jul 4, 2019 – Mon, Jul 8, 2019
Thursday, July 4th
Kick-off Party
with John Dillard
7:30 PM
Beer and Wine Tasting
5:00 PM
Morning Yoga and Chair Yoga Classes
Friday & Saturday Mornings at 9 AM
On Festival Site
Morning Water Activities
Find a new life-long passion in the morning, and enjoy our gold-standard jazz artist lineup in the evening.
Kayaking
Saturday July 6th at 10:15 AM
Instructions will be given to newbies, and experienced kayakers can hit the intracoastal waterway right away!
Paddle Boarding
Saturday July 6 at 10:15 AM
Instructions will be given, and 2-3 instructors will take the group out in the intracoastal waterway. Life jackets and paddle boards are provided.
Dolphin Safari
Friday, July 5 at 10:00 AM
Hop on a jet ski and you’ll be guided through the intracoastal waterway and the surrounding area to see dolphins relax, play, and feed.
Non-Profit Workshop
10 AM – Noon
Friday and Saturday
Friday Night Performances
Jazmin Ghent
5:00 PM
John Brown Little Big Band
6:15 PM
The Sax Pack featuring Jeff Kashiwa, Steve Cole and Marcus Anderson
7:30 PM
.
Saturday Night Performances
Selina Albright
5:00 PM
The Ocean City All Stars
featuring Cyrus Chestnut, Mark Whitfield, Derrick Gardner, and John Brown
6:15 PM
Eric Darius
7:30 PM
Sunday Performances
Church Under the Tent
The Right Reverend Robert C Wright
11:00 AM
Gospel Brunch
featuring Rev. Richard Dawkins
John Brown Quintet
with Guests Alvin Atkinson, Cyrus Chestnut, Tamisha Waden
12:30 PM
Gail Jhonson
5:00 PM
John Brown Quintet
featuring Alvin Atkinson
6:15 PM
Adam Hawley
with Guest Kat Hawley
and featuring Marcus Anderson
7:30 PM
