20th Annual Highland Jazz and Blues Festival

The Highland Area Partnership is thrilled to announce the 20th Anniversary of the Highland Jazz and Blues Festival presented by BOM is scheduled for Saturday, September 14, 2024 at Columbia Park located in Shreveport’s Historic Highland Neighborhood. This milestone event will showcase memorable musical performances on two stages, a children’s area, pet park, artisans, food trucks, and more. The Highland Jazz and Blues Festival is FREE to attend.
The musical lineup features local and regional favorites, along with an international award-winning musician from Louisiana. Headlining this year’s festival is emerging blues artist, D.K. Harrell, from Ruston, Louisiana. D.K. Harrell has performed at the B.B. King Symposium, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and placed 3rd out of 200+ people in the B.B. King International Blues Challenge. He is dedicated to the preservation of the Traditional Blues and wants to bring his perspective of the Blues to the world with a message that younger generations have the blues too. Other musical acts include The Shreveport Bone Society, Betty Lewis and the Executives, The LukeJazz Quartet, JaCarri Jackson and Jazz Band, Dustin Dale Gaspard, Major Handy and the Louisiana Blues Band, Pocket Chocolate, and Grammy award nominee, Buddy Flett. The Highland Jazz and Blues Festival will also showcase performances by aspiring musicians from local schools including the Creswell Blazin’ Beatz and the Bossier Parish Schools Talented Arts Program. Lastly, we will have two interactive, educational, and fun performances from Lady Chops, Northeast Louisiana Arts Council 2024 Performing Artist of the Year and former Off-Broadway “STOMP” cast member. The two stages will fill the park from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The schedule is as follows:
Pavilion Stage presented by BOM
10:30 a.m. – Buddy Flett
12: 00 p.m. – Betty Lewis and the Executives
1:00 p.m. – Lady Chops
1:30 pm – Major Handy and the Louisiana Blues Band
2:30 p.m. – The Shreveport Bone Society
3:00 p.m. – Pocket Chocolate
4:30 p.m. – D.K. Harrell
Gazebo Stage presented by AARP Shreveport-Bossier
10:30 a.m. – Creswell Blazin’ Beatz
11:00 a.m. – Lady Chops
11:30 a.m. – Bossier Parish Schools Talented Arts Program
1:00 p.m. – The LukeJazz Quartet
2:30 p.m. – JaCarri Jackson and the Jazz Band
3:30 p.m. – The Shreveport Bone Society
4:00 p.m. – Dustin Dale Gaspard
In addition to the music, throughout the park there will be more than 70 food and artisan vendors, a Children’s Area with hands-on art activities from local nonprofits, and a Pet Park area for furry friends. A FREE shuttle service sponsored by Louisiana Healthcare Connections will run continuously during the day. Merchandise and official poster sales will be located next to the Pavilion Stage.
More information about the festival weekend activities can be found at www.highlandjazzandblues.org.