SAINT PAUL, Minn. — The Twin Cities Jazz Festival, presented by AARP Minnesota, will return to Saint Paul’s Lowertown Arts District on June 20-21, 2025, offering a free, all-ages celebration of jazz. The event will feature performances on the Jazz88 Main Stage in Mears Park and various other venues throughout the city.
Executive Director Dayna Martinez announced the festival’s headliners, with a full schedule set to be released in April.
Friday, June 20, 2025
8:30 p.m. – Emmet Cohen Trio with special guests The Four Freshmen
Jazz pianist and composer Emmet Cohen, a key figure in contemporary jazz, will perform alongside The Four Freshmen, a vocal group renowned for their harmonic artistry.
6 p.m. – Doreen’s Jazz New Orleans
Led by clarinetist Doreen Ketchens, this group brings an energetic mix of jazz, blues, and gospel, having performed in 47 states and 24 countries.
4 p.m. – Adi Yeshaya Jazz Orchestra featuring Jennifer Grimm
Saturday, June 21, 2025
8:30 p.m. – Catherine Russell and Sean Mason
Acclaimed jazz vocalist Catherine Russell joins pianist Sean Mason to showcase selections from their latest album, My Ideal.
6 p.m. – L.A. Buckner and BiG HOMiE
Twin Cities drummer Arthur “L.A.” Buckner blends gospel, R&B, hip-hop, African rhythms, and jazz in his high-energy project, BiG HOMiE.
4 p.m. – Patty Peterson presents Jazz Women All Stars
2 p.m. – Society of Chemists
Additional highlights
Friday, June 20, 7:30 p.m. – Las Guaracheras, an all-female salsa band from Colombia, will perform on the Jazz on 5th Street Stage.
Saturday, June 21, 4 p.m. – The Leslie Parker Dance Project’s an experiment pt II will be staged at the Cedar Cultural Center, featuring a live jazz ensemble. This performance is funded by the Cultural Districts Art Fund of the City of Minneapolis.
Founded in 1999, the Twin Cities Jazz Festival is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting jazz. Now one of the Midwest’s largest free jazz festivals, it continues to draw music lovers from across the region.
For more information, visit TwinCitiesJazzFestival.com or follow @tcjazzfestival on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
Sponsors:
- Presenting sponsor: AARP Minnesota
- Main stage sponsor: Jazz88