Jesse Jones Jr.

Leon "Foster" Thomas

Mark Strowbridge

Doug Carter

James Cotman

Nicole Yarling

George Tandy Sr

The Real Tracy Fields

Melton Mustafa Orchestra

Kirk Green

Dr. Dawn Batson

Mark McClary & The Funk Jazz Allstars

Broward College Jazz Ensemble/Waldron Dunkley

FMU Young Lions Jazz Combo/Dr. Zachary Bartholomew

Gia Wyre

Jerald Dorsett/ DEB'I United

Melton Mustafa Jr.

Wildmayer Marcelin & The Funk Jazz Allstars

New World School of the Arts/Jim Gasior

Jaquan Hunter & The Funk Jazz Allstars

29TH ANNUAL MELTON MUSTAFA JAZZ FESTIVAL WEEKEND

MSM ARTS United, Inc.

The Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival returns to Florida Memorial University for an unforgettable jazz concert honoring Dr. Dawn Batson.

Lou Rawls Center for the Performing Arts

Welcome to the 29th Annual Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival Weekend! Join us for a weekend filled with incredible jazz performances at the Lou Rawls Center for the Performing Arts. Get ready to groove to the smooth sounds of talented jazz musicians and enjoy a vibrant atmosphere with fellow jazz enthusiasts. Don't miss out on this unforgettable event celebrating the art of jazz! THE 29TH ANNUAL MELTON MUSTAFA JAZZ FESTIVAL WEEKEND The Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival was founded 1996 by International Jazz Trumpet Legend and Miami Native Melton Mustafa Sr. The MMJF is now considered a staple in the community and celebrates 29 years of pure Jazz. This years jazz festival is dedicated to Dr. Dawn Batson, the late Esaa Mustafa, the late Zakiyyah Mustafa and late Melton Mustafa Sr. We thank you for your dedication to the preservation of Jazz Music. This festival is a performance platform for local artists, international artists, students, educators, local businesses and the community. The MMJF29 welcomes all Jazz lovers regardless of their age, background, gender, social economic status, sexual preference, disability or education. Let's Jazz together!!! Mustafa Jr. 29th ANNUAL MELTON MUSTAFA JAZZ FESTIVAL WEEKEND SCHEDULE February 26 - March 1, 2026 The Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival celebrates 29 years of providing the bestJazz in South Florida. Get ready to have an amazing time!!! SCHEDULE OF EVENTS DAY 1 - February 26, 2026Dinner &amp; Jazz at Lorna's Caribbean &amp; American GrillArtists: The Jesse Jones Jr. Quartet featuring George Tandy, James Cotman, Julian Pratt &amp; special guest. 7:00 - 9:00PM LORNA'S CARIBBEAN &amp; AMERICAN GRILL19752 NW 27TH AveMiami Garden, FL. 33056(RSVP 305-623-9760)Dress to Impress! DAY 2 - February 27, 2026CIGARS &amp; JAZZ AT THE GARDENS CIGAR LOUNGE featuring the Funk Jazz All Stars 8:00 - 10:00PM We would love to invite all cigar and jazz lovers to come vibe with the amazing Funk Jazz Allstars at the premier cigar lounge in Miami Gardens. Featuring FMU Alumni Wildmayer Marcelin, Mark McClary, Raignor Rollocks, Joel Chinnery, Jaquan Hunter and special guests! GARDENS CIGAR LOUNGE19801 NW 27th AveMiami Gardens, FL 33056Dress to Impress! DAY 3 - February 28, 2026JAZZ WORKSHOPS/MASTER CLASSES Location: Marshall L. Davis, Sr. African Heritage Cultural Arts Center6161 NW 22nd Avenue Miami, Florida 33142 Tickets: $20.00 for students - FREE for parents 8:00AM - 12:00PM | STUDENT BAND PERFORMANCES12:00PM – 1:00PM | LUNCH (FOOD TRUCKS)1:00PM - 1:45 | JAZZ WORKSHOP FEATURING GUEST ARTISTS** COLLEGE JAZZ ALLSTAR CONCERT1:45PM - 2:15 | FLORIDA MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY JAZZ ENSEMBLE under the direction of Dr. Zachary Bartholomew.2:15PM - 3:00PM | BROWARD COLLEGE BIG BAND under the direction of Waldron Dunkley. DAY 3 JAZZY MIXER 7:00PM - 9:00PM | MMJF29 Jazz Mixer MMJF29 Jazzy Mixer Come ready to relax, listen to some great Jazz and mingle with other lovers of Jazz. Featuring DEB'I United - Jerald Dorsett &amp; Friends Tickets: FREE (Please call to RSVP 305-821-1150) Location: Miami Lakes Hotel6842 Main St.Miami Lakes, FL 33014 DAY 4 - March 1, 2026RED CARPET EVENT &amp; MMJF29 FESTIVAL CONCERTLocation: LOU RAWLS AUDITORIUM 15800 NW 42nd AveMiami Gardens, FL 33054 5:00PM - 6:00PM | Red Carpet Event &amp; VIP Reception featuring FMU Jazz Combo under the direction of Dr. Zachary Bartholomew &amp; New World School of the Arts under the direction of Jim Gasior) (Meet and greet our featured artists on the Red Carpet) HOSTED BY: THE REAL TRACEY FIELDS 6:00PM - 7:00PM | MMJF29 FESTIVAL CONCERTFeaturing: FMU Alumni Chorale, FMU Alumni Steel Pan Ensemble - Leon Foster Thomas, Freddie Harris III, Leroi Simmonds, FMU Alumni Jazz Allstars - Leon Foster Thomas, Kirk Green, Doug Carter, Mark Strowbridge, James Cotman &amp; Leon Foster Thomas. 7:00PM - 7:15PM | Intermission 7:15PM - 9:00PM | MMJF29 FESTIVAL CONCERTMelton Mustafa Orchestra directed by Melton Mustafa Jr. Featuring: Melton Mustafa Orchestra, South Florida’s Favorite Entertainer Jesse Jones Jr. Nicole Yarling, Leon Foster Thomas, Billy Ross, Gary Keller, Jason Moss, Randy Emerick, Miles Fielder, Jim Gasior, Tom McCormick, Steve Sigmund, Tom Warfel, Mike Balough, Roger Umana, Dereck Sims, Dr. Courtney Jones, James Cotman, Vince Dupoint, Jacob Batchelder, Yamin Mustafa Attire: Dress to impress Tickets:<ul><li>MMJF29 Student Workshop Tickets: $20.00</li><li>MMJF29 Red Carpet Event &amp; Concert: $50.00 ($60 @ the Door)</li><li>MMJF29 Red Carpet Event, VIP Reception and Concert: $80.00</li></ul>*VIP Guests will sit near the performance stage and will have access to the VIP ONLY areas. For tickets &amp; info, visit#MMJF29

Agenda

DAY 1 - February 26, 2026
Dinner & Jazz at Lorna's Caribbean & American Grill
Artists: The Jesse Jones Jr. Quartet featuring George Tandy, James Cotman, Julian Pratt & special guest.

7:00 - 9:00PM

LORNA'S CARIBBEAN & AMERICAN GRILL
19752 NW 27TH Ave
Miami Garden, FL. 33056
(RSVP 305-623-9760)
Dress to Impress!

2/26/26 DINNER & JAZZ AT LORNA'S CARRIBEAN & AMERICAN GRILL

DAY 2 - February 27, 2026
CIGARS & JAZZ AT THE GARDENS CIGAR LOUNGE featuring the Funk Jazz All Stars. Featuring FMU Alumni Wildmayer Marcelin, Mark McClary, Raignor Rollocks, Joel Chinnery, Jaquan Hunter,  and special guests!

8:00 - 10:00PM

GARDENS CIGAR LOUNGE
19801 NW 27th Ave
Miami Gardens, FL 33056
Dress to Impress!


2/27/26 CIGARS & JAZZ AT THE GARDENS CIGAR LOUNGE

DAY 3 - February 28, 2026
JAZZ WORKSHOPS/MASTER CLASSES
Location: Marshall L. Davis, Sr. African Heritage Cultural Arts Center
6161 NW 22nd Avenue
Miami, Florida 33142
Tickets: $20.00 for students - FREE for parents

8:00AM - 12:00PM | STUDENT BAND PERFORMANCES
12:00PM – 1:00PM | LUNCH (FOOD TRUCKS)
1:00PM - 1:45 | JAZZ WORKSHOP FEATURING GUEST ARTISTS
** COLLEGE JAZZ ALLSTAR CONCERT
1:45PM - 2:15 | FLORIDA MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY JAZZ ENSEMBLE under the direction of Dr. Zachery Bartholomew.
2:15PM - 3:00PM | BROWARD COLLEGE BIG BAND under the direction of Waldron Dunkley.

2/28/26 MMJF29 JAZZ WORKSHOPS/MASTER CLASSES

DAY 3 MMJF29 JAZZY MIXER 
7:00PM - 9:00PM | MMJF29 Jazz Mixer at the Miami Lakes Hotel.


MMJF29 Jazz Mixer featuring Dee-Bay - Jerald Dorsett & Friends Come relax and mingle at this laid-back jazz Meet & Greet social event. Great networking opportunity.

Tickets: FREE (Please call to RSVP)

Location: Miami Lakes Hotel
6842 Main St.
Miami Lakes, FL 33014


2/28/26 MMJF29 JAZZY MIXER 

Private VIP reception.  Come meet, greet and hang out with our featured artists and enjoy some great food and drinks. Featuring the FMU Young Lyons Jazz Combo under the direction of Dr. Zachary Bartholomew.

 3/1/26 MMJF29 VIP RECEPTION(Private)

Please come camera ready and ready to mingle and network with other jazz enthusiast!!! Featuring New World School of the Arts under the direction of Jim Gasior.

3/1/26 MMJF29 RED CARPET EVENT

Featuring: FMU Alumni Chorale, FMU Alumni Steel Pan Ensemble - Leon Foster Thomas, Freddie Harris III, Leroi Simmonds, FMU Alumni Jazz Allstars - Leon Foster Thomas, Kirk Green, Doug Carter, Mark Strowbridge, James Cotman

3/1/26 MMJF29 FESTIVAL CONCERT

The Melton Mustafa Orchestra is a 18 piece big band which was founded by International Jazz Trumpeter Melton Mustafa. The band plays in the style of Count Basie, Duke Ellington Orchestra and Frank Sinatra band. The band is known for  swinging hard and showcases the finest jazz musicians in South Florida. This concert will feature South Florida's favorite entertainer Mr. Jesse Jones Jr., Jim Gasior, Nicole Yarling, Leon Foster Thomas, Gyre Wyre, Billy Ross, Gary Keller, Jason Moss, Randy Emerick, Miles Fielder, Jim Gasior, Tom McCormick, Steve Sigmund, Tom Warfel, Mike Balough, Roger Umana, Dereck Sims, Dr. Courtney Jones, Jim Gasior, James Cotman, Vince Dupoint, Yamin Mustafa and many more!!!!  This band will perform original music written by Melton Mustafa and some our favorite jazz standards from the great American song book. Hosted by The Real Tracy Fields

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