Snarky Puppy Masterclass and West End Mambo Amplify
the 14th Annual Coltrane Jazz Fest
The John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival has always been about more than great performances about connection, creativity, and community. This year, festival organizers are turning up the excitement with two dynamic additions that promise to make the 14th annual event even more unforgettable.
As a special kickoff to the Festival weekend, music lovers can experience an exclusive
Snarky Puppy Masterclass with founder and bandleader Michael League and members of the Grammy-winning ensemble. Scheduled for Friday, August 29 at the High Point Theatre, this two-hour interactive session offers an intimate, behind-the-scenes experience with one of the most innovative and genre-defying bands in modern music. The Snarky Puppy Masterclass is open to all and free for Coltrane JazzFest ticketholders. Snarky Puppy Masterclass tickets are available coltranejazzfest.com/snarkypuppymasterclass.
Led by bassist, producer, and composer Michael League, the masterclass blends musical demonstrations, personal stories, audience Q&A, and plenty of laughs. Designed for musicians and fans alike, it’s a rare opportunity to connect with Snarky Puppy before they light up the main stage at Oak Hollow Festival Park on Saturday, August 30.
“Our Masterclass series, which we launched last year, is all about taking the magic of the Festival beyond the big stage,” says Joseph Williams, Festival Director. “This special session with Michael League and Snarky Puppy is a chance for fans and musicians alike to get up close, ask questions, and share in the creative energy that makes the Festival so special.”
But that’s not all…
on Sunday, the Festival welcomes West End Mambo, a fiery salsa band that will kick off the second day’s performances with irresistible rhythms and high-energy Latin grooves. Known for their crowd-moving beats, West End Mambo brings a fresh, dance-ready dimension to the Festival’s already world-class lineup.
With the soulful mastery of Snarky Puppy, the infectious energy of West End Mambo, and a full weekend of jazz and blues excellence from Stanley Clarke, Meshell Ndegeocello, Take 6 and more, this year’s John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival offers fans an enriched, diverse, and joy-filled experience that honors Coltrane’s legacy.
