Kick off the New Year with amazing live music when the 7th annual South Beach Jazz Festival (SBJF) returns to venues throughout Miami Beach. SBJF presents world-class traditional, contemporary and Latin jazz artists performing alongside musicians who have disabilities. The festival takes place January 5 - 8, 2023, at Faena Theater, The Bass, Lincoln Road and the Miami Beach Bandshell.

The South Beach Jazz Festival is produced by Power Access, a Miami Beach-based nonprofit founded by disabled artist/activist David New to build awareness of the challenges faced by artists with disabilities. “The sheer talent of the artists defines them by ability rather than disability,” said New, who is also the festival’s president and artistic director. “It’s all about bringing our community together through the universal sound of music.”

The festival, with the catchphrase “From Disability to Serendipity,” highlights performers with disabilities. This year features The Spirit of Goodwill Band and performances by winners of the Power Access Scholarship Program for music students who have physical or cognitive disabilities. The inaugural scholarship winners named in May 2022 are Eva Carizza, Marnel Jean and Jeremiah Martial.

South Beach Jazz Festival 2023 Highlights

Some of the scheduled events are free and open to the public, but registration is requested; others require paid admission and may even offer VIP packages.

Thursday, January 5

Monty Alexander with Luke Sellick (bass) and Jason Brown (drums) kick off the festival at 9 p.m. on Opening Night at the Faena Theater.

Friday, January 6

The party moves to The Bass for Society Jazz Night with cocktails and time to explore the museum galleries as the South Florida Jazz Orchestra, directed by Chuck Bergeron, takes to the stage at 8 p.m. with special guest star Nicole Henry and Power Access scholarship winner Eva Carizza.

Saturday, January 7

Tito Puente Jr., Tito Rodriguez Jr. and Machito Jr. – the fathers of Latin Jazz – will take turns leading the Big 3 Palladium Orchestra for Mambo Night in Miami Beach at the Miami Beach Bandshell at 8 p.m.

Sunday, January 8

Jazz Hits the Road: Spend the day at the Power Access Main Stage on Lincoln Road. Free but registration required; click on each artist to register for sets by The Spirit of Goodwill Band (11:30 a.m.), Wendy Pedersen Quintet (1 p.m.), Sammy Figueroa Presents A Tribute to Cal Tjader (2:30 p.m.), the Mike LeDonne Groover Quartet (4:30 p.m.), and Gafieira Rio Miami (6:30 p.m.).