This festival started in 1980 and is considered to be the oldest blues and jazz festival in America. It is sponsored by the Baton Rouge Blues Foundation, which aims to promote and preserve the jazz tradition of Baton Rouge. Held during early May, the festival honors the many home-grown talents the state has produced including Slim Harpo, Rudy Richard, Silas Hogan, Whisperin' Smith, Schoolboy Cleve, and Guitar Kelly. They also bring in highly acclaimed artists such as Grammy nominee Ruthie Foster, who played in the festival in 2009. The festival is a one-day affair from 12 noon to 10 p.m. and is free to the public. Festival goers can enjoy delicious southern cuisine such as jambalaya, fried chicken and red beans and rice and can purchase souvenir festival merchandise. Aside from the festival itself, visitors can enjoy the local blues bars around the area such as Phil Brady's and Teddy's Juke Joint.
The term "Juneteenth" comes from the date June 19, 1865, which is the day when enslavement ended in America. The Louisiana Memorial Juneteenth Jazz & Arts Festival honors this memorable day and aims to celebrate the historic contribution of African Americans to the legacy of jazz in Baton Rouge. It is hosted by the National Association of Juneteenth Jazz Presenters (NAJJP) and the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF). They honor various Louisiana jazz artists, and in 2010, the late legendary jazz clarinetist Alvin Batiste was honored. The festival does not charge an entrance fee, although they appreciate donations, which go to their various institutes and programs.
Baton Rouge Cajun Music Day is sponsored by BREC and the Magnolia Mound Plantation Foundation and is a family-oriented music event. Held at the historical Magnolia Mound Plantation, the day of music features local Cajun jazz bands and features a jam session wherein musicians of all skill levels are invited to join. They also offer free Cajun jazz music lessons for kids and grownups. This is a free event held in the third week of November that the whole family can enjoy.
As well as the big jazz festivals, Baton Rouge plays host to several jazz events throughout the year. One such presentation is the River City Jazz Masters 2010-2011 Season, a five-concert series held from February to November featuring various jazz masters that is sponsored by the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge. The 2010-2011 line-up includes Ramsey Lewis, Stefon Harris and Blackout, Dianne Reeves, Eliane Elias and the Clayton Brothers Quintet.
Another concert series is the Live at Chelsea's,which is part of "Looking at Jazz," presented by the East Baton Rouge Parish Library and the Baton Rouge Blues Foundation. The concert series is held from June to October and features top jazz and blues artists. Chelsea's is a well-known music venue and welcomes kids of all ages.