In 1959 Joe Gallardo, a Del Mar College student, invited his jazz-musician uncle to play at the student union. Due to unexpectedly high turnout, the following year, the college held a free jazz concert in the main auditorium. In 1961, the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce provided a venue and opened the jazz concert to the public.
Today, the Texas Jazz Festival takes place annually in the month of October at Corpus Christi's Heritage Park. The festival attracts more than 45,000 people and over 50 jazz groups.
In addition to music, the Texas Jazz Festival features art, craft and food vendors. Regional cuisine such as Mexican food and Gulf of Mexico seafood can be purchased along with more traditional festival offerings like funnel cakes.