The Jazz & Rib Fest brings people together to celebrate two things: music and barbecue.
This must-visit party is a Columbus summer tradition and after two years off, the festival is back along the riverfront from Friday, July 22 through Sunday, July 24.
The Jazz & Rib Fest dates back to 1979 when it launched as Music in the Air. It was originally a series that presented jazz through music, film and visual arts at different city parks. In the 1980s, the festival grew to include live performances along the riverfront, with both local and national acts.
In the 90s, festival organizers added ribs into the mix, and the Jazz & Rib Fest as we know it was born. It’s been pleasing the ears and the bellies of Columbus ever since.
We’ve got all the details about this year’s festival, so let’s dive in.
Weather
Friday
High of 90. Sunny
Saturday
High of 89. Partly sunny with a chance of thunderstorms, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Sunday
High of 93. Mostly sunny with a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3 p.m.
Transportation
Getting downtown is one thing, but finding parking is a whole other story. You can skip the parking debacle altogether and take alternative transportation.
Taking the COTA bus is always a good option. Click here to download the Transit App and use it to stay up to date on arrival and departure times on your route.
There’s also the option to order a Lyft or hop on a CoGo bike. Lyft riders can enter the code JAZZNRIBS for two free unlocks in the rewards section of the Lyft app.
I get it, sometimes it’s nice to drive your own car. Here’s where you can park near the Scioto Mile.
The Festival
The Jazz & Rib Fest is a festival dedicated to smokey flavors and soulful music. If you’re not walking around with barbeque sauce from ear-to-ear by the end of the night, you’re doing it wrong.
Like any citywide festival, the Jazz & Rib Fest is a wonderful place to people watch. But this fest is one that’s all about the tastes and the sounds, rather than the sights and the smells. But that doesn’t mean that there won’t be plenty of those, too. Who doesn’t love the smell of barbecue?
The festival hours are:
Entertainment
The Jazz & Rib Fest is literally all about the sweet sounds of brass instruments. Born out of swing and blues, jazz is quite possibly the most soulful music out there. The festival will offer three whole days of fantastic musicians from all over the town, country, and globe. There are three different stages: the Bicentennial Park Stage, the Genoa Park Stage, and the Main Street Stage. Each one promises a good show and the lineup looks great!
Friday
Bicentennial Stage
12 p.m. Flippo
2 p.m. Mistar Anderson
4 p.m. fo/mo/deep
6:30 p.m. Robert Glasper
9 p.m. Lalah Hathaway
Genoa Park Stage
11 a.m. Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra
1 p.m. Mike Wade & The Jazz Mafia
3 p.m. Waves de Ache
5 p.m. El Ritmo Del Mañana
7 p.m. The Labra Brothers
9 p.m. The Deeptones
Main Street Stage
11:30 a.m. Velvet Foot
1:30 p.m. NACHO Street Band
3:30 p.m. High Street Stompers Dixieland Band
5:30 p.m. Trio Fa2
7:30 p.m. James Gaiters Soul Revival
9:30 p.m. New Basics Brass Band
Saturday
Bicentennial Stage
12 p.m. Copacetic
2 p.m. Charged Particles plays the music of Michael Brecker
4 p.m. The Deal Breakers
6:30 p.m. Spanish Harlem Orchestra
9 p.m. Boney James
Genoa Park Stage
11 a.m. Positive Vibe Band
1 p.m. Largemouth Brass Band
3 p.m. Big Blitz
5 p.m. We Are The Walrus
7 p.m. Honey and Blue
9 p.m. MojoFlo
Main Street Stage
11:30 a.m. Andy Woodson’s Pawpaw Orchestra
1:30 p.m. Laura Camara
3:30 p.m. Hip To That
5:30 p.m. Sabbatical Bob
7:30 p.m. Tony Hagood Sextet
9:30 p.m. Harmonic Soul
Sunday
Bicentennial Stage
11:30 a.m. The Mark Lomax Trio
1:30 p.m. The Hot Magnolias
4 p.m. Kirk Whalum
6:30 p.m. Dee Dee Bridgewater with Columbus Jazz Orchestra
Genoa Park Stage
11 a.m. Fort Hayes All-Stars
12:30 p.m. The Lunar Octet
2:30 p.m. Yumbambé
4:30 p.m. The Brooklyn Rose Future Jazz Orchestra
6:30 p.m. Urban Jazz Coalition
Main Street Stage
11 a.m. Talking Ear
1 p.m. Rachel Azbell
3 p.m. Olivia Van Goor
5 p.m. Christopher Lucas Wilson Trio
7 p.m. Liquid Crystal Project
And if you’re just there for the food, here’s our guide to the best BBQ in Columbus.
For more info, or to start planning your weekend, visit hotribscooljazz.org. Get out there and enjoy the Jazz & Rib Fest, Columbus!
