Discover Houston's jazz heritage

The 2023 Houston Jazz Fall Festival

At Miller Outdoor Theater

The American Master Series brings the spotlight to the magnificent Duke Ellington Orchestra, directed with finesse by Charlie Young. This musical extravaganza features special guest Paul Mercer Ellington, adding a layer of legacy to the performance. The experience is further elevated by the captivating artwork of acclaimed artist Jack Whitten, creating a seamless blend of auditory and visual brilliance.

Guided by the legacy of Duke Ellington, the orchestra’s vibrant melodies traverse time, echoing from their inception in 1923 to the present day under Charlie Young’s direction. Amidst this musical tapestry, Houston’s own luminaries, Shelley “The Showstopper” Carrol and Andre “Big Butter” Hayward, infuse their Texan jazz roots into the performance, forging a connection between the music and the city’s rich cultural heritage. The crescendo of the event arrives as Jack Whitten’s art takes the stage, enveloping the audience in a multisensory experience that celebrates both the auditory magic of jazz and the visual magic of artistic expression.

When: 8p.m. Saturday Sept. 16th, 2023
Estimated running time: 2.5 hours
Where: Miller Outdoor Theatre
Details: For more details visit Houstonjazzfestival.org

The 2023 Houston Jazz Fall Festival

At Axelrad

Day 2 Jazz Extravaganza at Axelrad Festival: A Glimpse

Day 2 of the Axelrad Festival beckons you to immerse yourself in the world of jazz at Houston’s vibrant outdoor patio bar. The festival’s curtain rises with the budding talents of the Summer Jazz Workshop and TSU Jazz Ensemble, offering a glimpse into the promising future of jazz. As the sun sets, The Houston Jazz Collective graces the stage, led by saxophonist Shelley Carrol and Trombonist Andre Hayward. Their soulful renditions pay homage to Arnett Cobb’s iconic “Party Time” compositions, evoking emotions and a deep appreciation for jazz classics.

As the night unfolds, the TKOh Funk Jazz Band takes center stage, composed of Houston’s jazz luminaries. Their unique blend of classic funk tunes and extended jazz solos creates an irresistible groove that will set your feet tapping and your spirit soaring. Against the enchanting backdrop of Axelrad’s outdoor stage, this event promises an unforgettable experience, uniting generations of jazz enthusiasts in a celebration of music and camaraderie. Join us as we embrace the enchanting magic of jazz in the heart of Houston, with an evening that’s sure to leave an indelible melody in your heart.

When: 2:30p.m. Sunday Sept. 17th, 2023
Estimated running time: 7.5 hours
Where: Axelrad
Details: For more details visit Houstonjazzfestival.org

In the fall of 2020 The Houston Jazz Festival at Miller Outdoor Theater partnered with the Art Blakey Estate, and live streamed “Message from Bu’ featuring “Bu’s Jazz Messengers” and celebrated his 101th birthday October 25th 2020.

The premier combination of the Messengers was directed by four time Grammy winner Frank Lacy, and featured saxophonist Bobby Watson, trumpeter Valerie Ponomarev and legendary bassist Curtis Lundy.

CSS (Carrol-Simmons-Sparks) also performed that night. This quartet was led by Houston native Shelley Carrol, long time veteran of Jazz at Lincoln Center and The Duke Ellington Orchestra  and iincluded Bobby Sparks, Mark Simmons as well as bassist Jay McK. The set design featured works by master Artist Jesse Lott.

In the fall of 2019 The Houston Jazz Festival showcased the legend Hubert Laws and the Houston Jazz Collective band featuring Bobby Sparks, Shelley Carrol, Andre Hayward, & Mark Simmons. The event was held at The Miller Outdoor Theater on Saturday, Sept. 21st.

The festival was a 2-day event. On Saturday, September 21st 2019 the opening night was held at the Miller Outdoor Theater at nightfall. The second day was a day/night event at Axelrad on Sunday, Sept. 22nd 2019. Doc Loc and the Swangers, Kim Prevost & Bill Solley and many other artists took part in the memorable outdoor event. 

Festival events are hosted by Houston Jazz Collective a non-profit 501 (c) organization. Your donations are what help make these events happen. Please enjoy and share this video that showcases some highlights from the 2019 Houston Jazz Festival.

Contemporary Arts Museum HJC Performance

Thursday, June 29th 6:30 pm

Join us at Contemporary Arts Museum Thursday June 29th 6:30 pm where The Houston Jazz Collective will feature a music performance by Shelley Carrol, Andre Hayward, Phillip K.Jones II Tim Ruiz & Sam Knight that is inspired by artist Ming Smith.
 
Tickets are Free but you must RSVP

Chris Dave & Drumhedz at The University of Houston

2 Day Equinox Music Event Spring 2021

Streamed on NPR Live Sessions & YouTube

The Contemporary Arts Museum Fall 2021

Contemporary Arts Museum Houston Jazz Collective Tribute to the Dirty South Performance.

The Dirty South makes visible the roots of Southern hip hop culture and reveals how the aesthetic traditions of the African American South have shaped visual art and musical expression over the last 100 years. The Houston Jazz Collective was asked to produce a musical tibute to the Dirty South and it’s respective exhibit. Featuring works by W.C. Handy early blues, New Olreans own Professor Longhair and Houston’s own Johnny Guitar Watson.

Austin's Anthropos Arts, Houston Jazz Collective & Steven P. Haas: Mike Norton Instrument Exchange Drive

Mike Norton’s lifelong friend, Steve Haas of Haas Toyota Houston, has partnered with The Houston Jazz Collective, Cannonball Instruments, and Anthropos Arts to donate 20 guitars/amps and 20 brand new Cannonball horns to student musicians in need within Austin. Students from Austin and Manor ISD, KIPP and IDEA schools, and partner nonprofits Austin Soundwaves, Kids In a New Groove, and Beyond the Grade will be presented with their instruments during the instrument drive at Antone’s.

Our Mission

In the Spirit of Jazz, our mission is to enrich, entertain and expand the community for Jazz through Performance, Education and Advocacy.

Want to join us in making a difference? Our current focus is delivering a great Houston Jazz Festival this Fall 2019 at The Miller Outdoor Theater.  Any donation will help make an impact!

When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.

– Maya Angelou



Houston Jazz Collective Organization &
Houston Jazz Collective Performance Group

The Houston Jazz Collective is an non-profit organization that is a producer of events and educational outreach programs. It is also the name of the performing entity, a “jazz band”, “a collective”. The collective is comprised of well known, as well as local musicians or any musicians that believe in our greater vision.

In this line-up The Houston Jazz Collective features Shelley Carrol, Andre Hayward, Bobby Sparks and Mark Simmons:

Here is sample of a Houston Jazz Collective’s All Star Tribute performance playing Houston Saxophonist legend Arnett Cobb’s most famous tune “Smooth Sailing” for the Houston Public Media’s Skyline Sessions filmed at the University of Houston Studios.

Jazz Musicology: The Educational Outreach Program

The organization’s mission also extends to an education program. The educational outreach program is Jazz Musicology. It has several programs one of which is “The Houston Center for After School Jazz Programs”. In this video you will see Bob Dorough, Andre Hayward & Shelley Carrol mentoring & entertaining the youth at the Boys and Girl Harbor a charitable facility for abused, abandoned, neglected children ages (5-18). 

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