Jazz in the Gardens

The Jazz in the Gardens Music Fest returns to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens this year for its 18th annual edition. Regarded as one of the most important live jazz and R&B events in the world, Jazz in the Gardens celebrates the diversity, music and art of Black culture with some of the biggest names in jazz, R&B, and gospel as well as local, homegrown acts. This year, Jazz in the Gardens is partnering with Black Promoters Collective (BPC) to expand the festival experience.

Read on for a recap of the 2024 JITG Music Festival.

The Lineup

Saturday’s performers include Summer Walker, Davido, Jazmine Sullivan, Kirk Franklin, Omariun, Tink and Eric Bellinger. Walker, the co-headliner, is an R&B singer-songwriter who rose to prominence in 2018 and hit number two on the Billboard 200 in 2019 with her album “Over It.” The rising star has collaborated with Usher, 21 Savage, Drake, SZA, Childish Gambino, Khalid and Trey Songz to produce chart-hitters like “Good Good,” “Come Thru” and “Girls Need Love.”

The festival continues on Day 1 with co-headliner Davido, a Nigerian singer whose hits include “High,” “Holy Ground” and “Shopping Spree” with collaborators Adekunle Gold, Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown and Young Thug. Known as The King of Afrobeats, Davido sold out London’s O2 Arena and will take the stage at Jazz in the Gardens for a night of African rhythm.

On Sunday, Maxwell, Babyface, Jeezy, Scarface, Tamia, Jaheim, Marsha Ambrosius and October London will take the stage. Maxwell, a three-time Grammy Awards winner and six-time Soul Train Awards winner, is the sultry voice behind neo-soul songs that have remained relevant in a changing music scene. He has toured with the likes of the Fugees and Mary J. Blige.

Along with these headliners will be a handful of award-winning household names, DJ sets by Kid Capri and DJ Cassidy and special guests, and hosts Jess Hilarious and Rickey Smiley.

Program guides will be available at Hard Rock Stadium, or download the Jazz in the Gardens mobile apps for Android and IOS and get the performance schedule and live updates. This is a rain or shine event.

Tickets And Seating

Ticket options include single-day, two-day, titanium, gold ambassador, silver ambassador and general admission, each offering various levels of benefits and access, such as reserved or festival seating, food and dedicated restrooms. Holders of general admission tickets are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs. General admission is for both festival days. You can also purchase tickets at mobile box offices located at Gates 14A and 2. No cash will be accepted at the box office. Tickets are non-refundable.

Getting To And Parking At Hard Rock Stadium

There are various ways to get to Hard Rock Stadium. Brightline, the destination’s high-speed rail service, offers a direct route from Downtown Miami to Aventura, where the Hard Rock Stadium Connect, a regularly scheduled complimentary shuttle service, will take riders to and from the stadium. Those taking the Brightline who want to skip event shuttles can book a Brightline+ Private Ride by Uber directly from the Brightline app or get a complimentary Uber ride within five miles of the Aventura station with select train fares. Lyft, Uber and other car services will pickup and drop off at Gate 18.

Pre-festival Events

Women’s Impact Luncheon

The kickoff event for Jazz in the Gardens is the 17th Women’s Impact Luncheon on March 8, hosted by the City of Miami to celebrate Women’s History Month. Influential women from across a variety of industries will lead discussions and lectures, and attendees can network with like-minded individuals. The event was created with women in mind, but men are welcome to attend. Luncheon tickets are separate from tickets to the festival.

Opening Night Party

This glitzy party will be held Friday night, March 8 at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood. Get into the festival mindset with a night of appetizers, cocktails and mingling and dancing to live jazz. Tickets to the Opening Night Party are separate from festival tickets.

Need-To-Know Event Details

All areas of the festival that are accessible to the public will be wheelchair-accessible. You may not bring food, beverages or coolers to the event. Only service animals will be allowed. Small umbrellas are permitted but may not be opened in the seating area. ATMs are located in several areas of Hard Rock Stadium.

By: Roselind R. | January 15, 2024