Buddy Guy, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, more headline Clearwater Jazz Holiday this fall

Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Gladys Knight, Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram, Trampled By Turtles and more are also on the lineup.

By Josh Bradley on Tue, Jul 25, 2023 at 10:04 am

Tracy May

Buddy Guy plays Tampa Bay Bluesfest at Vinoy Park in St. Petersburg, Florida on April 7, 2017.

Clearwater Jazz Holiday comes home in the fall when it returns to Coachman Park, and its new performance space The Sound. And now we know who's making noise for four days in the park.

Tickets to the 44th annual Clearwater Jazz Holiday—happening Thursday-Sunday, Oct. 19-22—are now on sale, and start at $30.75 for single tickets on select dates.

This year’s lineup features a plethora of CJH repeat offenders, including R&B legend Gladys Knight, guitar veteran Buddy Guy—in the midst of his “Damn Right Farewell Tour”—and classic funk outfit Average White Band. Preservation Hall Jazz Band also returns, while Jazz Holiday gives fans a glimpse at the future of the blues with a Sunday set by Christone “Kingfish” Ingram.

Gipsy Kings will lend a world music vibe to the 2023 Clearwater Jazz Holiday lineup, while Dustbowl Revival and Trampled By Turtles bring Americana and bluegrass to the four-day affair. Also included are first timers Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Los Lobos, and the current lineup of The Beach Boys, fronted by Mr. MAGA and “Good night baby, sleep tight baby” himself, Mike Love.

Due to Coachman Park’s renovation closure in late 2019, the last two, slightly scaled-down iterations of Clearwater Jazz Holiday have been held at Baycare Ballpark . And while yes, we loved chowing down on a cheesesteak from Delco’s while watching the opening sets, there’ll surely be some tears of joy shed by some, upon seeing that waterfront view again.

The nonprofit Jazz Holiday will also show off the music education and jazz outreach work it does during the rest of the year by bringing up its “Young Lions” ensemble to open the festival on Thursday. Have a look at daily lineups below.
Clearwater Jazz Holiday 2023 lineup

Thursday, Oct. 19

The Beach Boys w/Good Vibrations Orchestra
Dustbowl Revival
Clearwater Jazz Holiday Young Lions

Friday, Oct. 20

Average White Band
Gladys Knight
Preservation Hall Jazz Band

Saturday, Oct. 21

Buddy Guy
Gipsy Kings
Los Lobos

Sunday, Oct. 22

Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Trampled By Turtles
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram

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Josh Bradley

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Josh Bradley is Creative Loafing Tampa's resident live music freak. He started freelancing with the paper in 2020 at the age of 18, and has since covered, announced, and previewed numerous live shows in Tampa Bay. Check the music section in print and online every week for the latest in local live music.

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