Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series 2026
Be sure to get your tickets! It’s time once again for the Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series 2026 … February 6-7 and 13-15! Honoring History and Community through Music!
This is more than a concert series. The event blends the vibrant sounds of jazz and blues with the rich history of Fort Mose – the first legally sanctioned free African settlement in what is now the United States.
Featuring a lineup of internationally renowned artists including Gary Clark Jr., Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble, Samara Joy, Robert Cray Band, Ruthie Foster, and Ledisi.
Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series Schedule
Friday, February 6 — Ledisi
About: Ledisi is a Grammy Award-winning artist hailed as one of the most captivating vocalists of her generation. She’s a force to be reckoned with in the music industry. Over the course of her career, Ledisi has continually pushed boundaries and redefined the soul and R&B genres with her electrifying performances and powerful storytelling.
Saturday, February 7 — Gary Clark Jr.
About: Clark achieved global impact following his first Grammy Award® in 2014, winning Best Traditional R&B Performance for the track “Please Come Home” from his Warner Records debut album Blak And Blu, and seemingly never left the road. To date, Clark has been nominated for six Grammy Awards and won four. In March 2024, he released his fourth and most compelling body of work to date titled ‘JPEG RAW’.
Friday, February 13 — Robert Cray Band & Ruthie Foster
About Robert Cray Band: Across five decades, Robert Cray has created a richly inclusive American music, revitalizing both blues and soul while rocking hard with the very best. To achieve 50 years in the music industry and still be as fresh and committed as when starting out is an achievement few can boast of, but Cray can. He’s released 19 studio albums, won five Grammy Awards, and continues to make music that sounds like no one but Robert Cray.
About Ruthie Foster: Growing up in the rich musical tapestry of Gause, Texas, Ruthie found herself drawn to the diverse sounds and arrangements of local gospel choirs and musicians. Now, Ruthie Foster has achieved a long-awaited milestone: her very first Grammy win. Her latest album, ‘Mileage’, won Best Contemporary Blues Album at the 2025 Grammy Awards. With soulful melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and unwavering commitment to her craft, Foster continues to carve out a path that is uniquely her own.
Saturday, February 14 — Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble
About: Music has always loomed large in the life of Don Was. Born in Detroit in 1952, he has enjoyed a multi-faceted career as a musician, record producer, music director, film composer, documentary filmmaker, and radio host. His latest group, The Pan-Detroit Ensemble, features top-tier jazz musicians from his hometown. Members include longtime collaborators such as Dave McMurray on saxophone and keyboardist Luis Resto. Additional members include trombonist Vincent Chandler, trumpeter John Douglas, drummer Jeff Canaday, percussionist Mahindi Masai, guitarist Wayne Gerard, and vocalist Steffanie Christi’an.
Sunday, February 15 — Samara Joy
About: A native of the Bronx, Samara Joy became entranced by classic R&B as a child and cut her teeth as a singer in her church’s gospel choir. She released her self-titled debut in 2021, followed a year later by ‘Linger Awhile’. The album earned her a Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album in addition to a headline-making win for Best New Artist. Her new album, ‘Portrait’, showcases the intimate, soulful chemistry she’s developed with her touring band. It’s already earned her an NAACP Image Award this year for Best Jazz Album.
Gates 6:00pm | Show 7:00pm
Click the event website link for additional information, including ticket prices, and to purchase your tickets. Tickets can also be purchased at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre Box Office … open seven days a week from 7:00am to 5:00pm – only accepting credit / debit cards for payment.
A portion of the proceeds from a charity fee built into each ticket will support the Fort Mose Historical Society in their mission to promote and preserve the site’s rich history.
Image used is from Fort Mose Jazz and Blues Facebook.
