SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
The Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival celebrates 29 years of providing the best Jazz in South Florida. Get ready to have an amazing time!!!
DAY 1 - Thursday, February 26, 2026
Dinner & Jazz at Lorna's Caribbean & American Grill
7:00PM - 9:00PM
Featuring: The Jesse Jones Jr. Quartet featuring George Tandy, James Cotman, Julian Pratt & special guest.
Location: Lorna's Caribbean & American Grill
1952 NW 27TH Ave - Miami Garden, FL. 33056
(RSVP - Call 305-623-9760)
Dress to Impress!
DAY 2 - Friday, February 27, 2026
Cigars, Jazz and Spoken Word featuring the Funk Jazz All Stars
8:00PM - 10:00PM
Featuring: FMU Alumni Wildmayer Marcelin, Mark McClary, Raignor Rollocks, Joel Chinnery, Jaquan Hunter, and special guests!
Location: Gardens Cigar Lounge
19801 NW 27th Ave - Miami Gardens, FL 33056
Dress to Impress!
DAY 3 - Saturday, February 28, 2026
JAZZ WORKSHOPS/MASTER CLASSES
Location: Marshall L. Davis, Sr. African Heritage Cultural Arts Center
86161 NW 22nd Avenue - Miami, Florida 33142
Tickets: $20.00 for students - FREE for parents
Workshop Schedule:
- 8:00AM - 12:00PM | Student Band Performances
- 12:00PM - 1:00PM | Lunch (Food Trucks)
- 1:00PM - 1:45PM | WORKSHOP FEATURING GUEST ARTISTS
** COLLEGE JAZZ ALL-STAR CONCERT - 1:45PM - 2:15PM | FLORIDA MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY JAZZ ENSEMBLE under the direction of Zachery Bartholomew
- 2:15PM - 3:00PM | BROWARD COLLEGE BIG BAND under the direction of Waldron Dunkley
6:00PM - 9:00PM | JAZZ FESTIVAL MIXER
Featuring: DEB'I United - Jerald Dorsett & Friends
Laid back jazz social event. Great networking opportunity.
Tickets: FREE (Please call to RSVP, 305-420-6228)
Location: Miami Lakes Hotel
6842 Main St. - Miami Lakes, FL 33014
Day 4 - Sunday, March 1, 2026
RED CARPET EVENT & FESTIVAL CONCERT
Location: Florida Memorial University Lou Rawls Auditorium
15800 NW 42nd Avenue - Miami Gardens, FL 33054
5:00PM - 6:00PM | Red Carpet Event (outside entrance)
Meet and greet our featured artists on the Red Carpet
VIP Reception (in the atrium)
Featuring: FMU Jazz Combo under the direction of Zachery Bartholomew
6:00PM - 7:00PM | MMJF29 FESTIVAL CONCERT
Featuring: FMU Alumni Chorale, FMU Alumni Steel Pan Ensemble, FMU Alumni Jazz Allstars - Leon Foster Thomas, Kirk Green, Doug Carter, Mark Strowbridge, James Cotman
Hosted by: The Real Tracey Fields
7:00PM - 7:15PM | Intermission
7:15PM - 9:00PM | MMJF29 FESTIVAL CONCERT
Featuring: Melton Mustafa Orchestra directed by Melton Mustafa Jr., South Florida’s Favorite Entertainer Jesse Jones Jr. Nicole Yarling, Leon Foster Thomas,Billy Ross, Jason Moss, Randy Emerick, Miles Fielder, Mark Griffen, Jim Gasior, Tom McCormick, Steve Sigmund, Tom Warfel, Mike Balough, Roger Umana, Dereck Sims, Dr. Courtney Jones, Jim Gasior, James Cotman, Vince Dupoint, Yamin Mustafa
Hosted by: The Real Tracey Fields
Attire: Dress to impress
TICKETS:
Student Workshop Tickets: $20.00
Red Carpet Event & Concert: $50.00 ($60 @ the Door)
Red Carpet Event, VIP Reception and Concert: $80.00
*VIP Guests will sit near the performance stage and will have access to the VIP ONLY areas.