Due to the spike in COVID-19 cases fueled by the fast spreading delta variant, the upcoming 2021 Baltimore Jazz Festival has been postponed until June of 2022. On Saturday August 7, 2021, local officials announced 892 new cases. This is an increase of over 800 new cases from the 75 new cases reported on July 1, 2021 and the numbers continue to rise.

We appreciate the tremendous support for the Baltimore Jazz Festival. In 2019, Organizers of the Baltimore Jazz Festival decided to re-introduce the music, art, and food of Baltimore not only to the residents of Baltimore but to visitors all over the region. The celebration of jazz transcends race, age, and socio-econominc status and serves as a uniting force no matter a person’s background. The Baltimore Jazz Festival has always been an opportunity to showcase local and national talent and the Baltimore Jazz Festival is proud to showcase the jazz heritage in Baltimore and surrounding cities to the world.

As custodians of the Festival, we are committed to providing a safe environment for everyone including attendees, vendors, talent, volunteers and staff. Over the past few weeks, and especially within the last few days, circumstances have changed making it more difficult to ensure a safe environment amidst the new wave of COVID-19 cases and the reality that the delta variant has an extremely high transmission rate whether you are vaccinated or not.

We know our ticket holders and vendors from far and wide were just as excited as us to truly immerse in an atmosphere filled with jazz, laughs, and all the beautiful vibes of summer and fellowship we all miss dearly. However, the health and safety of you, our BJF family from near, far, and wide comes first. The Festival team must be proactive and can no longer wait on making the safe decision.

The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged our City, the country and the entire world, but all will rebound and be bigger and better than before and our planning has not stopped for when this time comes. So, we want to invite you to SAVE THE DATE(s) June 11&12 of 2022. We do not want to have our supporters wait an entire year and we are optimistic that we will see you sooner than later.

Stay safe and we will see on June 11th and June 12, 2021.

Sincerely,
The Baltimore Jazz Festival Team