Winter Blues Jazz Fest 2017

The four-day Winter Blues Jazz Fest is back and better than ever! It will take place once again January 12-15, 2017, over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, primarily in the Merchant's Square area of downtown Williamsburg. Venues include the Williamsburg Winery, Muscarelle Museum of Art, the Williamsburg Lodge, the Williamsburg Art Gallery, the Regency Room at the Williamsburg Inn and some of Williamsburg's best local restaurants. The over-riding goal is to provide an enriching and entertaining weekend full of jazz and blues programs with options available to suit all tastes and budgets. The Winter Blues Jazz Fest has a little something for everyone.

Kicking things off on Thursday, January 12, the Williamsburg Winery will set the scene for the festival opening celebration, featuring Good Shot Judy.

Friday brings us three events, a Blues explosion, featuring Tin Can Fish band for the first set, then local Harmonica favorites Bobby BlackHat, Harris Simon, and Atiba Taylor will bring us Williamsburg's first Harmonica challenge ending with an exciting "jam session" adding in some of our favorite musicians. Jazz Downtown with favorites 504 Supreme and wine tasting, and then for those that don't want the party to end, they can walk across the street to the Williamsburg Art Gallery for a swanky, late-night jazz club experience featuring Atiba Taylor and Blue Nesta.

Saturday's event lineup will be simply unforgettable. Start off at the DoG Street Pub's Barrel Aged Blues, featuring live blues music on two stages. The Michael Clark Band at one end and Jackie Scott and the Housewreckers at the other, add in a couple of special guests and a fine collection of barreled brews and this will be one party you don't want to miss

Alternatively, Jazz lovers can hit the "Art of Jazz" event, located in the famed Muscarelle Museum with Stephanie Nakasian and the Harris Simon Trio. Then head over to the Williamsburg Lodge for Mixology & Music, featuring a mixology cocktail sampling and a high-energy, live music performance by festival headliners, The Swing Ninjas fresh in from the UK.

Finally, cap off this stellar weekend with either a Jazz Brunch at the Fat Canary or this year's new addition, a Jazz Brunch in the Regency Room and don't forget our free community concert featuring Triple Crossing Project to round out Sunday afternoon.

​Make the most of the weekend by staying at the Williamsburg Lodge. They have offered festival attendees a deeply discounted rate. Simply call 800-261-9530 Monday-Friday, 8:30-5:00 and mention the Winter Blues Jazz Fest special rate code 43544.