The Jazz Fest Pompano Beach Celebrates Five Years of Free Oceanfront Music This Weekend

Imagine the Atlantic breeze hitting your face while live jazz rolls across the shoreline — and not paying a cent for it. That’s the appeal of Jazz Fest Pompano Beach, the free two-day beachfront festival returning Saturday, April 18, and Sunday, April 19, for its fifth anniversary celebration.

Set along the sand in Broward County, the annual event has grown into one of South Florida’s more inviting spring music gatherings, pairing nationally known jazz names with homegrown talent in an easygoing oceanfront setting. For music fans in Miami looking for a quick weekend escape, it’s a chance to trade city noise for saxophones, sunsets, and a stacked lineup.

Saturday night features acclaimed flutist Kim Scott, whose contemporary jazz sound and Billboard-charting releases have made her one of the genre’s rising names. Known for bright melodies and polished live performances, Scott brings a modern edge to the traditional festival circuit. She’ll be followed by veteran saxophonist Richard Elliot, whose soulful tone and decades-long career — including work with funk powerhouse Tower of Power — have made him a favorite among smooth jazz audiences.

The evening closes with Brian Culbertson, the multi-instrumentalist known for blending jazz, funk, and R&B into energetic live sets that often feel more like parties than concerts.

Sunday keeps the momentum going with one of the weekend’s more intriguing bookings: The Purple Project: Reimagining the Music of Prince, led by Latin Grammy-nominated pianist Martin Bejerano. Expect a jazz-fusion interpretation of Prince classics rather than a straightforward tribute act. Later in the evening, saxophonist Walter Beasley brings his signature smooth sound before funk-fusion outfit Ghost-Note closes out the fest with the kind of explosive musicianship built for a live crowd.

Just as important is the festival’s spotlight on South Florida artists. A dedicated local stage will feature performers including Haley Cove, Nicole Kidd, Kizie The Violist, Inner Court, and the Fella Band, giving regional acts a platform alongside national names. That local-first energy is part of what has helped the festival build momentum over five years.

And then there’s the biggest selling point: admission is free. At a time when festival tickets can easily run triple digits, Jazz Fest Pompano Beach offers a full weekend of live music at no cost, so you can allocate those funds to fill up your gas tank. Guests are also encouraged to register in advance and bring chairs or blankets for beachside seating.

Jazz Fest Pompano Beach. 1 p.m. Saturday, April 18, and Sunday, April 19, at the Pompano Beach Fisher Family Pier – 222 N Pompano Beach Blvd, Pompano Beach. Admission is free with RSVP via pompanobeacharts.org/events/jazz-fest