Autumnal Jazz Fest

05/29/2026

Sneak peek at some of the artists who will be playing at the Autumnal Jazz Fest on September 12th! Mark your calendars!

Brazukas is an authentic, completely Brazilian rhythm section hailing from various regions of Brazil. Experience music in your favorite Brazilian styles such as bossa nova and samba, played by Brazilians, and music in the traditional and modern Brazilian styles rarely played in the U.S. such as Baiao, Ijexá, Choro and Partido-Alto. Open your ears and your mind and prepare to learn about this diverse music by composers such as Antonio Carlos Jobim, Carlos Lyra, Johnny Alf, Milton Nascimento, Djavan, and Caetano Veloso. The rhythmic, happy music of this fiery Brazilian quintet will leave you smiling. They will play from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. on the outdoor stage.

05/04/2026

Save the date! This year's Autumnal Jazz Fest will be Sept 12, 3-9pm. We're happy to say it's our 10th anniversary, and we hope you'll join us in all the festivities! Stay tuned for more details!

09/13/2025

Thank you to ALL who came out and made this year's Autumnal Jazz Fest a success! And a special shout out to thank all of the helpers and volunteers that were behind the scene!! It was a fantastic day!

09/03/2025

Artist Spotlight #6

Tribute to Ron Hayden

Ron Hayden was a revered guitarist and composer who made waves in the Louisville scene through the 90s and early 2000s. His compositions were funky, sophisticated and deeply personal, and many musicians in the local scene were fond of playing with him, hanging with him and listening to him play.

The last few years in Ron's life were very difficult, filled with misfortune and health issues. He was unable to play music during this time, and it was our loss and his. He left this earth on September 8, 2024. The tribute will feature a number of folks who played with Ron or grew up listening to him and were influenced by him. There will be time to offer testimonies in his memory as well.

Ron's tribute show will close our festival with a set on the indoor stage from 8-9pm. Hope you can make it.

"Red Beans & Rice"

08/31/2025

All this talk about the artists playing at this year's Autumnal Jazz Fest has sure got me hungry.... and thirsty! Luckily we are covered! Food this year will be provided by Frickled Pickle Express, beer by Mile Wide Brewery, and desserts by Spotz Gelato. And... this year we've got wine! Brooks Hill Winery will be on hand for wine lovers! It will all be here and waiting for you! We'll see you Sept 6!

08/26/2025

Artist spotlight #5

The Groove Tubers explore the relationship between jazz and TV themes. Todd Hildreth, it's founder noticed how many TV themes were written by Jazz composers or composers with experience in jazz (Lalo Scrifrin, Quincy Jones, Neal Hefti, Bob James, etc.) and realize there was a rich repertoire to be exploited in a jazz context.

The Groove Tubers are Todd Hildreth on keyboards and steel drum, Isaac Stephens on brass and woodwinds, Clay Moore on guitar, Lee Puckett on bass, and Terry O'Mahoney on drums.

The Groove Tubers play the outdoor stage from 7-8pm. See you Sept 6!

08/19/2025

Artist spotlight #4

The Derby City Dandies

perform classic, obscure and b***y songs from Prohibition to Swing Jazz and beyond. Their energetic dance rhythms and old school vibe take you back to another era.

The Derby City Dandies play the indoor stage from 6-7pm at this year's fest!

We'll see you on the Sept 6th!

08/14/2025

Artist Spotlight #3

502 Vintage Keys is a Louisville-based jazz fusion group rooted in the sound of 1970s electric jazz. Drawing inspiration from the golden era of Hammond organs, Rhodes pianos, Wurlitzers, and Clavinets, the band delivers a groove-rich blend of vintage tones and modern improvisation.

Led by renowned bassist Tyrone Wheeler— recognized as one of the leading acoustic and electric bassists in the region—the group features a lineup of top-tier musicians: Hunt Butler on saxophones and flute, Diego Lyra on vintage keys, and Ted Richardson on drums. Each member brings deep experience and a distinctive voice to the ensemble.

502 Vintage Keys explores a wide range of styles, with a strong focus on contemporary jazz and fusion. Performances often include special guests, adding a rich, unexpected dimension to the group’s sound.

They'll play 5-6 on the outdoor stage!
See you Sept 6!

08/07/2025

Advance ticket sales here and Tshirt sales here!
See you Sept 6!

September 6, 2025 @ 3:00 PM - Ascension Lutheran Church - 13725 Shelbyville Rd, Louisville, KY 40245, USA

08/07/2025

Autumnal Jazz Fest Artist feature #2

Johnny Wagner (15) is a saxophonist, oboist, and composer. He is a sophomore at YPAS and began playing saxophone at age 11. In 2024 he was awarded the ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Award and will perform in a jazz quintet with Noah Sparks (16, tenor saxophone), Mihira Tangelloju (14, piano), and Craig Wagner (bass), and Terry O'mahoney (drums)

Johnny plays from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. on the indoor stage. See you on September 6th!