Event Kickoff: Parade

March to the rhythm! Join us as we kick off the festival with a lively New Orleans style brass parade down Selby Avenue, complete with authentic second line dancers!

Join the Selby Ave JazzFest Flash Mob Band!

Do you play an instrument? Brass, woodwinds, strings, percussion—or anything in between? We want you to help us kick off this year’s Selby Ave JazzFest with a bang!We are assembling a secret, one-of-a-kind JazzFest Flash Mob Band to launch the festival with an unforgettable, surprise pop-up performance. This is your chance to be part of the magic, bring high-energy music directly to the community, and start the day with an electric vibe.

Visit the Flash Mob Band page for details.

Walker|West Faculty Showcase

The Walker|West Faculty X-tet is a dynamic ensemble of distinguished teaching artists from Walker West Music Academy, one of the Twin Cities’ leading institutions for music education and community engagement. Drawing on deep roots in jazz, R&B, gospel, classical, and contemporary styles, the X-tet showcases the breadth and artistry of Walker|West’s faculty through vibrant, genre-spanning performances.

Historic Big Band Showcase

The Minnesota State Band, established in 1898, is the official band of the State of Minnesota and the only remaining state band in the United States. Founded under the direction of Christian Selling, the ensemble quickly gained national recognition, with members recruited by John Philip Sousa and Selling himself going on to work with Oscar Hammerstein I in New York.

Featured Artist Showcase

David Feily is a Twin Cities–based guitarist and composer whose electrifying, groove-driven sound blends jazz, funk, R&B, rock, and global influences into a dynamic live experience. Known for his expressive improvisation and phrasing, Feily moves seamlessly from intricate melodic lines to high-energy, syncopated grooves that connect with audiences across genres.

Featured Artist Showcase

Mississippi is a powerhouse jazz ensemble featuring Pete Whitman, Kavyesh Kaviraj, Jeff Bailey, and Kevin Washington. Individually, they bring decades of performance experience and extensive recording credits on both national and international stages, having worked with renowned artists and organizations including the Minnesota Orchestra, Glenn Miller Orchestra, Curtis Fuller, The Temptations, and Wynton Marsalis, among many others.

Headliner Performance

Stokley Williams is an American singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist best known as the lead vocalist and drummer of the R&B band Mint Condition. Raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, he developed a strong musical foundation early on, which shaped his distinctive style.

Official JazzFest Jam Session

The festival doesn’t end when the main stage lights go down. We’re moving the party over to Walker West for the official JazzFest Jam Session, and you’re invited to be part of it.

The Details

• Host: Marvelous Leo
• Date: Saturday, September 12th
• Time: 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
• Location: Walker West Music Academy | 650 Marshall Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104.

Why You Need to Be There

This session is the heartbeat of the festival. It’s the place where the boundaries come down and the real magic happens through live, world-class improvisation. Whether you’re a musician looking to sit in or a fan who wants to catch the energy up close, this is where you want to be.

Grab your instrument, bring a friend, and let’s close out the night right. See you there!