Nicholas Payton at the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival

A two-time Grammy Award winner, Nicholas Payton is one of jazz’s most influential modern voices. Trumpeter, vocalist, composer and producer, he continually pushes musical boundaries while honoring the rich traditions of Black American Music and New Orleans jazz. // The Clifford Brown Jazz Festival is a week-long celebration of music, culture, and community honoring Wilmington’s own Clifford Brown, one of the most influential trumpet players in jazz history. Since its founding in 1989, the festival has grown into the largest free jazz festival on the East Coast, attracting thousands of music lovers from across the region and around the world.

For seven unforgettable days, Rodney Square becomes an outdoor concert venue unlike any other. Grammy Award winners, international touring artists, rising stars, hometown favorites, and groundbreaking performers share one stage in the heart of downtown Wilmington. Whether you’re a lifelong jazz fan or simply love great live music, every evening offers something…