The Duck Jazz Festival is back! After a two year hiatus because of COVID, the oldest continuous music festival on the Outer Banks is returning.
And the lineup look fantastic.
We’ll get to the music in just a moment, but what makes the Duck Jazz Fest so great is a.) it’s all outdoors in a wonderful setting; b.) they use two stages. The Town Green is the main stage and the Amphitheater has some great up and coming musicians, including the First Flight High School jazz band. And c.) the music is amazing.
The music kicks off at 4:00 in the afternoon on Saturday October 8 with La Fiesta Latin Jazz Quintet. Their sound is pure Latin or may Carribean with a fantastic driving beat. Then comes a full day of music on Sunday.
The headliner is either Banda Magda—some more Latin sounds. This time with incredible vocals and fuller sound than the heavily percussion driving arrangements of La Fiesta Latin. Absolutely fantastic sound.
The Festival closes with the U.S. Air Force Rhythm in Blue Jazz Ensemble. This is not your typical military band. The musicians in it are the best of the best—and yes, the military bands are very demanding and the musicians are widely known as some of the best.
But the Air Force Rhythm in Blue Jazz Ensemble seem to take it to another level. More of a big band sound, they won’t disappoint.
The Duck Jazz Festival is really one of the highlights of the October festival season here on the Outer Banks. Try to make it if you can.
There’s still a lot happening on the Outer Banks. Plan to stay a while in a Brindley Beach Vacations home.
Duck Jazz Festival Schedule
Saturday, October 8
TOWN GREEN
4:00 – 6:00 PM La Fiesta Latin Jazz Quintet
Sunday, October 9
TOWN GREEN
11:00 AM Bassel & The Supernaturals
1:10 PM John Jorgenson Quintet
3:25 PM Banda Magda
5:25 PM U.S. Air Force Rhythm in Blue Jazz Ensemble
AMPHITHEATER
12:10 PM First Flight High School Honors Jazz Band
2:20 PM Eric Williams Quintet
4:30 PM Devin Frazier & THRIO