A Syracuse music tradition is celebrating its 38th year with big names in jazz, R&B, swing, rock and more.

The 2024 National Grid Syracuse International Jazz Fest will take place June 26-30, at multiple venues in Syracuse, N.Y. Headliners include Kenny G on Friday, June 28; The O’Jays on Saturday, June 29; and The Mavericks on Thursday, June 27; all three concerts will take place on the main Amazon Outdoor Stage in Clinton Square.

All Syracuse Jazz Festival performances are free to attend.

The fun kicks off Wednesday, June 26, with local and regional artists performing in 20 different venues throughout Syracuse. Highlights include tributes to Sarah Vaughan and Donny Hathaway; Wayne Tucker & The Bad Motha’s; The Latin Groove Connection; the Joe Magnarelli Organ Band; Marissa Mulder & Jon Weber; and Syracuse Area Music Awards (SAMMYS) winners like Shawn Maurice Seals & SMX, E S P, and Jimmy John’s Vibe.

Other artists on the five-day schedule include McKinley James and the Catherine Russell Band on Thursday, June 27; the Gunhild Carling Big Band (“Sweden’s Queen of Swing”) and a celebration of Ella Fitzgerald by the Freda Payne Big Band on Friday, June 28; Gino Vanelli and saxophone great James Carter paying tribute to the late Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis on Saturday, June 29; and “Return to Community: A Sunday Gospel Jazz Service” featuring The Bowie State University Gospel Choir, The Black Celestial Choral Ensemble (BCCE) of Syracuse University, and a community choir at Syracuse University’s Hendricks Chapel on Sunday, June 30.

“It all starts with the music, that’s the reason we’re here,” Malfitano said when the lineup was announced in March.

Here’s everything you need to know about the 2024 Syracuse Jazz Fest (see full schedule at bottom):

HEADLINERS

Kenny G, who previously played Jazz Fest in 2012 and 2013, is a smooth jazz saxophonist and one of the best-selling artists of all time. He’s released more than a dozen albums and won a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition with 1994′s “Forever in Love.”

The O’Jays are an R&B, soul and funk group known for songs like “Love Train,” “For the Love of Money,” and “I Love Music.” The band, currently on a farewell tour with original members Eddie Levert and Walter Lee Williams, has been inducted in the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame.

The Mavericks are a Grammy-winning band known for their mix of country, rock, Latin, Americana and pop music on songs like “All You Ever Do is Bring Me Down,” “What a Crying Shame” and “Dance the Night Away.” The Raul Malo-led group previously performed at Syracuse Jazz Fest in 2017.

TICKETS

All performances will be free of charge, including the club and main stage shows. No tickets are required.

PARKING / DIRECTIONS

Clinton Square is located at 161 W Genesee St, Syracuse, N.Y. (.)

Parking is available on city streets surrounding Clinton Square and in various lots and parking garages. Rates may vary.

There are multiple Centro bus stops along N. Salina St., E. Washington St. and Franklin St.; the festival site is located half a mile north of the Centro Transit Hub on Salina Street. Taxis and ride-share services can also drop off passengers near Clinton Square.

FOOD / DRINK

There will be food and drink vendors at Clinton Square on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, while the club shows will be at local bars and restaurants.

SEATS

There will be minimal seating provided at Jazz Fest, so attendees are invited and encouraged to bring their own chairs. Seating areas include the Clinton Square fountain/skating rink and grass around the Soldiers & Sailors Monument.

CROWD SIZE

More than 20,000 people saw Herbie Hancock and Gladys Knight perform at Syracuse Jazz Fest in 2023, according to Jazz Fest founder and executive producer Frank Malfitano. 2022′s event featured 16,500 attendees after a four-year hiatus.

Some past Jazz Fests drew even bigger crowds, including 40,000 for Aretha Franklin in 2007 at Onondaga Community College and 35,000 for Ray Charles, Dave Brubeck and Diana Krall in 2000 at Clinton Square. Giant video screens and sound towers help ensure everyone can see and hear the performers, but Kenny G, The Mavericks and The O’Jays could be big draws if the weather cooperates.

2024 Syracuse Jazz Fest schedule

Wednesday, June 26 at multiple venues, Syracuse

5-7 p.m. Avenue J feat. Le Tiffault at Talking Cursive

5-7 p.m. Jimmy John’s Vibe (Tribute to Milt Jackson) at Gilded Club

5-7 p.m. The Frank Grosso Quartet at Oh My Darling!

5-7 p.m. The Jeff Martin Trio at Mulrooney’s

5-7 p.m. Dave Solazzo & The Bridge at Al’s Wine & Whiskey

5-7 p.m. Shawn Maurice Seals & SMX at The Song & Dance

5-7 p.m. Colleen Prossner & Friends at Lounge @ The Courtyard, Marriott Armory Square

6-8 p.m. Brian Scherer Quartet at The Saltine Warrior

6-8 p.m. In The Pocket w/ Big Nate at Benjamin’s On Franklin

6-8 p.m. The Ageless Jazz Band at Salt City Market Patio

6-8 p.m. Joe Magnarelli Organ Band f/ Akiko Tsuruga at The Tasting Room

6-8 p.m. Vinnie Amico Trio f/ Tim Herron, Zach Fleitz at Funk ‘n Waffles

6-8 p.m. Julie & Rick’s Jazz Asylum at Evergreen

6-8 p.m. Michael Passarelli Trio at Lounge @ The Residence Inn, Marriott Armory Square

7-9 p.m. Wayne Tucker & The Bad Motha’s at The Fitz

7-9 p.m. The Latin Groove Connection f/ Joe Carello at The Taphouse on Walton

8-10 p.m. Ralph Lalama Trio at The Tasting Room

8-10 p.m. Tish Oney’s All Star Salute to Sarah Vaughan at Gilded Club

8-10 p.m. Sam Wynn’s All Star Tribute to Donny Hathaway at The Song & Dance

8-10 p.m. Marissa Mulder & Jon Weber at Prime Steakhouse

8-10 p.m. E S P at Maxwells

8-10 p.m. The Intention at Eleven Waters Patio, Downtown Syracuse Marriott

8-10 p.m. The Drew Serafini Trio at Pastabilities

8-10 p.m. Scott Rutledge Quintet

9-11 p.m. Vince Watson / Mikal Serafim Collective at Lounge @ The Residence Inn

9-11 p.m. The Instigators at Funk ‘n Waffles

Thursday, June 27 at Clinton Square, downtown Syracuse

4-4:30 p.m. The Katz Pajamas Jazz Band

5-6:15 p.m. Bill O’Connell’s Latin Jazz All Stars

6:45-8 p.m. Catherine Russell Band

8:15-9 p.m. McKinley James

9:30-11 p.m. The Mavericks

Friday, June 28 at Clinton Square, downtown Syracuse

4-4:45 p.m. SU Student Jazz Combo Orange Juice

5:15-6:15 p.m. Jane Bunnett & Maqueque

6:35-7:35 p.m. Freda Payne Big Band (“Freda Celebrates Ella”)

7:55-8:55 p.m. Gunhild Carling Big Band (Sweden’s Queen of Swing)

9:25-11 p.m. Kenny G

Saturday, June 29 at Clinton Square, downtown Syracuse

4-5:15 p.m. SU Faculty Jazz Ensemble

5:30-6:45 p.m. James Carter Quintet

7:15-8:45 p.m. Gino Vanelli

9:30-11 p.m. The O’Jays

Sunday, June 30 at Hendricks Chapel, Syracuse University

12:30-2:30 p.m. Pre-event luncheon

3 p.m. “Return to Community: A Sunday Gospel Jazz Service”

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For more information, visit syracusejazzfest.com.