The Seabreeze Jazz Festival in Panama City Beach, Florida, has been bringing smooth vibes and soulful melodies to the Gulf Coast for over twenty years! Founded in 1999 by Mark and Renee Carter, owners of the local radio station 106.3 The Seabreeze, the festival originally started as a promotional event for their station. The first festival took place in March 1999 in Seaside, Florida, drawing a small crowd of around 350 attendees. With just two performances per day over the weekend, the event fostered an intimate, family-like atmosphere. Organizers even hosted communal meals for musicians and staff, creating a spirit of camaraderie that quickly became a defining feature of the festival.
Over the years, the Seabreeze Jazz Festival experienced remarkable growth in both size and reputation. By 2018, it was drawing over 5,000 jazz enthusiasts per day from across the U.S. and beyond. Its rising popularity earned it recognition as one of the nation’s top jazz events, with distinctions such as “Best Event” and “Best Place To Be Seen” by Emerald Coast Magazine.
In 2024, the festival celebrated its 25th anniversary, delivering exceptional jazz, soul, and smooth jazz performances against the backdrop of Panama City Beach’s stunning coastline.
Known for its outstanding lineups, the Seabreeze Jazz Festival consistently features a dynamic blend of award-winning jazz legends and rising stars. Its dedication to delivering a world-class musical experience has earned it a spot on JazzIZ Magazine‘s list of the “Top 10 Jazz Festivals in the USA” and a nomination for “Best Jazz Festival” at the Oasis Smooth Jazz Awards.
As it continues to grow, the Seabreeze Jazz Festival remains a cherished tradition, offering those that attend from all parts of the world, an unforgettable combination of world-class music, gorgeous coastal scenery, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
2025 Line-Up
The Seabreeze Jazz Festival is scheduled for April 23-27, 2025, at the Aaron Bessant Park Amphitheater in Panama City Beach, Florida. Get ready for an unforgettable experience with the incredible talent and lineup headed your way. Whether you’re a lifelong jazz lover or just discovering the genre, the Seabreeze Jazz Festival promises a performance-packed weekend that will have you tapping your feet and coming back for more.
Thursday April 24th
Aaron Bessant Park Amphitheater
Gates open at 12:00 p.m.
Show at 1:30pm
1:30pm-2:45pm Chris Standring
3:15pm-4:30pm Michael Lington
5pm-6:15pm. Lindsey Webster
6:45pm-8pm Jazz Funk Soul feat. Jeff Lorber, Everette Harp, and Paul Jackson, Jr.
8:30pm-10pm Gerald Albright’s G-Funk Tribute To James Brown
Seabreeze After Party at Pompano Joe’s
11pm Seabreeze After Party featuring Nathan Mitchell
(Doors at 10:30pm)
Friday April 25th
Aaron Bessant Park Amphitheater
Gates open at 12:00 p.m.
Show at 1:30pm
1:30pm-2:30pm Marcus Anderson featuring Nicholas Cole
3:00pm-4:15pm U-Nam featuring Tim Owens and Magdalena Chovancova
4:45pm-6:00pm Eric Darius
6:30pm-7:15pm Seabreeze Rising Star — Slim Gambill
7:45pm-9:00pm The Family Stone
9:30pm-10:45pm Boney James
Seabreeze After Party at Pompano Joe’s
11:30pm Seabreeze After Party featuring Mike Phillips
(Doors at 11pm)
Saturday April 26th
Aaron Bessant Park Amphitheater
Gates open at 12:00 p.m.
Show at 1:30pm
1:30pm-2:30pm Julian Vaughn
3:00pm-4:15pm Jesse Cook
4:45pm-6:00pm 3 Alarm Fire feat Art Sherrod, Jr, Lin Rountree, and Ragan Whiteside
6:30pm-7:15pm Seabreeze Rising Star — Adrian Crutchfield
7:45pm- 9:00pm Damien Escobar
9:30pm-10:45pm WAR
Seabreeze After Party at Pompano Joe’s
11:30pm Seabreeze After Party featuring Najee
(Doors at 11:00pm)
Sunday April 27th
Aaron Bessant Park Amphitheater
Gates open at 12:00 p.m.
Show at 1:30pm
1:30pm-2:45pm Ben Tankard
3:15pm-4:30pm Norman Brown
5:00pm-6:15pm Avery*Sunshine
6:45pm-8:00pm Najee
8:30pm-10:00pm Brian Culbertson
Seabreeze After Party at Pompano Joe’s
11pm Seabreeze After Party featuring Vincent Ingala’s Old School Jam
(Doors at 10:30pm)
For seating and ticket information, be sure to visit their website!
For an unforgettable Seabreeze Jazz Festival experience, staying with Premium Beach Condos is the perfect choice. Located right on the stunning shores of Panama City Beach, our condos offer the ultimate blend of comfort, convenience, and luxury. Just minutes from the festival grounds at Aaron Bessant Park, you’ll enjoy easy access to the event while having a relaxing beachfront retreat to return to each day.
With spacious, fully equipped condos featuring private balconies, you can unwind with breathtaking views of the Gulf after a day of world-class jazz performances. Plus, our properties offer amenities like pools, fire bowls, and fitness centers, ensuring you can recharge in style between sets.
Whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or with a group of fellow jazz lovers, Premium Beach Condos provides the perfect home base for the five-day festival, letting you soak up the music, the scenery, and the laid-back beach vibes in total comfort. Be sure to visit our website to check out our availability!
Get ready to sea the groove and shorely enjoy the smoothest jazz around!
