If you love discovering new music, dancing, and discovering Savannah, then the Savannah Music Festival is not to be missed.

Running March 24th to April 9th 2016, this year’s festival highlights talent from around the country and world, from classical to Indian funk, spread out over one of Georgia’s oldest cities.

We’ll have a presence there. On Thursday, March 31st at 4 p.m., GPB Radio’s Masani of “The Jazz Spot” is hosting the free Jazz on the River concert which features performances from high school bands from around the country.

On Friday, April 1st at 9 a.m., just in time for the start of Jazz Appreciation month, Masani will also be on hand for the Swing Central Jazz Competition. In one of the most prestigious high school jazz contests in the nation, 12 high school bands from across the country compete for a chance to play alongside a professional musician in the Swing Central Jazz finale in the evening at the Lucas Theatre. This year, the Lovett School from Atlanta won a coveted spot in the bompetition.

Masani will document her time at the festival as a guest photographer on our Instagram account so follow us @gpbmedia to see her pictures.

Here Are Some Other Acts And Shows Worth Noting

If you’re a fan of Shakespeare, you’ll want to attend “Pericles: Recomposed” on Tuesday, April 5th. With a combination of chamber music, spoken word and acting, you’ll be treated to Shakespeare in a new way: immersed in music with a setting of the Savannah Music Festival. Purchase tickets.

Of course, no music festival in Georgia would be complete without at least one local act. If you love supporting Georgia-based artists, you’ll want to catch Drive-By Truckers’ concert on Wednesday, April 6th. Based out of Athens, they’ll be playing alternative country music and are known to put on a show that makes you want to get up and dance. Purchase tickets

If that isn’t enough of a party for you, then you’ll want to be at the closing night concerts. It’s a brass band blowout, featuring Romanian brass group Ciocărlia and Red Baraat , who blends funk and bhangra with a distinct New Orleans feel.

Check out the clips below to get a sense of their music .

Here’s Ciocărlia

Here’s Red Baraat

 

The groups will have two concerts available on Saturday, April 9th, so you can decide if an earlier or later show is best for you. Purchase tickets.

For those who have attended or will attend Savannah Music Festival 2016, tell us who did you see live in concert?