The Highland Area Partnership is excited to announce the 21st Annual Highland Jazz and Blues Festival, presented by Ambetter Health, is scheduled for Saturday, September 13, 2025, at Columbia Park located in Shreveport’s Historic Highland Neighborhood. This festival will showcase memorable musical performances on three stages, a children’s area, a pet area, artisans, food trucks, and more. The Highland Jazz and Blues Festival is FREE to attend.
The musical lineup features powerhouse performers, emerging artists, and local and regional favorites. Headlining this year’s festival is a second-generation Bluesman and one of the strongest modern proponents of Louisiana Swamp Blues, Kenny Neal. Kenny grew up playing music with his dad, along with Slim Harpo and Buddy Guy. Kenny Neal and his Big 7 Piece Band are ready to give a memorable performance at the 21st Highland Jazz and Blues Festival! Other musical acts on the main Pavilion Stage include the Curtis Mills Collective, Josh Madden and his Blues Brothers Tribute Band, Doug Duffy and BADD, and Grammy award nominee, Buddy Flett. On the Gazebo Stage, the musical acts include Everett Street Jazz, Daniel Scott Quintet, Stilettos, Floyd Grigsby and the 5GK Band, and The Shreveport Bone Society.
The Highland Jazz and Blues Festival is introducing a third stage this year called the Inspiration Stage. It will also showcase performances by aspiring musicians from local schools, including the Creswell Blazin’ Beatz, Bossier Parish Schools Talented Arts Program, Caddo Parish Schools Talented Arts Program, North DeSoto Middle School Jazz Band, and Benton High School Jazz Band. This stage will also include an interactive, educational, and fun performance from Lady Chops, Northeast Louisiana Arts Council 2024 Performing Artist of the Year and former Off-Broadway “STOMP” cast member.
21st Annual Highland Jazz & Blues Festival Lineup
The three stages will fill the park from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The schedule is as follows:
Pavilion Stage presented by Ambetter Health
10:00 a.m. – Buddy Flett
11:30 a.m. – Doug Duffy and BADD
1:00 p.m. – Josh Madden Blues Brothers Band
2:30 p.m. – Curtis Mills Collective
4:30 p.m. – Kenny Neal and his Big 7 Piece Band
Gazebo Stage
10:30 a.m. – Everett Street Jazz
11:30 a.m. – Daniel Scott Quintet
1:30 p.m. – Stilettos
3:00 p.m. – Floyd Grigsby and the 5GK Band
4:30 p.m. – The Shreveport Bone Society
Inspiration Stage
10:15 a.m. – Creswell Blazin’ Beatz
10:45 a.m. – Benton High School Jazz Band
11:45 p.m. – Bossier Parish Schools Talented Arts Program
1:15 p.m. – Caddo Parish Schools Talented Arts Program
2:45 p.m. – Lady Chops
4:15 p.m. – North DeSoto Middle School Jazz Band
In addition to the music, throughout the park there will be more than 70 food and artisan vendors, a Children’s Area with hands-on art activities from local nonprofits, and a Pet Area for furry friends. A FREE shuttle service sponsored by BOM will run continuously during the day. Merchandise and official poster sales will be located next to the Pavilion Stage.
Official Poster Design Winner
Last year, the Highland Area Partnership created a contest to design the official poster for juniors and seniors in Caddo and Bossier Parishes. This year, we also extended the offer to DeSoto Parish juniors and seniors. The submissions were juried by local artists and cultural bearers, with the winner chosen solely on the artwork. The artist chosen is DaMetrius Haggerty, CCTC Media Arts & Advertising Design Senior at Northwood High School. “DaMetrius is one of those rare seniors who is mature well beyond his years. He is always inquisitive about learning new design skills and coming up with unique ideas. In the last 2 years here at CCTC, he has grown so much by obtaining multiple design certifications and completing quite an array of interesting design pieces for his portfolio. DaMetrius plans on attending BPCC in the fall and majoring in Communication Media,” said Michelle Lindholm, CCTC Media Arts & Advertising Design Instructor. The poster design concept originated from a historical jazz nightclub setting that includes various blue tones and a spotlight highlighting the jazz musicians. The Highland Area Partnership presented Haggerty with $500.00 for his work on the official poster.
“The board of directors and I are very proud of the lineup and poster artwork for the 21st Highland Jazz and Blues Festival,” said Emerie Eck Holtzclaw, Executive Director. “This festival is for the community, by the community, which makes it a wonderful experience for everyone in attendance.”
More information about the festival weekend activities can be found at www.highlandjazzandblues.org.
About the Highland Jazz and Blues Festival
Launched in 2003, the Highland Jazz & Blues Festival has grown from a handful of bands and a crowd of 500-1,000 to a gathering including two stages, nine bands, over 60 vendors, and 10,000 music fans in the Highland area’s beautiful, historic Columbia Park. The annual Festival is a gift to the community from the Highland Area Partnership, a 501c3 arts and culture nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating and connecting our community through music, food, and the arts. Proceeds from posters, t-shirts, beverage sales, donations, and sponsorships are used to bring the Festival back each year.
