03/24/2026
🎷 The Roots of Jazz and the Spirit of the Mixed Roots Jazz Festival
By Kendra Clarke
Mixedrootsjazzfestival.com
Jazz has always been more than a musical genre. It is a cultural meeting ground — a place where African rhythms, Caribbean traditions, European harmonies, and the lived experiences of Black American communities converged to create something entirely new. Born in the early 20th century, most famously in New Orleans, jazz quickly became a symbol of collaboration, improvisation, and shared humanity.
From its earliest days, jazz welcomed everyone. It grew through blended cultures, mixed identities, and the creative exchange of people from all races and socioeconomic backgrounds. That spirit of unity and openness is the foundation of the Mixed Roots Jazz Festival.
🌍 A Festival That Honors Jazz’s Multicultural Origins
The Mixed Roots Jazz Festival was created to reflect what jazz has always represented: the beauty and strength of mixed roots.
At the heart of the festival is a guiding belief: Mixed roots includes everyone.
Every culture. Every race. Every background. Every community.
Just as jazz was shaped by the blending of traditions, the festival celebrates the richness that comes from bringing people together. It is designed as an inclusive space where families, artists, students, and neighbors can gather to experience the music that has always belonged to all of us.
The festival’s programming, artist lineup, and community partnerships all echo jazz’s original spirit — improvisation, collaboration, and the celebration of humanity in all its forms.
🎤 The Founders: Holly Choon Hyang Bachman & Kenton Clarke
The Mixed Roots Jazz Festival is led by Holly Choon Hyang Bachman and Kenton Clarke, two founders whose professional work and leadership naturally aligned around the mission of unity, representation, and cultural celebration.
Holly Choon Hyang Bachman
Holly is a respected cultural leader and organizational strategist whose work centers on building platforms that uplift diverse communities. She is also the founder of the Mixed Roots Academy, an arts‑driven initiative dedicated to supporting the next generation of youth through music, creativity, and cultural education. Her commitment to youth empowerment and inclusive storytelling plays a central role in shaping the festival’s mission and long‑term vision.
Kenton Clarke
Kenton is a nationally recognized entrepreneur and longtime champion of diversity and inclusion. As the founder of Omnikal — the nation’s largest inclusive business network — he has spent decades creating opportunities that bring people together across racial, cultural, and socioeconomic lines. His passion for jazz and community-building helps guide the festival’s direction and ensures it remains rooted in authenticity and purpose.
Together, Holly and Kenton established the Mixed Roots Jazz Festival as a modern reflection of jazz’s multicultural DNA — a celebration of unity, creativity, and shared roots.
🎶 A Modern Reflection of Jazz’s Legacy
The Mixed Roots Jazz Festival stands as a contemporary echo of jazz’s beginnings:
It celebrates cultural fusion, just as jazz was born from blended traditions.
It uplifts diverse artists, honoring the genre’s history of innovation and resilience.
It welcomes all people, reflecting jazz’s role as a communal art form.
It creates space for joy, connection, and creativity, the very essence of jazz
In a world that often emphasizes differences, the festival reminds us that our shared roots — like jazz — are strongest when they intertwine.
đź“… Festival Details
🎉 Event: Inaugural Mixed Roots Jazz Festival
đź“… Date: June 14, 2026
đź“Ť Location: Fairfield, Connecticut
🎟️ Tickets: Available now at 👉 Mixedrootsjazzfestival.com
