Savannah Music Festival

08/29/2026

A massive thank you to the readers of Savannah Magazine for voting for the Savannah Music Festival. Every single year, our team pours its heart into delivering the world-class variety, electric energy, and top-tier quality you know and love.

We’re currently hard at work behind the scenes, and we promise you - the 2027 festival is going to be spectacular.

See you there! 🎉🎶🎵

08/25/2026

LAST CALL FOR SUMMER FREQUENCIES!

SUMMER FREQUENCIES \\ Where Sound and Summer Move in Rhythm

2026 Summer Exhibition at ARTSTRYNGS Gallery

Benefitting the Savannah Music Festival

Closing Reception | Friday, August 28 | 5:30–7:30 PM

ARTSTRYNGS Gallery | 530 E. Liberty Street, Savannah GA

Join us for the closing reception of SUMMER FREQUENCIES, ARTSTRYNGS 2026 summer exhibition celebrating the vibrant intersection of art, music, movement, and the nostalgia of summer.

10% of Art Sales Donated to the Savannah Music Festival

Giving Back:
SUMMER FREQUENCIES is proud to support the Savannah Music Festival, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, with 10% of all exhibition art sales donated to the organization’s year-round music education and community outreach programs. Through initiatives like the SMF Jazz Academy, Musical Explorers, and free student access to performances, the Festival enriches the cultural fabric of Savannah while providing thousands of local students with transformative arts education opportunities at no cost.

08/21/2026

During the FY2026 season, Savannah Music Festival remained a powerful economic engine for the region, drawing over 15,000 patrons and generating $7.21 million in direct and visitor spending. Beyond the stage, we invested deeply in our region through cost-free community impact initiatives. By providing educational concerts, master classes, and music lessons, SMF delivered nearly 35,000 free learning hours to music lovers of all ages.

This vibrant mix of artistic excellence and community enrichment is only possible because of our donors. We are profoundly grateful to the generous supporters who fueled our FY2026 season and helped us inspire the next generation.

Join us in creating the next season of extraordinary music by visiting savannahmusicfestival.org/support.

08/04/2026

Watch: Savannah Music Festival Jazz Academy Spring Showcase 2026 - https://www.savannahmusicfestival.org/watch-savannah-music-festival-jazz-academy-spring-showcase-2026/

07/31/2026

We're all set up at Roundhouse Music Festival. Find us on vendor row behind the Blacksmith Shop inside Georgia State Railroad Museum. Stop by our tent and get some FREE swag!

07/29/2026

The Savannah Music Festival is entering its next chapter with a strengthened leadership team, welcoming new staff members and recognizing the experience and dedication of longtime employees through a series of internal promotions.

Learn more at: https://www.savannahmusicfestival.org/savannah-music-festival-strengthens-leadership-team-as-organization-enters-next-chapter-of-growth/

06/16/2026

We are proud to see Savannah Music Festival featured in Visit Savannah’s *Tourism Supports Our Community* series, with Executive Director Siniša Ćirić, Senior Director of Community Impact Jenny Woodruff, and SMF Jazz Academy Music Director Benje Daneman joining business partners and fellow arts leaders — including Kacey Kennickell of Kennickell Group and Evan Goetz of Tybee Post Theater — to highlight the important role festivals play in Savannah’s cultural and visitor economy.

Through our two-week Festival and year-round artistic, educational, and community programming, Savannah Music Festival generated an estimated $6 million in economic impact for the City of Savannah this year.

Beyond the festival season, programs such as Musical Explorers and SMF Jazz Academy continue to reach young people, expand access to music education, and create lasting community impact.

When you support Savannah’s festivals, you are supporting Savannah’s community — its artists, students, educators, small businesses, hospitality partners, and the cultural traditions that make our city extraordinary.

Thank you, Visit Savannah, for highlighting this important work and for being a valued partner in sharing Savannah’s story.

Support the music, education, and community programs that make this impact possible: https://bit.ly/SMFcreateimpact

Watch the full Visit Savannah feature here: https://youtu.be/XsP-tYJ3BMc?si=CjB2JGa-68a1ZPQl

“Savannah’s festivals do more than entertain — they strengthen our ...

06/10/2026

This weekend, Savannah Music Festival Executive Director Siniša Ćirić and Artistic Director Ryan McMaken joined fellow arts and music leaders for a panel exploring the music industry’s role in strengthening communities, supporting artists, and contributing to Georgia’s economy.

The conversation brought together members of the Recording Academy’s GRAMMYs National Advocacy Team and Atlanta Chapter, along with business partners and fellow arts leaders.

Savannah and Chatham County welcomed 12.9 million visitors in 2024, generating $4.1 billion in visitor spending. Across Georgia, nonprofit arts and culture organizations generate $1.3 billion in economic activity and support nearly 20,000 jobs—a powerful reminder that music and cultural experiences are not only essential to our communities, but also important economic drivers.

Thank you to the organizers, panelists, and everyone who joined this important conversation about the future and impact of Georgia’s music industry.


Atlanta Chapter of The Recording Academy
GRAMMY Advocacy

06/02/2026

Celebrating the heart of Savannah Music Festival: our volunteers.

Last night, we had the joy of gathering for our Volunteer Appreciation Party to celebrate the incredible people who give their time, energy, and warmth to help make the Festival possible.

From welcoming patrons and supporting artists to helping everything run smoothly behind the scenes, our volunteers are an essential part of the SMF family.

We are so grateful for each of you and all you do. Thank you for being part of the music, the community, and the magic of Savannah Music Festival. 🎶

Special thanks to our amazing partner B Matthew's Eatery and the entire Gaslight Group for hosting this celebration and for their continued support and partnership over the years.

Here’s to another season of music, community, and unforgettable moments together. 🎶

05/14/2026

We closed another wonderful year of SMF Jazz Academy with a beautiful Spring Showcase at the Ben Tucker Theater at the Otis S. Johnson Cultural Arts Center — a special afternoon celebrating the talent, dedication, and growth of our students, and the incredible work happening throughout the year.

Congratulations to our young musicians on a wonderful performance, and thank you to Program Director Benje Daneman, our dedicated instructors, staff, and everyone who helps guide and support these students.

We are especially grateful to Ron & Susan Whitaker, our founding sponsors, and to all of our generous sponsors and supporters who make SMF Jazz Academy possible.

And of course, thank you to the parents and families who show up, encourage, and support these students every step of the way.

SMF Jazz Academy is building the next generation of musicians — and the future of jazz is bright.

Photo credit: Benson-Jaja