Sheila E., Chris Botti, Larkin Poe and The Wood Brothers will headline four nights of live music at Coachman Park when the 47th Clearwater Jazz Holiday takes over the waterfront Thursday, Oct. 15, through Sunday, Oct. 18.

The festival, produced by the Clearwater Jazz Holiday Foundation, returns to the park's Tampa Bay Times Stage. The foundation says the event draws tens of thousands of visitors annually. Tickets are on sale through Etix, with general admission lawn seats starting at $39 and VIP reserved seating running $174 to $224 plus fees. This year adds VIP reserved tables for four at $804 to $848 plus fees.

Residents who want to listen without buying a ticket can still enjoy the music. The Sunset Bluff area of Coachman Park offers free viewing where blankets and lawn chairs are welcome, and the pre-party side stages in the Lower Plaza and Promenade Pier areas are free and open daily.

Four nights, four themes

Each evening carries a distinct musical identity, according to the festival's official lineup. Thursday's "Cool Jazz" night features trumpeter Chris Botti from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., with Kim Waters, Jeff Kashiwa and Steve Oliver opening at 6 p.m. Gates open at 4 p.m.

Friday's "Feel the Rhythm" bill brings Sheila E. & The E-Train to the main stage from 9 to 10:30 p.m., following Cuban jazz legend Arturo Sandoval at 7 p.m.

Saturday is "Blues & Brass" night, headlined by sister duo Larkin Poe from 9 to 10:30 p.m. and Big Sam's Funky Nation at 7 p.m. Sunday closes the weekend with "Roots & Funk," featuring The Wood Brothers at 8 p.m. and Dumpstaphunk performing the music of Sly & the Family Stone at 6 p.m. Gates open at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

A Chick Corea tribute with local roots

On Friday's Pier Party Stage, Tampa jazz band ARConnection will perform "Fires of Forever," a tribute to the late Chick Corea, who called Clearwater home until his death in 2021 at age 79. Saxophonist Pete Carney, who will join the set, told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay in June that "Chick's music is beyond category, starting with Miles Davis or Stan Getz to later playing with Michael Brecker and Christian McBride."

Education and outreach

CEO Steve Weinberger told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay in June that the 2026 lineup was organized around daily themes rather than assembled as a random concert series.

Beyond the main stage, the foundation runs year-round programs including the Young Lions Jazz Master Sessions for Bay area students and a History of Jazz outreach that the foundation reported had reached more than 30,000 students by 2020. Scholarships for graduating seniors are offered through the Pinellas Education Foundation.

Event Details

When: Thursday, Oct. 15, through Sunday, Oct. 18. Gates open at 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Where: Coachman Park, downtown Clearwater.

Tickets: $39-$44 general admission; $59-$64 reserved; $94-$104 premium; $174-$224 VIP. Available at etix.com. ADA seating available by emailing [email protected] or calling 727-461-5200.

Free options: Sunset Bluff viewing area and pre-party side stages open daily at no cost.

Volunteer: Registration is open at [email protected].

The festival is rain or shine.