About the Festival

"The hope of a first-rate jazz festival for Boston took a huge step towards fulfillment… festivalgoers had the sort of hard choices people have to make at Newport and other top festivals."

—The Boston Globe

Seven years ago, Darryl Settles (partner of The Beehive) produced the South End's first jazz festival and had a surprise turnout of nearly 10,000 people. From this beginning, the BeanTown Jazz Festival has grown to become Boston's most popular outdoor festival, attracting large crowds to the festival grounds on Columbus Avenue each year.

The 2007 BeanTown Jazz Festival delighted tens of thousands with a host of jazz, latin, blues and groove acts. The city came out in force—a record-breaking 70,000 strong—to enjoy world-class jazz on three stages, great eats, and good times stretching six-blocks in Boston's historic South End. Families were entertained with face painting, inflatables, photos and an instrument petting zoo. Over 100 vendors participated, making BeanTown 2007 the most successful to date.

The Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival brings together people from diverse communities throughout the city and region, and is a vital part of the Boston culture.