The Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series will return for its fifth annual event from February 6 to 15, 2026, at the Fort Mose Historic State Park in St. Augustine, Florida. The upcoming series features Grammy-winning artists including Gary Clark Jr., Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble, Samara Joy, Robert Cray Band, Ruthie Foster, and Ledisi.
This event is held at a site recognized as the first legally sanctioned free African settlement in what is now the United States. Organizers say that the series aims to provide more than musical performances by connecting audiences with both history and community.
“More than a concert series, Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series honors the Fort Mose’s profound legacy as the first legally sanctioned free African settlement in what is now the United States – offering audiences an immersive experience where history, community and music converge,” organizers stated.
Tickets for all concerts will go on sale Friday, November 21 at 10 a.m. through DiscoverFortMose.com. Each ticket includes a charity fee; part of these proceeds will benefit the Fort Mose Historical Society’s work to preserve and promote the site’s history.
The lineup begins with Ledisi performing on Friday, February 6. Gary Clark Jr. follows on Saturday, February 7. On Friday, February 13 there will be performances by Robert Cray Band and Ruthie Foster. Don Was and his Pan-Detroit Ensemble are scheduled for Saturday, February 14. The series closes with Samara Joy on Sunday, February 15.
Each show starts at 7 p.m., with gates opening one hour earlier. Ticket prices vary per artist and range from approximately $50 to over $200 depending on performance.
Since its launch in 2022, this concert series has highlighted both jazz and blues music while raising awareness about Fort Mose’s historical importance. The efforts have supported reconstruction projects led by the Fort Mose Historical Society; notably, a representation of Fort Mose was completed in May 2025.
Fort Mose was established in 1738 when around one hundred Africans settled there after escaping English enslavement during conflicts between European colonial powers in North America. These residents formed a unique cultural community influenced by Native American, Spanish and English customs. In recognition of its significance, it became a National Historic Landmark in 1994.
SJC Cultural Events Inc., which manages several local entertainment venues such as The St. Augustine Amphitheatre and Ponte Vedra Concert Hall as well as events like Sing Out Loud Festival, produces this series with support from local organizations including St. Johns County Tourist Development Council and others.
