Mission Statement:  The Jazz Preservation Society of New Bern is a non-profit organization composed of individuals dedicated to the preservation, appreciation and promotion of jazz and blues music. Our goal is to develop and produce year-around jazz and blues related musical events culminating in an annual multi-day festival.

The Jazz Preservation Society is developing educational outreach programs to involve schools, colleges and other organizations interested in exploring and appreciating the rich heritage of this unique Afro-American derived musical idiom.

Finally, through the universality of jazz and blues music, we are dedicated to drawing together and entertaining peoples of all races and cultures within and beyond eastern North Carolina.

When New Bern’s own Jann White Parker came home to make her New Bern debut in April 2002, the wildly-enthusiastic response set the stage for the launching of the Jazz Preservation Society of New Bern.

For that first concert, Jann performed at the Knights of Columbus Lodge to a welcoming crowd of friends, High School Classmates and most of the congregation of the Clinton Chapel AME Zion church who were sponsoring the concert.

One year later, Jann performed, with great critical acclaim, to a bigger house at the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center. Jann’s cousin, Maryann Bobbitt, then and now the President of the JPSNB, realized that there was still a huge untapped audience for blues and jazz in and around New Bern and Eastern North Carolina. It was then that the JPSNB Board of Directors was enlarged to include the broader community needed to assure a wider-audience appeal.

After our inaugural, one-night First Annual New Bern Jazz and Blues Fest on October 8, 2004 sold-out to a wildly enthusiastic audience of  850, the JPSNB immediately began plans for a two day Second Annual Fest. Blues was the theme of Friday night, October 21, 2005 with “Canadian Blues Queen”, Maria Rolls, opening for the fabulous featured blues guitarist “Cool” John Ferguson. A free jazz concert was offered Saturday afternoon featuring Daysprings Church’s gospel/jazz youth band followed by the popular 2nd Marine Air Wing Jazz Band. That evening the incredible Frank and Joe Show opened for featured jazz vocalist Freddy Cole and his band.

In March 2006, The Jazz Preservation Society presented the world famous Preservation Hall Jazz Band performing two sold-out shows in New Bern’s Civic Theatre to an enraptured audience. Over $3,000 in proceeds (after expenses), was donated to the New Orleans Jazz Musicians Hurricane Relief Fund and to the Civic Theatre Renovation Fund.

Most recently, we have transitioned the annual New Bern Jazz and Blues Fest from its traditional October time frame to a springtime event. Our 4th Jazz and Blues Fest is scheduled for April 11th and 12th, 2008! 

Please note that we will hold our 5th annual fest on April 30 - May 1, 2009.