Our Story
The Erie Blues & Jazz Festival began in 1992, when Erie Art Museum director John Vanco launched a weekend celebration of music in Frontier Park.
What started as a grassroots event quickly became one of Erie’s most beloved summer traditions, bringing nationally recognized artists, regional musicians, and thousands of attendees together each year for a weekend of live music in the park.
Today, the festival is produced and guided by a volunteer nonprofit board of directors and dedicated community leaders who steward the festival’s mission and long-term sustainability, under the direction of board president Tim Bruno. Their leadership, along with the support of volunteers, sponsors, and donors, ensures the festival continues to thrive while remaining free and accessible to the public.
More than three decades after its founding, the Erie Blues & Jazz Festival continues to celebrate the enduring influence of blues and jazz while creating a welcoming space where the community gathers through music.
Powered by Community
Today, the festival is produced by Erie Arts & Music Festival, a nonprofit organization supported by volunteers, sponsors, and community partners.
Together, they help sustain a festival that is:
- Free and open to the public
- Rooted in the traditions of blues and jazz
- Accessible to audiences of all ages
- A cultural highlight of Erie’s summer season
The festival reflects the community that supports it — welcoming, creative, and deeply connected through music.
A Regional Tradition
For over 30 years, the Erie Blues & Jazz Festival has attracted visitors from across Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York, while remaining firmly rooted in the Erie community.
The festival supports local artists and businesses, brings cultural tourism to the region, and provides a welcoming space where thousands of people gather each year through a shared love of music.
