The Texas Jazz Festival, held in Corpus Christi every October, is far more than just a festival. The Texas Jazz Fest has become a staple in our community, and a celebration of culture and music, where everyone is welcome.
The Texas Jazz Festival started as a mere concert organized in November 1959 by the Del Mar’s Jazz Club, which was newly formed.
“We were flabbergasted that so many people showed up that night in the Harvin Center,” said Eddie Olivares, Jazz Club member, who spoke to Guadalupe San Miguel Jr., author of “Tejanos and the Making of the Texas Jazz Festival, 1959-2013.”
The first concert was successful and gained traction, which led to a second concert hosted by the Jazz Club on March 20, 1960. This concert was a bigger hit amongst the locals, and the Jazz Club was approved to host a third concert, which was a turning point for the Texas Jazz Festival.
The third concert was hosted by the Jazz Club but instead, it was now partnered with the Texas Jazz Festival Society. The TJFS is a non-profit organization dedicated to showcasing jazz music, supporting local artists, and promoting businesses here in Corpus.
In conjunction with the TJFS, Del Mar’s administration decided the event needed a much bigger venue than the Harvin Center, so the concert was held in Del Mar’s auditorium. This concert was open to all audiences city-wide and free, which garnered a lot of support and fans.
After the concert’s groundbreaking success, the Texas Jazz Festival was also now gaining financial support from many Corpus Christi locals, which ultimately led to the relocation of the Texas Jazz Festival to the marina’s T-Head on North Shoreline Boulevard. On July 8, 1961, the first annual Texas Jazz Festival was held.
The Texas Jazz Festival is the longest-running free festival in the nation, coming up on 65 years next October in 2026.
Jazz icons like Arnett Cobb, Al Hirt, and many more alike have all graced the stages of the Texas Jazz Festival.
Currently, the Texas Jazz Festival resides in the Heritage Park and to this day, garners much support from the local and regional community.
From its start in the Harvin Center to the groundbreaking multi-stage festival, the Texas Jazz Festival illustrates the strides the Corpus Christi community has made in the name of jazz.
