Music in Jacksonville

Jacksonville is the birthplace of Southern rock and home to a strong tradition of jazz, blues, and classical music.

Music Venues

You can find amazing live music every night in Jacksonville! See a classical performance by The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, attend the Jazz Festival, or watch a lineup of local bands carry on the Southern rock tradition. You’ll find that Jax is music to your ears! Catch a live show while you're in town at one of Jacksonville's diverse music venues.

Jacksonville Symphony 2022/23 Season

Check out these Music History spots around Jacksonville!

  • DJ’s Record Shop-Started in 1974, owned by DJ Jerry West and still selling records.
  • Florida Theatre-The historic theatre has hosted hundreds of musical acts, including Elvis Presley.
  • Ritz Theatre and Museum-The Ritz Theatre hosted the Chitlin' Circuit, was a series of performance venues (mostly in the southern U.S.) that welcomed African-American artists during the Jim Crow era. Ray Charles also performed here.
  • Friday Musicale, Inc-Since 1890, Friday Musicale hosts outstanding concerts free of charge.
  • James Weldon Johnson Park-A public park named after musician James Weldon Johnson who wrote "Lift E'ery Voice and Sing."
  • Willowbranch Park-Public park where members of the Allman Brothers Band used to play music.
  • The Van Zant House-The childhood home of Ronnie, Johnny and Donnie Van Zandt was named a Florida Heritage site in 2018.
  • The Green House-Location of the first jam session of the Allman Brothers Band.
  • The Gray House-While living in the Gray House, Gregg Allman wrote most of the Allman Brothers Band's first album including the song, "Whipping Post."
  • Douglas Anderson School of the Arts-Famous alumni include musicians Wes Borland (Limp Bizkit), John Otto (Limp Bizkit), Ben Harper (Yellowcard) and actor Patrick Heusinger (Gossip Girl, Royal Pains, Absentia and Girlfriend's Guide to Divorce).
  • The Bolles School-Famous alumni include musician Gram Parson (International Submarine Band, the Byrds, and the Flying Burrito Brothers), actor Linden Ashby (Melrose Place and Teen Wolf), musician Bruce Crump (Molly Hatchet) and musician Brian Liesegang (Filter).
  • Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery-Final resting place of members of Lynyrd Skynyrd and Molly Hatchet.
  • Riverside High School(formerly known as Lee High School)-This is reportedly where future members of Lynyrd Skynyrd were scolded about their long hair by gym teacher Leonard Skinner, inspiring the band's name.
  • West Ashley Street-Blues music pioneer Arthur "Blind" Blake wrote "West Ashley Street Blues" about the street in the LaVilla neighborhood that was know for music, dining and performances in the early 20th century.
  • Downtown Jacksonville-For more than 40 years, Jacksonville has been home to one of the largest free jazz fests in the country.
  • Ronnie Van Zant Park & Whitey's Fish Camp - former hangout of Van Zandt and Allman brothers

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Music Venues

​Catch a live show while you're in town at one of Jacksonville's diverse music venues.

Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts

Classical music fans will love the superb acoustics of the Jacoby Symphony Hall, one of three theatres within the Performing Arts Center and home to the the Jacksonville Symphony, one of the nations top ensembles. The state-of-the-art Center hosts classical, opera, gospel, big band, ballet, and popular music performances plus Broadway and Off-Broadway productions as part of FSCJ Artist Series. Don’t miss The Ritz Chamber Players, the nation's first African American chamber music ensemble, which also performs here

Alhambra Theater & Dining

Enjoy an evening of musical theater in the oldest continually operating dinner theater in the U.S.

Daily's Place

This state-of-the-art amphitheater adjacent to TIAA Bank Stadium in Downtown is the newest live music venue in Jacksonville. Daily’s Place welcomes major country, rock, alternative and hip-hop acts.

Florida Theater

The historic Florida Theater (where Elvis performed one of his first indoor concerts) offers 200 events per year including jazz, rock, country, blues, and even opera.

The Elbow

The Elbow is a collection of bars, event spaces, restaurants, art galleries, shops and clubs located in the heart of Downtown Jacksonville. You can find live music every night of the week somewhere in The Elbow!

Ritz Theater

An iconic part of the region’s African American history, the Ritz Theater continues to bring talents in blues, jazz, R&B, musical theater, and more to Jacksonville.

VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena

Check the event schedule to see which big performers are taking place at this Downtown venue. The VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena has hosted a variety of stars in the past including Billy Joel, Carrie Underwood, Rhianna, Elton John, Cher, Brad Paisley, and Ozzy Osborn.

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