The Highland Area Partnership is thrilled to announce the 20th
Anniversary of the Highland Jazz and Blues Festival presented by BOM is scheduled for
Saturday, September 14, 2024 at Columbia Park located in Shreveport’s Historic Highland
Neighborhood. This milestone event will showcase memorable musical performances on two
stages, a children’s area, pet park, artisans, food trucks, and more. The Highland Jazz and
Blues Festival is FREE to attend.
The musical lineup features local and regional favorites, along with an international award-
winning musician from Louisiana. Headlining this year’s festival is emerging blues artist, D.K.
Harrell, from Ruston, Louisiana. D.K. Harrell has performed at the B.B. King Symposium, New
Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and placed 3rd out of 200+ people in the B.B. King
International Blues Challenge. He is dedicated to the preservation of the Traditional Blues and
wants to bring his perspective of the Blues to the world with a message that younger
generations have the blues too. Other musical acts include The Shreveport Bone Society, Betty
Lewis and the Executives, The LukeJazz Quartet, JaCarri Jackson and Jazz Band, Dustin Dale
Gaspard, Major Handy and the Louisiana Blues Band, Pocket Chocolate, and Grammy award
nominee, Buddy Flett. The Highland Jazz and Blues Festival will also showcase performances
by aspiring musicians from local schools including the Creswell Blazin’ Beatz and the Bossier
Parish Schools Talented Arts Program. Lastly, we will have two interactive, educational, and
fun performances from Lady Chops, Northeast Louisiana Arts Council 2024 Performing Artist
of the Year and former Off-Broadway “STOMP” cast member. The two stages will fill the park
from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The schedule is as follows:
Pavilion Stage presented by BOM
10:30 a.m. – Buddy Flett
12: 00 p.m. – Betty Lewis and the Executives
1:00 p.m. – Lady Chops
1:30 pm – Major Handy and the Louisiana Blues Band
2:00 p.m. – The Shreveport Bone Society
3:00 p.m. – Pocket Chocolate
4:30 p.m. – D.K. Harrell
Gazebo Stage presented by AARP Shreveport-Bossier
10:30 a.m. – Creswell Blazin’ Beatz
11:00 a.m. – Lady Chops
11:30 a.m. – Bossier Parish Schools Talented Arts Program
1:00 p.m. – The LukeJazz Quartet
2:30 p.m. – JaCarri Jackson and the Jazz Band
3:30 p.m. – The Shreveport Bone Society
4:00 p.m. – Dustin Dale Gaspard
In addition to the music, throughout the park there will be more than 70 food and artisan
vendors, a Children’s Area with hands-on art activities from local nonprofits, and a Pet Park
area for furry friends. A FREE shuttle service sponsored by Louisiana Healthcare Connections
will run continuously during the day. Merchandise and official poster sales will be located
next to the Pavilion Stage.
This year, the Highland Area Partnership created a contest to design the official poster for
juniors and seniors in Caddo and Bossier Parishes. The submissions were juried by local
artists and cultural bearers with the winner chosen solely on the artwork. The artist chosen is
senior, Kyleigh McVay, from Parkway High School. “We are excited that one of Parkway’s own
rising seniors, Kyleigh McVay, was selected as the winner of this year’s poster design contest
for the Highland Jazz and Blues Festival,” said Parkway High School art teacher Martha Claire
Lepore.” Kyleigh is an extremely talented young digital artist. She conceptualizes her ideas in
her sketchbook and then brings them to life in digital form. Kyleigh has a bright future in
graphic design and we are so proud of her to have this opportunity to have her talents on
display.” The artwork features a bluebird representing “Jazzy” the festival mascot playing a
guitar alongside band members playing jazz instruments. The Highland Area Partnership
presented McVay with $500.00 for her work on the official poster.
“The board of directors and myself are very proud of the plans for this year’s 20th
Anniversary of the Highland Jazz and Blues Festival,” said Emerie Eck Holtzclaw, Executive
Director. “We are excited about the lineup and activities and grateful for the ongoing support
of this community event.”
More information about the festival weekend activities can be found at
www.highlandjazzandblues.org.