A Showcase of World Class Smooth Jazz

Artist Lineup

The First Coast Smooth Jazz Festival brings together an extraordinary collection of gifted musicians, composers, and performers. This distinguished lineup reflects the spirit of the festival itself — refined, soulful, and welcoming.

MARCUS ANDERSON

Two-time Grammy and Stellar Award–nominated saxophonist Marcus Anderson is a musical force whose electrifying blend of soul, jazz, R&B, pop, rock, and funk has captivated audiences worldwide. With 18 studio albums, five Billboard #1 hits, and countless chart-toppers on both Billboard’s Smooth Jazz and SiriusXM’s Watercolors, Anderson has firmly established himself as one of the most dynamic and versatile musicians of his generation.

A native of Spartanburg, South Carolina, Anderson’s career reached stratospheric heights when he toured with the late, legendary Prince and the New Power Generation. His collaboration with Prince included standout performances on Hit N Run Phase 2, where his artistry shines on tracks like “Revelation” and “Look at Me Look at You.” Over the years, he’s graced stages with icons including Stevie Wonder, CeeLo Green, Judith Hill, Sheila E., Brian Culbertson, Lalah Hathaway, Eric Benét, Jennifer Holliday, Bobby Caldwell, Anthony Hamilton, and Miguel— earning his reputation as the “golden child shining among stars.”

Whether performing for dignitaries like President Barack Obama, Reverend Jesse Jackson, and Secretary Hillary Clinton, or igniting crowds at world-renowned festivals such as the Essence Music Festival, Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival, Seabreeze Jazz Fest, NAPA Valley Getaway, the Dave Koz Cruise, and the Jazz Legacy Foundation, Anderson’s shows are nothing short of unforgettable! With his band, The Creatives, he delivers high-spirited, magnetic performances that transcend genres and defy expectations, making him a festival favorite and a household name among jazz lovers. His television appearances on The Tonight Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Jimmy Fallon, and Arsenio Hall have further solidified his place in the spotlight.

Beyond his musical achievements, Anderson is a visionary entrepreneur. For over a decade, he’s been the proud founder of AND Coffee, a premium coffee brand that inspired the creation of the Jazz AND Coffee Escape Festival—the first of its kind. Launched in 2019, this immersive music and coffee experience draws fans from all over

Always pushing creative boundaries, Anderson became the first jazz artist in history to create his own comic book and animated series, The Creatives, expanding his artistry into the worlds of storytelling and animation. His deep commitment to community shines through the Marcus Anderson Foundation (MAF), which fosters a harmonious society through live music, education, and leadership development.

Guided by his father’s words, “Work smarter, not harder,” Marcus Anderson continues to redefine what it means to be an artist, entrepreneur, and cultural innovator—leaving audiences inspired, energized, and always wanting more.

Taste The Music!

NATHAN MITCHELL

Dr. Nathan L Mitchell Jr. is an accomplished American awarding winning contemporary jazz / soul (composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist) music educator and humanitarian. A Grammy Nominated, 3x NAACP Image Award nominated and BILLBOARD charting artist with 10 top 30 BILLBOARD hits including four #1 BILLBOARD songs; has become one of the most respected “musical storytellers” in the contemporary jazz industry. This award-winning artist is known best for his electric showmanship, unique talents, and enthusiastic energy.

Nathan’s musical fingerprint was first marked in 2017 with his first national debut release entitled “Smooth Groove”. From this musical work two of his songs accomplished great success on mainstream media “Inspiration”, which made the top 30 on the BILLBOARD charts (#22) and “Smooth Groove” (#20). One of his greatest achievements was his 2nd musical release “Soulmate” which marked his 1st NAACP Image Award Nomination (2020). From this release his hit single “Swing City” accumulated over 1 million streams on Spotify within its 1st year. “Swing City” received great success reaching #7 on the BILLBOARD charts, #7 on the Smooth Jazz Network Charts, and #1 on the Mediabase Smooth Jazz charts. In 2021 Nathan was nominated for a 2nd NAACP Image Award for “Outstanding Jazz Album” for his creative release during the global pandemic entitled “Donny,Duke,&Wonder”. In 2022, his release “Love Languages” honored him with his 3rd NAACP Image Award for “Outstanding Jazz Album”.

Nathan’s career took a major leap into the eyes of mainstream music lovers all over the world following his 2023 “Rising Star” stellar performance at the Seabreeze Jazz Festival in Panama City, FL. His performance caught the attention of major festivals, as well as music lovers globally which made him an immediate house-hold name. In addition, the impact of the “Nathan Mitchell Experience” was noticed by national syndicate talk show host Sherri Shepherd who also attended the festival. She acknowledged and featured Nathan in a segment of her show (The Sherri Shepard Show) along with some of the top elite talents of the contemporary jazz industry simply stating, “Nathan, I am a fan!”

Currently signed to the #1 BILLBOARD Smooth Jazz label Trippin ‘N’ Rhythm (TnR) Nathan has made great strides quickly by scoring a #1 BILLBOARD hit with his song “100% Cotton” from his debut TnR release “It’s My Time”. A song of love written as a tribute to his cousin with a cause to bring attention towards kidney awareness.

Nathan is a strong advocate for music education and creators’ rights. He is a 2023 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award recipient for his contributions towards 25 plus years of service as a music educator and advocate. He is the founder of non-for-profit 501(C)(3) “Project BE Legendary” which focuses on scholarship funding, mentorship, mental wellness awareness, and education amongst the future creative leaders of tomorrow. In addition, he is an elected board member and governor for the Florida Chapter of the Recording Academy (Grammy Awards). Nathan holds a BA of Music (Rollins College, FL), a Masters of Music (Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA) and an PhD. Honorary Doctorate Degree from Harvest University (Dallas, TX) in music business and education.

As a man of great character, faith, and drive to build an impactful music legacy Nathan humbly receives continuous worldwide recognition as “one of the best to do it” in the entertainment industry excelling

ILYA SEROV

TRUMPETER | VOCALIST

“Ilya really is a talented trumpeter and a great singer. This guy has got the goods. Ilya Serov remember that name.”—Dave Koz

Russian-born Ilya Serov is a young jazz musician with an old soul. Classically trained at the prestigious St. Petersburg Conservatory, trumpet player and vocalist Serov decided to follow his love of jazz, cultivated as a teenager in the Russian city of Saratov, by pursuing his dreams in the U.S. With celebrated players like Dave Koz, Poncho Sanchez and Roger Kellaway acknowledging his talent, he is building a following as one of the jazz scene’s budding new talents. He has performed with various groups including combos, Big Bands, and symphony orchestras.

Following his 2013 LP September in the Rain, Serov’s second album, Back in Time (September 2018) is an homage to the Big Band era and features classic tunes that showcase both his musical chops and vocal interpretive skills. The album’s highlights include “Swing 42” and “L-O-V-E,” featuring duets with Grammy-winner and Oscar-nominated pianist Kellaway. “Tangerine,” is a collaboration with Grammy-winning percussionist Sanchez. “C’est Si Bon,” is a reimagining of the French popular song. “Old Devil Moon” is highlighted by a solo from Eric Marienthal, Grammy-winning sax player. The album is loaded with other classics that Serov has lovingly interpreted. It reflects his diverse influences, including Arturo Sandoval, Nat “King” Cole, Frank Sinatra, Chet Baker, and Miles Davis.

“Ilya is a great, great trumpet player and I love his voice,” Sanchez said. “Ilya’s project is commercial enough for the mainstream to enjoy but it’s hip enough for the jazz folks too because he’s a great trumpet player. He can sing the tunes and play them. That’s the edge he’s got.”

In 2018 and beyond, Ilya is pushing his career in new directions. He performed on the Dave Koz and Friends at Sea Jazz Cruise, playing with stellar musicians Dave, Michael Lington, David Benoit, Larry Graham, Peter White, and Jonathan Butler. He also played solo shows and a Young Rising Stars concert. Ilya will appear as a special guest on the 2019 cruise alongside musical giants Tower of Power, Bebe Winans, and Gerald Albright, among others. He has additional tour dates planned and other exciting projects.

With Back in Time, upcoming tour dates and a slew of collaborations in the offing, Ilya is certainly poised to make an impact on the music scene.

ANDRÉA LISA

GUITARIST | VOCALIST

“Having Andréa Lisa as part of my touring band is almost as cool as featuring her on my last two records! Which is almost as cool as watching her star rise nationally and internationally. I’m asking her to reserve the saxophone spot in her band…” – Kirk Whalum

“Andréa’s artistry showcases an extensive vocabulary playing contemporary jazz guitar as well as it displays her innate ability to perform, sing, write and produce her own music in such way that is attractive to all ages of the listing audience. You can always depend on her to deliver her truth and passion with each performance.” – Kevin Flournoy

Andréa Lisa, the South African-born and New Zealand-raised artist, is a musical powerhouse driven by personal experiences and her deep-rooted inspirations. As a singer, guitarist, composer, and producer, Andréa’s diverse talents shine through in every aspect of her music.

Her journey in music began at a young age, with soul, jazz, and R&B sounds infusing her daily life. At 15, she started crafting her own music and lyrics, setting her on a path of artistic exploration. A graduate of the New Zealand School of Music with a major in jazz guitar and vocals, Andréa’s passion for composition led her to create a rich assembly of genres that blend into a unique and captivating artistic alchemy.

Andréa Lisa’s music aims to uplift, help, and heal others, reflecting her main desire to make a positive impact through her art. Her debut album release “Silver Lining” radiates a heartfelt and transportive energy that captivates the senses and resonates with the soul. Andréa’s distinctive sound, rich tone, and emotive vocals permeate every note, creating a melodic tapestry that transcends conventional genres and captures the listener’s imagination.

Drawing inspiration from her personal journey of resilience and growth, Andréa shares, “The album is a reflection of my experiences, a melodic diary of lessons learned, and triumphs achieved.” Through nuanced storytelling and heartfelt lyricism, “Silver Lining” offers a profound narrative of hope, perseverance, and self discovery. Her music has been widely recognized, with “Vortex” making its mark on Billboard radio, SiriusXM Watercolors, iHeart Radio and gaining success on multiple charts. As a multifaceted talent, Andréa Lisa has collaborated and recorded with renowned artists like Kirk Whalum, Ralph Johnson (Earth Wind & Fire), Kool & the Gang and Jennifer Holliday. Her guitar work on Kool & the Gang’s latest album further solidifies her status as an exceptional musician.

With her powerful vocals, soulful melodies, and heartfelt lyrics, Andréa Lisa’s music is a testament to her unwavering commitment to creating art that touches hearts and souls. As she continues to mesmerize audiences worldwide, her musical journey is poised for even greater heights in the years to come. For more information visit https://www.andrealisa.com

JEFF RYAN

SAXOPHONIST

Jeff Ryan is one the most essential young voices in contemporary jazz today. From his uniquely relatable emotive tone to his explosive performance and stage presence, it’s no question why he is a staple across the country in the jazz festival scene. Jeff has held consistent radio successes with 5 Billboard #1s, the 2020 Billboard Artist of the Year and Song of the Year in 2021 with his track “Sentimental Soul.” In 2018, his first year on the scene, he was awarded the JazzTrax Breakout Artist of 2018 and the Smooth Jazz Network Debut Artist of 2018.

One of the Jeff’s primary goals has always been in connecting to the audience through music and performance, and from his first radio single, “Up and Up”, to now, he has shown how his soul-drenched sound and delivery is key to the future of smooth jazz. “I know what relates to people, from the bottom to the top of the horn, there’s a lot of variety to dig deep into people’s spirit and get them feeling the groove,” said Ryan about his performances. Jeff spent his teen years “cutting his teeth” with traveling soul bands and weekly performances at rowdy bars with a not-so-legal ID. “It was a lot of fun playing those early bar shows,” said Jeff, “I had to stay on the down low about my age, but the nightly experience performing for engaging crowds really helped pave the way to the performer I am today.

He has performed as a featured solo artist coast to coast in the largest Jazz Festivals in the country. He has also been performing alongside performer/producer Greg Manning, where they have performed across the country and internationally at festivals such as the Mallorca Smooth Jazz Festival.

“Throughout my years as a performer, I have learned one of my strengths is being able to relate to people. Every time I am on stage, my goal is to inject emotion and passion into my playing as if I am communicating to each person individually,” Ryan says. “If anything will keep me going strong and moving forward in this genre, it is the fact my sound is relatable to people, especially those who love this genre of music. I love connecting with the audience, keeping things spontaneous and seeing the way everyone responds. When I am up there baring my soul and speaking to the crowd through music, I embrace those moments. The expression is always worth it.”

Ryan was influenced by smooth/urban icons like Richard Elliot, Gerald Albright, Dave Koz and Grover Washington to jazz legends Michael Brecker, Cannonball Adderley, Charlie Parker, and Dexter Gordon. Some of his other influences include Jeff Lorber, Norman Brown, Rick Braun, Wes Montgomery, Lee Ritenour, Earl Klugh and Jonathan Butler. Taking the baton from his mentors he has shown with his consistent quality and feel, that he is not just a saxophonist, but an essential artist worthy of your attention.

REBECCA JADE

VOCALIST | INSTRUMENTALIST

Rebecca Jade is an accomplished singer/songwriter and has been able to turn her love for music into a career for close to two decades. Growing up in a musical home, she had been exposed to a broad range of artists, genres, and styles from her mother, who is also a vocalist. With such influences, it seems a natural progression that Rebecca has followed in her footsteps.

Rebecca Jade has performed with some of the most sought-after musicians all over the world, and her versatility has allowed her many unique opportunities to perform: Rebecca toured with the Queen of Percussion, Sheila E. since 2017 and appeared in the Emmy-nominated show, “Let’s Go Crazy: The GRAMMY Salute to Prince” that aired on CBS in April 2020; She also sang background vocals for Sir Elton John at the 2020 Academy Awards; Rebecca has appeared as an Artist on the Dave Koz Cruise since 2016; she made her debut on the Dave Koz & Friends 2021 Christmas tour and joined Dave for a repeat appearance in 2022; Rebecca has also been a featured artist on many of Eric Darius’ tour dates since 2022. Rebecca opened for Will Downing and Boney James at a sold-out Valentine’s Day concert in Long Beach, as well as opened for Jeffrey Osborne for the Thornton Winery Summer Concert series, both in 2019; Rebecca has done multiple concerts at Spaghettini in Seal Beach and was the singer in the House band at Anthology in San Diego for 5 1⁄2 years.

Rebecca Jade has earned the title of “Breakout Artist of Year” from Smooth Jazz Network and “Debut Artist of the Year” by JazzTrax, both in 2022. Rebecca also earned a San Diego Music Award in 2023 “Best R&B/Funk/Soul Album” for her debut solo album, A Shade of Jade. Rebecca’s new album features songs with Dave Koz and Eric Darius, and she put on a sold-out album release concert at Sycuan Casino & Resort’s Live & Up-Close Showroom. Her first single from the album, “Show Me”, became her first Top 20 Billboard-charting song. Rebecca is also a jazz vocalist and released an album of Cole Porter classics titled, Planet Cole Porter with arranger/producer/jazz guitar virtuoso Peter Sprague, which earned them a 2018 SDMA for “Best Jazz Album”. She was also the frontwoman for the soul/funk band, Rebecca Jade & the Cold Fact, and they collectively earned SDMAs in 2014, 2015 and 2017, and a “Best of San Diego” Award in 2016. The band had the opportunity to open for and Rebecca to sing with El Debarge. Rebecca also opened for Grammy-nominated artist, Musiq Soulchild on two separate occasions. The Cold Fact released two full-length albums, one self-titled and the 2nd one called, Running Out of Time. Prior to the Cold Fact, Rebecca released her debut album collaboration in 2011 titled, The Jade Element.

Rebecca has over 30 years of recording studio experience. She has sung background vocals, demos and jingles on many different projects, with people like Kiko Cibrián (Luis Miguel) and Kevin Flournoy (Chaka Khan), and has been involved in a variety of notable works, including being featured on Eric Darius’ newest and billboardcharting album, Unleashed, co-writing and being featured in two songs on DW3’s self-titled album that went #1 on the UK Soul Charts in 2020, and singing backing vocals on Aubrey Logan’s album, Where the Sunshine is Expensive, which went #1 on the Billboard charts in 2019.

Rebecca is also an actor, having done a variety of work for companies, such as SDG&E, UCSD and Qualcomm, and recently had a principal role in a musical titled, “R-E-S-P-E-C-T” at Lambs Players Theatre in Coronado, CA.

Rebecca graduated from UC Berkeley on a full basketball scholarship with a degree in Theatre & Performance Studies, has earned her Master’s degree in Marketing from the University of Phoenix, and advanced her musical education by studying Jazz Theory and Classical Voice at Grossmont College. Rebecca is an avid motorcycle rider, has an affinity for classic cars, and loves the Arts community. She still plays basketball recreationally.

MARCEL ANDERSON

VOCALIST

Marcel Anderson is a Neo Soul, R&B, Contemporary & Soul Jazz Artist with a soulful and smooth melodic sound that’s very electrifying. Marcel’s voice is very soothing and moves his listeners to desire more.

A native of Spartanburg, South Carolina, Marcel’s musical roots began at an early age. He was raised among a powerhouse of musicians and singers, which is where he discovered one of the many passions God placed in him, which was singing. His singing began to develop after his mother, who knew he could sing, told the choir director about his musical gift. When he was eight years old, Marcel, who was a shy kid when it came to singing in front of people, was given his first solo, “Give Us This Day” at the first rehearsal he attended. Ever since, he has been singing non-stop and encouraging and inspiring others through his melodious vocals.

Born with twin Marcus Anderson, and an older set of twins, Alphaeus and Aaron Anderson, a group was formed called The Anderson Twins, which sang locally throughout all of Spartanburg and surrounding areas. Marcel later formed an R&B group called “Three Part Harmony”, which performed on many stages and competitions, winning at least a dozen awards. It was during this time in his life that Marcel started writing his own music and developed a passion for sharing his gift. Marcel writes and sings music from his soul and every time he hits the stage, you can hear it in his voice. Marcel has also won Contemporary Artist and Best Urban Soul Artist for the top Independent Awards Shows.

With three studio albums on his list of accomplishments, Neo-Soul artist and bestselling author Marcel Anderson brings Soul, Jazz, and inspirational Gospel to make music that puts listeners in another atmosphere. Marcel has shared the stage with his twin brother, Saxophonist Marcus Anderson, Kenny Lattimore, Phil Denny, Adam Hawley, Jonathan Butler, Chris Walker, Dave Koz, Kirk Whalum, Regina Bell to name a few. Marcel brings Soul, R&B, Jazz, and inspirational sounds that puts listeners in another musical atmosphere. Marcel will capture his audience with his soulful sounds and songs from Bob Caldwell, Anthony Hamilton, John Legend, Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers, Frankie Beverly and Maze and many more soul singers. “Marcel ‘s latest single, ‘Better Days,’ featuring Rebecca Jade topped the Jazz charts and earned major recognition throughout the music industry. He has performed at renowned venues such as the St. James Live! Atlanta, GA, Spaghettini’s, Seal Beach, CA, Catalina Island JazzTrax, Avalon, CA, and Marcus Anderson Jazz AND Coffee Escape – MAJACE, Durham, NC just to name a few.”

THE FIRST COAST
SMOOTH JAZZ FESTIVAL

August 14–15, 2026 • Jacksonville, Florida.

A Showcase of World Class Smooth Jazz

Artist Lineup

Headliner and Host

Marcus Anderson

Friday Night Headliner

NATHAN MITCHELL

ILYA SEROV

ANDRÉA LISA

JEFF RYAN

REBECCA JADE

MARCEL ANDERSON

Saseddrick Washington

Pierre Kendrick

Join Us for an Unforgettable Celebration

Menu

© 2026 First Coast Smooth Jazz Festival. Presented by BirdWild Nonprofit.

A Showcase of World Class Smooth Jazz

Artist Lineup

Headliner and Host

Marcus Anderson

Friday Night Headliner

NATHAN MITCHELL

ILYA SEROV

ANDRÉA LISA

JEFF RYAN

REBECCA JADE

MARCEL ANDERSON

Saseddrick Washington

Pierre Kendrick

Menu

© 2026 First Coast Smooth Jazz Festival. Presented by BirdWild Nonprofit.

MARCUS ANDERSON

Taste The Music!

NATHAN MITCHELL

ILYA SEROV

TRUMPETER | VOCALIST

ANDRÉA LISA

GUITARIST | VOCALIST

JEFF RYAN

SAXOPHONIST

REBECCA JADE

VOCALIST | INSTRUMENTALIST

MARCEL ANDERSON

VOCALIST

Pierre Kendrick

Saxophonist & DJ