SEPTEMBER 17 - 22, 2025
THE KENTUCKY THEATRE
Equinox Festival Lineup
About Equinox Jazz Festival
As Lexington celebrates its 250th anniversary year, Origins Jazz Series is excited to present the Equinox Jazz Fest — a five-day celebration joining tradition and innovation, honoring both Jazz's rich legacy and its boundless future. From intimate showcases to electrifying headliner performances, this festival embodies the spirit that has driven Jazz forward for over a century. Each performance promises to illustrate Jazz's endless capacity for reinvention and its deep roots that make this music so enduring.
Equinox Jazz Fest’s carefully curated lineup spans the full spectrum of contemporary Jazz featuring established legends alongside rising stars and foregrounds an array of vocal artistry and instrumental virtuosity. The result is a remarkable constellation of artists — from NEA Jazz Master Kenny Garrett and Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra veteran Camille Thurman to progressive rhythm masters Nate Smith and Brandon Meeks. Whether you're drawn to the sophisticated songcraft of Kandace Springs and Rose Colella, or the cutting-edge percussion explorations of Tim Daisy and Chris Corsano, Equinox Jazz Fest offers something for every jazz lover—and plenty to convert newcomers to this most American of art forms.
Equinox is rooted in Lexington's deep jazz history, including the complex legacy of the Narcotic Farm that once housed legends like Sonny Rollins and Chet Baker. This festival is an extension of Origins Jazz Series' mission to present high quality performances in compelling venues, promoting jazz literacy, and uniting our community through music. Each night offers audiences the chance to witness the artform's most compelling voices in settings designed for genuine musical appreciation and community connection.
About Origins Jazz Series:
Founded in 2017, Origins Jazz Series has presented nearly 100 shows featuring international, national, regional, and local artists across more than ten venues in Lexington. As a musician-led series, Origins is committed to lifting up Lexington's jazz scene while honoring the complex musical heritage that connects our city to the broader story of American music.
About 250Lex:
Celebrating Lexington's 250th anniversary in 2025, 250Lex presents a full year of events honoring our city's past, present, and future. Founded one year before the Declaration of Independence, Lexington has grown into one of the nation's great cities, known worldwide for its unique history, welcoming people, and vibrant cultural life.