The Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series will return for its fifth year from February 6 to 15, 2026, at the Fort Mose Historic State Park in St. Augustine, Florida. The event will feature Grammy award-winning artists such as Gary Clark Jr., Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble, Samara Joy, Robert Cray Band, Ruthie Foster, and Ledisi.
The series is designed to honor the legacy of Fort Mose, recognized as the first legally sanctioned free African settlement in what is now the United States. It aims to provide an immersive experience that connects history, community, and music.
Tickets for the 2026 series will be available starting Friday, November 21 at 10 a.m. on DiscoverFortMose.com. A portion of proceeds from each ticket sale will go toward supporting the Fort Mose Historical Society’s mission to promote and preserve the site’s history.
The lineup includes Ledisi performing on February 6; Gary Clark Jr. on February 7; Robert Cray Band and Ruthie Foster on February 13; Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble on February 14; and Samara Joy on February 15. Ticket prices vary by artist and range from $50.31 to $212.16.
Ledisi is described as “a Grammy Award-winning artist hailed as one of the most captivating vocalists of her generation,” with a career noted for redefining soul and R&B genres.
Gary Clark Jr., who won his first Grammy Award in 2014 for Best Traditional R&B Performance, has been nominated for six Grammys overall and released his latest album JPEG RAW in March 2024.
Robert Cray has sustained a five-decade career revitalizing blues and soul music while winning five Grammy Awards. Ruthie Foster recently won her first Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Album at the 2025 Grammy Awards.
Don Was brings together Detroit jazz musicians in his Pan-Detroit Ensemble, including Dave McMurray, Luis Resto, Vincent Chandler, John Douglas, Jeff Canaday, Mahindi Masai, Wayne Gerard, and Steffanie Christi’an.
Samara Joy won a Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album following her debut releases in recent years and was also recognized with an NAACP Image Award this year.
Since its start in 2022, the series has focused not only on musical performances but also on raising awareness about Fort Mose’s historical significance and supporting efforts such as reconstructing a representation of Fort Mose—a goal achieved in May 2025.
Fort Mose became home to approximately 100 Africans seeking liberation from English enslavement in 1738 during conflicts between European powers in North America. The site combined cultural influences from Native American, Spanish, and English traditions. In recognition of its historical importance, it was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1994.
The event is produced by SJC Cultural Events Inc., which manages several local entertainment venues including The St. Augustine Amphitheatre and Ponte Vedra Concert Hall. The series receives support from organizations such as St. Johns County Tourist Development Council; Fort Mose Historical Society; City of St. Augustine; St. Johns County; St. Augustine Distillery; Sunbelt Rentals; St. Augustine Distillery; St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors & Convention Bureau; Florida State Parks Foundation; Flying Saucer Presents; AVL Productions; and Jalaram Hotels.
