share in the evening’ s glory. Capping the series on Saturday, February 17, was the incomparable eight-time Grammy award-winning blues musician Keb’ Mo.’ Due to rain, the performance had to relocate from Fort Mose to the St. Augustine Amphitheatre, but that didn’ t dampen the spirit of the sold-out show. Special guest Nicole Henry set the tone for the evening with her captivating vocal prowess and stage presence. Keb’ Mo’ s soulful voice and masterful guitar playing came together in a tapestry of blues, folk, jazz and Americana influences. He stirred souls with his heartfelt ballads, rousing blues numbers and uplifting anthems. It was an exceptional finale to the five nights of outstanding artistry.
The Fort Mose Jazz and Blues Series is a testament to the power of music. Over the course of three years, the series has not only brought renowned artists and their fans together to celebrate the vibrant legacy of jazz and blues at the historic state park, but it has also raised over $ 115,000 for the Fort Mose Historical Society through ticket sales. These funds support the Society’ s ongoing mission of honoring the courageous freedom seekers who founded Fort Mose in 1738 by preserving the site’ s rich history and reconstructing the historic 1738 fort. After years of fundraising, the Fort Mose Historical Society, in partnership with the Florida State Parks Foundation, achieved a major milestone on January 19 when they broke ground on the fort’ s reconstruction site. As the reconstruction of the fort commences, SJC Cultural Events, Inc. and the Fort Mose Historical Society eagerly anticipate the continuation of this cultural journey, inviting fans to immerse themselves in both the music and the storied grounds at next year’ s series.
Dianya Markovits, Director of Public Relations at SJC Cultural Events, Inc, brings a deep appreciation for music and interconnectedness to all aspects of the human experience. Music’ s ability to convey emotion, spark conversation, and inspire change has always been fascinating to her.
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