SMF is one of the region’s leading arts presenters, producing an internationally acclaimed cross-genre music festival, education programs for local schoolchildren and budding musicians in jazz and acoustic music, a weekly public radio series and off-season concert events.

Schedule of Events:

6:00 pm - 7:10 pm: Amy Helm

Singer and multi-instrumentalist Amy Helm makes her SMF debut on closing weekend with her ace band. The daughter of Levon Helm of The Band and singer-songwriter Libby Titus, Amy Helm was a member of her father’s band in the 90s and 2000s, was a founding member of acclaimed roots-rock ensemble Ollabelle, and has released three solo albums over the last decade. She also organizes the annual Dirt Farmer music festival and curates the storied Midnight Ramble monthly series at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, NY. Her rich, emotive voice is at home in music across the American roots spectrum, from R&B to folk and country to gospel, and her live performances are always buzzed about.

Location: Metal Building at Trustees' Garden 660 East Broughton Street, Savannah, GA 31401.

Cost: $42

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6:00 pm - 7:15 pm: Emanuel Ax, Piano

For this long-anticipated Savannah Music Festival debut, celebrated pianist Emanuel Ax brings a unique program of Beethoven Sonatas interspersed with works by Schoenberg.

Program:

BEETHOVEN Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Opus 13, “Pathétique”
SCHOENBERG 3 Pieces, Opus 11
BEETHOVEN Piano Sonata No. 2 in A Major, Opus 2, No. 2
SCHOENBERG 3 Pieces (1894) / 6 Little Pieces, Opus 19
BEETHOVEN Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Opus 57, “Appassionata”

Location: Trinity United Methodist Church 127 Barnard Street, Savannah, GA 31401.

Cost: $65

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7:30 pm - 8:45 pm: Faircloth Jazz Series - Matthew Whitaker

Musical prodigy Matthew Whitaker grew up surrounded by music. At age 9, he began teaching himself how to play the Hammond B3, and four years later became the youngest artist to ever be endorsed by Hammond. His always joyful performances, which span jazz, R&B and soul, display an innate mastery of the keyboard. Now three years into a Jazz Studies degree at The Juilliard School, the blind 22-year old pianist has already toured the world over as a solo artist, performed with the likes of Christian McBride, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Regina Carter and Jon Batiste, composed acclaimed music for film and television, and been featured on Showtime at the Apollo and 60 Minutes, among others. Don’t miss this Savannah Music Festival debut!

Location: Trustees Theater 216 East Broughton Street, Savannah, GA 31401.

Cost: $45

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8:30 pm - 9:40 pm: Amy Helm

Singer and multi-instrumentalist Amy Helm makes her SMF debut on closing weekend with her ace band. The daughter of Levon Helm of The Band and singer-songwriter Libby Titus, Amy Helm was a member of her father’s band in the 90s and 2000s, was a founding member of acclaimed roots-rock ensemble Ollabelle, and has released three solo albums over the last decade. She also organizes the annual Dirt Farmer music festival and curates the storied Midnight Ramble monthly series at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, NY. Her rich, emotive voice is at home in music across the American roots spectrum, from R&B to folk and country to gospel, and her live performances are always buzzed about.

Location: Metal Building at Trustees' Garden 660 East Broughton Street, Savannah, GA 31401.

Cost: $42

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8:30 pm - 10:10 pm: Mighty Poplar

Featuring Noam Pikelny and Chris Eldridge (Punch Brothers), Andrew Marlin (Watchhouse) and Greg Garrison (Leftover Salmon)

At its heart, bluegrass music is about what happens when you commit to the moment. The joy of improvisation keeps the music fresh. This true spirit of bluegrass infuses Mighty Poplar, a new all-star roots project featuring Andrew Marlin, Noam Pikelny, Chris Eldridge and bassist Greg Garrison. Regarded as some of the finest players of their generation, the playing is never showy and always in service of the song. Though Pikelny, Eldridge and Garrison all knew each other from their early work with Punch Brothers, impromptu backstage jams with Marlin at festivals across the country were the key that unlocked the project.

Location: Lucas Theatre for the Arts 32 Abercorn Street, Savannah, GA 31401.

Cost: $39 - $81

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