Uptown Jazz Fest

14th Annual Uptown Jazz Festival

The City of Long Beach and Office of Ninth District Councilmember Dr. Joni Ricks-Oddie present the 14th Annual Uptown Jazz Festival, taking place on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, from 2 to 7 p.m. at Houghton Park (6301 Myrtle Ave., Long Beach, 90805). 



This year’s festival promises an afternoon filled with incredible music and entertainment, showcasing a diverse lineup of talented artists. Attendees of the family-friendly event can look forward to vibrant food and beverage offerings available for purchase, a dedicated Kids Zone for family fun, and a variety of vendor and community resource booths, making it a perfect outing for music lovers of all ages.

The performance lineup for the 14th Annual Uptown Jazz Festival is as follows:

Fausto Cuevas Y La Moderna, 2-2:45 p.m.
Fausto Cuevas is an accomplished percussionist, bandleader and multi-genre musician originally from Brownsville, TX where he began playing the drums at age 11. He attended Boston's Berklee College of Music where he discovered his love for percussion and studied under Giovanni Hidalgo and Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez.He has performed at renowned festivals such as the famed Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival and The Blue Note in New York City and has recorded, performed and toured with a variety of artists from Julio Iglesias to Britney Spears.During the mid-2000s, he performed at the World Music Awardsand Lady of Soul Music Awards that recognizedthe top‑selling artists worldwideand honored female artists in R&B, soul, hip-hop and gospel music. Now based in Los Angeles, Cuevas has built a vibrant career blending Latin rhythms with jazz, soul and contemporary styles. 

Raquel Rodriguez, 3-3:45 p.m.
Raquel Rodriguez is a multifaceted singer, producer, songwriter and performer from Los Angeles who blends her diverse talents to create a sound that is uniquely her own. Her music is an honest reflection of who she is—a fusion of soulful vocals, live instrumentation and modern production that feels both nostalgic and fresh. Known for her soulful vocals, innovative production and magnetic stage presence, she crafts music that is as heartfelt as it is groovy.Her breakout studio release, The 310, inspired by her LA roots, features the hit single “Mile High,” which garnered over 5 million streams and solidified her presence in the R&B scene. In 2021, she followed up with Sweet Side, her independently released debut album that has received over 25 million streams across the globe.

DW3, 4:15-5 p.m. 
Are a Grammy-nominated soul music band, working fans into a dance and romance frenzy with their R&B, Old School Funk and Smooth Jazz magic via a whirlwind of nearly 250 live performances a year around the world.The band has four Billboard charting hits, including “I Got You” (featuring Gerald Albright) and “Let the Music,” “I Can’t Tell You Why” and “California Dreamin’” from their hit 2013 and 2015 albums On the Floor and Vintage Truth, and have established themselves as a popular national recording group.They’ve performed at festivals including the Newport Hyatt Jazz Festival, Mallorca Smooth Jazz Festival in Spain and Brian Culbertson’s Napa Valley Jazz Getaway and for US troops in Bagdad, Iraq. They've also performed with and sang background for numerous jazz and R&B legends and popular contemporary artists 

Arrested Development, 5:30-7 p.m.
Arrested Development is a pioneering hip-hop group known for infusing the genre with uplifting messages, eclectic sounds and lyrical social consciousness since their debut in 1991. Their breakthrough singles “Mr. Wendal” and “People Everyday” tackle critical issues and their hit “Tennessee” gained national exposure through MTV’s Buzz Clip, helping the group earn widespread acclaim, including two Grammy Awards in 1993 (Best New Artist and Best Rap Performance), a Soul Train Music Award, and the NAACP Image Award. They stand out with their culturally inspired style, lyrics and live instrumentation, and were reportedly the first African American artists to donate to the African National Congress and performed alongside Nelson Mandela in South Africa in 1994. Arrested Development continues with new music, tours and collaborations and their newest album “SPLASH.” 

In addition to the above lineup, DJ Mr. Quick, a Professional Disc Jockey performer and native of Los Angeles, will delight festival goers with intermittent set times throughout the day. His quick cuts, funky remixes and intimate knowledge of hit music from today’s charts and old school classics keep audiences dancing all day long.

The 14th Annual Uptown Jazz Festival is presented by the Cityin partnership with the Office of Ninth District Councilmember Dr. Joni Ricks-Oddie,with additional supportfrom theOfficesofVice Mayor and Seventh District Councilman Roberto Uranga, First District Councilwoman Mary Zendejas, Second District Councilwoman Cindy Allen,Sixth District Councilwoman Dr. Suely Saro and Eighth District Councilmember TunuaThrash-Ntuk, with additional sponsorships fromPort of Long Beach, Long Beach Airport, Visit Long Beach, Long Beach City College, Long Beach Police Officers Association,Long Beach Firefighters Association Local 372,IBEW 47 (Int'l Brotherhood of Electrical Workers), AES Alamitos, LLC, Laborers' International Union of North America Local 1309,Apartment Association of California Southern Cities, Signal Hill Petroleum, Mitsubishi Cement Corporation and Spurling Group Realtors. Other sponsors include the Offices of Third District Councilmember Kristina Duggan and Fifth District Councilwoman Megan Kerr. Sponsorship opportunities are still available; contact Anjelica Vargas, Ninth District Council Office Chief of Staff, at anjelica.vargas@longbeach.gov to support the event.