Fort Mose concert series celebrates Black history in the nation's oldest city

The Fort Mose Jazz and Blues Series is back this year on Florida’s Historic Coast, celebrating Black history with a series of six concerts kicking off this weekend in St. Augustine. The city was the site of the first European landing in what is now the United States, and Fort Mose, the region’s first free Black Catholic settlement.

The music series is now in its fourth year, boasting a diverse set of artists from a variety of genres, including jazz, funk, and R&B. The performances began on Friday and will continue through Sunday, before a second weekend beginning on Friday, Feb. 14.

“Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series celebrates the fusion of history, community, and music,” reads a statement from the organizers, SJC Cultural Events, Inc.

“This unique event not only offers an unforgettable experience for music enthusiasts but also honors the historical significance of Fort Mose, the site of the first legally sanctioned free African settlement in what is now the United States.”

This year’s performers include the Grammy Award-winning fusion jazz collective Snarky Puppy, which played on Friday night, renowned R&B crooner Kem, and the legacy funk group Tower of Power rounding out the first weekend. 

Next weekend will start off with jazz supergroup Dinner Party (multi-instrumentalist Terrace Martin, pianist Robert Glasper, and saxophonist Kamasi Washington), before singer Macy Gray takes the stage on Saturday. The series’ final performance will come courtesy of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band on Sunday, Feb. 16, featuring special guests Sierra Green and the Giants.

As in previous years, a portion of ticket sales will go to the Fort Mose Historical Society, a nonprofit membership association that actively preserves the memory of its namesake with reenactments, seminars, and other events throughout the year. 

The society was founded in 1996 to preserve the history of the fort and its importance to both Black and Florida history. St. Augustine—from which Fort Mose branched off in 1738—is the nation’s oldest city, founded by Spanish settlers in 1565, including a number of free and enslaved Black Catholics.

Following a stint as the prime destination for Africans escaping slavery in the British colonies, Fort Mose was destroyed by British invaders in 1740. It was rebuilt by 1752, before the Spanish ceded Florida to King George III and evacuated all settlers to Cuba just over a decade later. The fort continued to change hands until it was leveled for the final time in 1812.

Their flagship project is a reconstruction of the fortified structure itself on the grounds of Fort Mose Historic State Park—where the concert series takes place. A 12-year fundraising campaign reached its $3 million goal in 2023 and work on the site, which broke ground a year ago, is expected to conclude this summer.

“When completed in mid-2025, the reconstructed fort will rise nearly 39 feet high, offering a tangible glimpse into the lives and bravery of the Fort Mose community,” the concert series organizers said.

“In total, Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series has raised over $129,000 in support of Fort Mose Historical Society’s ongoing efforts.”

Tickets for the Fort Mose Jazz and Blues series are available online and donations can be made independently to the Fort Mose Historical Society.

Nate Tinner-Williams is co-founder and editor of Black Catholic Messenger.

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