Savannah Jazz was born out of the Coastal Jazz Association, a grassroots non-profit organization formed in 1981 to help Jazz thrive in Savannah, Georgia by sponsoring live performances, encouraging Jazz education, and fostering the camaraderie of others with shared interests. Savannah Jazz is responsible for the annual Savannah Jazz Festival, the Savannah Jazz Hall of Fame, and the Savannah Jazz Orchestra. Members of Savannah Jazz enjoy 10 free world-class jazz concerts per year.