Music With a Mission: Pacific Soul Jazz Fest Makes Its Debut

September 10, 2026

The first-ever Pacific Soul Jazz Festival took place over Labor Day weekend at UCSD's Epstein Family Amphitheater in La Jolla, drawing approximately 1,500 attendees across two days. Organized by Mandate Project Impact and supported by the Urban League of San Diego County, the event featured diverse musical genres including jazz, soul, R&B, and gospel under the theme "Music with a Mission. " The festival showcased multiple performers each day, with notable headliners Robert Glasper on September 5th and Kenny Lattimore on September 6th, alongside food vendors and shopping opportunities.

Who is affected

Nearly 1,500 festival attendees of all ages
Performing artists including Larry Reed, The Lyrical Groove, Darryl Williams ft. Chase Huna, Karen Briggs, Robert Glasper, Britt Spaulding, the band B.I.G., Kofi B, Mindi Abair, and Kenny Lattimore
Mandate Project Impact (organizing entity)
Urban League of San Diego County (sponsor)
Food, drink, and shopping vendors

What action is being taken

No explicit ongoing actions are stated in the article. The article reports on an event that has already concluded.

Why it matters

This inaugural festival matters because it brought diverse musical genres and community members together in San Diego County, providing cultural enrichment and entertainment. The event's theme "Music with a Mission" and sponsorship by the Urban League of San Diego County suggests it served broader community-building purposes beyond entertainment. The strong attendance and positive response indicate demand for such cultural programming in the region.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint