September 26, 2025 I Anniversary
JodyJazz Celebrates 25th Anniversary at the Savannah Jazz Festival
JodyJazz founder Jody Espina (left) joins Kirk Whalum on stage at the 2025 Savannah Jazz Festival to celebrate his company’s 25th anniversary.
JodyJazz recently celebrated its 25th anniversary with a special performance by Kirk Whalum at the 44th annual Savannah Jazz Festival, held Sept. 19–20 in Savannah, Georgia’s Forsyth Park.
The 2025 edition of the festival featured a lineup of world-class artists, including Jocelyn Gould, Tony Monaco, Anat Cohen and Spyro Gyra. The highlight of the second evening was a headlining performance by Grammy Award winner and multiple Grammy-nominated saxophonist Kirk Whalum, a JodyJazz endorser artist celebrated for his soulful sound and dynamic stage presence.
Just before Whalum took the stage, Jody Espina, founder and president of JodyJazz, was honored with a proclamation from the mayor of Savannah, presented by the festival’s executive director. The proclamation recognized JodyJazz’s 25th anniversary and Espina’s ongoing contributions to the Savannah community and to the art of jazz.
At the start of his set, Whalum invited Espina on stage for a special rendition of Grover Washington Jr.’s “Mister Magic.” With Espina on alto and Whalum on tenor, the two paid fitting tribute to the legendary sax master.
