"The Art of Cool Festival is hands down one of the most amazing festivals I have been able to witness.  For the past three years,  I have made my way to beautiful downtown Durham, North Carolina to do what I love....photograph live music.  

The Art of Cool Festival was founded by jazz trumpeter and educator, Al Strong IV, and Cicely Mitchell, PhD, of Strong Music.. The festival is  housed in six different venues within walking distance of one another. Coined the "Cochella" of jazz music, each year, Al and Cicely continue to amaze jazz music lovers by pulling together one of the most innovative, forward moving, musical lineups. This years' lineup was no exception....performances included, Terrance Blanchard, Nicholas Payton, Kamasi Washington, Anderson Paak, Kendrick Scott, Otis Brown III, Marcus Strickland, The Internet, PJ Morton, Moonchild, Donnie, Chantae Caan, Taylor McFerrin, just to name a few.