The Uptown Jazz Festival will return this weekend and will celebrate a milestone – 15 years of bringing music and family-friendly fun to North Long Beach.

The city and the Office of Ninth District Councilmember Joni Ricks-Oddie will host the annual Uptown Jazz Festival from 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, at Houghton Park, 6301 Myrtle Ave.

“For 15 years, the Uptown Jazz Festival has showcased the very best of Long Beach, bringing together neighbors, families and visitors through the universal language of music,” Mayor Rex Richardson said in a statement. “As we celebrate this milestone year, we’re excited to welcome an outstanding lineup of artists for an afternoon that reflects the culture, creativity and community spirit that make our city so special.”

This year’s musical lineup, officials said, features a vibrant mix of jazz, funk, soul and Latin rhythms.

The lineup includes DJ Mr. Quick, who will serve as the official DJ and host of the festival, keeping the music flowing between performances and the audience engaged throughout the day, according to a press release.

There will be performances by Rush Hour Orquesta, a high-energy Los Angeles salsa band that blends classic salsa with a modern edge; Biscuits & Gravy Live, known for smooth vocals, tight musicianship and crowd-pleasing performances in R&B, and soul, funk and Motown, the press release said. La Verdad, known for their vibrant fusion of salsa, funk, jazz and sounds inspired by the Latino diaspora, will also perform.

The headliner this year will be Morris Day & The Time, the press release said. Born in Minneapolis, Morris Day developed a distinctive fashion sense early on, inspired by photographs of his grandfather in zoot suits. Day attended school with Prince and later sang in the icon’s first band, Grand Central.

As Prince’s career evolved, so did the opportunities for Day. The Time was originally created as Prince’s alter ego, envisioned as a cool, streetwise funk band that contrasted with his more soulful R&B sound. After considering several vocalists, Prince tapped his high school friend, Day, for the role. Day and The Time later appeared in “Purple Rain,” which showcased the burgeoning Minneapolis music scene.

Day emerged on the national stage with The Time’s self‑titled debut album, which featured “Get It Up,” “Cool” and “Girl,” the press release said. The group went on to record three additional albums, including “What Time Is It?” – featuring hits such as “777‑9311,” “Wild and Loose,” “Walk,” “Gigolos Get Lonely Too” – and “Ice Cream Castle,” which included the hit “Jungle Love.”

Saturday’s free, family-friendly event will also feature food and beverages for purchase, a dedicated kids zone, and a variety of vendors and community resource booths.

“Fifteen years ago, the Uptown Jazz Festival began with a vision to create a signature event that celebrates the people, culture and music that make North Long Beach extraordinary,” Ricks-Oddie said in a statement. “Today, that vision has grown into one of our city’s most anticipated community traditions, and I’m especially proud that, 15 years later, it remains completely free and open to everyone.

“As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we’re raising the bar with the legendary Morris Day & The Time headlining a lineup that honors the rich traditions of jazz, funk, soul and Latin music,” Ricks-Oddie added. “The Uptown Jazz Festival is more than a concert – it’s an investment in our community, our local businesses and the shared experiences that bring us together year after year. I look forward to welcoming everyone to Uptown for our biggest celebration yet.”

Complete details about the 15th annual Uptown Jazz Festival are available at longbeach.gov/uptownjazzfest.