Two Different Backgrounds. One Shared Vision.

The Abaco Jazz & Blues Festival is guided by a shared belief that music can do more than entertain—it can educate, inspire, preserve culture, create opportunities and strengthen communities.

Founder & Executive Director Joe Kirwin and Controller & President Analdo Dawkins bring different backgrounds and experiences to the Festival, united by a common commitment to music education, youth development, cultural preservation and the future of Abaco.

 

                                    JOE KIRWIN                                                                Founder, Executive Director & Chief Organizer

Joe Kirwin is the Founder, Executive Director and Chief Organizer of the Abaco Jazz & Blues Festival and the driving force behind the initiative.

A homeowner in Abaco, Commonwealth of The Bahamas, for approximately 25 years, Joe has developed a deep and lasting connection to the island and its community. He currently spends his winters in Abaco and summers at his residence in Italy.

Before retiring, Joe enjoyed a 45-year career in journalism, much of it spent as a foreign correspondent in Europe. His professional career included working for Bloomberg News in Brussels, providing him with decades of international experience and connections that he now brings to the development of the Festival.

Joe's vision for the Abaco Jazz & Blues Festival extends far beyond creating an annual entertainment event. His goal is to use music as a vehicle for education, cultural enrichment and community development while generating meaningful support for music programs in Abaco.

That mission has particular importance following the devastating effects of Hurricane Dorian in 2019 and the subsequent COVID-19 crisis, which significantly affected schools, communities and music programs throughout Abaco.

As Founder, Executive Director and Chief Organizer, Joe leads the development of the Festival and works to establish relationships with musicians, sponsors, international supporters, community organizations and other partners who share its vision.

 

                                     ANALDO DAWKINS                          Controller & President

Born in Nassau and having grown up in Abaco, Commonwealth of The Bahamas, Analdo Dawkins has spent nearly his entire life in the Abaco community.

Music has been an important part of Analdo's life from an early age. Largely self-taught, he learned to play the keyboard by ear as a child and went on to play throughout the years in churches, restaurants, bars and other community settings across Abaco.

Music also runs deep within his family, helping to shape a lifelong appreciation for music and its ability to bring people together. His experiences have contributed to his passion for giving back to his community and creating opportunities for young people to discover and develop their own talents.

Beyond music, Analdo brings a diverse professional background encompassing business management, entrepreneurship, operations, aviation, finance and public service. He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and brings his business, administrative and organizational experience to the continued development of the Festival.

As Controller & President, Analdo works alongside Founder, Executive Director and Chief Organizer Joe Kirwin in the planning, development and administration of the Festival and its nonprofit initiatives. His responsibilities support the organization's continued growth, accountability and long-term mission within the Abaco community.

 

OUR PARTNERSHIP

Joe and Analdo met in 2026, when Joe introduced Analdo to his vision for establishing the Abaco Jazz & Blues Festival.

Their early conversations quickly revealed that they shared many of the same passions and hopes for Abaco.

Joe envisioned a festival that could bring outstanding local and international music to the island while creating lasting support for music education. Analdo shared his own lifelong connection to music, his experience growing up in Abaco and his passion for giving back to the community and creating opportunities for young people.

That shared vision became the foundation of their partnership.

Today, Joe and Analdo work side by side to develop the Abaco Jazz & Blues Festival as more than an annual celebration of jazz and blues. Their goal is to establish a lasting cultural and educational initiative that can serve Abaco for generations to come.

Together, they are working toward a Festival that supports school music programs, helps provide musical instruments, develops scholarships and educational opportunities, celebrates Bahamian and international musical heritage, creates opportunities for young musicians, and brings local and international artists together in Abaco.

 

OUR SHARED VISION

Supporting Music Education

Creating Opportunities for Young Musicians

Providing Instruments and Educational Resources

Developing Scholarships

Celebrating Abaco & Bahamian Culture

Building Community Partnerships

Bringing Local & International Artists Together

 

ABACO JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL

Jazz. Blues. Island Soul.

Bringing Music Back. Building Futures.

Music, culture, community, and impact

Set in beautiful Abaco, Bahamas, the Abaco Jazz & Blues Festival celebrates the artists, audiences, and island energy that make live music memorable. Discover our mission to uplift school music programs and empower our community.