The Jazz Festival in Koktebel was born in 2003 as a private initiative of the founder of Koktebel jazz ― journalist Dmitry Kiselyov. This Crimean town gave its name to the festival, which today holds a recognized place in the list of world jazz festivals. The names of the star participants are traditionally kept secret by the organizers. Traditionally, jazz novices and leading jazz bands from Russia and the world perform at the Koktebel Jazz Party.

In 2017 President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin was a guest of the festival.