Experience the 17th Annual Montclair Jazz Festival: A Summer of Music

The nationally recognized nonprofit JAZZ HOUSE KiDS has announced the complete lineup for the 17th annual MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL. The 2026 edition will return to the heart of downtown Montclair, New Jersey, presenting some of the most celebrated artist performances of the summer, including centennial tributes to Miles Davis and John Coltrane. Festivities will commence in June with five evening Soundcheck Series concerts at The Wellmont Arts Plaza and culminate with the all-day Downtown Jamboree + Block Party on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at the historic eight-acre Lackawanna Plaza. This year’s Downtown Jamboree will feature headliners Dianne Reeves, the Christian McBride Big Band with Bilal, Patrice Rushen, the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, and Take Me to the River New Orleans All Stars featuring Cyril Neville (underwritten by the Gia Maione Prima Foundation). The Gotham Kings will return to open the day with a New Orleans–style second line parade down Bloomfield Avenue—led by trumpeter Alphonso Horne—marching from Church Street and Park Avenue to Lackawanna Plaza. A second stage at the festival site will showcase more than 150 young artists, including the JAZZ HOUSE Collective (honoring Miles Davis and John Coltrane) and the JAZZ HOUSE All-Stars. Soundcheck Series performers include Bobby Watson/Jason Moran (June 16), The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra under guest conductor John Faddis (July 1), Michele Rosewoman and Quintessence, underwritten by the Chamber Music America Presenter Consortium for Jazz/Orrin Evans (July 14), Joel Ross’ Good Vibes (July 28), and Rebirth Brass Band (August 4), also underwritten by the Gia Maione Prima Foundation. Produced by JAZZ HOUSE KiDS, the MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL remains the region’s largest outdoor summer jazz event, drawing tens of thousands of music fans to Montclair each year.   www.montclairjazzfestival.org