Now in its third decade, the nationally recognized non-profit, JAZZ HOUSE KiDS transforms lives using the power and legacy of jazz through world-class education and performances that create avenues of access, learning, career development and community building. Recently featured on CNN, NPR Morning Edition, CBS Morning, The Kelly Clarkson Show and celebrated by Sting, the organization and its students have received more than 170 awards and honors for excellence in jazz and jazz education, The JAZZ HOUSE has two locations: its headquarters in Montclair, NJ and a satellite program in Downtown Manhattan in collaboration with and fully funded by Trinity Church NYC.
The heart and soul of the foundation is its faculty, who are full-time practitioners, musicians, and educators. Every day of the week through a series of in-school programs and out-of-school programs in both New Jersey and New York, JAZZ HOUSE helps young people gain an artistic edge, fostering community leaders and global citizens, who help build thriving communities.
JAZZ HOUSE produces over 150 free public concerts per year, reaching nearly 250,000 attendees. The organization’s signature program is the award-winning Montclair Jazz Festival. Founded by Melisas Walker and Christian McBride, the event is the largest free jazz festival in the region, annually attracting tends of thousands of attendees.
Since its founding back in 1846, the Smithsonian Institution has been committed to inspiration generations through knowledge and discovery, It’s the world’s largest museum, education and research complex with 21 museums, the National Zoological Park, education centers, research facilities, cultural centers, libraries and gardens. (Two of the 21 museums — the National Museum of the American Latino and the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum — are in the early planning stages.) As a whole, the Smithsonian complex has over 157 million objects, works of art and specimens on display and within its facilities.
To commemorate America’s 250th anniversary, the Smithsonian is hosting a full slate of special exhibitions, festivals and public events, including the completion of the the National Air and Space Museum‘s renovation, which originally opened to the public back in 1976 for the nation’s bicentennial.
Yesterday, JAZZ HOUSE KiDS announced the full lineup for the 17th edition of the annual Montclair Jazz Festival. This year’s edition returns to the heart of downtown Montclair, NJ with their most celebrated artist performances all summer long, including centennial celebrations of Miles Davis and John Coltrane. The festivities begin with five evening Soundcheck Series concerts starting in June at The Wellmont Arts Plaza and culminates with the all-day Downtown Jamboree + Block Party on Saturday, August 15, 2026 at the historic, eight-acre Lackawanna Plaza.
2026’s Downtown Jamboree will feature headliners Dianne Reeves, Christian McBride Big Band with Bilal, Patrice Rushen, Spanish Harlem Orchestra and Take Me to the River New Orleans All Stars featuring Cyril Neville (underwritten by the Gia Malone Prima Foundation). The Gotham Kings return to kick off the day with a New Orleans-styled second line band marching down Bloomfield Avenue, led by trumpeter Alphonso Horne. The band will march through the heart of Montclair from Church Street and Park Avenue to the Downtown Jamboree at Lackawanna Plaza. The festival’s second stage will feature over 150 young artists, including the JAZZ HOUSE Collective, who will be honoring Miles Davis and John Coltrane, as well as the JAZZ HOUSE All-Stars.
Soundcheck Series lead up performers will include Bobby Watson/Jason Moran on June 16, 2026; The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra under the direction of Guest Conductor Jon Faddis on July 1,2026; Michele Rosewoman and Quintessence underwritten by the Chamber Music America Presenter Consortium for Jazz /Orrin Evans on July 14, 2026; Joel Ross’ Good Vibes on July 28, 2026, and Rebirth Brass Band underwritten by the Gia Maione Prima Foundation on August 4, 2026.
The Smithsonian Institute selected Montclair Jazz Festival as a collaborating festival for “Of the People: The Smithsonian Festival of Festivals,” one of a select number of festivals chosen to help celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary. To celebrate the occasion, the Smithsonian is taking its oldest and largest public event — the annual Folklife Festival — on the road across the country with a stop at this year’s Montclair Jazz Festival. By taking the Folklife Festival beyond Washington, DC to places like Montclair, the Smithsonian will join millions of people in their own communities to commemorate the nation’s semiquincentennial, amplifying how festivals serve as enduring tools for civic engagement and cultural exchange.
As I mentioned before, this year’s Montclair Jazz Festival will celebrate the centennials of Miles Davis and John Coltrane, horning their enduring legacies wit ha special tribute performance and through the festival’s artwork by visual artist Andres Chaparro. Fittingly with the theme of honoring and celebrating America’s quintessential, original art form, Montclair Jazz Festival’s artistic director Christian McBride has selected performing artists to spotlight several major US jazz cities that have shaped our culture and tell our national story.
Jazz was born in New Orleans and raised in New York City, but along the way it made many stops where it grew, and continues to grow today,” Christian McBride says, ““The cities that we’re spotlighting at this summer’s festival are among the most important cities in the history of jazz. Places where the music didn’t just develop, but helped shape the cultural identity of the cities themselves.”
Christiaan McBride and his Grammy Award-winning Big Band featuring Bilal will pay tribute to McBride’s hometown of Philadelphia. Their set will showcase the famous Philly sound and his favorite composers. Acclaimed singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and NEA Jazz Master Patrice Rushen will celebrate her birthplace of Los Angeles. Multi-Grammy Award-winning, NEA Jazz Master Dianne Reeves will celebrate Detroit, Fittingly, the Take Me to the River New Orleans All-Stars featuring Cyril Neville, Omari Neville, Ian Neville and Big Chief Bo Dollis Jr. (underwritten by the Gia Maione Prima Foundation) will honor the birthplace of jazz, New Orleans. Last but definitely not least, New York will be represented by the two-time Grammy Award-winning salsa and Latin jazz band Spanish Harlem Orchestra. The full artist lineup and their respective jazz cities will be listed below, as always.
New for the 17th edition, attendees can support the summer tradition they love with a 2026 Montclair Jazz Festival Jam Pass. As the festival has grown to its status as the region’s largest jazz festival, fans will be required to register for a Jam Pass to attend the Downtown Jamboree at Lackawanna Plaza.
In keeping with JAZZ HOUSE’s long-held commitment to make the festival accessible to all, a “Pay What You Wish” option is available, and everyone who registers for a Jam Pass will be entered for a chance to win a Take 5 VIP Club membership and VIP tent access, plus express entry on the ne Jam Pass lane. As production costs rise, your support helps sustain Montclair Jazz Festival for everyone for years to come. More information and Jam Pass registration can be found here: https://www.montclairjazzfestival.org.
“This year’s festival is especially meaningful as we celebrate the centennials of Miles Davis and John Coltrane, welcome the Smithsonian as a collaborator, and present artists representing the great jazz cities that helped shape America’s cultural story. The MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL has always been about bringing world-class music and community together in a way that’s welcoming and accessible to everyone,” says JAZZ HOUSE KiDS founder Melissa Walker. “As the festival continues to grow, the new JAM PASS helps us sustain this incredible summer tradition while still keeping the Downtown Jamboree accessible to all through our ‘Pay What You Wish’ option. We’re excited for audiences of all ages to experience the music, the energy, and the sense of connection that makes Montclair such a special place every summer.”
SOUNDCHECK SERIES ARTISTS
@ WELLMONT ARTS PLAZA (6-10PM)
June 16: Bobby Watson/Jason Moran (honoring Kansas City + Houston)
July 1: The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra under the direction of Guest Conductor Jon Faddis (honoring Red Bank)
July 14: Michele Rosewoman and Quintessence/Orrin Evans (honoring New York/Newark + Philly) underwritten by the Chamber Music America Presenter Consortium for Jazz
July 28: Joel Ross’ Good Vibes (honoring Chicago)
Aug 4: Rebirth Brass Band (honoring New Orleans) underwritten by the Gia Maione Prima Foundation
AUGUST 15 DOWNTOWN JAMBOREE ARTISTS
at LACKAWANNA PLAZA
11AM SECOND LINE BAND FROM CHURCH + PARK TO LACKAWANNA FESTIVAL
SITE – The Gotham Kings
MAIN STAGE 12PM – 8PM:
Take Me to the River New Orleans All Stars featuring Cyril Neville (honoring New Orleans) underwritten by the Gia Maione Prima Foundation
Christian McBride Big Band w/ Bilal (honoring Philadelphia)
Patrice Rushen (honoring Los Angeles)
Dianne Reeves (honoring Detroit)
Spanish Harlem Orchestra (honoring New York City)
SECOND STAGE 12PM – 8PM:
JAZZ HOUSE COLLECTIVE (honoring Miles Davis + John Coltrane)
JAZZ HOUSE ALL STARS
JAZZ HOUSE Emerging Artists studying at the JAZZ HOUSE Summer Workshop
BLOCK PARTY (presented by United Airlines [official airline]) 8PM – 10PM:
DJ Prince Hakim
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