Festival Roundup May 2026

DJANGO A GOGO® 2026 MUSIC FESTIVAL AND GUITAR CAMP (Maplewood NJ) May 12-17

Since 2003, guitarist/composer/teacher Stephane Wrembel has produced the Django a Gogo Music Festival and Guitar Camp celebrating the life and music of legendary guitarist/composer, Django Reinhardt. The annual week-long event is held in Wrembel’s hometown of Maplewood, New Jersey, with additional concerts at Symphony Space in NYC and a closing super jam for performers and campers at Barbs in Brooklyn on Sunday night. . As the musical director, Wrembel brings together some of the finest musicians in the world to celebrate the Sinti guitar style in both live performances and education. The concert repertoire follows the Django canon and veers into reinterpretation, improvisation, and interplay between musicians from various backgrounds and instruments.

This year’s concert lineup includes various combinations of Stephane Wrembel on guitar, Josh Kaye on guitar and oud, Adrien Chevalier on violin, Steven Duffy on tuba and sousaphone, Scott Kettner on drums, David Langlois on washboard, Nick Driscoll on sax/clarinet, Joe Boga on trumpet and Sarah King on vocals. Special guests include Jean-Michel Pilc on piano, and Gismo Graf, Sebastien Felix and Angelo Debarre on guitar.

The “camp” is an intensive series of interactive workshops, class instruction and “jam sessions” for 40 students, with instructors focusing on rhythm and improvisation in the style of Django Reinhardt. Guitar instructors include Wrembel, Simba Baumgartner, Mozes Rosenberg, David Gastine, Antoine Boyer, Frank Anastasio, and Sam Farthing. Additionally, Yeore King will instruct on harmonica. For concert tickets, camp registration, and information, visit: www.djangoagogo.com.

52nd WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP OLD-TIME PIANO PLAYING CONTEST & FESTIVAL (Oxford, MS) May 21-24

Every year over Memorial Day weekend in Oxford, Mississippi, the World Championship Old-Time Piano Playing Contest is held to provide an opportunity for pianists to compete and learn in a stimulating atmosphere, and to educate people about old-time piano music written prior to 1940. Through the years, the contest has provided more than $70,000 in prize money to more than 500 piano players from across the United States and from five foreign countries. Players in 2025 will participate in three divisions—Regular, Junior & Senior, competing for cash prizes, trophies and medallions. The New Rag Contest, where aspiring composers present their original tunes, will also have its own cash prize and trophy. A variety of other activities include presentations, guest artist performances, silent movies, a youth master class, and after-hours events every night on the Oxford Square.

This is a weekend packed with Ragtime, Tin Pan Alley and Standard tunes played by amazing piano players. You don’t have to play piano to enjoy music that will have your toes tapping. You’ll have the time of your life at the World Championship Old-Time Piano Playing Contest.

For more information, go to oldtimepianocontest.com; Email: oldtimepianocontest@olemiss.edu; Telephone 662-801-2251.

CAMP JITTERBUG (Seattle, WA) May 22-25

Camp Jitterbug is an annual Jazz & Swing Dance Festival celebrating Black vernacular Jazz and Swing dances. Our mission is to bring together Jazz dance enthusiasts from all over the world to celebrate this art form through workshops, live music, lectures, social dances, competitions, performances and more, featuring top instructors, musicians and lecturers. We are dedicated to providing a vibrant and inclusive space for dancers to connect, learn, and share their passion for dance.

2026 marks the 100 year anniversary of the Savoy Ballroom. We are honored to celebrate this momentous and historical anniversary with Savoy Ballroom Legends Sugar Sullivan and Barbara Billups. The wonderful Chester Whitmore will help lead the celebration featuring Savoy Ballroom inspired classes, performances, lectures and live music. Live music for the weekend features the Cloud Drops and Stomp-off Party.

Registration and more information can be found at campjitterbug.com.

SCOTT JOPLIN INTERNATIONAL RAGTIME FESTIVAL (Sedalia, MO) May 27-30

The 2026 Scott Joplin International Ragtime Festival will offer an exciting lineup of concerts and special events that celebrate the rich legacy of ragtime music and its enduring influence. From lively outdoor performances and elegant evening concerts to educational symposia, historic tours, and themed experiences like “Dining with the Stars” and “The Ragtime Dance,” there’s something for everyone to enjoy. This year’s festival features an outstanding roster of performers, including The Oliver-Smith Incomparables, The Midwest University Six, The New All-Stars, The Morton Trio, Miss Jubilee and The Blue Devils, Christina Austin, Jeff & Anne Barnhart, Clinton Davis, Richard Dowling, Josh Duffee, Eve Elliot, Colin Hancock, Steve Hicks, Frederick Hodges, Brian Holland, Vincent Johnson, Davey Jones, Valerie Kirchoff, Ethan Leinwand, Sonny Leyland, Dave Majchrzak, Royce Martin, Bill McNally, TJ Muller, Andrew Oliver, David Reffkin, Gavin Rice, Dalton Ridenhour, Joshua Rifkin, David Thomas Roberts, Andy Schumm, Hal Smith, Martin Spitznagel, Paul Stewart, Monty Suffern, Nick Taylor, Tyler Thomson, Virginia Tichenor, Matt Tolentino, Tadao Tomokiyo, John Reed Torres, Nick White, and Bryan Wright. Together, these world-class musicians, historians, and enthusiasts create a joyful celebration of syncopated rhythms, period fashion, and historic charm—all in the heart of Sedalia, Missouri, where Scott Joplin’s legacy lives on.

For the most current information, please visit www.scottjoplin.org.

NORTH SHORE JAZZ SUMMIT (Duluth, MN) June 11-13

The Count Basie Orchestra, Stan Kenton Legacy Orchestra, and Buddy Rich Tribute Band—for the first time ever, on the same stage! Join us for three nights of swing, soul, and serious fire at Bayfront Festival Park in Duluth, Minnesota.

The North Shore Jazz Summit isn’t just a festival—it’s a citywide celebration of music, art, food, and culture. Over three days, Duluth and Superior transform into a vibrant hub for jazz enthusiasts, foodies, artists, and cultural explorers.

Friday’s mainstage will feature the Dina Preston Band, Vinnie and the Hitmen, and top college, university, and high school jazz bands. The Basie, Kenton, and Rich bands will swing on the stage on Saturday night. Additional festival performers include the Scott Routenberg Trio, Robert Hurst, Rob Dixon Quartet, and Benny Benack III. City-wide pop-up jazz clubs, at both secret and official venues throughout Duluth & Superior, will be hosting late-night jam sessions, surprise headliners, and unannounced performances.

Other festival highlights include a Food Truck Festival, the Northland BBQ Festival, and the Urban BBQ Collaboration, where innovative culinary crossovers blending traditional and modern flavors. A Vendor & Art Show, will present artisans, record vendors, rare vinyl, and visual artists from across the Midwest.

Be part of a historic event that blends world-class jazz performances with culinary delights, artistic expressions, and vibrant nightlife.

Tickets on sale now. For group rates, sponsorships, or more information: john@dglartists.com; 218-464-7097; dglartists.com/north-shore-jazz-summit.

38th ELKHART JAZZ FESTIVAL (Elkhart, IN) June 18-21

Since 1988, jazz legends and fans have gathered each summer at the Elkhart Jazz Festival which combines warm, intimate, small-town hospitality with the excitement of big-city jazz. Known as the Band Instrument Capital of the World, Elkhart companies employ nearly 2,000 skilled craftsmen in the production of musical instruments. 2025 included over 35 acts, with many of them appealing to TST readers. Save the date, and visit elkhartjazzfestival.com as information becomes available.

BERT BARR JAZZ CAMP (Eugene, OR) July 23-26

Trad jazz enthusiasts are hosting an adult trad jazz camp July 23-26 at Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon. We are recruiting musicians to join us for a weekend of instruction, jams, sectionals, food and fun. Registration is only $350. We are new to the process of organizing a band camp but have recruited top instructors, have an excellent venue, and will do whatever we can to ensure campers have a memorable experience. We are delighted to welcome participants to our beautiful Oregon community and will offer full days of instruction, sectionals, lessons and ensemble playing. Reserve your spot soon for a memorable weekend of trad jazz participation!

More information and a registration form can be found at www.bertbarrjazzcamp.com.

BIX BEIDERBECKE JAZZ FESTIVAL (Davenport, IA) July 30-Aug. 1

Join us once again at Rhythm City Casino in Davenport as we celebrate a new era of the Bix Jazz Festival! Since 1971, the Bix Jazz Society has preserved the music and memory of Bix Beiderbecke through the annual Bix Jazz Festival, the Bix Youth Band, and more. After years of partnership, Common Chord and the Bix Jazz Society are excited to announce that these programs will merge into Common Chord under the guidance of the Bix Society Advisory Board, a committee of dedicated Bix volunteers!

The 55th Bix Jazz Festival (our “Emerald” anniversary), celebrates our merger with Common Chord by highlighting Bix’s collaborations with Jean Goldkette. The 2026 Festival will have a special set featuring this important musical team-up, sets highlighting other works of the time period, and special events including a riverboat cruise, a silent film with live accompaniment, and a concert at Bix’s gravesite. There will be multiple performances by Mike Davis’ New Wonders, Oliver-Smith Incomparables, Jeff Barnhart’s Fats Waller Legacy Band, Chicago Cellar Boys, Graystone Monarchs, TJ Muller’s Jazz-O-Maniacs, and the Bix Youth Band.

For tickets and more information, check commonchordqc.org/bix/festival.

SANTA CRUZ JUG BAND FESTIVAL (Santa Cruz, CA) Aug 6-9

The 2nd Annual Santa Cruz Jug Band Festival features a Thursday night sing-along, a jug band history presentation, a dance party, and a day of performances by five area jug bands. The festival takes place at four locations near Abbott Square Market, and features The Trolley Drops, The Puffball Collective, The Quake City Jug Band, The Rivertown Skifflers, and The Washboard Rhythm Company. The festival culminates with a jug band happy hour on Sunday afternoon at the Shanty Shack Brewery, where various members of the five jug bands will perform some of their favorite songs in a more intimate setting. Free admission for all events!

HISTORIC SUTTER CREEK RAGTIME FESTIVAL (Sutter Creek, CA) Aug 7-9

The 28th Historic Sutter Creek Ragtime Festival runs for 3 days, Friday thru Sunday, August 7 – 9. Festivities start at 4 pm on Friday afternoon and ends Sunday afternoon after the finale concert. Music is performed at 8 venues along main street, which includes 2 special concerts highlighting the performers. And of course, we will have Silent Movies with piano accompaniment at the Hotel Sutter this year. There is almost always after hours jamming at the hotel and other venues as well along with more open piano times.Performers include Richard Dowling, Frederick Hodges, Paul Orsi, Carl Sonny Leyland, Jeff & Anne Barnhart, The Amador Clarinet Quartet, Isaiah Burton, Michael Chisholm, Danny Coots, Eve Elliott, Dave Flores, Michael Flores, The Free Badge Serenaders, Kevin Gunia, Alex Hutchinson, John-Patrick Hutchinson, Vincent M Johnson, Charlie Judkins & Miss Maybell (Lauren Sansarico), Max Libertor.

Look for information on the different venues, lodging choices and festival pricing at: www.historicsuttercreekragtimefestival.com; write historicsuttercreekragtime@gmail.com or call 209 304-0835.

BAY STATE HOT JAZZ FESTIVAL (Medford, MA) Aug. 29-30

Save the date for the 2026 Bay State Hot Jazz Festival! The 4th BASH Jazz Festival is a FREE community celebration featuring 8+ traditional jazz bands from all over the country, raising the roof with set after set of incredible music. This year’s festival of ragtime, hot jazz, stride, New Orleans, and other early jazz styles will take place on August 29-30 at the Medford Condon Shell, just minutes from Boston. Our evolving lineup will be announced later this spring!

Interested in playing at this year’s festival? Band applications are open! Find the link here: baystatehotjazzfestival.com/artist-application. Deadline: March 15

For more information about the BASH Jazz Festival, visit baystatehotjazzfestival.com.

HOT JAZZ JUBILEE (Sacramento, CA) Sept. 4-7

Prepare to enjoy four days of exciting live music performance all under one roof! Tickets are now on sale for the 11th Annual Hot Jazz Jubilee. The DoubleTree by Hilton Sacramento is the home of the Jubilee, providing outstanding music venues including three large dance floors. Performances by Crescent Katz, San Lyon, Katie Cavera and the Lost Boys, Steve Lucky and the Rhumba Bums, and many more.

Book your room early for Labor Day weekend, as this event will sell out. A limited-time, discounted rate is available. Hot Jazz Jubilee is FUN for everyone, regardless of age (children under 18 are always admitted free), so come on out, listen, dance, and enjoy!

Check hotjazzjubilee.com for details, tickets, and updates on 2026’s event.

CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA RAGTIME AND AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL (Orbisonia/Rockhill Furnace/Huntingdon, PA) Sept. 10-13

Since 2009, the twin boroughs of Rockhill Furnace and Orbisonia, Pennsylvania have been filled with the strains of America’s first popular music: Ragtime, brought to life by some of America’s leading ragtime and early jazz artists. Enjoy America’s Original Music in one of its most historic towns!

Join us September 10-13, 2026, for the 16th Annual Central Pennsylvania Ragtime & American Music Festival. Four fun-filled days of music, silent movies, lectures, open houses, and more. Hear Ragtime favorites, Jazz, Boogie-Woogie, Stride, Blues, and hits from the Great American Songbook, all performed by Grammy Award winning musicians. Plus, enjoy rides on the town’s two signature attractions, the historic East Broad Top Railroad, and the neighboring Rockhill Trolley Museum!

Our festival is by far the most intimate of the ragtime gatherings—where else in America can you enjoy our nation’s musical heritage in such a historic setting? Past performers include Adam Swanson, Frederick Hodges, Andy Schumm, Martin Spitznagel, Bryan & Yuko Wright, Brian Holland, Danny Coots, Domingo Mancuello, Joey Antico, Bill Edwards, Andrew Greene and the Peacherine Ragtime Orchestra, Ed Clute, Daniel Souvigny, Richard Dowling, Dan Levinson, Terry Waldo, T.J. Muller, Brian Nalepka, Charlie Judkins, Lauren Sansariq, Andy Stein, and Joyce Richardson. Come join us for some great music!

Learn more about the festival by and find links to tickets by visiting www.rockhillragtime.com You can also call the East Broad Top Railroad directly at (814) 447-3285 to purchase tickets over the phone.

PENTASTIC HOT JAZZ & MUSIC FESTIVAL (Penticton, BC) Sept. 11-13

Situated between two lakes in the beautiful Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Pentastic Hot Jazz is celebrating its 28th year. As “the best Jazz Party in the Northwest”, the three day Pentastic HOT Jazz Festival brings world class jazz bands and performers to Penticton from Friday, September 11 through Sunday, September 13, 2026. The line up this year so far includes Dave Bennett & the Memphis Speed Kings; Tom Rigney and Flambeau; After Midnight, Black Market Trust; The Yard Katz; and Casey Thomas Burns – Casey and the Moonshine Band. More Bands To Be Announced Soon!

Special rates & discounts are available from our hotel/motel partners. Booking your 2026 hotel room now will ensure you have a choice of accommodations. There are four venues that are close together although a free shuttle is available for all those that wish to use that service. All venues are non smoking and dancing is encouraged.

Purchase tickets online at www.valleyfirsttix.com or at the event. For more information about 2026’s event, please visit Pentastic online at www.pentasticjazz.ca or call toll-free 1-866-599-3494.

THE GREAT NORTHEAST JUG BAND FESTIVAL (Arlington, MA) Sept. 25-26

Save the date for New England’s ONLY Jug Band Festival, now in it’s sixth year. We’ll showcase early blues, jazz, and string band traditions from the 1920s and ’30s, and the modern evolution of this good-time music. Jazzmo and the Jug Nuts kick off the weekend with a Friday night jam. This year’s Saturday lineup features three fabulous women-lead bands: the very vaudevillian Zoë Lewis and The Educated Fleas; direct from Brooklyn, The Dirty Mother String Band; and local favorite Annie and the Jug Tappers. The festival is free!

For a look at last year’s festival information, visit: acarts.org/jug-band-festival. Updates coming soon!

REDWOOD COAST MUSIC FESTIVAL (Eureka, CA) Oct. 1-4

The Redwood Coast Music Festival is Eureka’s celebration of American roots music. Jazz, Swing, Blues, Zydeco, Rockabilly, Americana, Western Swing, Country – we’ve got it all. You’ll find iconic venues, top-notch music, multiple dance floors PLUS special sets and band combinations you won’t see or hear anywhere else! Situated along the spectacular Northern California coastline, the City of Eureka is one of California’s best kept secrets, bordered on one side by beautiful Humboldt Bay and on the other by mountains lush with giant Redwoods.

Performers include The Hot Club of Cowtown, Dave Stuckey & The Hot House Gang, Jonathan Stout’s Campus Five Featuring Hilary Alexander,Tom Rigney & Flambeau, Katie Cavera & The Lost Boys, Naomi Uyama & Her Handsome Devils, On The Levee Jazz Band,The Hot Baked Goods, Miss Jubilee,Clint Baker’s Jazz Band,Dan Barrett, Steve Lucky & the Rhumba Bums,The Black Market Trust,Dave Stuckey & The Hoot Owls, Holland Coots Jazz Band, Benny Amon’s New Orleans Pearls, Colin Hancock’s TexasStompers,The Lovestruck Balladeers, Jonathan Doyle Swingtet, NOIR, Sam Rocha, San Lyon, Charlie Halloran & The Tropicales, Kris Tokarski’s Chicagoans, Mikiya Matsuda’s Alcatraz Islanders, Alice Spencer, Josh Collazo’s Jazzboree, Marc Caparone’s Allstars, Groovus, New Orleans Night Owls, TJ Muller’s Jazz-O-Maniacs, Hal Smith’s Swing Central, Andy Schumm, Riley Baker, Dave Kosmyna Incendiary Seven, Dennis Lichtman, Dalton Ridenhour, Mike Davis, Nick Rossi Swing Six, Laura Windley, Danny Tobias, Matt Weiner, The Redwood Dixie-Gators, and more!

Tickets and details, including special hotel packages, at rcmfest.org.

SUN VALLEY JAZZ & MUSIC FESTIVAL (Sun Valley, ID) Oct. 15-18

The Sun Valley Jazz and Music Festival unites an incredible lineup of artists who fill the mountains with unforgettable music. From world-class bands to rising stars, each performer shares not just their music–but their passion, energy, and love for counting with an audience. Every note you hear is part of the magic that makes this festival unforgettable. Swing, blues, gospel, big band, boogie, and beyond–you’ll find it all here, performed by musicians who make Sun Valley their stage.

Bands include Terry Myers Big Band; Tom Hook; Tom Rigney and Flambeau; Dave Bennett Six; San Lyon with Katie Cavera; Noir; Terry Myers’ Hot Jazz Collective; The Racketmakers featuring Sherri Colby, Jason Wanner, Matty Bottel Danny Coots, TJ Muller & Riley Baker; and more!

Tickets and more information at sunvalleyjazz.com.

MIKE DURHAM’S INTERNATIONAL CLASSIC JAZZ PARTY (Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK) Nov. 6-8

Here is the globe’s foremost gathering of classic jazz musicians and fans in a three-day concert series featuring live music of a rarely heard quality and authenticity, performed by a truly international roster of world-class performers. The International Classic Jazz Party is a unique event like none other in the Jazz festival calendar. The Party was founded in 1990 by Mike Durham in Whitley Bay, near Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, UK, and has grown bigger and better with each successive year. Fom midday on Friday until late on Sunday evening, the Party takes the form of a series of special themed concerts chosen and curated by the musicians themselves and drawn from the canon of the first 40 years of jazz. At the end of each day, musicians and audience relax and enjoy themselves at the legendary after-hours jam sessions in the hotel’s bar, often going on into the wee small hours. The concerts take place in 4-star luxury, with audience members being assigned to cabaret seating of 8 to a table. A twice-daily rotation system is in place to ensure that everybody gets a good view.

This year’s stellar line up includes Enrico Tomasso (UK), Lewis Taylor (UK), Colin Hancock (USA), Mike Davis (USA), Andy Schumm (USA), Malo Mazurié (France) on trumpet;

Lorenzo Baldasso (Italy), Michael McQuaid (UK), David Lukács (Netherlands), Natalie Scharf (USA) David Horniblow (UK), Richard Exall (UK), Laurin Habert (Germany) on reeds; T.J. Müller (USA), Alistair Allan (UK), Graham Hughes (UK) on trombone; Andrew Oliver (USA), Morten Gunnar Larsen (Norway), Mathieu Meyer (France) on piano; Thomas “Spats” Langham (UK), Martin Wheatley (UK), Félix Hunot (France), Curtis Volp (UK) on guitar & banjo; Phil Rutherford (UK), Malte Tönißen (Germany), Harry Evans (UK) on brass bass & string bass; Nicholas D. Ball (UK), Josh Duffee (USA), Nick Ward (UK) on drums & percussion; Emma Fisk (UK) on violin; and Thomas “Spats” Langham (UK) and Nicolle Rochelle (France) on vocals.

Details at whitleybayjazzfest.com.