Festival Roundup November 2026

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.

From 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 eight 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.

JAZZ AGE LAWN PARTY (New York, NY) Nov. 7-8

Now celebrating our 21st anniversary in New York City, we are the world’s original and most authentic Prohibition-era-inspired gathering. It all started in 2005 as a small gathering on NYC’s Governors Island and has since been consistently selected by the New York Times as one of the year’s most memorable events. Jazz Age Lawn Party, a historically sold-out experience, attracts thousands of time travelers each year, who come together to discover the music and zeitgeist of the 1920s. Founded and hosted by Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra, it offers a unique, interactive opportunity to relive one of the most colorful and formative epochs in American history.

Date: November 7th and 8th, 2026
Opening hours: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Duration: 6 hours each day
Location: Governors Island. You will need to reserve a ferry ride to
access the location.
Age requirement: All ages are welcome! 21+ with valid ID to consume alcohol
Access: This experience is ADA compliant

SUNCOAST JAZZ FESTIVAL (Clearwater Beach, FL) Nov. 20-22

Join us at the beautiful Gulf beaches in Sand Key, Clearwater Beach, Florida, for the 36th Annual Suncoast Jazz Festival, November 20-22, 2026. Held indoors at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort, the Suncoast Jazz Festival has three venues with continuous music rotating all day and all night through the weekend. With a variety of jazz genres, and listening lounge, dancing, and “sip and mingle experiences” offerings, the Suncoast Jazz Festival truly has something for everyone

Featured bands and performers include Dave Bennett Quartet, Diego Figueiredo , Professor Cunningham & His Old School, Tom Rigney & Flambeau, Champian Fulton, Jonathan Russell, Chuck Redd, Dan Levinson’s Palomar Jazz Band with Molly Ryan, Jen Hodge, Cláudio Infante, Eddie Metz, Theo Valentin, James Suggs, Nate Najar, Daniela Soledade, Hot Tonic, Bakey & Betty, James Wall, Heather Thorn, La Lucha, Simon Lasky, Allison Nash, Mark Moultrup, Steve Boisen, Al Downing Trio, Naples Jazz Society Jazz Band, Paul Wilborn & Eugenie Bondurant, and many many more. Visit suncoastjazzfestival.com for more information.

40th Annual WEST COAST RAGTIME FESTIVAL (Concord, CA) Nov. 20-22

The West Coast Ragtime Society is pleased to put together a fantastic fortieth year festival with a fabulous performer lineup, special shows, seminars, and dancing! Make your room reservations at our new venue, The Hilton Concord, and purchase your badges early to take advantage of the discounted prices to start planning for another terrific ragtime festival. We are proud to say we produce one of the world’s premiere annual ragtime festivals in the ragtime capital of the world! There’s lots of great music performed by the finest musicians from inside and outside the US.

(A comprehensive list of invited performers is featured on the festival website and in the display ad in this issue.)

The Hilton in Concord is next to Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Concord and The Veranda Mall. They are within two miles of the Concord BART station. Enjoy our outdoor pool, fitness center, and Mount Diablo views from your guest room.

There will be multiple venues for performances at the hotel. Performances are almost nonstop throughout the three days of the festival. If you love to dance, there will be opportunities to participate in vintage dance instruction during the festival weekend. In addition, there are ragtime stores where you can purchase our performers’ music, as well as various goodies like vintage clothing, records and more.

Visit westcoastragtime.com for updates.

33rd Annual EAGLES AND IVORIES RAGTIME FEST (Muscatine, IA) Jan. 14-17

The 33rd Annual Eagles & Ivories Music Fest is staged in Muscatine, Iowa, at five different locations. The 2027 lineup includes St Louis Stompers, Sweet and Hot Quartet, Mad Creek Mudcats, Jeff Barnhart, Josh Duffee,Dave Majchrzak, and artist-in-residence, Andy Schumm. Special events include silent film comedies with live accompaniment, a cabaret, a ragtime/jazz gospel service, a free eagle watch, and more!

For more information and tickets: muscatineartscouncil.org; ajwoodhouse@machlink.com.

NORTH CAROLINA JAZZ FESTIVAL (Wilmington, NC) Feb. 4-6

Wilmington gives a warm welcome to all of the jazz lovers attending our 46th North Carolina Jazz Festival!  This historic city located on the bank of the Cape Fear River has many interesting shops, art galleries, museums and restaurants, as well as a movie studio, nearby beaches, plus Revolutionary and Civil War sites to explore during your days here. We will fill your evenings with exciting performances by some of the greatest traditional jazz musicians from around the globe!

Thursday Night Showcase: Noel Freidline and Maria Howell will headline the 46th annual opening night’s Special Event.

Friday and Saturday Nights: All evening concerts begin at 7:30 pm and are held at the Hotel Ballast ballroom. We will continue our celebration with All-Star musicians playing in the traditional seven sets of six or seven players, each set with a different leader. We will continue our celebration with All-Star musicians playing in the traditional seven sets of six or seven players, each set with a different leader. You will hear many of our favorite NCJF musicians plus new additions to our lineup. You will not want to miss this exciting 46th Annual North Carolina Jazz Festival! These will be found and a half hour concerts. Scheduled musicians include Shaye Cohn, Ehud Asherie, Adrian Cunningham, Herman Burney, Brandi Disterheft, Kevin Dorn, Chloe Feoranzo, Wycliffe Gordon, Bruce Harris, Nate Najar, Ben Polcer, Chuck Redd, Jonathan Russell, Rossano Sportiello, and Dion Tucker.

On Saturday from 10:30 until 2pm we treat our patrons to a musical brunch, when all of our All-star musicians play for their pleasure while everyone enjoys a delicious meal.  Patrons can participate in the jam session during brunch.

General admission and patron tickets are available on our web site through ETIX or by contacting the NC Jazz Festival by phone: 910-399-6536.

For more information visit ncjazzfestival.org, e-mail ncjazzfest@yahoo.com, or call (910)-399-6596.

TEAGARDEN JAZZ FESTIVAL (Sacramento, CA) Feb. 6

The joy of early New Orleans-style jazz is at the heart of this scholastic combo festival, which is dedicated to fostering a better appreciation of this classic American art form. Each year, scores of young musicians gather at the annual Teagarden Jazz Festival for experiences that take their musical skills to the next level. The 2026 event featured 30 youth jazz bands from around northern California. Next year marks the 20th Anniversary of the festival, and we are pleased to announce that our Guest Clinician will be trumpeter/vocalist/songwriter Bria Skonberg. More information can be found at teagardenfestival.org.

SOUNDS OF MARDI GRAS (Fresno, CA) Feb. 11-14

Save the date for the 43rd edition of the Sounds of Mardi Gras in Fresno! Invited bands include Robert Dehlinger’s Alpha Rhythm King, San Lyon Swing Band, Dave Stuckey & The Hot House Gang, Tom Rigney and Flambeau, Dave Bennett, Black Market Trust, Groovus!, Todd Morgan & the Emblems, Okie Weiss & Zydeco Playboys, Golden Snake Jasss Band, Cheryl’s Vintage Jazz Band, Holland-Coots Jazz Quintette, Carl Sonny Leyland Boogie Woogie Boys, Southern Comfort, St. John’s Riverboat Jazz Band, Reedley River Rats Jazz Band, Riverboat Rustlers Jazz Band, and TNT – The New Traditionalists. CJ Sams will lead organized jam sessions on Thursday night and Friday and Saturday mornings which is open to all festival attendees who play an instrument.

Check fresnodixie.com for details about hotel reservations, activities, bands, and schedules as they become available.

SAN DIEGO JAZZ PARTY (San Diego, CA) Feb. 19-21

The 2027 San Diego Jazz Party, February 19-21, begins an exciting new chapter at the San Diego Marriott Mission Valley—a convenient new home for three unforgettable days of classic, mainstream jazz. Guests can look forward to an exceptional lineup featuring multiple award-winning returning musicians, familiar favorites, exciting collaborations and the intimate, up-close performances that have made the San Diego Jazz Party a tradition for jazz lovers.

With a new location, world-class musicians, a refreshed format and special new amenities, the 2027 Party promises more ways to enjoy the music—and the people who make this remarkable jazz weekend so special.

This year’s lineup: Harry Allen, John Allred, Andrew Barrett, Dan Barrett, Josh Collazo, Danny Coots, Jason Fabus, Duke Heitger, Jon-Erik Kellso , Dawn Lambeth, Vinny Raniolo, Chuck Redd, Sam Rocha, Brian Shaw, Richard Simon, Rossano Sportiello, Frank Vignola, Jason Wanner, Parker Weis, and Rickey Woodard.

Special Jazz Party rates are now available at the Mission Valley Marriott. Festival details can be found at sandiegojazzparty.com.

CHARM CITY DJANGO JAZZ FEST (Baltimore MD) Feb. 27

Our 12th annual Charm City Django Jazz Fest at Baltimore Museum of Art Auditorium on February 27th celebrates the captivating music of Django Reinhardt and the amazing legacy of jazz guitarists who have followed in this tradition. This year we feature incredible guitarist Pasquale Grasso with Hot Club of Baltimore and a world class lineup of musicians including Dion Berardo guitarist from Greece, Dallas Vietty on accordion, Nashville violinist Eli Bishop, guitarists Michael Joseph Harris and Connor Holdridge, and bassist Blake Meister. Opening the show will be Hot Club of Baltimore with special guests from Ann Arbor, guitarist Andrew Brown, and mesmerizing vocalist Katie Lynn of Djangophonique.

The Django Jazz Fest has expanded to multiple venues across the country. For more information about the Charm City Django Fest in Baltimore and other Django Jazz Fest dates and locations, visit gypsyjazzfest.com.

47th Annual JAZZ BASH BY THE BAY (Monterey, CA) Mar. 5-7

World-Class musicians make Monterey their home for the weekend of March 5-7, 2027 when historic Monterey comes alive with the tunes of our rich musical heritage. Enjoy the many colorful forms of American Traditional Jazz in the Monterey Conference Center and Portola Hotel & Spa, including: Traditional, Ragtime, Swing, Gypsy, Zydeco, and Blues. 3 Days, 8 Venues, 20+ Bands, over 100 Musicians … and YOU!

Scheduled bands are: Alpha Rhythm Kings, Blue Street, Bye Bye Boys Blues Band, Carl Sonny Leyland Trio, Crescent Katz, Dan Barrett’s Old Fashioned Jazz Band, Dave Stuckey & The Hoot Owls, Holland’s Ragabonds Seven, Ivory&Gold®, Marc Caperone’s All Stars featuring Dawn Lambeth, Monterey Sax, Natalie Mendoza’s Tiger Five, Oliver-Smith Incomparables, The Pacific Brass Band, San Lyon, Tom Rigney & Flambeau, Travis Anderson Trio, Warehouse Reunion, Ave Evans, Trio, and Zydeco Flames.

Tickets, the complete schedule, and lodging information are online at jazzbashmonterey.com.

A TRIBUTE TO BIX FEST (Mt. Pleasant, WI) Mar. 11-14

A Tribute to Bix Fest is an annual event celebrating the life of jazz musician Leon “Bix” Beiderbecke with authentic performances and dancing as well as a trade show for antique music ephemera. The event is dedicated to the memory of Phil Pospychala, its founder and chief organizer until his passing in 2022. Phil started the event in 1989 as a birthday celebration for Bix Beiderbecke and hosted it each year, a large portion on his own dime, for 31 years. A straightforward affair, Phil’s approach to the festival was three-pronged: enjoy old jazz music, spend time with friends, and have fun.

This year’s lineup: The Chicago Cellar Boys, The Troubadours of Rhythm, Swing Chevron, Mike Davis, Josh Duffee, The Saint Louis Contingent (Valerie Jo Kirchhoff, Ethan Leinwand, &T.J. Muller), and Three Daves (Bock, Kosmyna, & Boeddinghaus).

For more information, including information on discount hotel rooms and how to purchase tickets, go to bixfest.org.

SOUTH COAST CLAMBAKE MUSIC FESTIVAL (North Bend, OR) Mar. 11-14

Polish up those dancin’ shoes and get ready for the exciting musical extravaganza known as the South Coast Clambake Music Festival! (Formerly South Coast Clambake Jazz Festival.) This year you will see another lineup of great bands, energetic dancers and a flood of out of town guests in our community. The Clambake Music Festival Board is looking forward to yet another season of incredible music that ranges from traditional jazz to ’50s rock, including swing, doo-wop, blues, big band and Zydeco! However, many first-timers are surprised to find that our Festival is NOT a celebration of mollusks! “Clambake” is an old time musical term for a “jam session” and we are hoping you will choose to join us at our annual clambake. Dancers and music enthusiasts from up and down the West Coast, plan to attend again this year, as the Clambake Music Festival has developed a reputation as a favorite.

For nearly three decades, the South Coast Clambake Music Festival has entertained thousands in the Northwest. Located on beautiful Coos Bay/ North Bend, Oregon the Ko-Kwel Casino Resort, formerly known as The Mill Casino, is the perfect venue for a festival of this size and magnitude on Oregon’s Adventure Coast! Performers include Alpha Rhythm Kings, Dave Stuckey & The Hot House Gang, Tom Rigney and Flambeau,, and others. Details at: clambakemusic.com.

DURANGO RAGTIME & EARLY JAZZ FESTIVAL (Durango, CO) Mar. 31-Apr. 4

Save the dates for the Durango Ragtime and Early Jazz Festival! The greatest ragtime and classic jazz musicians from around the United States will descend upon the beautiful mountain town of Durango, Colorado, for four days of concerts, silent movies, seminars, after hours jam parties, and much more. All events will take place at the Durango Arts Center and the Historic Strater Hotel, only two blocks apart. The Diamond Belle Saloon is one of the most ideal venues for this type of music in the country, and the DAC has a gorgeous 9-foot grand piano for our concerts. CELEBRATE America’s first truly original music—ragtime and jazz—in an incredible location, Durango, Colorado.

Visit durangoragtime.com for more information as it becomes available.

JAZZAFFAIR (Three Rivers, CA) Apr. 8-11

The Jazz Music Festival with a Flair, featuring Trad Jazz, Ragtime, Rockabilly, Zydeco, Rock ‘n’ Roll & more, returns! Held each Spring in Three Rivers, California, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, Jazzaffair brings diverse jazz bands from across the country to the Kaweah River.

This year’s bands include: Sounds Like High Sierra,Tom Rigney & Flambeau, Dave Bennett & the Memphis Speed Kings, Miss Jubilee & The Yas Yas Boys, Blue Street Jazz Band, Groovus, Dave Bennett Quartet, St Johns Riverboat Jazz Band, Okie Weiss & The Zydeco Playboys, Marc Caparone’s Hot 5 plus 2, Mitch Polzak & the Royal Deuces, and Brian Holland & the Ragabonds

Also featuring special events nights, a kickoff dinner and concert, a “Rowdy Brunch”, and dance floors at all three venues.

Visit the Sierra Traditional Jazz Club online to order tickets: threeriversjazzaffair.com.

FRENCH QUARTER FESTIVAL (New Orleans, LA) Apr. 8-11

Since 1984, the French Quarter Festival has celebrated the essence of New Orleans with over 20 stages showcasing every genre of local music, from traditional jazz to brass bands and Zydeco. Known as the city’s “favorite festival,” this event highlights the culinary excellence of over 60 Louisiana restaurants. It is the largest free music event in the United States, attracting visitors from around the world to the iconic French Quarter.Extensive information including schedules and maps available at  frenchquarterfest.org

DJANGO A GOGO® 2027 MUSIC FESTIVAL & GUITAR CAMP (Maplewood, NJ and NYC) May 11-16

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 Barbès 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 include various combinations of musicians, including Stéphane Wrembel, Stochelo Rosenberg, Duved Dunayevsky, Kamlo Barré, François Sciortino, Sam Farthing, and David Gastine on guitar, Josh Kaye on guitar and oud, Adrien Chevalier and Daniel Garlitsky on violin, Steven Duffy on tuba and sousaphone, Scott Kettner on drums, David Langlois on washboard, Nick Driscoll on sax/clarinet, Ari Folman-Cohen on bass, Joe Boga on trumpet and Sarah King on vocals.

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 Stéphane Wrembel, Stochelo Rosenberg, Duved Dunayevsky Kamlo Barré, François Sciortino, and David Gastine.

For concert tickets, camp registration, and information, visit: www.djangoagogo.com.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP OLD-TIME PIANO PLAYING CONTEST & FESTIVAL (Oxford, MS) May 27-30

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 $80,000 in prize money to more than 500 piano players from across the United States and from five foreign countries. Players in 2027 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.

Visit oldtimepianocontest.com or email oldtimepianocontest@olemiss.edu; telephone 662-801-2251.

CAMP JITTERBUG (Seattle, WA) May 28-31

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.

Registration opens January 9, 2027. Visit campjitterbug.com for information as it becomes available.

SCOTT JOPLIN INTERNATIONAL RAGTIME FESTIVAL (Sedalia, MO) June 3-6

Mark your calendar for the 2027 Scott Joplin International Ragtime Festival!

This festival offers 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. The festival brings together world-class performers, historians, and enthusiasts for 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.