Jazz Luminaries Ron Carter, Bob James, Ravi Coltrane, Artemis, Kurt Elling & Yellowjackets and more to hit the 2026 Detroit Jazz Festival Stages
DETROIT – The Detroit Jazz Festival, the world’s largest (and best) free jazz festival, tonight announced this year’s amazing lineup during a livestreamed preview event at the Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center on the campus of Wayne State University. The evening featured live performances from the 2026 Artist-In-Residence jazz titan, saxophonist Joe Lovano along with Lamy Istrefi (drums), Leo Geovese (piano), and John Menegon (bass).
“Each year, we strive to raise the bar artistically while staying true to what makes the Detroit Jazz Festival so special – and 2026 is no exception,” said Chris Collins, president and artistic director of the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation. “This year’s lineup brings together some of the most celebrated and innovative voices in jazz today – from legends like Ron Carter and Bob James to boundary pushing artists like Ravi Coltrane, Artemis, and Kurt Elling with Yellowjackets – creating an unforgettable experience for fans of all generations.
“Just as important, we remain deeply committed to producing a world-class festival that is free and accessible to everyone. That mission is only possible because of the incredible support from our patrons, sponsors and community partners, whose belief in the power of jazz allows us to keep this tradition alive and thriving in Detroit.”
The Detroit Jazz Festival will be held in Hart Plaza downtown Detroit, Sept. 4-7 (Labor Day weekend).
The 2026 partial lineup:
Friday, Sept. 4
- 2026 Artist-In-Residence Joe Lovano’s Paramount Quartet, featuring Julian Lage, Asante Santi Debriano, Will Calhoun
- Miles Electric Band
- Tia Fuller featuring Shamie Fuller-Royston – “Fuller Sound”
Saturday, Sept. 5
- Kurt Elling & Yellowjackets Celebrate Weather Report
- Artemis
- Bob James
- Ravi Coltrane Quartet: Centennial Celebration
- Skylar Tang
- African Rhythms Alumni Quintet ‘Celebrating the Centennial of Dr. Randy Weston’ TK Blue – alto saxophone, flute; Alex Blake – bass; Neil Clarke – African percussions; Frank Lacy – trombone
- Gabrielle Cavassa
- Cyrille Aimée Quartet
- Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio
Sunday, Sept. 6
- 2026 Artist-In-Residence Joe Lovano and Dave Douglas Quintet: Sound Prints Featuring: Lawrence Fields, Yasushi Nakamura and Rudy Royston
- Vijay Iyer Trio with special guest, Adam O’Farrill
- Take 6
- Catherine Russell
- Nduduzo Makhathini
- INSTANT ALTER featuring Natasha Agrama Clarke and Emilio Modeste
- Luca Ciarla solOrkestra
Monday, Sept. 7
- Coltrane 100 – 2026 Artist-In-Residence Joe Lovano, Melissa Aldana, Nduduzo Makhathini, Linda May Han Oh, Jeff “Tain” Watts – Both Directions at Once
- Cindy Blackman Santana
- Joey Alexander Trio
- Ron Carter & Foursight
- The Django Festival Allstars with Special Guest Grace Kelly
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About the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation
Under the leadership of President and Artistic Director Chris Collins, the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization that presents jazz and educational workshops throughout the year. The Foundation produces the Detroit Jazz Festival, which is the signature event for the Foundation and the largest free jazz festival in the world. The Festival is also a major tourist attraction for the City of Detroit, with 26 percent of its audience coming from out of state. For more information, visit detroitjazzfest.org.
The Detroit Jazz Festival is supported by the Gretchen C. Valade Endowment for the Arts, a private foundation generously created by the late Angel of Jazz, Gretchen C. Valade. The Foundation also receives grant funding from the DTE Foundation, Fred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation, Kresge Foundation, the Knight Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Arts Midwest and the Carolyn and Mel Wanzo Music Legacy Endowment. Hundreds of individuals also contribute to the Festival through membership and donations.
Major corporate partners include Rocket Companies, Carhartt, JPMorgan Chase, AARP, Absopure and Kia.
Since 2009, the Detroit Jazz Festival has been produced by the acclaimed Detroit-based production group, Paxahau.
Media partners include Fox 2 Detroit, 760 WJR, WEMU-FM, DownBeat, WDET-FM 101.9, WRCJ 90.9 FM, Channel 22, City of Detroit’s new arts and entertainment channel, and Detroit PBS, WJZD Radio, WJZZ Detroit Jazz Radio, and DETIPTV.
About Paxahau
Paxahau is a world-renowned production and promotion company specializing in music festivals and live events, always placing the highest priority on music and experience. Since 1998, the Paxahau brand has established itself as a leader in event production, rooted firmly in Detroit’s rich musical heritage.
The company first gained recognition as an underground dance music promoter in the early 90s and is now in its 20th year as producer of the Movement Music Festival, recognized globally as one of the longest-running dance music events in the world. Since 2009, Paxahau has been entrusted with managing operations and production for the Detroit Jazz Festival, bringing the same commitment to excellence, artist experience, and world-class production that defines their body of work.
For more information, visit:
Website – www.detroitjazzfest.org
Facebook — @DetroitJazzFestival
Twitter — @DetroitJazzFest
Instagram — @DetroitJazzFest
