Organizers this week announced some of the line up of the 2026 Detroit Jazz Festival, taking place in downtown Detroit Labor Day weekend.
Along with previously announced Artist-in-Residence Joe Lovano, the festival’s big acts will include Ron Carter, Bob James, Ravi Coltrane, Artemis and Kurt Elling & Yellowjackets. The free, outdoor festival returns Sept. 4-7.
“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 festival president and artistic director Chris Collins in a press release. “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.”
Collins also stressed the importance of keeping the event free and accessible to all.
“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,” he said.
Earlier this year, organizers announced that the festival’s footprint would be consolidated, and all three stages will be in Hart Plaza at Jefferson near Woodward. Previously, the festival stages were spread out to Hart Plaza, Cadillac Square and inside the Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center.
Here are some of the highlights of the 2026 Detroit Jazz Festival, which were revealed on Wednesday.
Friday, Sept. 4
Coltrane 100: 2026 Artist-In-Residence Joe Lovano, Melissa Aldana, Nduduzo Makhathini, Linda May Han Oh, Jeff “Tain” Watts Both Directions at Once
Miles Electric Band
Tia Fuller featuring Shamie Fuller-Royston – “Full 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 Watson”
Gabriel Cassava
Cyrille Aimée Quartet
Delvon Lamar Organ Trio
Sunday, Sept. 6
2026 Artist-In-Residence Joe Lovano’s Paramount Quartet, featuring Julian Lage, Asante Santi Debriano, Will Calhoun
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
2026 Joe Lovano and Dave Douglas Quintet: Sound Prints Featuring: Lawrence Fields, Yasushi Nakamura and Rudy Royston
Cindy Blackman Santana
Joey Alexander Trio
Ron Carter & Foursight
The Django Festival Allstars with Special Guest Grace Kelly
Visit detroitjazzfest.org for more information.
mbaetens@detroitnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Big names for the 2026 Detroit Jazz Festival lineup announced
Reporting by Melody Baetens, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
