Listing by Setline, not by the festival. Check the festival's own website for anything official.
About the festival
For over 40 years, the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation has organized the world's largest free Jazz festival, featuring world-class talent over Labor Day weekend at Hart Plaza in downtown Detroit.
The 2026 edition
45artists
4stages
4days
Who played in 2026
45 artists · 5 headliners
C1
Coltrane 100 – Joe Lovano, Melissa Aldana, Nduduzo Makathini, Linda May Han Oh, Jeff "Tain" WattsJazzA collaborative jazz ensemble assembled to celebrate the centennial of John Coltrane's birth, featuring saxophonist Joe Lovano, pianist Nduduzo Makhathini, bassist Linda May Han Oh, and drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts, alongside saxophonist Melissa Aldana, performing music honoring Coltrane's legacy.CA
Cyrille Aimée QuartetjazzCyrille Aimée is a French-born jazz vocalist known for her gypsy jazz-influenced improvisational style, often performing with a quartet featuring guitars and upright bass. She blends jazz standards with Latin and pop influences, drawing comparisons to Django Reinhardt-style swing.
JL
Joe Lovano and Dave Douglas Quintet: Sound PrintsPost-BopSound Prints is a jazz collective led by saxophonist Joe Lovano and trumpeter Dave Douglas, formed to celebrate the music of Wayne Shorter while performing original compositions inspired by his spirit of exploration. The quintet blends modern post-bop with adventurous improvisation.JA
Joey Alexander TriojazzJoey Alexander is an Indonesian-born jazz pianist and prodigy who gained international acclaim as a teenager for his sophisticated improvisational skills. Performing in trio format with bass and drums, he blends bebop and post-bop traditions with original compositions, earning multiple Grammy nominations.
ME
Miles Electric Bandjazz fusionMiles Electric Band is a jazz-fusion ensemble formed by drummer Vince Wilburn Jr., nephew of Miles Davis, to perform and celebrate the electric-era music of Miles Davis. The group features veteran musicians who reinterpret Davis's fusion catalog from the 1970s in live performances.
RG
Roberta Gambarini and the Detroit Jazz Festival OrchestraVocal JazzRoberta Gambarini is an Italian-born jazz vocalist known for her sophisticated phrasing and scat singing, celebrated for interpreting the Great American Songbook. This recording pairs her with the Detroit Jazz Festival Orchestra, a large ensemble associated with the annual Detroit Jazz Festival.RC
Ron Carter & FoursightJazzRon Carter & Foursight is a jazz quartet led by legendary double bassist Ron Carter, known for his extensive work with Miles Davis and countless recordings. The group performs acoustic straight-ahead jazz, showcasing Carter's melodic bass playing and interplay with piano, drums, and saxophone or guitar.T6
Take 6TD
The Django Festival Allstars with Special Guest Grace KellyGypsy JazzThe Django Festival Allstars are a group of gypsy jazz musicians celebrated for continuing the Django Reinhardt swing tradition, known for virtuosic guitar interplay. This lineup features saxophonist Grace Kelly as special guest, blending her jazz improvisation with the ensemble's hot club swing style.TF
Tia Fuller featuring Shamie Fuller-RoystonJazzTia Fuller is an American jazz saxophonist known for her dynamic alto sax playing, having performed with Beyoncé's touring band and Esperanza Spalding, and released acclaimed solo jazz albums as a bandleader.
VI
Vijay Iyer Trio with special guest, Adam O'FarrilljazzVijay Iyer Trio is the acclaimed jazz piano trio led by pianist-composer Vijay Iyer, known for its rhythmically complex, genre-blurring improvisations. This lineup features trumpeter Adam O'Farrill as a guest, expanding the trio's sound with adventurous brass textures.Set times
2026 set times
Full running order in the festival's local time. Collected by Setline, so the festival's own schedule is the last word.
Friday, 4 September
Carhartt Amphitheater Stage
- 18:14-19:00 Dr. Valade's Brass Band Featuring Shannon Powell
- 19:00-21:15 Miles Electric Band
- 21:15 Joe Lovano
Detroit Jazz Hall located inside the Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center at Wayne State University
Saturday, 5 September
Detroit Jazz Hall located inside the Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center at Wayne State University
Absopure Waterfront Stage
- 14:45-16:45 Michigan State University Jazz Orchestra
- 16:45-19:00 Vermilion Field
- 19:00-21:00 Cyrille Aimée Quartet
- 21:00 Artémis
Carhartt Amphitheater Stage
- 15:00-16:45 Jeffrey Trent
- 16:45-19:00 African Rhythms Alumni Quintet
- 19:00-21:15 Ravi Coltrane
- 21:15-23:00 Kurt Elling B2B Yellowjackets
Pyramid Stage
- 15:15-17:00 Borderland Ensemble
- 17:00-18:45 Skyler Tang
- 18:45-20:45 Jill Opal and The Bill Meyer Group
- 20:45 Bob James
Sunday, 6 September
Detroit Jazz Hall located inside the Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center at Wayne State University
- 11:30 Taylor High School Jazz Band
- 22:45 Nduduzo Makhathini
Carhartt Amphitheater Stage
- 13:15-15:00 Downbeat Blindfold Test
- 15:00-16:45 The Search: Echoes of the Fallen
- 16:45-19:00 Gabrielle Cassava
- 19:00-21:15 Joe Lovano and Dave Douglas Quintet: Sound Prints
- 21:15 Take 6
Pyramid Stage
- 13:15-15:15 J.C. Heard JazzWeek All Stars
- 15:15-16:45 Dave Sharp Worlds Quartet
- 16:45-18:45 Catherine Russell
- 18:45-20:45 Sequoia "REDWOOD" Snyder and INNER KNOWING
- 20:45 Dee Dee Bridgewater & Bill Charlap
Absopure Waterfront Stage
- 13:45-15:30 Wayne State University "Jazz Warriors" Big Band
- 15:30-17:20 Luca Ciarla solOrkestra
- 17:20-19:15 Jaribu Shahid Salute to the AACM
- 19:15-21:10 Instant Alter featuring Natasha Agrama Clarke and Emilio Modeste
- 21:10 Vijay Iyer Trio with special guest, Adam O'Farrill
Monday, 7 September
Detroit Jazz Hall located inside the Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center at Wayne State University
Absopure Waterfront Stage
- 12:45-15:00 University of Michigan Jazz Ensemble
- 15:00-17:00 The Django Festival Allstars with Special Guest Grace Kelly
- 17:00 Ron Carter & Foursight
Pyramid Stage
- 13:45-15:30 Teiku
- 15:30-17:15 Roberta Gambarini and the Detroit Jazz Festival Orchestra
- 17:15 Joey Alexander Trio
Carhartt Amphitheater Stage
Getting there
Where it happens
LocationDetroit, Michigan, United States
