The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) today announced the line-up for the highly anticipated 2026 TD James Moody Jazz Festival taking place Friday, November 6 to Sunday, November 22, 2026. Attracting thousands of fans to the city of Newark for the past 14 years, this year’s Festival presents the world’s preeminent jazz and jazz-adjacent artists in manifold events including world premiere concerts, debut collaborations, and free performances too.
This year’s lineup bridges the gaps between historic icons and the visionaries of tomorrow, featuring tributes to Miles Davis, Zakir Hussain, and the festival’s namesake James Moody as well as a rare performance by Tony Award-winning Ben Vereen in a special 80th birthday celebration.
Tickets go on sale this Today, May 29, 2026, at 10:00am ET at NJPAC.org.
sponsored in part by TD Bank
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2026 TD JAMES MOODY JAZZ FESTIVAL ARTISTS
Andy Farber Orchestra · April May Webb · Ben Vereen · Bill Frisell · Bob Stewart · Bruce
Hornsby · Charles Lloyd · Chris Komer · Christian McBride · Dizzy Gillespie All-Stars ·
Erena Terakubo · Eric Jacobsen · Gary Smulyan · Gregory Porter · Jesse Cook ·
John Clark · John Riley · Jon Faddis · Kweku Sumbry · Larry Grenadier · Lillias White ·
Melba Moore · Mike LeDonne · Moody All-Star Band · Niladri Kumaar ·
NJMEA All-State Jazz Band & Choir · New Jersey Symphony · Shoshana Bean ·
Stephanie Pope · Steve Turre · Todd Coolman ·
Wallace Roney Jr.
plus surprise special guests and more!
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When: November 6 – 22, 2026
Where: Multiple venues in Newark, New Jersey, including NJPAC (One Center Street),
Clement’s Place (15 Washington Street), and Bethany’s Baptist Church (275 West Market Street)
Tickets: Free-$79. To purchase, contact NJPAC at 1.888.GO.NJPAC/1.888.466.5722
or visit NJPAC.org/jazz.