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Los Angeles Jazz Festival Unveils Inaugural Lineup
The new festival aims to celebrate jazz's diverse cultural roots and become the largest Black-owned jazz event.
Apr. 19, 2026 at 9:41am
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The inaugural Los Angeles Jazz Festival promises to be a vibrant celebration of the genre's multicultural roots and creative spirit.Santa Monica TodayThe inaugural Los Angeles Jazz Festival will reveal its performer lineup and programming details during a press event on Thursday, April 30, in Santa Monica. The 17-day festival is scheduled to debut in August and is positioned to become the largest Black-owned jazz festival in history and the third-largest international jazz festival, according to its organizers. Programming is expected to include Jazz on the Beach, Caribbean Street Festival, Jazz in the Park, Jazz After Dark and Coastal Cultural Tours.
Why it matters
The Los Angeles Jazz Festival seeks to elevate jazz as America's classical music genre while highlighting the African, African American and Caribbean cultural influences that have shaped the art form. As a Black-owned event, the festival also aims to provide a platform for minority and women-owned businesses.
The details
The festival announcement, timed to coincide with International Jazz Day, will feature remarks from festival founder and CEO Martin Ludlow, along with festival partners and cultural leaders. The event will culminate with closing weekend concerts on August 22–23 at Dockweiler Beach in Los Angeles. Organizers say the festival is expected to draw approximately 250,000 attendees and will emphasize social justice, environmental responsibility and support for minority- and women-owned businesses.
- The inaugural Los Angeles Jazz Festival will reveal its performer lineup and programming details during a press event on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
- The 17-day festival is scheduled to debut in August 2026.
- The festival will culminate with closing weekend concerts on August 22–23, 2026.
The players
Martin Ludlow
The founder and CEO of the Los Angeles Jazz Festival.
What they’re saying
“The inaugural Los Angeles Jazz Festival will reveal its performer lineup and programming details during a press event on Thursday, April 30, in Santa Monica.”
— Martin Ludlow, Founder and CEO
What’s next
The festival's performer lineup and full programming details will be announced at the April 30 press event in Santa Monica.
The takeaway
The Los Angeles Jazz Festival aims to become a premier celebration of jazz's diverse cultural heritage, showcasing the genre's African, African American and Caribbean influences while providing a platform for minority- and women-owned businesses.
