Gainesville Debuts New Horizons Jazz Festival

Week-long event celebrates local and adventurous music scene

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Gainesville, Florida is launching the New Horizons Jazz Festival from February 23 to March 1, curated by Steven Head of Pulp Arts recording studio. The festival aims to spotlight established and emerging jazz and experimental music talent, injecting fresh energy into the local music landscape often dominated by punk and hip-hop. The lineup features over 15 artists, including drummer Makaya McCraven, and will utilize several downtown venues to provide a platform for regular jazz programming.

Why it matters

The New Horizons festival represents an effort to elevate Gainesville's jazz and adventurous music scene, which has historically been overshadowed by other genres. By providing a dedicated platform for both local favorites and out-of-town guests, the festival aims to introduce audiences to a broader spectrum of experimental and improvisational sounds, potentially expanding the city's cultural offerings.

The details

Curated by Steven Head, who also manages Pulp Arts recording studio, the festival came together quickly towards the end of last fall but is built on years of relationships cultivated through the studio. The lineup features over 15 artists, including drummer, composer, and producer Makaya McCraven, as well as local favorites like the fusion and funk band Dionysus. The festival will utilize several downtown Gainesville venues known for hosting live music, including Baby J's Bar and The Bull.

  • The New Horizons Jazz Festival will run from February 23 to March 1, 2026.
  • The festival idea solidified towards the end of 2025.

The players

Steven Head

The curator of the New Horizons Jazz Festival and the manager of Pulp Arts recording studio in Gainesville.

Makaya McCraven

A drummer, composer, and producer who will perform at the festival.

Dionysus

A fusion and funk band self-described as 'astro jazz funk' that will perform at the festival.

Jose Piñeiro

A saxophonist and member of the band Dionysus.

Mike Baggetta

A guitarist who Head considers one of Gainesville's 'greatest...best kept secrets' and who will perform at the festival.

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What they’re saying

“I felt like I was connecting the dots on things that are already strong, and existing.”

— Steven Head, Curator of the New Horizons Jazz Festival (newsdirectory3.com)

“This whole adventurous genre … is more so in the line of like, 'How do we make sonically invigorating music?'”

— Jose Piñeiro, Saxophonist, Dionysus (newsdirectory3.com)

“I do think letting people know that the festival involves musicians that are taking chances in their music, doing things that are maybe a little bit left of mainstream, is a great opportunity to get people to come out and hear and experience things that they might not be used to.”

— Mike Baggetta, Guitarist (newsdirectory3.com)

What’s next

The New Horizons Jazz Festival will run from February 23 to March 1, 2026, providing a new platform for jazz and experimental music in Gainesville.

The takeaway

The debut of the New Horizons Jazz Festival in Gainesville represents an effort to elevate the city's vibrant but often overlooked jazz and adventurous music scene, potentially introducing audiences to a broader spectrum of experimental and improvisational sounds.