JAZZ NEWS ALERT
FAENA LIVE ANNOUNCES THE 8TH ANNUAL FAENA JAZZ SERIES AT FAENA THEATER
Six Concerts • February–June 2026
FAENA THEATER
Miami Beach, Florida
3201 Collins Avenue • Miami Beach, FL 33140 • Box Office: (786) 655-6500
Faena Live has announced the 8th Annual Faena Jazz Series at the intimate and glamorous Faena Theater in Miami Beach, with six concerts scheduled from February through June 2026. Jazz & Blues Florida is publishing this season-series announcement as a day-of news alert.
Curated and produced by Grammy-nominated producer Rachel Faro, the 2026 season features two world-famous Brazilian musical icons, two young masters of the Great American Songbook, and an Afro-Cuban duo. The announced lineup includes Catherine Russell, Stella Cole, Benny Benack III, João Bosco, Hamilton de Holanda, and OKAN.
Season tickets (all six performances) and individual concert tickets are available here: faenatheater.com/concerts. Tickets may also be purchased by calling the Faena Theater box office at (786) 655-6500.
THE LINEUP (2026)
● Wednesday, February 4, 2026: Catherine Russell
● Wednesday, March 18, 2026: Stella Cole
● Wednesday, April 15, 2026: Benny Benack III
● Wednesday, May 5, 2026: João Bosco
● Wednesday, June 3, 2026: Hamilton de Holanda
● Wednesday, June 24, 2026: OKAN
2026 FAENA JAZZ SERIES PERFORMANCES
February 4, 2026: CATHERINE RUSSELL
We are honored to open our 8th season with Grammy Award-winning vocalist Catherine Russell, who is universally considered to be one of the foremost interpreters of mid-20th century American music. Raised in a musical household Russell’s father was the longtime musical director for Louis Armstrong. Her stunning vocal approach, her consummate musicianship and emotional interpretations of blues and jazz have won her numerous awards and have been enthusiastically received by audiences throughout Europe and the Americas.
Russell is a rare example of a successful background singer who has transformed into a distinguished career as a solo artist. Throughout the ‘90’s she appeared as a background singer with multiple artists such Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Roseanne Cash, Gloria Estefan, Diana Ross, Marc Cohen and Joan Osborne. She worked closely as a background singer and band member with David Bowie and Steely Dan, both treasured friendships. Her solo career began soon after Bowie’s retirement in 2004 and since then she has released seven albums (three of which received Grammy nominations). Her voice was prominently featured on HBO’s Boardwalk Empire whose soundtrack album received a Grammy for Best Compilation Soundtrack. Russell is currently a Harvard Jazz Master in Residence. Her most recent album, “My Ideal”, a collaboration with Sean Mason, received a 2025 Grammy Nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album.
March 18, 2026: STELLA COLE
Stella Cole is a rising star in the world of vocal jazz. Still in her ‘20’s, glamorous and charming, she has successfully introduced classics from The Great American Songbook to a new generation and captured their hearts with her heavenly voice. Stella Cole honors the classics songs of great songwriters such as Cole Porter, Stephen Sondheim, Sammy Kahn and Frank Loesser and the great interpreters of these songs: Nat ‘King’ Cole, Frank Sinatra, Mel Tormé, Rosemary Clooney and Judy Garland while bringing her own modern stamp to her interpretations.
Stella first came to the attention of young people through her social media presence. In 2020, during the pandemic, she began posting videos of herself on Tik Tok, singing at home. Clips of “Over The Rainbow” and Stephen Sondheim’s “Everybody Says Don’t” went viral, attracting over 800,000 followers. Her collaboration with music collective Post-Modern Jukebox on a cover of Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers” attracted over six million views
Since then, she has gone beyond her youthful audience to access fans all over the world. Her natural elegance and lovely voice have led to residencies at New York’s Birdland and Café Carlyle and in Paris at Ducs de Lombard. She has released three albums, produced by Matt Pierson (Samara Joy’s first producer), including “Snow”, a Christmas album and her most recent album, “It’s Magic”.
April 15, 2026: BENNY BENACK III
Benny Benack III is double-trouble: equally formidable as a fiery trumpeter – with a style ranging from Freddie Hubbard to Louis Armstrong – as he is as a warm-voiced singer who delivers sly and expressive post-Sinatra vocal stylings. He is also a true showman who charms his audiences with off-guard quips and a contagious sense of onstage fun.
Benny has crooned his way to millions of Spotify listeners and his collaborations with Christian McBride, Veronica Swift and Emmet Cohen have produced remarkable performances. He’s released five Jazz Week chart-topping albums. In a tip of the hat to his musical roots his most recent release, “This Is The Life” features his father Benny Benack Jr. on saxophone.
Benny's double-threat credentials were first apparent as a finalist in the 2014 Thelonius Monk Competition on trumpet, before going on to win third place in the 2021 Sarah Vaughan Vocal Jazz Competition. Benny was recently recognized in the Downbeat Magazine’s Readers Poll for 2025, where he placed both as #1 for Rising Star Male Vocalist, and #8 for Rising Star Trumpet!
With his smile and panache ever on display wherever he goes, this November 2026 he’ll be touring Europe with the Jazz at Lincoln Center’s ‘Sing and Swing” show, celebrating the Great American Songbook, followed by a sold-out U.S. tour.
May 5, 2026: JOAO BOSCO
For over five decades guitarist and singer/songwriter João Bosco has been one of Brazil’s most important figures, renowned for his remarkable versatility and profound influence on Brazilian popular music.
Born into a musical family in Minas Gerais, Bosco began composing and performing in the 1960s and was recognized early on by the legendary bossa nova pioneer Antonio Carlos Jobim and famed singer Ellis Regine, with whom he collaborated on some of her best work. His early work with Vinicius de Moraes and later with the poet Aldir Blanc resulted in an extensive repertoire of songs that are now considered classics of Brazilian MPB (musica popular brasileira), covered by many artists including
Although already a star in Brazil a 1984 appearance on a Lee Ritenour recording led to increased international interest and Bosco’s international fame began to rise leading to major tours of the U.S. and an annual appearance at the Montreux Jazz Festival. Since then Bosco has continued to record and tour internationally while remaining deeply connected to Brazil. He remains true to his musical roots in classical samba and bossa nova while incorporating rock'n'roll, jazz and other styles.
Bosco is now nearing the age of 80 and planning to retire. His appearance at the Faena is part of his farewell tour and could very well be one of the final live performances of his illustrious career. Don’t miss the chance to experience one of Brazil’s most compelling artists while you can.
June 3, 2026: HAMILTON DE HOLANDA
Hamilton de Holanda is one of Brazil’s most celebrated musicians — a global ambassador, virtuoso performer and groundbreaking improviser. Since picking up the bandolim (Braziian guitar) at the age of five, he has redefined the 10-string version of the instrument, transforming it into a versatile voice that blends Brazilian traditions such as choro with jazz and other global genres. His collaborators include music legends such as Wynton Marsalis, Chick Corea, Milton Nascimento, Djavan, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Dave Matthews, John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin), and Hermeto Pascoal.
Hamilton’s popularity has spread far beyond the borders of Brazil: in 2024 alone he received14 million streams across 180 countries and reached over 800,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. He is also a four-time Latin Grammy winner with seventeen Latin Grammy nominations and a recent 2025 Grammy nomination.
Hamilton has performed on some of the world’s most iconic stages, including the Grand Palais in Paris, the Smithsonian in Washington, and the Jean Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, as well as at renowned music festivals such as Montreux Jazz, Newport Jazz, Montreal, Umbria Jazz, Marciac, and North Sea Jazz. He’s been honored to perform at historic moments such as the opening ceremony of the Rio 2016 Summer Games and a private concert for world leaders at the 2018 G20 Summit in Buenos Aires.
Hamilton’s music connects cultures, celebrates diversity, and pushes the boundaries of sound, solidifying his place as a true innovator and cultural ambassador.
June 24, 2026: OKAN
Taking its name from the word for ‘heart’ or ‘soul’ in the Afro-Cuban religion of Lukumî, OKAN is a musical and romantic duo of two empowered and beautiful Cuban women that fuse Afro-Cuban and other global rhythms with jazz, folk and classical forms in songs about immigration, exile, courage and love.
Honoring the role of tradition while stretching the boundaries of how that tradition is expressed, Elizabeth Rodriguez and Magdelys Savigne present a musical celebration of their heritage with a sense of fun that can mask the intensity of their musicianship. Their music pays tribute to the sacred aspects of Cuban music while brilliantly showcasing their love of classic Cuban musical styles, like changú, tímba, and pilón, and a grab bag of other influences, including African, Turkish and Brazilian melodies and rhythms.
Born in Havana, Elizabeth Rodriguez is a classically trained violinist while Magdelys Savigne is an extraordinary percussionist who hails from Santiago de Cuba. Both embrace genres and roles that have traditionally been dominated by men, with Magdelys on the batá drums and congas and Elizabeth breaking tradition by adding a sensual and very Cuban movement and vocals to her virtuoso violin performances.
Rodriguez and Savigne fell in love while both playing in Jane Bunnett’s all-woman Cuban jazz group Maquque, leaving the band to form OKAN in 2017. Since then they have released three albums and been honored with two Juno Awards (Canada’s Grammys), have appeared on NPRs Tiny Desk Concert with their quintet and played throughout the United States and Canada at clubs and festivals.
In 2024 OKAN relocated to South Florida after several years in Toronto. OKAN and their music represent the Cuban diaspora and the sense of exile while evolving into citizens of the world.
The 8th Annual Faena Jazz Series is honored to complete their eighth season with these two brilliant and beautiful women – OKAN is truly full of heart and soul – and a musical spirit that brings joy and life to all who experience their shows.
SPONSORS & COLLABORATORS
Aligned with our commitment to supporting the transformative power of music and music education the Faena Jazz Series is partnering with two major local institutions. WDNA-FM radio is one of the few all-jazz radio stations in the United States and we treasure them as a media partner. Young Musicians Unite! brings music education to public schools throughout Miami-Dade and their interns attend each show to assist the artists.
Faena Live and Faena Theater thank their sponsors for their generosity and support: Miami Piano Center, Steinway Pianos, Young Musicians Unite, Frost School of Music and WDNA 88.9 FM.
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