Get ready, Jazz Fans! The Orlando Jazz Festival hits the lakeside grounds of the Mennello Museum of American Art on Saturday, March 21, 2026, bringing a strong lineup of contemporary jazz artists to Orlando. Produced and presented by the Orlando Jazz Collective, the outdoor festival combines nationally recognized talent with a scenic setting along Lake Formosa for a weekend built around modern jazz, thoughtful programming, and an intimate audience experience.
Festival gates open at 11:00 AM, with performances continuing through the afternoon and evening in two featured sessions:
Session A (Early)
Butcher Brown
Elena Pinderhughes
Ryan Devlin Quartet
Gerald Law II & The Clutch
Session B (Late)
Chief Adjuah
Terrace Martin
Braxton Cook
Theo Croker
The lineup highlights several influential artists shaping the sound of contemporary jazz today.
Headlining the weekend is
Chief Adjuah, the acclaimed trumpeter, composer, and sonic innovator also known as Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah. Widely recognized for developing the genre-expanding concept known as Stretch Music, he has built an international reputation through recordings and collaborations that connect jazz improvisation with African diasporic traditions, contemporary composition, and a distinctly New Orleans-rooted perspective.
Joining the lineup is
Terrace Martin, a Grammy-winning saxophonist, producer, and composer whose work bridges jazz, hip-hop, and R&B. Through collaborations with artists including Kendrick Lamar, Robert Glasper, Snoop Dogg, and Herbie Hancock, Martin has become one of the most visible creative figures in modern crossover jazz.
Also appearing is
Braxton Cook, the versatile vocalist, saxophonist, and composer whose music blends jazz improvisation with contemporary R&B influences. His recordings and live performances have helped establish him as one of the younger artists connecting straight-ahead musicianship with a broader modern audience.
Elena Pinderhughes, an award-winning flutist, vocalist, and composer, brings another distinctive voice to the festival. Known for her expressive playing and wide-ranging collaborations, she has appeared with major artists across jazz, soul, and hip-hop while helping expand the role of flute in contemporary improvised music.
Set against the natural beauty of the Mennello Museum’s lakeside grounds, the Orlando Jazz Festival is positioned as an intimate alternative to large-scale music festivals. Organizers describe the weekend as a curated experience centered on high-level musicianship, carefully selected artists, and a welcoming environment where audiences can enjoy the music in a relaxed outdoor setting.
General admission is family-friendly, with kids of all ages admitted free in the general admission area, and alcohol will be available for purchase for guests with valid ID.
General admission is family-friendly, with kids of
all ages admitted free in the general admission area, and alcohol
will be available for purchase for guests with valid ID.Parking will be available
at the Innovation Tower Parking Garage, with festival parking
located on floors 5 through 11. From there, a free
continuous shuttle service will transport guests to and from the
festival grounds throughout the day. Guests can also choose to rideshare. Shuttle routes and pickup locations are expected to be announced closer to the event date.
Attendees are encouraged to plan for Florida’s outdoor conditions and may bring small bags, refillable water bottles, sunscreen, blankets, or low-profile chairs for comfort during the performances.
ABOUT THE ORLANDO JAZZ COLLECTIVE
The Orlando Jazz Festival is produced and presented by the Orlando Jazz Collective, an organization focused on expanding and strengthening Orlando’s contemporary jazz scene through thoughtfully curated performances and distinctive venues.
Founded by lifelong friends and jazz enthusiasts Jerry Jasmin, Jerry Renรฉ, and Ricky Renรฉ, the collective grew from a shared belief that Orlando deserves a jazz community reflecting the innovation, cultural depth, and evolving sound of today’s music. While Central Florida has long had talented musicians and appreciative audiences, the founders saw an opportunity to create a platform where forward-looking artists and listeners could come together in a more intentional way.
Established in 2023, the Orlando Jazz Collective was designed to be more than a concert presenter. Its aim is to serve as a cultural hub that connects nationally recognized artists, emerging talent, and local audiences through intimate, high-quality musical experiences. By presenting jazz in carefully selected settings, the organization places emphasis on atmosphere, community connection, and the shared experience that makes live jazz meaningful.
Today, the Orlando Jazz Collective continues to build on that founding vision by supporting artists, strengthening the local jazz community, and presenting performances that honor both the legacy and the future of jazz in Central Florida.
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