by Ben Giesen
The 47th edition of the Tri-C JazzFest will be taking place at Playhouse Square from Thursday, June 25th through Saturday, June 27th. With eleven ticketed indoor events and numerous free outdoor performances and festivities, this celebration of Cleveland’s musical heritage will offer no shortage of entertainment.
The indoor line-up will feature a unique group of musicians ranging from jazz giants like bassist Ron Carter, who has shared the stage with Miles Davis, “Cannonball” Adderly, and Thelonious Monk — among many others — to rising stars like Durand Burnarr, who has been gaining significant traction in the neo soul world since receiving a Grammy Award for his 2025 album, Bloom.
Neo soul fans will also want to hear bassist MonoNeon as well as Chris Dave & The Drumheads featuring Stokely. World renowned jazz vocalist and lyricist, Kurt Elling, will be performing music from his ongoing duo album series, Wildflowers, with pianist Fred Hersch. Keep an eye out for Cleveland’s own Dominick Farinacci and Lauren Talese who will be performing in the Hanna Theater on the 26th at 6 PM and on the 27th at 7 PM.
If tickets for any of the indoor events have become scarce, worry not! The free-to-attend outdoors portion of the festival, active from 2 PM until 1 AM on Friday and Saturday, will include musical and non-musical activities for attendees of all ages.
As for the outdoor performance line-up, here are a few standout names:
- Anya Nancy – Rising jazz vocalist from Pittsburgh
- Charles Haynes – Jack of all trades, master of drums
- Marquis Hill – Award-winning trumpeter and composer from Chicago
- Savion Glover – Tap dancer and Tony Award-winning choreographer
- Tito Puente Jr. – Vocalist and icon of contemporary Afro-Carribean music
- Nestor Torres – Puerto Rican flutist and Latin Grammy Award-winner
- Weedie Braimah – Internationally acclaimed master of West African drumming and beloved educator
- Mumu Fresh – World famous singer/song-writer and outspoken social advocate
- Nathan-Paul Davis – Cleveland-born composer and multi-instrumentalist
Other public events include late-night jam sessions at Bin 216 and the intriguingly dubbed “Immersive Surround Sound Exhibit.” With 13 food and drink vendors scheduled as well as a handful of cooking demonstrations set to take place, food lovers will not be disappointed at this year’s JazzFest.
Jazz Kitchen demonstrations will be happening in Playhouse Plaza on the afternoons of the 26th and 27th featuring special guests such as Weedie Braima and Tri-C president Michael A. Baston among others. To hear live interviews with artists including Ron Carter, Dominick Farinacci, Lauren Talese, Tito Puente Jr., and MonoNeon, scan the festival schedule for live artist talks hosted by JazzNEO (89.3 FM).
For family-friendly activities, make sure to visit the kids corner located in front of the Hanna Theater on 14th street. Face painting, drum lessons, and an “instrument petting zoo” are a few of the diversions being offered. All attendees over 14 (or with a parent’s consent) are also encouraged to visit Yo! Crash mobile rage room at Euclid and Huron. Guests with an appetite for wandering might encounter some of the many other attractions including strolling performers, student art shows, or maybe even a Cavs player.
As daily performance schedules conclude, festival-goers will be able to participate in late night line dancing under the GE Chandelier and the Jamboree After Party at Brel’s in the Crowne Plaza Hotel. For more information about parking, ADA accommodations, event locations, and event times, be sure to visit the Tri-C JazzFest and Playhouse Square websites.
Published on ClevelandClassical.com June 22, 2026
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