The 2026 HSL Properties Tucson Jazz Festival Unites the Community in Countless Ways
Tucson, AZ (December 1, 2025) — Each year, the HSL Properties Tucson Jazz Festival (TJF) expands the experience of jazz throughout the community. In 2026, the festival promises its most inclusive celebration yet. From January 16th–24th, with more than 20 performances across Tucson—including the free Downtown Jazz Fiesta and a range of artist outreach activities—this year’s event offers something for everyone.
The signature Downtown Jazz Fiesta on Monday, January 19, showcases an incredible lineup of talent from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 340 N 6th Avenue at Corbett’s. Local food trucks and Corbett’s kitchen will serve Tucson specialties, ensuring a lively experience for music lovers and families alike. Headlined by Cha Wa—the acclaimed “New Orleans brass-band-meets-Mardi Gras Indian” group that channels the city’s street-culture energy—this free, all-day event blends brass-band traditions with the spirit of the Mardi Gras Indians. PopMatters calls their sound “a grand gumbo of singing, intoxicating rhythms, and deep funk grooves.”
“Mardi Gras Indian songs are inherently songs about freedom,” says drummer Joe Gelini. “That struggle is as relevant today as it’s ever been.”
The Downtown Jazz Fiesta features non-stop performances on two stages with top local and national artists:
Corbett’s Stage
11:00 AM THMS Jazz Ensemble
12:15 PM The Jazztechs
1:45 PM Liz Cracchiolo
3:35 PM Agua de Coco
5:30 PM Soul Essential
Mainstage
11:30 AM TJI Ellington Big Band
1:00 PM Joe Bourne – The Music of Sam Cooke and Lou Rawls
2:30 PM Cha Wa
4:30 PM Low Down Brass Band
The Downtown Jazz Fiesta is sponsored in part by Tucson Appliance Company.
STUDENT OUTREACH & COMMUNITY EVENTS
The Tucson Jazz Festival’s mission is to inspire the discovery and celebration of live jazz and music education through community engagement anchored by a world-class downtown festival. Outreach programs led by visiting artists are among TJF’s most important activities—and, for Executive and Artistic Director Khris Dodge, among the most meaningful.
“Every time we bring world-class artists into a classroom or a neighborhood, you can feel something shift,” says Dodge. “A student who’s never heard live jazz suddenly realizes they can be part of that sound. Those sparks of connection—between music, culture, and curiosity—are what this festival is all about.”
During their visit, Cha Wa will also headline a special school cook-out at John B. Wright Elementary School, presented in collaboration with the UA School Garden Workshop, TUSD Food Services, and Vantage Credit Union. The event celebrates community, culture, and the joy of shared music and food.
The Children’s Museum Tucson will host a unique field-trip program where young professional musicians lead a live performance for 1st–5th grade students, inviting them to join in and improvise as the session develops. Follow-up activities—including recordings, art projects, and educational videos produced by the Tucson Jazz Festival—will extend the learning beyond the event.
Featured artists include Jenny Scheinman, a violinist, fiddler, and songwriter whose work bridges folk and jazz traditions, and Braxton Cook, an Emmy-winning, Juilliard-trained saxophonist and vocalist who fuses jazz, soul, and hip-hop.
“Seeing young people light up during these programs is the heartbeat of the festival,” Dodge adds. “It reminds us that jazz isn’t a museum piece—it’s alive, it’s joyful, and it belongs to everyone.”
TJF ARTISTS IN THE NEWS
TJF performing artists continue to shine on the world stage. Hamilton de Holanda recently won the Latin Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz/Jazz Album for his record Live in NYC, marking his fourth Latin Grammy win.
At the Grammy Awards:
- Gerald Clayton won Best Contemporary Instrumental Album for Ones & Twos.
- Sullivan Fortner earned Best Jazz Instrumental Album for Southern Nights featuring Peter Washington and Marcus Gilmore.
- Dee Dee Bridgewater and Bill Charlap received Best Jazz Vocal Album for Elemental.
- Emmet Cohen was named Pianist of the Year by Downbeat Magazine
For full details on the complete TJF lineup and to purchase tickets, visit tucsonjazzfestival.org or download the TJF App.
About the Tucson Jazz Festival
Presented by HSL Properties, The Tucson Jazz Festival’s mission is to influence the discovery and celebration of live jazz performance and music education through community engagement anchored by a world‑class jazz festival in downtown Tucson. Since 2015, the festival has woven together international artists, rising stars, and Tucson’s vibrant cultural roots-bringing unforgettable performances, educational outreach, and artistic connections to the heart of the city. For additional information, visit http://www.tucsonjazzfestival.org/. Artist photos and assets are available upon request.
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