Jul 22, 20234 min read

2023 Jamboree Headliners Announced!

JAZZ HOUSE KiDS Announces 2023 Lineup for

for September 9th MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL

Headliners include Regina Carter, Christian McBride, Antibalas,

Steve Turre, Melanie Charles, Person2Person, Edmar Castañeda,

Vince Ector, Michael Mwenso and JAZZ HOUSE Collective

Fasten your seatbelts! On the heels of an exciting Soundcheck Series, and an all-day mini-fest Block Party slated for August 12, the award-winning 14th Annual MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL steps on the gas right after Labor Day for the highly-anticipated Downtown Jamboree in the heart of Montclair on Saturday, September 9.

2023 DOWNTOWN JAMBOREE

September 9, 2023, 1:00 – 9:00 PM|Montclair

This year, headliners include Regina Carter; Antibalas; Steve Turre; Melanie Charles Make Jazz Trill Again; Person2Person with Eric Person and Houston Person; Edmar Castañeda; Vince Ector; Michael Mwenso and the Shakes; JAZZ HOUSE Collective and Christian McBride, the festival’s music director and curator.

"It’s going to be yet another fabulous year at the MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL with such great artists, both up and coming and legendary, joining us,” said Christian McBride. “Regina Carter, Antibalas, Steve Turre, Endea Owens, our JAZZ HOUSE Collective and so many more, promise to make this year another hit.”

Christian McBride, Artistic Director + Curator

MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL Presented by developer BDP Holdings, LLCand produced by JAZZ HOUSE KiDS, one of the nation’s foremost jazz education and performance organizations, the no tickets required MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL is the most popular jazz festival in the greater NYC area, and one of the largest jazz festivals in the country. Music is directed and curated by 8-time GRAMMY Award-winning bassist, Christian McBride, and come on the heels of the famed Newport Jazz Festival where McBride is artistic director. This year's festival returns to downtown Montclair, New Jersey this summer with two Soundcheck Series concerts + jam sessions, community events, and two marquee Saturdays brimming with live music on multiple stages – 50 acts, 250 artists, family jazz activities and 200 vendors with an expected 25,000 music fans and thousands more online. One of the hallmarks of the festival will be on the Jazz Cruise Alumni Stage @ Midtown, which features JAZZ HOUSE alumni and their peers, some of the nation’s top new talent.

What is so unique about the MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL's downtown takeover is that it represents the coming together of JAZZ HOUSE KiDS' full mission to provide access, learning, career development and community building through the American artform of jazz. Its treasured practitioners provide inspired mentorship for our emerging talent throughout the year and will create a joyous afternoon with incredible performances for thousands of fans.”

Melissa Walker, Founder + President JAZZ HOUSE KiDS

September 9 is jam-packed with great music and activities for the whole family and spotlights internationally-acclaimed headliners, regional favorites and emerging talent on five stages. The festivities stretch down a half mile of Bloomfield Avenue from Lackawanna Plaza to Fullerton Avenue, turning the main artery of Montclair into an all-pedestrian jazz playground featuring more than 200 artisan food and craft vendors in the Rao's Homemade Marketplace and the Amazon Family Jazz Discovery Zone in Wellmont Plaza.

Ahead of the September 9th Downtown Jamboree, MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL Festival presents 10 hours of live music on Saturday, August 12 Block Party in Lackawanna Plaza. Showcasing JAZZ HOUSE KiDS’ mission in action, the Block Party festivities begin with 150 emerging musicians performing in seven big bands and a vocal choir. The students are followed by a set from jazz guitarist Charlie Sigler, and finally GRAMMY-winning Endea Owens & the Cookout. After a day of live jazz, at 8:00 PM, fans get on their feet for a funk and soul Dance Party DJ’d by Brother Mister, aka Christian McBride.

Sprinkled in between the two big dates is the Soundcheck Series on July 27 and August 24. Held in the Jazz House Annex, the second floor of JAZZ HOUSE KiDS' hub in downtown Montclair, the July date features a set from versatile saxophone stylist Bruce Williams and his band, with a student ensemble opening act and two-hour jam session. August 24 welcomes dynamic tenor saxophonist Roxy Coss.

"As the presenting sponsors of the MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL, we are so excited about the all-star lineup for the Jamboree at Lackawanna Plaza and downtown Montclair. We can't wait to see our neighbors and friends once again come together in a community celebration and are proud to help JAZZ HOUSE KiDS make it happen.”

David Placek, Managing Partner BDP Holdings, LLC

For information on how to become a sponsor, supporter, volunteer or vendor for the 14th annual MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL, download the festival app in the Google or Apple store.

2023 DOWNTOWN JAMBOREE

September 9, 2023, 1:00 – 9:00 PM|Montclair