For five days this September, the sound of jazz will sweep across Indianapolis as legendary performers, modern innovators and some of the city’s most exciting musicians take the stage for Indy Jazz Fest 2026.
Presented by Citizens Energy Group, the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation’s signature event returns Sept. 22–26 with concerts at several of the city’s best-known music venues. The festival will culminate with an expansive outdoor Grand Finale featuring two stages at the Indianapolis Art Center and neighboring Opti Park.
This year’s lineup reflects the broad spectrum of jazz and its influence on funk, soul, R&B, hip-hop, rock and electronic music. Headliners include Sheila E., MonoNeon, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe and Rick Braun, alongside Indianapolis favorites Brandon Meeks, Bashiri Asad, Jared Thompson & Premium Blend and the Sean Imboden Large Ensemble.
Jazz All Around Town
Indy Jazz Fest continues its “All Around Town” format, transforming venues across the city into intimate listening rooms, high-energy dance floors and gathering places for music lovers.
The festival begins Sept. 22 at The Jazz Kitchen with Miles at 100, featuring the Indianapolis Jazz Collective. The all-star local ensemble will celebrate the centennial of Miles Davis by tracing the trumpeter’s evolution from the elegance of “Kind of Blue” to his groundbreaking experimental periods.
On Sept. 23, the Collective returns for Coltrane at 100, a tribute to John Coltrane that will explore the technical brilliance and spiritual intensity of works ranging from “Giant Steps” to “A Love Supreme.”
The Sunset Series continues Sept. 25 with several performances throughout Indianapolis. Two-time Grammy-winning jazz vocalist, pianist and songwriter Nicole Zuraitis will bring her blend of jazz, pop and soul to The Cabaret, while The Jazz Kitchen welcomes Tito Puente Jr. and Grammy-winning flutist Néstor Torres for an energetic evening of Latin jazz, mambo and salsa.
The Vogue will host The Big Beat, a one-night collaboration bringing together Nate Smith, The Nth Power and Break Science. Powered by the Percussive Arts Society, the performance will combine live soul and funk with electronic beats, hip-hop rhythms and virtuosic percussion.
A Grand Finale in Broad Ripple
The festival’s biggest celebration takes place Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Indianapolis Art Center and Opti Park. Gates open at 1 p.m., with performances beginning at 2 p.m.
The family-friendly Grand Finale will feature two outdoor stages, food trucks and exhibits celebrating Indianapolis’ jazz legacy. Children ages 14 and younger receive free admission, offering families an opportunity to experience internationally recognized performers and local artists in a lively outdoor setting.
Leading the lineup is Sheila E. & The E-Train. Known as the “Queen of Percussion,” Sheila E. has collaborated with artists including Prince, Marvin Gaye and Beyoncé. Her performances fuse Latin jazz, funk, R&B and pop into a dynamic showcase built around world-class musicianship and commanding showmanship.
Grammy-winning bassist MonoNeon will bring his futuristic blend of Southern soul, funk, hip-hop and experimental jazz to the festival. Recognized for his colorful visual style and unconventional upside-down playing technique, MonoNeon was also one of the final musicians to collaborate closely with Prince.
Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe adds another layer of high-energy funk to the celebration. A saxophonist and flutist known for touring with The Rolling Stones, Denson bridges rock, soul-jazz and acid-jazz through driving rhythms and fearless improvisation.
Trumpeter Rick Braun will honor another jazz icon with Rick Braun Plays Chuck Mangione. The program will revisit the warmth and cinematic melodies of Mangione’s catalog while bringing contemporary energy to his best-known compositions.
Celebrating the Sound of Indianapolis
Although Indy Jazz Fest attracts major artists from around the country, its connection to Indianapolis remains at the heart of the event.
Award-winning bassist Brandon Meeks, a pillar of the city’s jazz community for nearly two decades, will lead a collective combining straight-ahead jazz with hip-hop influences. The 2026 Creative Capital State of the Art Prize recipient has collaborated with nationally recognized artists including Robert Glasper and Thundercat.
Vocalist Bashiri Asad will showcase “IndySoul,” his distinctive combination of jazz, funk and R&B. Known as the “Everyday Soul Singer,” Asad brings a commanding voice and deeply personal approach to both original music and tribute performances.
Stryker/Dixon/Fribush/Floyd will pay tribute to the soul-jazz sounds of Indiana Avenue and Indianapolis legends Wes Montgomery and Freddie Hubbard. The newly formed “From the 317” project features guitarist Dave Stryker, saxophonist Rob Dixon, organist Sam Fribush and drummer Richard “Sleepy” Floyd.
Additional Indianapolis performers include Jared Thompson & Premium Blend, whose music connects classic Blue Note jazz with hip-hop and R&B, and the Sean Imboden Large Ensemble, a 17-piece big band bringing contemporary compositions and arrangements to the traditional large-ensemble format.
The Grand Finale lineup also includes the Charlie Hunter Trio. Hunter is known for playing bass lines, chords and melodies simultaneously on custom seven- and eight-string guitars, creating a full, groove-driven sound that has made him a sought-after collaborator for artists including D’Angelo, Norah Jones and John Mayer.
Keeping the Music Going
The celebration continues after the outdoor performances with the Indy Jazz Fest Afterset at Turntable. Beginning at 10:30 p.m. on Sept. 26, the 21-and-older event will feature Fonville x Fribush, the collaborative project of drummer Corey Fonville and organist Sam Fribush.
The duo’s self-described “blue-collar jazz” combines the nostalgic sound of the Hammond organ with modern hip-hop and R&B grooves. Additional national and Indianapolis-based guests are also expected to join the late-night performance.
Tickets for Indy Jazz Fest events are available at indyjazzfest.net. Grand Finale tickets are $100, student tickets are $25 with a valid student ID, and children ages 14 and younger receive free admission. The Tallison Hotel is the official hotel of Indy Jazz Fest 2026.
