Indianapolis’ rich jazz legacy will take center stage when Indy Jazz Fest presented by Citizens Energy Group returns Sept. 22–26 with an ambitious lineup of international stars, modern innovators and celebrated local musicians.

Produced by the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation, the festival will once again follow its “All Around Town” format, presenting performances at several of the city’s best-known music venues before culminating in a two-stage outdoor Grand Finale at the Indy Art Center and neighboring Opti Park.

This year’s headliners include legendary percussionist Sheila E., Grammy-winning bassist MonoNeon, saxophonist and funk-rock artist Karl Denson, acclaimed Indianapolis bassist Brandon Meeks and many more.

Celebrating Two Jazz Legends

The festival begins Sept. 22 at The Jazz Kitchen with Miles at 100, featuring the Indianapolis Jazz Collective. Presented during two performances at 6 and 8:30 p.m., the concert will commemorate the centennial of Miles Davis.

The all-star ensemble of Indianapolis musicians will trace the evolution of Davis’ groundbreaking career, from the understated brilliance of Kind of Blue to his bold and experimental later work. The performance will honor both his musical legacy and lifelong commitment to reinvention.

The Indianapolis Jazz Collective returns to The Jazz Kitchen on Sept. 23 for Coltrane at 100, a celebration of John Coltrane’s spiritual and technical evolution. The program will move from the demanding musical architecture of Giant Steps to the transcendent sounds of A Love Supreme, capturing the innovation and intensity that made Coltrane one of jazz’s most influential figures.

A Friday Night Filled with Music

Indy Jazz Fest will expand across the city on Friday, Sept. 25, with performances at The Cabaret, The Vogue and The Jazz Kitchen.

Two-time Grammy-winning vocalist, pianist and songwriter Nicole Zuraitis will perform at The Cabaret at 8 p.m. Blending jazz, pop and soul, Zuraitis brings a contemporary perspective to the American songbook, pairing technical brilliance with a warm connection to her audiences.

The Vogue will host The Big Beat at 8 p.m., bringing together Nate Smith, The Nth Power and Break Science for a one-night-only fusion of soul, funk, jazz, hip-hop and electronic music. Presented with support from the Percussive Arts Society, the program will feature some of contemporary music’s most inventive drummers and groove-makers.

At The Jazz Kitchen, Tito Puente Jr. and Grammy-winning flautist Néstor Torres will join forces for performances at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Puente will carry forward his father’s mambo and salsa legacy, while Torres adds a vibrant mix of Latin jazz, pop and classical influences.

A Grand Finale in Broad Ripple

The Indy Jazz Fest Grand Finale will take over the Indy Art Center and Opti Park on Saturday, Sept. 26. Gates open at 1 p.m., with performances beginning at 2 p.m. across two outdoor stages.

The family-friendly event will also feature food trucks, exhibits exploring Indianapolis’ jazz legacy and activities designed to connect audiences with the city’s musical history.

Leading the lineup is Sheila E. & The E-Train. Known as the “Queen of Percussion,” Sheila E. has spent decades captivating audiences with her musicianship, energy and showmanship. Her career includes collaborations with Prince, Marvin Gaye and Beyoncé, while her own performances blend Latin jazz, R&B, funk and pop.

Grammy-winning bassist MonoNeon will bring his colorful visual style and futuristic Southern soul-funk to the festival. One of the final musicians to collaborate closely with Prince, MonoNeon is known for his distinctive playing technique and genre-defying combination of funk, hip-hop and experimental jazz.

Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe will deliver a high-energy mix of funk, rock and soul-jazz. Denson, also known as a touring saxophonist with The Rolling Stones, leads the ensemble through driving rhythms and improvisational performances built for dancing.

Trumpeter Rick Braun will salute another iconic musician with Rick Braun Plays Chuck Mangione. Drawing on more than three decades of his own genre-spanning work, Braun will bring a contemporary energy to Mangione’s warm melodies and timeless catalog.

Indianapolis Artists Share the Spotlight

The Grand Finale will also showcase the depth and diversity of Indianapolis’ jazz community.

Award-winning bassist Brandon Meeks will lead a collective blending straight-ahead jazz with a modern hip-hop sensibility. A longtime pillar of the local music scene, Meeks has collaborated with artists including Robert Glasper and Thundercat and recently received the 2026 Creative Capital State of the Art Prize.

Indianapolis vocalist Bashiri Asad, known as the “Everyday Soul Singer,” will bring his commanding voice and signature “IndySoul” sound to the festival. His music combines jazz, funk and R&B with influences ranging from Donny Hathaway to Stevie Wonder.

A new “From the 317” project will unite guitarist Dave Stryker, saxophonist Rob Dixon, organist Sam Fribush and drummer Richard “Sleepy” Floyd. Together, the ensemble will salute the soul-jazz traditions of Indiana Avenue and legendary Indianapolis musicians such as Wes Montgomery and Freddie Hubbard.

Other Grand Finale performers include the Charlie Hunter Trio; Jared Thompson & Premium Blend; and the Sean Imboden Large Ensemble, a 17-piece big band that reimagines large-ensemble jazz for the 21st century.

The music will continue after the outdoor finale with the Indy Jazz Fest Afterset at Turntable. Beginning at 10:30 p.m., the 21-and-older event will feature Fonville x Fribush, a collaboration between drummer Corey Fonville and organist Sam Fribush, along with additional national and Indianapolis-based guests.

Preserving Indianapolis’ Jazz Legacy

Indy Jazz Fest has grown into a citywide cultural tradition since its launch in 1999. The festival celebrates the generations of Indianapolis musicians who have contributed to the evolution of jazz while creating opportunities for contemporary artists to move the genre forward.

Founded in 1996, the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation works throughout the year to preserve the city’s musical heritage and promote jazz’s future through performances, educational programs and community partnerships. Its programs reach more than 24,000 people annually.

Indianapolis holds a distinctive place in jazz history. Native and locally connected artists including Wes Montgomery, J.J. Johnson, Slide Hampton, Freddie Hubbard, Cole Porter and Hoagy Carmichael helped shape the city’s musical identity. Venues along Indiana Avenue and throughout Indianapolis cultivated a thriving scene that influenced the development of this uniquely American art form.

Tickets for individual performances and the Grand Finale are available at IndyJazzFest.net. Children age 14 and younger may attend the Grand Finale free, while student tickets are available for $25 with a valid student ID. The Tallison Hotel is the official hotel of Indy Jazz Fest 2026.