The Montclair Jazz Festival lineup has been announced, the festival returning this fall with a celebration of the best of jazz.
This all ages free event curated by Grammy-award winning artist Christian McBride is set for September 13 in downtown Montclair, New Jersey and is the ultimate celebration of jazz’s rich history, youth development and community building.
Kicking off the Downtown Jamboree is New Orleans styled second line marching band The Gotham Kings led by famed trumpeter Alphonso Horne, filling downtown Montclair with the sounds of New Orleans.
This year’s headliners taking the main stage include acclaimed saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin and Phoenix, blending jazz, R&B and funk and award winning vocalist Jazzmeia Horn, as well as Christian McBride’s multi-generational quintet, Christian McBride’s Ursa Major. The JAZZ HOUSE Collective will be honoring and celebrating the music of this year’s Legacy Artist, none other than one of the fathers of Bepop, James Moody.
The Emerging Musicians stage will feature more than 50 young artists from the JAZZ HOUSE KiDS program, ranging from ages 14 to 25. This year’s JAZZ HOUSE All-Stars alumni will make their debut; a collective of accomplished musicians who will join McBride in January 2026 on McBride’s World at Sea, performing live across the Caribbean among iconic artists like Samara Joy, Ledisi, Cecile McLaurant Salvant and many more.
In addition to many new performers, this year’s Downtown Jamboree and Block Party will be held at a new site on the eight-acre historic Lackawanna Plaza property, transforming downtown Montclair into a vibrant scene of arts, music and culture.
The Lackawanna Station venue will be filled with art, food and shops by local entrepreneurs as the Montclair Jazz Festival presents eight hours of world-class jazz on its two outdoor stages, followed by a funk and soul dance party at 8 p.m. led by Christian McBride, DJ Brother Mister and DJ Prince Hakin.
Also featured at this year’s festival is over 150 artisan and food vendors, specialty jazz cocktails and the official 2025 Montclair Jazz Brew from Montclair Brewery. Official festival merchandising, VIP and membership experiences are just some of the other perks offered to this year’s festivalgoers.
To learn more about this year’s Montclair Jazz Festival Downtown Jamboree and Block Party, including how to get involved in the festival as a volunteer, sponsor, vendor and more, visit here.
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