5-Day JazzFest White Plains Festival Returns to Downtown this September 23-27, 2026

Five-day festival features 19 live performances, including five GRAMMY-winning and nominated headliners.

JazzFest White Plains returns this September, celebrating 15 years of bringing world-class music to Westchester County with 19 live performances by legendary artists, contemporary innovators, and emerging voices. The festival runs from September 23 to 27, showcasing five GRAMMY Award winners and nominees. This year’s headliners include the John Patitucci Trio with Danilo Pérez and Adam Cruz, the Ben Wendel Group, the Sylvie Courvoisier & Mary Halvorson Duo and the Nat Adderley Jr. Quartet. The festival culminates with the Sunday Jazz Alfresco, a full day of performances on Mamaroneck Avenue in White Plains.

JazzFest White Plains offers audiences a rare opportunity to experience the living evolution of jazz—from its foundational masters to the artists defining its future. The festival has featured many world-renowned jazz musicians, such as pianist Emmet Cohen, vocalist Samara Joy, pianist Kenny Barron and guitarist John Scofield.

Most JazzFest White Plains events are free. The five ticketed headliner performances will occur at ArtsWestchester’s gallery (31 Mamaroneck Ave.), with tickets ranging from $25 to $45.
2026 Headliner Highlights:
• John Patitucci Trio: Widely regarded as one of the most influential bassists of his generation, Patitucci is renowned for his virtuosity on both acoustic and electric bass. His compositions blend lyricism, spiritual depth, and rhythmic sophistication, establishing him as a singular voice in modern jazz.
• Ben Wendel Group: A GRAMMY-nominated saxophonist, composer, and producer, Wendel is a leading voice in modern jazz. He continues to push musical boundaries through innovative compositions, high-profile collaborations, and internationally acclaimed performances.
• Mary Halvorson: A Brooklyn-based guitarist and composer, Halvorson is widely recognized as a critical force in contemporary jazz. Her 2025 album About Ghosts was named Best New Jazz Album of the Year by both NPR Music and Slate.
• Sylvie Courvoisier: A Switzerland native now based in Brooklyn, Courvoisier won the Swiss Grand Prix and The American Academy of Arts and Letters Music Award in 2025. She is celebrated for balancing the richly detailed chamber music of her European roots with the grooving, hook-laden sounds of New York City’s avant-jazz scene.
• Nat Adderley Jr. is an acclaimed pianist, composer and arranger best known for his work as musical director and arranger for Luther Vandross. He contributed to multiple GRAMMY-winning and platinum-selling albums, helping to shape Vandross’ signature sound. Adderley, a skilled jazz musician in his own right, has performed and recorded with major artists including Aretha Franklin and Natalie Cole.
To view the full 5-day festival lineup and purchase tickets, visit: https://artswestchester.org/programs/jazzfest-whiteplains/

JazzFest White Plains is presented by Montefiore Einstein. It is produced in collaboration by ArtsWestchester, The City of White Plains and the White Plains BID.