All that jazz

The Jersey City Jazz Festival spans days, genres, and venues

Most of what Hudson County calls music festivals amount to one day where several bands play in one location for a few hours. The 12th annual Jersey City Jazz Festival, in contrast, begins with Jazz Week, Tuesday, May 27 to Thursday, May 29, at multiple locations. The Jersey City Jazz Festival proper, with 30 different acts on multiple stages around the city, runs Friday through Sunday, and is mostly free, except for acts that perform in The Clubhouse by Ford's Gin, which requires a ticket that can purchased at the festival.

”The whole goal of the Jersey City Jazz Festival is to bring the community together and collectively experience all this incredible music we are surrounded by,” says festival organizer Bryan Beninghove. “We live in an unparalleled location that many of the greatest musicians in the world call home, it’s just an honor to get a bunch of us together each year to celebrate the music and have a great party.”

Winard Harper, the legendary drummer who not only calls Jersey City home but has long overseen the regular jazz nights at Moore’s Place in McGinley Square, chimes in: ““We are at a time where this music and this festival are very important and much needed. We are in need of things that bring us together and give us hope. This music is both medicine and love, ad infinitum.”

Harper will be performing with his band Jeli Posse Friday, May 30 as well as leading the closing party jam session on his regular night at Moore’s Place (Sunday, June 1). Per Riverview Jazz, another accomplished Jersey City resident featured at this year’s event is world-renown bassist John Hébert, who will be fronting his own trio Tuesday, May 27 at the Pet Shop and will perform as part of an all-star ensemble featuring pianist Fred Hersch, saxophonist Bennie Wallace, and drummer Billy Drummond at 5 pm on Saturday, May 3 at Fords Gin Clubhouse.

Just announced, Groove on Grove’s free All Jazzed Up Showcase has been moved to the downtown Pedestrian Plaza on Sunday, June 1, from 3 to 6 p.m.

A total of 30 performances comprise this year’s festival. Other notable performers include the LA-based keyboardist/producer and Kendrick Lamar collaborator Sam Barsh with freestyle rapper Harry Mack and the past two Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition winners, April May Webb (with Sounds of April & Randall) and Tyreek McDole. Saxophonist Tim Berne, trumpeter Kali Rogriguez Peña, Astoria Salsa Project, WBGO’s Next Gen Collective, Steven Bernstein’s MTO featuring Catherine Russell, pianist James Austin Jr. are among the many other acts of interest.

There will be food trucks and beverages for sale at the event. For easy access, take the PATH to Exchange Place.

For more information, visit www.jerseycityjazzfestival.com.

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Astoria Salsa Company

JERSEY CITY JAZZ WEEK

TUESDAY, May 27, 2025
The Junto: Attic Bar - Champian Fulton ($)8-11pm
Pet Shop - John Hébert w/Brandon Seabrook & Ches Smith ($)

WEDNESDAY, May 28, 2025
The Junto: Attic Bar - Lezlie Harrison ($) 6-8 pm
The Archer - Go Bailers (bluegrass) 7-10 pm
Pet Shop - Tim Berne w/Gregg Belisle-Chi, Tim Angulo, John Hébert

THURSDAY, May 29, 2025
Brennan Courthouse - James Austin, Jr. Songs in the Key of Wonder, with opening act Danny Raycraft ($) 6:30 - 9 pm
The Rooftop on Pacific (902 Brewery) - Riverview Jazz All-Stars, 7-10 pm
The Archer - Milkman & Sons, 7-10 pm
The Statuary - Kali Rodriquez Peña, 7 -10 pm

Rumble Band

JERSEY CITY JAZZ FESTIVAL

FRIDAY, May 30, 2025

Hyatt Regency
4:30pm-6:30pm - Happy Hour Opening Party featuring Orion Turre

RWJBarnabas Health Plaza Stage
6-7pm - Winard Harper & Jeli Posse|
7-8pm - DJ Niko & Bad Habits
8-9:30pm - The Rumble featuring Big Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr.

Hyatt House After Party
9pm-1am - Official JCJF Jam Session on the Terrace with Charlie Sigler

SATURDAY, May 31, 2025

The Clubhouse by Ford's Gin ($)
1-2pm - WBGO Next Gen Collective
3-4pm - Artemis ft. Renee Rosnes, Ingrid Jensen, Nicole Glover, Noriko Ueda & Allison Miller
5-6pm - Hersch-Hébert-Wallace-Drummond - Bridge & Tunnel
7-8pm - Tyreek McDole

RWJBarnabas Health Plaza Stage
Noon - 1pm - Riverview Jazz All-Stars
2-3pm - Sam Barsh
3pm - Honk Family Band (parade to Pier Stage)
4-5pm - Sounds of April & Randall
6-7pm - Steven Bernstein's Millennial Territory Orchestra featuring Catherine Russell
8-9pm - Astoria Salsa Company

Exchange Place Alliance Pier Stage1:30-2:30pm - United Children's Music Project Latin Ensemble
3:45-4:30pm - New Jersey City University Jazz Ensemble
4:30pm - Swing Dance Lesson
5-6pm - Robert Edwards Big Band
7pm - Salsa/Mambo Dance Lesson with Salsa Fever On2

Hyatt House
9pm-1am - Official After Party on the Terrace

SUNDAY, June 1, 2025

Moore's Lounge
7pm - Closing Party Jam Session at Moore's Lounge, featuring Winard Harper and friends.