By Ricky Richardson | Contributing Writer
Los Angeles, CA- We are well into the New Year! There’s no turning back. 2026 promises to welcome millions of visitors to the City of Angels in the next few days and the months from now.
I would be remised if I didn’t mention the NBA All-Star Weekend holding court at the historic Kia Forum and Intuit Dome in Inglewood as well as the Los Angeles Convention Center. Convention Center will host the engaging NBA Fan Fest/Fan Experience. Don’t forget the official and unofficial events related to the NBA All-Star Weekend. Let the games began!
Mayor Karen Bass presented a State of the City Address, on Monday, February 2, 2026. The speech generated a buzz as Los Angeles rolls out the welcome mats for the global visitors arriving in town. Mayor Bass stated “Los Angeles is entering the “most extensive and exciting three-year period” of major sporting events, in reference to the 2026 World Cup, 2027 Super Bowl and 2028 Olympic Games.
Don’t put your dancing shoes away just yet! Los Angeles is scheduled to host another major event that promises to be a game changer for the cultural landscape of the region.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls get ready move and groove at the inaugural Los Angeles Jazz Festival. This is going to be an epic celebration of America’s #1 art form—JAZZ!
A crowd of City officials, sponsors, community stakeholders and partners were joined by jazz aficionados at Los Angeles City Hall-Herb J. Wesson Steps, and south lawn, Wednesday, February 4, 2026, for the highly anticipated announcement.
Dominique DiPrima, KBLA Talk 1580 served as emcee. The inaugural Los Angeles Jazz Festival will set sails August 2026 with closing weekend taking place August 22-23 on Dockweiler Beach.
It’s the aim of the organizers to become the third-largest international jazz festival in the world and will be recognized as the largest Black-owned jazz festival ever.
During the press conference, it was proudly announced that Airbnb named as its inaugural title sponsor; highlighting a partnership rooted in fostering belongings, connection, and diversity.
“With Los Angeles Jazz Festival, we are establishing a world-class festival that honors those historic human beings who gathered in Congo Square, New Orleans, and through their ‘strange sound called Jasm’, have impacted the world to this day and beyond,” said Martin Ludlow, Founder & CEO of the Los Angeles Jazz Festival. “We are ready to celebrate jazz as America’s classic music, drive significant regional economic activity, and champion social justice, while partnering with world-class companies like Airbnb, whose values align perfectly with our mission.”
Mayor Karen Bass added “As we prepare to welcome the world for the upcoming major events, we are also determined to unite Los Angeles through community celebrations like Los Angeles Jazz Festival.” She continued “This will be a powerful and beautiful act of cultural storytelling, rooted in the African diaspora that is so important to L.A.’s history.”
“Airbnb is proud to be the inaugural title sponsor of the Los Angeles Jazz Festival, an event that celebrates jazz as America’s classical music while investing directly in the culture and communities that created it,” said Justin Wesson, Airbnb’s Senior Public Policy Manager in California. This festival reflects the kind of tourism we at Airbnb believe in; one that brings people into neighborhoods, support local and community-owned businesses, and keep culture rooted where it belongs. We are honored to partner with the City of Los Angeles to help welcome people from around the world in a way that is inclusive, authentic and centered around community.”
El Segundo Mayor Chris Pimentel, City Councilmembers Heather Hutt, Traci Park and Tim McOsker, a representative from Los Angeles Labor Federation and Sherlett Hendy Newbill, LAUSD District 1 delivered remarks that exuded excitement, enthusiasm, joy and jubilance. The Press Announcement concluded with the Benediction by Pastor William D. Smart, Jr., President and CEO Southern California Leadership conference (SCLC-SC).
Let’s get this party started! Entertainment was provided by DJ PZB on the ones and twos, the Fernando Pullum Youth Jazz Band, 1500 or Nothin featuring keyboardist Alex Williams, trumpeter Tatiana Tate, and vocalist Kenyon Dixon.
What can the global jazz community expect for the inaugural Los Angeles Jazz Festival?
The festivals opening night is Friday, August 7, 2026.
Jazz in the Park, is scheduled Saturday, August 8th through Sunday, August 16th. This is a community-focused initiative featuring 25 free concerts in urban parks in low0income areas throughout Los Angeles County.
Jazz After Dark, is scheduled Saturday, August 8 through Sunday, August 23rd. This is a program featuring 150 shows in woman- and person –of-color-women owned venues and community-based restaurants across Los Angeles.
The Jazz Youth Camp will be held on Saturday, August 15th. This is a beach youth camp on Dockweiler Beach for 2,000 young people who will engage with Master Class jazz legends and receive coastal consumer protection education.
The Coastal Cultural Tours is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, August 18th and 19th. These are two days of tours to locations like The Inkwell and Bruce’s Beach to properly reflect on the histories of Coastal Racial Push-Out.
The State of Jazz Conference scheduled for Thursday & Friday, August 20th and 21st. This is a two-day conference on Burton Chace Peninsula in Marina Del Rey for the global jazz industry, featuring top producers, record labels, managers, and artists.
The Caribbean Street Festival scheduled for Friday, August 21st, Downtown El Segundo. Can you say, “Dancing and partying in the streets?”
The final two days, Jazz on the Beach is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, August 22nd and 23rd. This program will be held on Dockweiler Beach.
Visit https://www.losangelesjazzfest.com for more information about the lineup, tickets, and other opportunities.