12:00 PM - 12:45 PM
The Simsons
Raw, experimental energy from guitar, bass, saxophone, and drums. A dirty four-track aesthetic live on the street.
The music
Built around
Built around
the listen
Jazz is America’s art form: sophisticated enough for a connoisseur, warm enough for a stroller and a lawn chair. It welcomes every generation to the same sidewalk.
Who takes the stage
One street, a full spectrum of jazz
Featuring Grammy Award-winning artists, internationally acclaimed performers, celebrated regional musicians from across the Midwest, hometown favorites, and the next generation of jazz talent.
Where it happens
Jefferson Stage
The festival’s center of gravity. Headline sets build through the afternoon and into golden hour, announced from the microphone all day.
Where it happens
Afternoon Discoveries
Regional standouts, student ensembles, and discoveries worth arriving early for. The stage where next year’s favorite gets found.
Where it happens
The Late Night Jam
When the printed schedule ends, the musicians keep playing. Sit close. This is the set people will claim they saw.
The 2026 lineup
The Simsons12:00 PM
Matt Blair Quartet1:00 PM
Solomon Lindenberg, Simon Ciaccio & Paul Taylor Trio2:00 PM
Daddio3:00 PM
Cool Bay Jazz4:00 PM
Son Reis Project5:00 PM
Fareed Haque Group Acclaimed6:00 PM
Corky Siegel, Ernie Watts & Kalyan Pathak Grammy7:45 PM
Year One takes the stage
The founding lineup, from first notes at noon to the last chorus of the night.
Headliner
Corky Siegel, Ernie Watts & Kalyan Pathak Trio
Blues harmonica legend Corky Siegel with two-time Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Ernie Watts and tabla master Kalyan Pathak. A once-in-a-festival meeting, as the string lights come on.
Headliner
Fareed Haque Group
The internationally acclaimed guitarist brings his group to Jefferson Street as the light turns gold.
Sunday, September 6 . Artist Lineup
Performances run noon to 9:15 PM. Click any artist to jump to their full profile card below.
The Simsons12:00 PM
Matt Blair Quartet1:00 PM
Solomon Lindenberg, Simon Ciaccio & Paul Taylor Trio2:00 PM
Daddio3:00 PM
Cool Bay Jazz4:00 PM
Son Reis Project5:00 PM
Fareed Haque Group Acclaimed6:00 PM
Corky Siegel, Ernie Watts & Kalyan Pathak Grammy7:45 PM
Full Artist Profiles
Hover on desktop or tap on mobile to reveal full bios and accomplishments.
1:00 PM - 1:45 PM
Matt Blair Quartet
Midwest regional jazz standouts performing original compositions and classic arrangements.
2:00 PM - 2:45 PM
Solomon Lindenberg, Simon Ciaccio & Paul Taylor Trio
A captivating trio collaboration featuring inventive piano, bass, and drum interplay.
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM
Daddio
High-energy regional favorite bringing infectious grooves and classic jazz rhythms.
4:00 PM - 4:45 PM
Cool Bay Jazz
The members of Cool Bay Jazz, pianist Tim Fox, singer Deirdre Fellner, bassist Dennis Keith Johnson, drummer Bill Knipfer, and guitarist John Lewis, had careers in music in a number of cities around the country and, happily, ended up in Door County at the same time.
5:00 PM - 5:45 PM
Son Reis Project
Experimental instrumental trio from the Fox Valley. No wave, post-punk, jazz, and fractured melodies.
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Headliner
Fareed Haque Group
A modern guitar virtuoso grounded in classical and jazz traditions. Jazz, classical, world music, and fusion on Jefferson Street.
7:45 PM - 9:15 PM
Headliner
Corky Siegel, Ernie Watts & Kalyan Pathak Trio
Blues harmonica legend Corky Siegel with two-time Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Ernie Watts and tabla master Kalyan Pathak.
Late Night Afterparty . Ticketed . 9:30 PM - 11:30 PM
Open Jam at MUSE
When the Jefferson Stage ends, the music moves to MUSE. Festival performers and guest artists gather for late-night collaborations after the encore. Ticketed event. Reserve VIP Open Jam Access.
The weekend
Two days. One tradition begins.
Saturday, September 5
Kick-off Party at drömhus
The founding weekend opens at 5 PM.
Sunday, September 6
Performances on the street
Noon to 9:15 PM on Jefferson Street. Rain or shine.
Sunday night
Open Jam at MUSE
9:30 to 11:30 PM. Ticketed event. The stage opens after the encore, and festival artists are invited to sit in. You might find yourself trading choruses with the greats. Reserve VIP Open Jam Access.
Music education
The next generation gets a stage
Jazz survives by being handed down in public.
Music education is built into the festival: a stage where young musicians are treated like the professionals they are becoming. Partners can put their name directly on this work.