Charleston Jazz — one of the Lowcountry’s cornerstone nonprofit arts organizations dedicated to performance, education and community outreach — has unveiled a vibrant 2026 calendar that reflects its deep roots in jazz tradition and its ongoing commitment to presenting world-class artistry.
The coming year invites locals and visitors to experience jazz in its many forms, from intimate ensemble work to large-scale orchestral performances.
“The upcoming season is going to be another banger,” said Dr. Robert Lewis, director of Charleston Jazz, in a recent interview with the Charleston City Paper.
Lewis said the breadth of the 2026 calendar is what excites him most, but one performance stands out.
“Danilo Pérez [April 18] was the pianist for the Wayne Shorter Quartet,” Lewis said, “which is definitely on the short list of the most important and influential modern jazz groups of all time.
He has been a hero of mine since college. His album Panamonk was extremely important to me.”
“I love the opportunity to work with all these fantastic musicians to create unforgettable shows,” Lewis added.
Here’s a look at Charleston Jazz’s 2026 schedule.
Charleston Jazz Festival (April 13–21)
The centerpiece of the organization’s calendar remains the Charleston Jazz Festival. The nine-day celebration brings international artists and local talent together across some of the city’s most iconic venues, offering a wide spectrum of performances — from club-style intimacy to high-energy mainstage concerts.
The 2026 festival lineup
The Alfredo Rodríguez Trio, blends Cuban musical traditions with contemporary jazz language in a program that highlights virtuosic piano work and dynamic ensemble interplay.
- Doors open at 8 p.m., April 14, Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St., Charleston. Tickets from $30 to $50. charlestonmusichall.com
Guitar icon Al Di Meola brings his Acoustic Quartet to Charleston Music Hall for one of the festival’s headline evenings, revisiting an eclectic career that fuses jazz, Latin, and world rhythms into a deeply personal acoustic setting.
- Doors open at 8 p.m., April 16, Charleston Music Hall. Tickets from $40 to $65.
A special Sunday performance pairs the Herlin Riley Quartet with the Gullah Collective, grounding New Orleans rhythm traditions alongside the rich musical heritage of the Gullah Geechee culture. It’s a collaboration that underscores Charleston Jazz’s emphasis on place, history and cultural dialogue.
- Doors open at 3 p.m., April 19, Charleston Music Hall. Tickets range from $25 to $45.
In addition to these marquee concerts, the festival includes a range of supplemental performances and collaborations, reinforcing its reputation as one of the Southeast’s most anticipated jazz gatherings.
Charleston Jazz Orchestra, Season 18 (February to December)
Beyond the festival, the Charleston Jazz Orchestra — the organization’s flagship 18-piece ensemble led by Lewis — enters its 18th season with six concerts at Charleston Music Hall.
The season opens Feb. 7 with Ode to Billie Holiday, featuring vocalist Tonya Nicole in a tribute to one of jazz’s most iconic voices, balancing faithful interpretation with contemporary nuance.
- Doors open at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., Feb. 7, Charleston Music Hall. Tickets range from $20 to $40.
Festival week brings Global Connections on April 18, pairing Danilo Pérez with the orchestra in a cross-cultural program that reflects Pérez’s genre-spanning career and Lewis’ long-standing admiration.
- Doors open at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., April 18, Charleston Music Hall. Tickets range from $30 to $55.
On May 16, Miles and Coltrane at 100 honors the centennial legacies of two towering figures whose innovations reshaped modern jazz.
- Doors open at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., May 16, Charleston Music Hall. Tickets range from $25 to $45.
Later in the year, Piano Legends on Sept. 19 surveys the evolution of jazz piano, followed by What a Wonderful World on Oct. 17, featuring vocalist Bruce Harris in a program blending jazz, soul, and popular standards.
- Doors open at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., Sept. 19 and Oct. 17, Charleston Music Hall. Tickets range from $25 to $45.
The season concludes Dec. 5 with Holiday Swing, a festive big-band celebration that caps a year defined by both innovation and tradition.
- Doors open at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., Dec. 5, Charleston Music Hall. Tickets range from $30 to $50.
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