Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 05/05/2025
(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Exchange Place Alliance presents the 12th Annual Jersey City Jazz Festival May 30-31, 2025. A two-day celebration of music takes place on the Hudson River waterfront and features three stages, a community zone, food trucks, bars, a VIP experience, and even a parade.
Events will take place throughout Jersey City leading up to the event (Tuesday, May 27 - Thursday, May 29). Come see why thousands of attendees (and many musicians) call this their favorite event of the year!
Tuesday, May 27th - Champian Fulton will perform at The Junto: Attic Bar from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. John Hébert will perform with Brandon Seabrook and Ches Smith at Pet Shop from 8:00pm to 11:00pm.
Wednesday, May 28th - Groove on Grove will take place from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Lezlie Harrison will perform at The Junto: Attic Bar from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. Go Bailers will perform at The Archer from 7:00pm to 10:00pm. Tim Berne will perform with Gregg Belisle-Chi, Tim Angulo and John Hébert at Pet Shop from 8:00pm to 11:00pm.
Thursday, May 29th - James Austin Jr. will perform Songs in the Key of Wonder at Brennan Court House (Danny Raycraft will open) from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Milkman & Sons will perform at The Archer from 7:00pm to 10:00pm. Kali Rodriquez Peña will perform at The Statuary from 7:00pm to 10:00pm. Riverview Jazz All-Stars will perform at The Rooftop on Pacific (902 Brewery) from 7:00pm to 10:00pm.
2025 Jersey City Jazz Festival
Friday, May 30th - RWJBarnabas Health Plaza Stage
6:00pm - Winard Harper and Jeli Posse
7:00pm - DJ Set by Niko & Bad Habits
8:00pm - The Rumble featuring Big Chief Joseph Boudreaux, Jr.
9:00pm - Official JCJF Jam Session featuring Charlie Sigler on the Terrace at Hyatt House
Saturday, May 31st - The Clubhouse by Ford's Gin
1:00pm - WBGO Next Gen Collective featuring: Kevin Oliver Jr., Rodrigo Romero, Caili O’Doherty, Solomon Gottfried, Gary Jones III, and special guest vocalist: Larissa Jones
3:00pm - Artemis featuring Renee Rosnes, Ingrid Jensen,
Nicole Glover, Noriko Ueda & Allison Miller
5:00pm - Hébert-Hersch-Wallace-Drummond Bridge & Tunnel
7:00pm - Tyreek McDole
Saturday, May 31st - RWJBarnabas Health Plaza Stage
Noon - Riverview Jazz All-Stars
2:00 - Sam Barsh
3:00pm - Honk Family Band (parading to the Pier Stage)
4:00 - Sounds of April & Randall
6:00 - Steven Bernstein's Millennial Territory Orchestra featuring Catherine Russell
8:00pm - Astoria Salsa Company
Exchange Place Alliance Pier Stage
1:30pm - United Children's Music Project Latin Ensemble
3:45pm - New Jersey City University Jazz Ensemble
4:30pm - Swing Dance Lesson
5:00pm - Robert Edwards Big Band
7:00pm - Salsa/Mambo Dance Lesson with Salsa Fever On2
Jersey City Free Public Library Community Zone
Events, arts and crafts for children and families
Hyatt House After Party
9:00pm-1:00am - Official After Party on the Terrace
POST-FESTIVAL - SUNDAY, JUNE 1, 2025
Closing Party at Moore's Lounge
Featuring Winard Harper and special guests
Starting at 7:00pm at 189 Monticello Avenue, Jersey City
Riverview Jazz began in 2013 as a community concert at the Riverview Farmers Market in Jersey City Heights. In a few short years, Riverview Jazz was producing up to 100 events a year free-to-the-public. In 2019, the Riverview Jazz Festival rebranded as the Jersey City Jazz Festival and drew a crowd of 30,000 attendees, making it one of the largest jazz festivals in the NYC-tristate area.
In addition to the Jersey City Jazz Festival and the Jersey City Latin Jazz Festival, Riverview Jazz produces or partners on events year-round throughout Hudson County. The vast majority of these are free to the community and feature some of the best musical talent in the area.
EVENT PREVIEWS
Essex County Summer Players Orchestra present "Made in America" on August 2nd
(LIVINGSTON, NJ) -- As local residents and friends stroll, bike or jog around the Livingston Oval on Tuesday evenings this July, musicians from several community orchestras are gathering in the township's high school band room to celebrate works "Made in America."
MPAC presents Hindley Street Country Club on Wednesday
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- YouTube sensations Hindley Street Country Club (The HSCC) are making their Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) debut on Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at 7:30pm. Founded in 2017 by arranger / producer Constantine Delo, the band started as a group of Australian musicians, recording re-arranged covers of 70s and 80s hits and uploading them to Facebook and YouTube weekly.
State Theatre New Jersey presents Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass & Other Delights on July 30th
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass & Other Delights on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at 7:30pm. This special concert features Herb Alpert, along with his six great musicians, Bill Cantos (piano & marimba), Kerry Marx (guitar), Ryan Dragon (trombone), Kris Bergh (trumpet), Ray Brinker (Drums), and Hussain Jiffry (bass), playing all the favorite TJB hit songs.
NJPAC presents Jazz Icon Herbie Hancock on July 31st
(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) announces the return of the legendary Herbie Hancock for a one-night-only performance on Friday, July 31, 2026 at 8:00pm. This concert promises to be an unforgettable evening, showcasing the incomparable artistry of one of the most influential musicians of our time.
The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Bees Deluxe and Eclipse on July 31st
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- Boston-based British/American modern blues powerhouse Bees Deluxe are buzzing back into Tuckerton with their electrifying live show, landing at The Lizzie Rose Music Room on Friday, July 31, 2026 at 8:00pm. Fresh off advancing to the semi-finals this year at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis.
Rising Sun Presents: A Funky Reggae Party on August 1st
(KING OF PRUSSIA, PA) -- Rising Sun Presents will celebrate summer with A Funky Reggae Party in Heuser Park on Saturday, August 1, 2026. The evening will feature performances from legendary acts Steel Pulse, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe playing Jimmy Cliff, and The Original Wailers ft. Al Anderson. The lineup also includes The Philly Reggae Allstars ft. members of Wareika Hill. Tabernacle & more, along with DJ sets from Solomonic Sound System (Rob Paine) and Traveler Sounds.
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center presents John Violinist on August 1st
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- John Violinist will perform at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC) on Saturday, August 1, 2026 7:30pm. John is an international violinist and performer who has fused the sound of classical music with the sound of today's popular music.
The Stone Pony presents John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band on August 1st
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band return to The Stone Pony on Saturday, August 1, 2026. The band has been delivering their patented good time rock 'n' roll for more then 50 years now. This is an all ages show; doors are at 6:30pm.
Art, Poetry, and Conversation Unite at Monmouth Museum at Dunellen
(DUNELLEN, NJ) -- Jo-El Lopez will present a special edition of Art in Conversation on Saturday, August 1, 2026 at 2:00pm at the Monmouth Museum at Dunellen (266 North Avenue) in Dunellen. The free public event will feature an engaging artist talk by acclaimed abstract artist Bryant Small, followed by original spoken-word performances inspired by his artwork.
Todd Sheaffer & Yarn to headline 2026 Soulstice Music & Arts Festival
(CLINTON, NJ) -- Todd Sheaffer & Friends, Yarn and the Bobby Syvarth band featuring Tim Carbone will headline the Second Annual Soulstice Music & Arts Festival in Clinton. The 3-day event, with over 25 bands, takes place at the Red Mill Museum in historic Clinton from Friday, July 31 through Sunday, August 2, 2026. The festival is presented by the Pattenburg House and The Peace Love Music Movement.
FEATURED EVENTS
