NoMad Jazz Festival 2026 Calendar of Events

Opening this year’s festival week, the Michael Leonhart Orchestra will perform selections from Michael Leonhart’s acclaimed Miles Davis Suite along with music by John Coltrane, honoring the centennials of two of the most influential artists in jazz history. Drawing on the breadth of Davis’s and Coltrane’s groundbreaking careers, the program features fresh orchestrations of iconic works as well as lesser-known treasures, alongside original compositions by Leonhart.

Grammy-winning trumpeter, composer, arranger, producer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter Michael Leonhart is one of the most versatile voices in contemporary music. A longtime member of Steely Dan since 1996, he has performed, arranged, conducted, and recorded with the band, including on the four-time Grammy Award-winning Two Against Nature. He is also a frequent collaborator of Elvis Costello, serving as arranger, orchestrator, conductor, and musical partner on numerous projects, including Costello’s recent collaboration with the storied WDR Big Band. Leonhart’s expansive career has included work with artists such as Mark Ronson, Bruno Mars, James Brown, Yoko Ono, David Byrne, and Meryl Streep. Leonhart appears on the Grammy Award-winning hit “Uptown Funk” and has composed music for film, television, and the stage.

Alongside his work as a sought-after collaborator, he continues to develop ambitious large-ensemble projects with the Michael Leonhart Orchestra, earning acclaim for music that bridges jazz tradition and contemporary composition.

Doors open at 4:30 PM
Purchase tickets

Born and raised in Northern California’s Bay Area, drummer and composer Elé Salif Howell began playing at age two after receiving his first drum set. He studied piano and composition with Art Khu, participated in the Oaktown Jazz Workshops, and continued his education at New York University, where he apprenticed with legendary drummer Lenny White.

Howell has recorded with his father, saxophonist Richard Howell, and performs with Chief Adjuah and Ravi Coltrane. Notable artists with who he has worked include Stanley Clarke, John Scofield, Gill Goldstein, Brandee Younger, David Gilmore, Elena Pinderhughes,  Weedie Braimah, Mike Rodriguez, Jeff Chambers, Alex Sipiagan, and more. An accomplished composer, Howell continues to create original music inspired by his travels, cultural experiences, and artistic collaborations around the world.

During NoMad Jazz Festival’s Festival Week, Apotheke NoMad hosts internationally renowned guitarist Vinicius Gomes for an evening that highlights his distinctive blend of modern jazz and Brazilian influences.

Apotheke NoMad blends inventive cocktails with live music in an intimate setting. Known for its apothecary-inspired menu and welcoming atmosphere, the venue offers an ideal space to experience outstanding jazz up close.

Must be 21 years or older.

Matt Chertkoff brings swing, clarity, and a global perspective to the audience. He has performed in nine countries at clubs, concerts, and major festivals. His credits include appearances with Jimmy Cobb, Houston Person, Freddy Cole, and Grady Tate. He has been featured on international television, including The Nippon Network, Telemundo, and German TV. Chertkoff has contributed to jazz recordings, pop projects, and film scores. His festival appearances include the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival, Markham Jazz Festival, Saratoga Jazz Festival, Rochester Jazz Festival, and Berghausen Jazz Festival. His playing is rooted in tradition and shaped by years on stages worldwide.

Vocalist, composer, and bandleader Vanisha Gould has become one of New York’s distinctive voices in jazz. After graduating from Berklee College of Music, she moved to New York City in 2015 and has performed at leading venues including Smalls Jazz Club, Mezzrow, The Jazz Gallery, Minton’s Playhouse, Ornithology, and Dizzy’s Club. Gould has also toured extensively throughout Europe and Russia, appearing at festivals, clubs, and concert venues across the Nordic and Baltic regions.

Her albums In Her Words, Life’s a Gig, and She’s Not Shiny, She’s Not Smooth illuminate the interior world of women in jazz, exploring resilience, humor, and truth through story and sound. In 2023, she received The Jazz Gallery Composition Residency Commission, creating new works that bring together music, text, voice, and visual storytelling.

During NoMad Jazz Festival’s Festival Week, Bazaar Bar welcomes acclaimed vocalist, composer, and bandleader Vanisha Gould. Bazaar Bar offers an intimate setting for live music, craft cocktails, and great conversation.

“There’s nothing like the feeling you get when you’re hearing your compositions and arrangements played by a wall of sound.”
— Roy Hargrove

Originally formed in the rehearsal space that would later become The Jazz Gallery, the Roy Hargrove Big Band gave its inaugural performance at the Greenwich Village Jazz Festival in 1995. Under Roy Hargrove’s leadership, the ensemble toured throughout the United States and abroad, performing at venues including Blue Note Tokyo and the Hollywood Bowl. Hargrove led the band while playing trumpet and flugelhorn and, most famously, lending his vocals to the fan favorite “September in the Rain.” The arrangements comprised of Roy’s original compositions, standards, and new music by band members and other contemporaries whom he respected. They released one album, Emergence, under Roy’s leadership in 2009.

As with everything Roy, his broad musical range is evident in his big band. Nate Chinen’s description of a big band concert at WBGO aptly captures that diversity: “Beginning with “Roy Allan,” a blaring, groove-fortified piece named after Hargrove’s father, the set moves into an original ballad titled “Trust.” Then Jon Batiste plays the elaborative piano introduction to “Mambo For Roy,” a Chucho Valdés composition originally featured on the album Habana. And this selection of excerpts concludes with a Hargrove original, “Tschpiso.”

Following Roy Hargrove’s passing, Roy Hargrove Legacy LLC, founded by his wife, Aida Brandes-Hargrove, and daughter, Kamala, revived the Roy Hargrove Big Band to celebrate his enduring legacy. The ensemble features many of the musicians who performed alongside Hargrove throughout his career. Ms. Brandes-Hargrove serves as Executive Director. Mr. Bruce Williams, lead alto saxophonist and a member of the band from 1997 until Hargrove’s passing in 2018, is Music Director, and longtime baritone saxophonist. Mr. Jason Marshall, baritone saxophonist and also long-time member of the big band, serves as Assistant Music

The Roy Hargrove Big Band has maintained a monthly residency at The Jazz Galleryin NoMad since March 2022.

General Seating: ​$38.50 ($22.50 members; $17 student members)
Cabaret Seating: ​$49 ($28 members)
Livestream: ​​$22.50 ($7.50 members)
FREE with SummerPass

Prices include online purchasing fees. Fees do not apply to in-person ticket purchases.

Tickets available here: Roy Hargrove Big Band

Tenor saxophonist John Ellis is a cornerstone of the New York jazz scene, with more than 150 recording credits alongside artists including Sting, Robert Glasper, and Dr. Lonnie Smith. A runner-up in the prestigious Thelonious Monk Competition, Ellis is also an accomplished composer, earning multiple commissions from The Jazz Gallery. His projects range from his New Orleans-inspired band Double-Wide to multimedia works and film collaborations. Ellis has released over a dozen albums as a leader, including Bizet: Carmen in Jazz, showcasing his inventive approach to tradition and storytelling through music.

johnaxsonellis.com

A jazz artist for the hip-hop generation, José James artfully blurs the lines between traditional and contemporary jazz, hip-hop, soul, funk, pop and rock. He has released 12 critically-acclaimed albums in as many years for labels such as Brownswood, Impulse, Blue Note, and his own co-founded Rainbow Blonde Records. James is the recipient of both the Edison Award and L’Académie du Jazz Grand Prix. He has collaborated with many notable artists such as Flying Lotus, Robert Glasper, Lalah Hathaway, Ledisi, Aloe Blacc and Jason Moran.

A celebrated international performer, James has presented his work at venues such as The Kennedy Center, Hollywood Bowl, Ancienne Belgique, and Billboard Live Tokyo, and has performed as a guest artist with McCoy Tyner, Laura Mvula and the Jazz at Lincoln Center, Melbourne Symphony, and Royal Concertgebouw Orchestras.

Acclaimed jazz singer-songwriter Allegra Levy brings her joyful family program, “Songs for You and Me,” to the NoMad Jazz Festival. Her first album created especially for young audiences introduces children and adults to jazz through playful, swinging songs about everything from bedtime and bath time to boogers and boo-boos. Families will even learn how to say “hello” in 12 different languages, all performed with Allegra and her all-star New York City big band.

A Kips Bay resident and mother of two, Allegra has released five albums on the historic SteepleChase record label, home to legendary jazz artists including Shirley Horn and Dexter Gordon. Most recently, she won Mayor Mamdani’s widely publicized NYC 2-K Jingle Contest. More than 300 New Yorkers submitted entries promoting the city’s new 2-K program, which provides free childcare for 2-year-olds beginning this fall. Rapper Cardi B and Lin-Manuel Miranda selected five finalists, and the public voted Allegra’s entry the winner.

A graduate of the New England Conservatory, Allegra serves as Program Administration Manager at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music and is on the leadership team of the Women in Jazz Organization.

“Allegra Levy sounds like a female version of Mr. Rogers on this cozy album of cozy songs for tykes. Completely charming, life-affirming, and inviting. Won’t you be her neighbor?”

– Jazz Weekly

allegralevy.com

The Master Class Ensemble from the South Bronx Charter School for International Cultures and the Arts showcases some of the school’s most dedicated young jazz musicians. Representing a diverse student body, many from immigrant families across New York City, the ensemble brings together students with a wide range of musical experience in an environment where curiosity, collaboration, and artistic growth are encouraged. Through an ongoing partnership with The Jazz Gallery, students study jazz history, work with acclaimed professional musicians, attend live performances, and perform in a professional setting. Their repertoire honors the jazz tradition while encouraging creativity, improvisation, and individual expression.

The ensemble is directed by Keith Szczepanski, whose mentorship and commitment to music education have helped build the school’s thriving jazz program.

sbcsica.org

GRAMMY-nominated saxophonist and composer, Godwin Louis is a globally recognized artist whose work bridges jazz and world traditions. A collaborator with luminaries such as Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis, and Cécile McLorin Salvant, he earned a GRAMMY nomination for his arranging work on Mélusine. Louis has performed across five continents and blends Afro-Caribbean, gospel, and classical influences into a singular voice. A Berklee College of Music professor and founder of the nonprofit Experience Ayiti, he is equally committed to education and cultural exchange, using music as a platform for global connection and social impact.

godwinlouis.com

“Like the best fiction, it’s entirely enveloping.”- Downbeat

New York-based Taiwanese vibraphonist Yuhan Su is a creative force in contemporary jazz, recognized for a style that is both intellectually rigorous and deeply evocative. Recently named one of the “Up-and-Comers of the Year” by The New York City Jazz Record and a 2025 Downbeat Rising Star of Vibraphone nominee, Su has also been distinguished as one of the “Top 25 Best Vibraphonists in History” by U Discover Music.

Her discography as a leader spans five critically acclaimed releases, including her most recent work, OVER the MOONs (2025, Endectomorph), and the celebrated Liberated Gesture (2023, Sunnyside). Her work has garnered prestigious accolades globally, including the 2026 Golden Melody Award for “Best Instrumental Album,” “Best Instrumental Composer,” and multiple honors from the Golden Indie Music Awards, including “Best Album of the Year” and “Best New Artist.” A sought-after collaborator, Su was selected as the 2025 Jazz Gallery Residency Commission Artist and a member of the M3 (Mutual Mentorship of Musicians) Cohort 7. She has performed alongside visionary figures such as Vijay Iyer, Amir Elsaffar, Greg Osby, and Matt Mitchell. Yuhan Su is a Ludwig-Musser Percussion, Resta-Jay Percussion, and Alternate Mode Inc. endorsed artist.

www.yuhansu.com

Yuhan Su Quartet

Yuhan Su – Vibraphone & Compositions (@yuhansuyuhan)
Caleb Wheeler Curtis – Saxophone (@calebwcurtis)
Luke Stewart – Bass (@takealukearound)
Adam Cruz – Drums

Praised by PostGenre as “one of the best saxophonists of his generation,” artist and composer Jaleel Shaw has become a master of his instrument and a role model for improvisers across every creative discipline. He composes, in real time, with abandon and precision. His devotion to melody — sweet & lyrical, raw & unyielding — informs his explorations on stage and in the studio. And his tone distills and sanctifies the challenging beauty of his instrument.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Shaw came up on the city’s iconic music scene, playing alto with its artists at an early age. After attending Berklee College of Music on full scholarship and graduating with a dual degree in Music Education and Performance, in 2000 he moved to New York where he earned his Master of Music in Performance from Manhattan School of Music. He issued his debut release Perspective in 2005 to wide critical acclaim; the following year, he joined the Roy Haynes Quartet, launching a pivotal apprenticeship-turned-lifelong friendship that would transform his playing and change the course of his career.

Traveling the world as a leader and a highly sought collaborator, Shaw has headlined storied venues across the country and throughout the world, from Newport Jazz Festival in Rhode Island to Beijing Jazz Festival in China. He has appeared at Newport, North Sea Jazz Festival, Pori Jazz Festival, Umbria Jazz Festival, The Village Vanguard, Jazz Showcase, Birdland, Blue Note Tokyo, Blue Note Milano, Blue Note Nagoya, Motion Blue, and Duc Des Lombards, among other domestic and international venues.

jaleelshaw.com

Camille Thurman is an acclaimed composer, saxophonist, vocalist, and bandleader whose dynamic artistry has established her as one of jazz’s leading voices. Known for her seamless blend of tradition and innovation, the New York City native has earned widespread recognition, including an NAACP Image Award nomination, multiple ASCAP Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composers Awards, and repeated DownBeat Critics Poll nominations.

Thurman made history as the first woman in more than 30 years to tour and perform full-time with the world-renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra as a saxophonist and woodwind doubler. She has headlined major venues and festivals around the world, including the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and has served as a U.S. Cultural Ambassador through the Fulbright Program and the U.S. State Department.

A dedicated educator and mentor, Thurman founded The Haven Hang, a mentorship initiative supporting young women pursuing careers in music. She currently serves as Assistant Professor of Jazz Performance at McGill University. Her latest recording, Confluence: Vol. 1, showcases her continued commitment to expanding the boundaries of contemporary jazz.

camillethurmanmusic.com

Pianist, composer, and arranger George Cables is widely regarded as one of the great masters of modern jazz, celebrated for his lyrical touch, harmonic sophistication, and decades of collaborations with some of the music’s most iconic figures. Over a career spanning more than six decades, he has performed and recorded with legends including Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw, Bobby Hutcherson, Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughan, Max Roach, Art Blakey, Roy Haynes, and Tony Williams. Cables became a defining voice in the jazz scenes of Los Angeles and San Francisco in the 1970s, earning a reputation as one of the most sought-after pianists and accompanists in the genre.

A native New Yorker and graduate of the High School of Performing Arts who studied at Mannes College of Music, Cables first gained national attention through early work with Max Roach, Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, and Sonny Rollins. His acclaimed partnerships with Dexter Gordon and alto saxophone legend Art Pepper – who affectionately dubbed him “Mr. Beautiful” – cemented his place among jazz’s elite. As both a leader and sideman, Cables has contributed to countless landmark recordings while developing a distinctive voice as a composer and interpreter of standards. Today, he continues to perform internationally as a soloist and ensemble leader, inspiring audiences and students alike with a style that honors jazz tradition while remaining fresh, innovative, and distinctly personal.

georgecables.com

The Jazz Gallery All-Stars is not a band in the traditional sense, but rather the embodiment of an idea and a snapshot of a moment in time. Its musicians are fluid and ever-evolving, representing the creativity, innovation, and collaborative spirit that define today’s jazz scene.

For the 2026 NoMad Jazz Festival, The Jazz Gallery All-Stars brings together celebrated veterans including Miguel Zenón and Kendrick Scott alongside some of the most exciting emerging voices in jazz. Together, they offer audiences a showcase of contemporary jazz, making each performance a unique reflection of the music’s present and future.

Miguel Zenón – Alto Saxophone
Nicole Glover – Tenor saxophone
Skylar Tang – Trumpet
Simon Moullier – Vibraphone
Charles Altura – Guitar
Ryoma Takenaga – Bass
Kendrick Scott  – Drums
Dabin Ryu – Piano and NoMad Jazz Festival alum
Renée Neufville – Vocals

Official NoMad Jazz Festival After Party at SPIN Flatiron! Live DJ, ping pong, and food/drink specials. Registration required.

After the final set in Madison Square Park, keep the celebration going at the official NoMad Jazz Festival After Party at SPIN Flatiron! Admission is free, but registration is required. Enjoy a live DJ, open ping pong tables, and drink and food specials available for purchase as we close out an unforgettable weekend of jazz.

Save your spot here.