What is the NoMad Jazz Festival?

The NoMad Jazz Festival is an annual celebration of music, culture, and community, showcasing world-class jazz artists alongside emerging talent. The festival is produced and presented by The NoMad Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to an ever-better NoMad. It takes place in partnership with the Jazz Gallery, Flatiron NoMad Partnership, and Madison Square Park Conservancy and brings the neighborhood alive with performances that honor jazz’s rich heritage while pushing its creative boundaries.

Where does the NoMad Jazz Festival take place?

The NoMad Jazz Festival takes place in the historic NoMad neighborhood of New York City, known for its iconic architecture, creative energy, and cultural depth. Concerts and events unfold across NoMad and Flatiron’s public spaces, stages, and partner venues, including mainstage performances in and around Madison Square Park.

Why should I attend the NoMad Jazz Festival?

The NoMad Jazz Festival is free to everyone and offers a one-of-a-kind experience where music, community, and the spirit of New York converge. Whether you’re a lifelong jazz fan or new to the genre, you’ll enjoy unforgettable performances, discover new artists, and connect with NoMad, the quintessential live-work-play neighborhood.

Is the NoMad Jazz Festival open to everyone?

Yes! The NoMad Jazz Festival is free for everyone and welcomes all – residents, visitors, families, and music lovers of every kind. There’s something for people of all ages to enjoy.

Who has performed at The NoMad Jazz Festival?

In its inaugural year, NoMad Jazz Festival welcomed over 170 artists across 21 free events, and activated 15 community venues. The Mainstage lineup curated by The Jazz Gallery’s Rio Sakairi included Lizz Wright, Ravi Coltrane, Michael Mayo, The Brandee Younger Trio, Roy Hargrove Big Band, Davin Ryu Trio, Arta Jēkabsone, Caracas Trio and Melissa Almague. Family programming included The KongoNola Project presented by Goussy Celestin’s Ayita Brass, ABCirque, Lucy Kalantari & the Jazz Cats, and cultural programming with Asase Yaa.

What is the NoMad Jazz Festival Concert Series?

In 2026, The NoMad Jazz Festival introduced the NoMad Jazz Festival Concert Series, extending its mission beyond Festival Week and into a year-round offering. Leading up to the free summer Festival, the NoMad Jazz Festival Concert Series features a curated mix of free and ticketed performances, with proceeds supporting the free, week-long NoMad Jazz Festival. Partners and planned venues for the NoMad Jazz Festival Concert Series include The Jazz Gallery, Baruch Performing Arts Center, and Jazz on the NoMad Piazza. This expansion deepens the NoMad Jazz Festival’s commitment to accessibility, artist support, and neighborhood activation, bringing established and upcoming jazz artists into the community throughout the year.

NoMad Jazz Festival Concert Series

NoMad Jazz Festival presents the 2026 NoMad Jazz Festival Concert Series, extending its programming beyond Festival Week into a year-round initiative. Leading up to the summer festival, the series features a curated mix of free and ticketed performances, with proceeds supporting the Festival’s weeklong, free programming.

Presented by The NoMad Alliance across venues and public spaces throughout NoMad, the NoMad Jazz Festival Concert Series showcases both established and emerging jazz artists, reinforcing the Festival’s commitment to accessibility and community engagement.

Concerts at Baruch Performing Arts Center

A centerpiece of the NoMad Jazz Festival Concert Series is a trio of ticketed performances at Baruch Performing Arts Center’s Engelman Recital Hall, 55 Lexington Avenue (25^th Street between Lexington and Third Avenues). Curated by Rio Sakairi, it offers an intimate setting for celebrated artists:

June 1, 2026 – 7:00 PM

Miguel Zenón & Luis Perdomo: El Arte del Bolero

July 6, 2026 – 7:00 PM

Roy Hargrove Big Band

August 3, 2026 – 6:00 PM

Bill Frisell & Ambrose Akinmusire

Series Details

First Fridays! at The Jazz Gallery

The NoMad Alliance’s NoMad Jazz Festival partnership with The Jazz Gallery continues through its First Fridays! Concert Series, presented by The Jazz Gallery and extending the Festival’s reach into a year-round creative hub:

April 3, 2026 – 7:00 PM & 9:00 PM

Hannah Marks, Salt of the Earth

May 1, 2026 – 7:00 PM & 9:00 PM

Jen Shyu, Fertile Land, Fertile Body

June 5, 2026 – 7:00 PM & 9:00 PM

Matthew Stevens

Series Details

Jazz on The NoMad Piazza

Complementing the ticketed series, Jazz on the NoMad Piazza’s free performances return to the NoMad Piazza along Broadway between 25th and 27th Streets, curated by guitarist Matt Chertkoff. The open-air series transforms the neighborhood into a spontaneous listening room:

June 24, 2026 – 5:00 PM

Nick Hempton Quartet

July 8, 2026 – 12:00 PM

Kyle Koehler Trio

July 22, 2026 – 5:00 PM

Eric Kalb Trio

August 5, 2026 – 12:00 PM

Craig Handy and Second Line Smith

August 5, 2026 – 5:00 PM

Matt Chertkoff Trio

September 9, 2026 – 5:00 PM

Wayne Henderson Trio

Series Details