2026 Fresh Coast Jazz Festival

Get ready to groove at the 7th Annual Fresh Coast Jazz Festival!
August 20–22, 2026 | Pabst Theater | Downtown Milwaukee

The Fresh Coast Jazz Festival is back — bigger, bolder, and smoother than ever! Join us for three unforgettable days of world-class jazz, good vibes, and great company in the heart of one of National Geographic’s Top 25 Places in the World to Visit! This year’s star-studded lineup features some of the brightest names in contemporary jazz, including Jonathan Butler, Spyro Gyra, Kandace Springs, Jarrod Lawson, Eric Essix, Marqueal Jordan, and more!

But that’s just the beginning — sail away on the Fresh Coast Cruise, sip and sway at The Pairing (our signature wine-tasting and concert experience featuring the music of George Benson), and soak in a weekend filled with rhythm, flavor, and fun.
Best of all, every ticket helps make a difference. Festival proceeds support student scholarships, school music programs, and healthcare initiatives — proof that this really is a Party with a Purpose!

Get your tickets now at freshcoastjazz.com, at the Pabst Theater Group website, or by
calling 414-242-8200. Don’t miss Milwaukee’s smoothest weekend of the year!

Featured Artists
The 2026 line-up features a stellar collection of contemporary jazz performers. It is going to be an amazing musical journey! We think it is one of our best line-ups ever!

Jonathan Butler
Grammy-nominated South African born guitarist/vocalist Jonathan Butler is a global smooth- jazz icon whose hist have landed on the jazz, pop, R&B and Gospel charts. He has some 25 albums to his credit, and his shows are passion filled and electric. We are super excited to have Jonathan and his band, The Believers headline Saturday night at the Fresh Coast Jazz Festival. You don’t want to miss this show because we know tickets will sell fast!

Spyro Gyra
Thirteen-time Grammy-nominated Spyro Gyra has been going strong for 50 plus-years. This juggernaut band helped pioneer smooth jazz fusion and always brings timeless grooves to the stage. They have released over 30 albums and have wowed crowds around the globe. We are beyond ecstatic to have them headline Friday night of the Seventh Annual Fresh Coast Jazz Festival. This is an absolute can’t miss show. Get your tickets now!

Kandace Springs
Pianist and vocalist Kandace Springs’ soulful style is fast becoming a defining force in
contemporary jazz. Her emotive vocal style has made her a force to be reckoned with on the jazz scene, appealing to long time jazz lovers and newer audiences. Kandace makes her return to the Fresh Coast stage on Friday August 21, 2026.

Jarrod Lawson
Jarrod Lawson’s dynamic keyboard and vocal talents channel the likes of Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway in the smooth-jazz space. His creative work and live performance reputation highlight him as a distinctive rising star in smooth jazz. This show will be one you’ll remember for a long time. Don’t miss this superstar in the making.

Eric Essix
Eric Essix is a guitar virtuoso that effortlessly blends jazz and blues into smooth jazz grooves that captivates audiences. Recognized for his showmanship and ability to connect jazz guitar with accessible, melodic grooves, Eric is sure to be a huge crowd pleaser. He doesn’t tour in the Midwest often, so we are excited to have him grace the Fresh Coast Jazz stage!

Marqueal Jordan
After recording and touring with the likes of Bian Culbertson and Rick Braun for several years, Marqueal has stepped out on his own and we are glad he did! He is one of smooth jazz’s brightest saxophonists and vocalists, bringing bold melody and fresh energy to the genre. He has rightfully earned attention for his strong smooth jazz radio presence and live energy. He is one to watch and you can do just that on Saturday August 22nd.

The Hometown All-Stars
Witness this bonus performance by one of Milwaukee’s top jazz acts. You never know, you might be seeing the next big thing in jazz. The Hometown All-Stars will get things started at The Pabst Theater at 5pm on Saturday August 22, 2026.