South Beach Jazz Festival

Music will fill the New Year air at the 11th annual South Beach Jazz Festival, January 14-17 in Miami Beach. Enjoy the tradition of Grammy-winning and emerging artists playing rhythmic and melodious music from jazz to R&B to hip-hop and dub (an instrumental reggae sound). Musicians with disabilities will be featured throughout the festival to underscore the festival’s theme, “From Disability to Serendipity.” The arts will be further showcased by lively panel discussions, lectures and gallery tours. Host group Power Access, a nonprofit organization, has ensured affordability and accessibility: Ticket options range from complimentary to the all-access pass, and all events will have American Sign Language interpreters.

The details below reflect programming from the 2026 edition of the South Beach Jazz Festival. This information offers context for what attendees can expect.

South Beach Jazz Festival 2026 Lineup

Thursday, January 8

John Pizzarelli
7:30 p.m. & 9:30 p.m.

Imagine the smooth jazz vocals and iconic pop sound of Tony Bennett in an idyllic location. The festival will open with “Because of You – A Tribute to Tony Bennett,” presented by prolific guitarist and vocalist John Pizzarelli. Pizzarelli has charmed audiences for 40 years with his interpretations of classic and modern songs. This event will be held at the lush Faena Theater in Mid Beach.

Power Access will also host a virtual panel discussion, “Accessibility and the Arts,” from 2-3 p.m., as part of its celebration of inclusion in cultural programming, regardless of abilities.

Friday, January 19

The Life & Music of Louis Armstrong
5:30 p.m.

Day Two of the festival will feature engaging free activities, including a lecture by Ricky Ricardi, director of research collections at the Louis Armstrong House Museum in Queens, New York. Ricardi will discuss the life and music of the legendary maestro trumpeter, known as a founding father of jazz, at The Bass museum in Collins Park in South Beach. Complimentary accessible gallery tours of The Bass will follow at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Steven Bernstein’s Millennial Territory Orchestra
8:30 p.m.

Spend the evening with slide trumpeter, composer and bandleader Steven Bernstein and the Millennial Territory Orchestra (MTO) as New York City big band musicianship takes center stage. The MTO has been praised for its renditions of music by artists ranging from The Beatles and jazz virtuoso Charles Mingus to funk master Sly Stone. The concert will take place at Collins Park and admission is free.

Also on Friday, an elegant VIP reception will be held under the stars at Collins Park. Tickets are $75.

Saturday, January 10

Jazz for Tomorrow Student Stage
10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Under the direction of acclaimed jazz artist and educator Nicole Yarling, student jazz bands will grace the Jazz for Tomorrow Student Stage at Euclid Avenue and Lincoln Road in South Beach. Look for the local Jazz Education Community Coalition (JECC), Young Musicians Unite and South Florida Center for Percussive Arts, among other organizations. An RSVP is requested for this free event.

Spanish Harlem Orchestra with Special Guest Etienne Charles
8 p.m.

The Spanish Harlem Orchestra (SHO) will energize South Beach with its multi-Grammy Award-winning style of high-energy salsa at the Miami Beach Bandshell in North Beach. Led by renowned pianist and composer Oscar Hernández, the SHO will capture the vibrant spirit of New York City with infectious rhythms and captivating melodies. The orchestra will be accompanied by Etienne Charles, who will present his signature style of jazz featuring Caribbean rhythms. Charles, a professor at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music, is a highly decorated jazz trumpeter. Prices start at $35, and a 20% discount is available for Miami Beach residents.

Sunday, January 11

Power Access Main Stage
11 a.m.- 9 p.m.

The Power Access Main Stage at 1111 Lincoln Road in South Beach will host the festival’s final event, an all-day affair where various artists will strut their musical stuff. A surprise artist will be announced on November 9, so stay tuned. Admission is free for all events, but an RSVP is requested.

The Spirit of Goodwill Band, comprised of musicians of differing abilities, will get the finale underway. Lemon City Trio, a Miami-based band, will capitvate the crowd with its hot fusion jazz..

Groove to the soulful sounds of The Harden Project, a Miami couple that exudes love in their performances. Vocalist Ja'Nia Harden and keyboardist John Harden II will perform their brand of jazzy, socially inspired music.

Frederico Britos will return to the festival, this time leading his own quintet. A highly accomplished Uruguayan violinist, and a seven-time Grammy Award winner, Britos will take the lead with a blend of smooth, Latin, Brazilian and contemporary jazz.

If you enjoy funky grooves, don’t miss Miami’s Spam Allstars. This six-piece band puts the Miami spin on some of your favorite music genres, including electronica, hip-hop and dub.

All-Access Pass

Music lovers can purchase individual concert tickets or a pass that allows VIP seating and experiences. The All-Access Pass offers premium seating Jan. 8-11, including orchestra table seating for the John Pizzarelli performance; an invitation to Friday night’s VIP reception, with VIP seating at Steven Bernstein’s Millennial Territory Orchestra performance; VIP entry for Saturday night’s Spanish Harlem Orchestra concert and a complimentary drink ticket; access to the VIP area for the Power Access Main Stage performances and more. Passes are $275 per person, and only 80 are available.

Where to Stay

Several hotels have partnered with the festival to accommodate concertgoers, including Nobu Hotel Miami Beach, Residence Inn By Marriott Miami Beach Surfside, the Marseilles Hotel and the Avalon.

By: Tremene Triplett | September 30, 2025