Johnson City Jazz Festival back for year 8

JOHNSON CITY, TN — Organizers of the Johnson City Jazz Festival have formally unveiled the performance schedule for the eighth annual celebration of jazz, scheduled for April 16–19, 2026. This year's event promises four days of exceptional live performances hosted at several of the region's premier music venues. The festival will commence on Thursday, April 16 at Capone's in downtown Johnson City. This opening evening serves as a significant showcase for local artistry, featuring more than half a dozen regional ensembles in a series of curated sets and improvisational jam sessions. Organizer Steve Scheu expressed his enthusiasm for the opening night, stating, "We can't think of a better way to open up the Festival. This will be an unprecedented display of our local talent." He also noted that while this evening of the event is free, contributions to the performers are encouraged. On Friday, April 17 the festivities transition to the ETSU Martin Center's Powell Recital Hall. The evening's program will feature Moon Unit, a sophisticated guitar trio from Durham, followed by a performance from acclaimed New York jazz vocalist Emma Hedrick and her Quintet. The series continues at the ETSU Martin Center's Powell Recital Hall on Saturday, April 18 with performances by the Knoxville-based Vance Thompson Quintet and the Steve Lapina Quintet of Asheville. The festival will conclude on Sunday, April 19 at the Jackson Theater in Jonesborough. The final program features two cornerstone ensembles of the regional jazz scene: the ETSU Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Martin Walters, and the Tri-Cities Jazz Orchestra, led by Eddie Dalton. Local jazz musician Bill Perkins noted that this year's lineup reflects a high-caliber representation of jazz in all its diverse forms. "Following up on last year's success, we have really put together a great, high-quality representation of jazz and all its variations," Perkins remarked. He further emphasized the global pedigree of this year's artists, noting that while headliners such as Vance Thompson and Steve Lapina now reside regionally, they possess extensive international experience performing alongside world-renowned musicians. "We are very fortunate to have this caliber of jazz musician within our region," Perkins added. More detailed information regarding the performers and the festival itinerary is available at JohnsonCityJazzFestival.com and the ETSU Martin Center website at ETSUMartinCenter.org. Tickets vary in price depending on the night and the venue. Links for ticket purchases will be made available on both platforms very soon. For further information, contact Steve Scheu at 423-677-9042