“We’re Heading Back Home” - The 2026 Summer Festival Itinerary

It always feels so exciting coming back after home after being away - I’m speaking in either distance or duration when I say this. The concept of “home” can be a mental vortex in and of itself. I feel at home anywhere that I can peacefully enjoy jazz and be surrounded by creative and caring energy. The thought traveling with me back across the Atlantic from London with Val. “We’re heading back home”, I told her as we boarded the plane. But I felt like I had already arrived there once I had my headphones in and her hand in mine at 30,000 feet.

Additionally, I can honestly say these warm feelings have been fostering in the front of my mind since the week leading into International Jazz Day, back in my Sweet Home Chicago last month:

Chicago Highlights Broadcasters During International Jazz Week

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Apr 23

For over seventy years, Chicago has served as a primary epicenter for the evolution of jazz, with the city's radio airwaves acting as the essential medium for breaking new artists and sharing the music with the public. On both a global scale, and street view of culture.

So right after I give you my 2026 Summer music festival itinerary here, I’ll share my thoughts looking back on this momentous homecoming night for Jazz Worldwide with all you Jazz Lifers who helped make it such a night to remember. Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to never miss a beat in Our Jazz Life!

Jazz Festival Season is here. While more dates are sure to be added, here is where you can find me on the road this summer:

June 19–28

(Tentative - Will update you guys when I finalize my details.)

• The 39th annual lineup features a heavy mix of free and ticketed performances anchored around the Yorkville hub.

• Public Links: You can review scheduling details and secure individual tickets through the Front Stage Festivals Guide or access the primary community updates directly via the festival’s official site at torontojazz.com.

June 29–July 5

My annual trek to the world’s largest festival. I’ll be interviewing Joshua Redman in front of a live audience on the 29th, and broadcasting daily from 3:00 to 6:00 pm ET on SiriusXM’s Real Jazz.

My remote broadcasts and live audience interview with the Joshua Redman Group coincide with a massive 46th-anniversary lineup including Diana Krall, Hiromi, and Marcus Miller.

• Public Link: Full coverage of the 10-day Quartier des Spectacles footprint is hosted on the Tourisme Montréal Experience Guide.

August 28–29

The inaugural festival in the hometown of Dave Brubeck. Driven by the Brubeck Brothers, I am proud to host and interview the musicians as we explore the history of one of jazz’s most prolific families.

• Public Links: Since the programming leverages the family repository, schedule integration updates are monitored via the Official Dave Brubeck Calendar and historical context is preserved through the Brubeck Collection Digital Archive hosted at the Wilton Library.

September 2–6

The citywide “DC 250” celebration features headliners like Dee Dee Bridgewater, Joshua Redman, Kurt Elling, and my co-host for SiriusXM’s remote broadcast Angelika Beener.

• Public Link: Tickets, artist-in-residence updates, and the full multi-neighborhood schedule can be tracked at the DC Jazz Festival Lineup Announcement.

September 25–27

The 69th annual soiree at the iconic Monterey County Fairgrounds. I will be anchoring a solo audio tour of the second-oldest jazz festival in the world, bringing you interviews and the unbeatable Monterey vibe.

• Public Link:

  Single-day and multi-day packages for MJF69 at the iconic Monterey County Fairgrounds are officially active.
  Headliner updates (featuring the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Ron Carter, and Herbie Hancock) are detailed directly on the Monterey Jazz Festival Official Hub.

As I mentioned earlier, Val and I just got back from London. When I found out that the legendary pop/funk fusion band Incognito was celebrating their 45th anniversary at the Royal Festival Hall with no U.S. dates on the calendar, I took the plunge. After hearing that founder Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick was ill, I knew I couldn’t miss it.

As the incredible luck of this life would have it, on the exact night I arrived, my absolute favorite British jazz artist, Courtney Pine, was celebrating his 40th anniversary at the famous Ronnie Scott’s. I scored tickets to both.

This quick weekend trip also included working on a secret project with the fabulous English songstress Claire Martin, and most importantly, kicking off an early 10th wedding anniversary celebration with my beautiful wife, Valerie.

I’ll be back here on the 24th for the last newsletter of the month, but I’ve left you with plenty to read here. Our Jazz Life members, will have bonus content at the end of this segment, and don’t forget to checkout my newsletter archive for more My Jazz Life.

- M.R.