TIMELINE
Read through a summary of past festivals.
2010
A Family Affair
The first MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL in Nishuane Park is held on a grass stage featuring JAZZ HOUSE Summer Workshop students + faculty. 300 families + friends attend.
2011
Distinguished Special Guests
Award-winning pianist Monty Alexander is our first headliner...Sorry Monty, only an electric piano for your first visit to the MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL! Audience doubles in size as word gets out about our free all-day jazz in the park.
2012
MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL Goes Big!
The MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL goes big with a new professional stage and acoustic piano; first official sponsors + vendors. WBGO’s Gary Walker joins as MC. Thousands come for a great day of music!
2013
More Festival Firsts!
NEA provides major funding.
The festival moves to the other side of Nishuane Park and gets a bigger stage. The Family Jazz Discovery Zone is introduced. The first MJF Beer Garden opens, thanks to North Coast Brewing Co. Our global livestream debuts!
2014
The MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL Gets A New Look!
The Bravitas Group/Silver Family Foundation joins as title sponsor, thanks to Rhonda and Bob Silver! Actor S. Epatha Merkerson is new Mistress of Ceremonies...Chicago Med and Law and Order are in the house! The iconic jazz art of Andres Chaparro becomes the face of the MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL.
2015
Audience Topples 10,000 Mark
The MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL audience topples 10,000 as the GRAMMY-winning Christian McBride Big Band featuring Melissa Walker closes the festival. The party continues at our first Post-Party Jam Session!
2016
Destination: Montclair, NJ!
A second stage in the Family Jazz Discovery Zone is added featuring music all day. 10,000+ music fans attend despite extreme record heat. MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL has the dubious distinction of hottest day of the year!
2017
Award Winning
MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL wins the Discover Jersey Arts People’s Choice Awards for “Favorite Music Festival.” Dee Dee Bridgewater returns. Two jam-packed weeks of programming lead up to Saturday in the park.
2018
The Festival That Almost Wasn’t
Torrential rains and a NJ State of Emergency on August 11th force the first ever outdoor site cancellation, but even the floods can't stop the MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL!
2019
Celebrating 10 Years
Two jam-packed weeks of
music across Montclair with
250+ artists and 15,000
attendees including over
12,000 at the Grand Finale
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2020
MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL GOES VIRTUAL
While the COVID-19 pandemic kept live music fans apart, the JAZZ HOUSE hosted a three-night Watch Party featuring the iconic original performances of fan-favorite sets from our MJF archives. More than 185,000
tuned in on social media and Sirius XM
12,000 at the Grand Finale
2021
WE GO DOWNTOWN
Live jazz performances and events throughout the summer in the heart of Montclair leading up to the MONTCLAIR
JAZZ FEST Jamboree finale in September.
12,000 at the Grand Finale