Los Angeles Jazz Festival Unveils Star-Studded Lineup for Inaugural Citywide Celebration

The Los Angeles Jazz Festival has announced its first wave of performers, setting the stage for a sweeping, 17-day cultural event that aims to transform the city into a global hub of music, community, and heritage this August. Headliners for the closing “Jazz on the Beach” weekend include John Legend, Janelle Monáe, George Clinton with Parliament-Funkadelic, Original Koffee, Raphael Saadiq, and Charlie Wilson, alongside an eclectic mix of international talent.

Set to take place August 22–23 at Dockweiler Beach, the festival’s grand finale will feature artists such as Joey Alexander, Big Freedia, Ezra Collective, Nubya Garcia, and Poncho Sanchez. Special programming will include a tribute performance honoring jazz legend John Coltrane, adding historical depth to the contemporary lineup.

Councilwoman Traci Park. Photo Credit: Caroline Ehrhart

The festival will launch earlier in the month with an opening night event in Leimert Park on August 7, featuring Lalah Hathaway and Chief Adjuah. Beyond headline performances, the festival promises a wide array of free and ticketed programming, including park concerts, late-night shows in local venues, cultural tours, youth education initiatives, and a global jazz conference.

Organizers envision the Los Angeles Jazz Festival as more than a music event—it is positioned as a major civic and cultural milestone, celebrating the roots of jazz in the African diaspora while promoting sustainability and social equity. With a projected attendance of 250,000 and participation from artists representing over a dozen countries, the festival aspires to become one of the largest jazz gatherings in the world and a defining moment for Los Angeles’ cultural landscape.

Tickets for Jazz on the Beach for August 22 and 23 are now on sale via LAJazzFestival.com.