on July 17, 2022. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Montclair Jazz Festival opening night, July 13.
Craig Handy and 2nd Line Smith close the night at the opening of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Craig Handy and 2nd Line Smith close the night at the opening of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Craig Handy performs with Craig Handy and 2nd Line Smith at Montclair Jazz Festival's opening night on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Craig Handy performs with Craig Handy and 2nd Line Smith at Montclair Jazz Festival’s opening night on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
The sousaphonist performs with Craig Handy and 2nd Line Smith at the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
The sousaphonist performs with Craig Handy and 2nd Line Smith at the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Attendees applaud at the closing of Montclair Jazz Festival's opening night on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Attendees applaud at the closing of Montclair Jazz Festival’s opening night on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Bii Goodman and Abdul Jackson attend the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Bii Goodman and Abdul Jackson attend the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Attendees applaud at the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Attendees applaud at the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Craig Handy strolls through the crowd during his performance at the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Craig Handy strolls through the crowd during his performance at the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Craig Handy strolls through the crowd during his performance at the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Craig Handy strolls through the crowd during his performance at the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Attendees enjoy the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Attendees enjoy the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
A guest applauds at the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
A guest applauds at the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Gargi Mukherjee attends the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Gargi Mukherjee attends the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Attendees applaud during the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Attendees applaud during the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Craig Handy and 2nd Line Smith perform at the Montclair Jazz Festival's opening night on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Craig Handy and 2nd Line Smith perform at the Montclair Jazz Festival’s opening night on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Craig Handy and 2nd Line Smith perform at the Montclair Jazz Festival's opening night on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Craig Handy and 2nd Line Smith perform at the Montclair Jazz Festival’s opening night on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Attendees gather for the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Attendees gather for the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Sabrina and John Mills attend the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Sabrina and John Mills attend the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Idris Salaam attends the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Idris Salaam attends the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Leah Willis points to the stage as the music starts up on the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Leah Willis points to the stage as the music starts up on the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Attendees gather for the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Attendees gather for the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Mellissa Walker, president and founder of Jazz House Kids, addresses the crowd on the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Mellissa Walker, president and founder of Jazz House Kids, addresses the crowd on the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Attendees applaud during the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Attendees applaud during the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Attendees gather for the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Attendees gather for the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Michael Scuello and Ann Marie Sckeres attend the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Michael Scuello and Ann Marie Sckeres attend the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Liam Kobb plays with a beach ball at the Montclair Jazz Festival's opening night on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Liam Kobb plays with a beach ball at the Montclair Jazz Festival’s opening night on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Birsa Chatterjee performs on saxophone at the kickoff of the Montclair Jazz Festival as part of the Soundcheck Series on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Birsa Chatterjee performs on saxophone at the kickoff of the Montclair Jazz Festival as part of the Soundcheck Series on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
From left, Esteban Castro, Dan Finn, Birsa Chatterjee and Christian McGhee perform at the kickoff of the Montclair Jazz Festival as part of the Soundcheck Series on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
From left, Esteban Castro, Dan Finn, Birsa Chatterjee and Christian McGhee perform at the kickoff of the Montclair Jazz Festival as part of the Soundcheck Series on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Attendees gather at Lackawanna Plaza for the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Attendees gather at Lackawanna Plaza for the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Nat Hall attends the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 17. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Nat Hall attends the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 17. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Trixie Kioko-Kamps, Remy Kamps and Jeremy Kamps applaud on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Trixie Kioko-Kamps, Remy Kamps and Jeremy Kamps applaud on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Birsa Chatterjee performs on saxophone at the kickoff of the Montclair Jazz Festival as part of the Soundcheck Series on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Birsa Chatterjee performs on saxophone at the kickoff of the Montclair Jazz Festival as part of the Soundcheck Series on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Attendees applaud at the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Attendees applaud at the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Craig Handy strolls through the crowd during his performance at the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Craig Handy strolls through the crowd during his performance at the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Craig Handy strolls through the crowd during his performance at the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Craig Handy strolls through the crowd during his performance at the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Attendees enjoy the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Attendees enjoy the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
A guest applauds at the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
A guest applauds at the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Craig Handy performs with Craig Handy and 2nd Line Smith at Montclair Jazz Festival's opening night on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Craig Handy performs with Craig Handy and 2nd Line Smith at Montclair Jazz Festival’s opening night on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Matt Chertkoff perform with Craig Handy and 2nd Line Smith at Montclair Jazz Festival's opening night on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Matt Chertkoff perform with Craig Handy and 2nd Line Smith at Montclair Jazz Festival’s opening night on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Gargi Mukherjee attends the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Gargi Mukherjee attends the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Attendees applaud during the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Attendees applaud during the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Craig Handy and 2nd Line Smith perform at the Montclair Jazz Festival's opening night on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Craig Handy and 2nd Line Smith perform at the Montclair Jazz Festival’s opening night on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Craig Handy and 2nd Line Smith perform at the Montclair Jazz Festival's opening night on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Craig Handy and 2nd Line Smith perform at the Montclair Jazz Festival’s opening night on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Attendees gather for the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Attendees gather for the opening night of the Montclair Jazz Festival on July 13. (KATE ALBRIGHT / FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)

The annual Montclair Jazz Festival kicked on Wednesday, July 13, and will take place over the course of three months.

The free event opened with the Soundcheck Series in Lackawanna Plaza.

The festival will host more than 200 artists and more than 100 vendors throughout the summer. Sponsored by BDP Holdings and produced by Jazz House Kids, it is expected to draw tens of thousands of people; last year, more than 40,000 attended over the course of its run.