This Saturday, September 9, the Montclair Jazz Festival Downtown Jamboree takes over a half-mile stretch of Bloomfield Avenue to put on the largest jazz festival in the greater NYC area. Presented by BDP Holdings, LLC and produced by Jazz House Kids, the Downtown Jamboree is one of Montclair’s most exciting events. There will be eight hours of music by 250 world-class jazz musicians featuring an extraordinary lineup of headliners, 200 food and artisan vendors and an expanded Family Jazz Discovery Zone. Oh, it’s also completely free to attend. That’s right, folks, FREE!
Montclair Local is a proud Media Partner for the Montclair Jazz Festival Downtown Jamboree. We’re also big fans of the annual festival and look forward to the event all year long. We’ve put together this go-to guide so you have all the information you need to make the most of your experience.
When, Where and What You Need to Know
Date: Saturday, September 9, from 1–9 p.m.
Location: Bloomfield Avenue | Lackawanna Plaza to Fullerton Streets. Bloomfield Avenue will be closed to traffic from Grove Street to Midland Avenue, so you can enjoy live music and roam (and dance) safely up and down Bloomfield Avenue.
Supporting street closures: 3 a.m.–midnight:
- Bloomfield Ave. between Grove/Elm and Willow St.
- Lackawanna Plaza between Bloomfield Ave. and Glenridge Ave.
- Greenwood Ave. between Lackawanna Plaza and Glenridge Ave.
- Gates Ave. between Bloomfield Ave. and Union St.
Supporting street closures: 5 a.m.–midnight:
- Bloomfield Ave. between Willow St. and Park St.
- N. Willow St. between Bloomfield Ave. and Glenridge Ave.
- S. Willow St. between Bloomfield Ave. and Roosevelt Ave.
- Glenridge Ave between Bloomfield Ave. and Forest St.
- N. Fullerton Ave. between Bloomfield Ave. and the Fullerton Parking Deck
- S. Fullerton Ave. between Bloomfield Ave. and The Crescent
- Church Street between Bloomfield Ave. and Park St.
Walking or biking to the Jamboree is your best bet. Ample bike valet parking, run by Bike Walk Montclair, will be available at the YMCA on Glenridge Avenue.
Cost: Free admission and no tickets required!
Important info: You’re welcome to bring beach and lawn chairs, but pop-up tents and beach umbrellas are prohibited.
The Lineup
Two stages
Downtown Jamboree will have a stellar lineup of headliners, including Regina Carter, Antibalas, Steve Turre, Melanie Charles, Person to Person with Eric Person and Houston Person and Christian McBride, the festival’s music director and curator. These world-renowned musicians will perform throughout the day on two stages: Downtown @BDP Holdings Stage will be hosted by comedian Alonzo Bodden, and Uptown @ The Fullerton Stage will be hosted by vocalist and composer Andromeda Turre.
Headliner Highlights:
- The Jazz House Collective Big Band kicks off the Jamboree at 1 p.m. on the BDP Holdings Stage. Directed by Nathan Eklund, the Collective comprises nationally and internationally recognized jazz artists who serve in the community as Jazz House faculty. Each year, the Collective features arrangements or compositions in tribute to one of jazz’s great luminaries. This year, the Collective will be celebrating the music of Dexter Gordon, who would have turned 100 this year.
- At 2:30 p.m. at the Fullerton Stage, see a performance by the preeminent jazz harp virtuoso Edmar Castañeda. Hailing from Colombia, Edmar Castañeda brings a brilliance that blends jazz tradition with various styles and genres. His spotlight on an unconventional instrument, the harp, is a testament to his unbridled creativity.
- At 5:30 p.m. on the Fullerton Stage, we’ll welcome the one and only NEA Jazz Master Regina Carter. Carter is a recipient of the MacArthur “genius” award and a Doris Duke Artist Award. She has been widely hailed for her mastery of the violin and her drive to expand its possibilities.
- Antibalas closes out the Jamboree on the BDP Holdings Stage. The musical collective was conceived in Mexico City and formed in Brooklyn, New York, by Martín Perna in the fall of 1997. The group has recorded seven albums and has been featured on numerous compilations.
See the full Downtown Jamboree lineup and performer bios here.
Food, Fun and More
In addition to the full day of music, there will be over 200 food, artisan vendors and local organizations in attendance. Make sure to visit our Montclair Local table and say hi!
And for the littlest jazz lovers, there will be an expanded Family Jazz Discovery Zone. Kids can enjoy engaging activities, such as arts & crafts, storytimes and more.
Want more up-to-date info? Download the Montclair Jazz Festival to plan your day out with a detailed schedule of events. You’ll also find vendor information and see the generous local sponsors that make these community events possible.