Feb 3, 2026 12:10 AM
In Memoriam: Ken Peplowski, 1959–2026
Ken Peplowski, a clarinetist and tenor saxophonist who straddled the worlds of traditional and modern jazz, died Feb. 2…
Montreux Jazz Festival Miami headliner Jon Batiste will co-host a Descarga Afro Cuban jam session on March 2.
(Photo: David Needleman/Verve)The second annual Montreux Jazz Festival Miami will take place Feb. 28–March 2, with headline performers including Jon Batiste & Friends, Janelle Monáe and an Afro-Cuban “La Descarga” (improvised jam session) hosted by Batiste and breakout Cuban star Cimafunk with Alfredo Rodriguez, Cimafunk & La Tribu, Pedrito Martinez, Robe L Ninho, Wampi, Yissy Garcia and more to be announced. The Bogota-based ensemble Monsieur Periné will also perform.
The one-of-a-kind weekend of world-class performances will return to The Hangar at Regatta Cove, a 1,500-capacity venue in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood, bringing one of the world’s acclaimed jazz festivals to the shores of The Magic City.
“Bringing the soul of Montreux to the heart of Miami is an honor,” said Batiste. “It’s a rare festival where the room is intimate and musical collaboration and improvisation are central to the experience. We had an unforgettable experience last year and can’t wait to be back.”
The festival also includes the return of the Legendary Montreux Jam Session each night of the festival, curated by Batiste and featuring his band Stay Human, as well as a series of master classes available to VIP ticket holders. Wynwood-based audiophile vinyl listening bar Dante’s HiFi will return with a pop-up installation, and a selection of Miami’s best restaurants will also be onsite.
“The first edition of the Montreux Jazz Festival in Miami was an incredible success, with the city embracing our music, spirit and legacy with open arms,” said Mathieu Jaton, CEO of Montreux Jazz Festival. “As we prepare for the second edition, we are thrilled to bring even more unforgettable performances and experiences to Miami’s vibrant music scene. We look forward to deepening our connection with this beautiful city and celebrating the rich, diverse sounds that make the Montreux Jazz Festival so unique.”
Tickets are currently on sale. For further information, CLICK HERE. DB
Peplowski first came to prominence in legacy swing bands, including the final iteration of the Benny Goodman Orchestra, before beginning a solo career in the late 1980s.
Feb 3, 2026 12:10 AM
Ken Peplowski, a clarinetist and tenor saxophonist who straddled the worlds of traditional and modern jazz, died Feb. 2…
Hammond came to the blues through the folk boom of the late 1950s and early 1960s, which he experienced firsthand in New York’s Greenwich Village.
Mar 2, 2026 9:58 PM
John P. Hammond (aka John Hammond Jr.), a blues guitarist and singer who was one of the first white American…
Richie Beirach was particularly renowned for his approach to chromatic harmony, which he used to improvise reharmonizations of originals and standards.
Jan 27, 2026 11:19 AM
Richie Beirach, a pianist and composer who channeled a knowledge of modern classical music into his jazz practice,…
“I play what I want and what I like,” said Andrew Cyrille. “I use my knowledge artistically and professionally.”
Feb 3, 2026 12:15 AM
Midway through August, a few days after concluding a week at the Village Vanguard with the quartet that Andrew Cyrille…
Marsalis will, if he chooses to use it, have a strong voice in perpetuating his vision through a role in choosing his successors.
Feb 3, 2026 12:09 AM
For the better part of a year, rumors have been swirling that Wynton Marsalis was going to step down as artistic and…
