John Legend, Janelle Monáe, & More Join Los Angeles Jazz Festival

The Los Angeles Jazz Festival has revealed the first set of artists scheduled to appear as part of the inaugural festival’s Jazz on the Beach closing weekend, taking place August 22 and 23.

The 17-day citywide celebration features award-winning musicians from over 13 nations in local locations, culminating with a two-night lineup of performers on Dockweiler Beach.

Initial artists revealed as part of the LA Jazz Festival’s Jazz on the Beach weekend include Joey Alexander, Big Freedia, Ezra Collective, Free Nationals & Friends, Nubya Garcia, John Legend, Pedrito Martinez, Janelle Monáe, Original Koffee, Parliament Funkadelic featuring George Clinton, Alfredo Rodriguez, Raphael Saadiq, Poncho Sanchez, Justin-Lee Schultz and Charlie Wilson.

The weekend will also include special performances and exclusive collaborations, including "Michelle Coltrane Celebrates the Coltrane Centennial,” as well as an appearance by the LA Jazz Festival Foundation Youth Band. Additional performers for the Jazz on the Beach closing weekend, as well as lineups for other LA Jazz Festival events taking place throughout August, will be announced in the coming weeks. 

Tickets for Jazz on the Beach for August 22 and 23 are now on sale here. A variety of ticket offerings are available, including Cabanas, VIP, general admission and community tickets. 

Looking to attract 250,000 attendees throughout its 17-day run, the LA Jazz Festival will be a landmark cultural and civic event that will make “all of LA the stage”, aiming to become the third-largest international jazz festival in the world and the largest Black-owned jazz festival ever.

In addition to Jazz on the Beach, the festival will include The Caribbean Street Carnival, Jazz in the Park, Jazz After Dark, Coastal Cultural Tours, The State of Jazz Conference, and The LA Jazz Youth Camp. More information is available here.