Santa Monica International Jazz Festival at BroadStage Santa Monica

The Santa Monica International Jazz Festival debuts May 1–9, 2026, presented by BroadStage, SM Festivals, and the City of Santa Monica, with artistic director and BroadStage Artist in Residence Stanley Clarke leading the programming. The festival's May 9th finale at Tongva Park features double Grammy winner Kamasi Washington headlining, alongside Stanley Clarke and Friends—an all-star set with Stewart Copeland paying tribute to Miles Davis and John Coltrane in honor of their centennial births, with the Miles Electric Band, fronted by Vince Wilburn Jr., and LA's KNOWER also performing. On May 8th at BroadStage, saxophonists Lakecia Benjamin and Isaiah Collier will continue the Coltrane centennial celebration, while Hiromi Uehara leads Hiromi's Sonicwonder in a pre-festival show at the Orpheum Theatre on May 1st. The festival kicks off May 3rd on the Third Street Promenade with a free all-day event showcasing emerging Los Angeles-based musicians.