32nd International Open Air Festival Jazz at the Old Town

July 4th - August 29th, 2026, Warsaw, Old Town Square, 7 PM, free entrance

Organizer:
Fundacja Jazz Art.

Honorary patronage:
Minister Kultury i Dziedzictwa Narodowego, Prezydent m.st. Warszawy

General director, author:
Krzysztof Wojciechowski

Art director, spokesperson:
Iwona Strzelczyk Wojciechowska

The 32nd edition of the popular festival will begin in Warsaw on July 4th and will last until August 29th. The Old Town Square will once again become the concert heart of Warsaw and will beat to the rhythm of jazz for 2 months of the summer.

It promises to be an interesting program that fits into the history of exceptional meetings with jazz icons and recognized artists.

The original program - stylistically diverse, Polish and international jazz stars, pioneers of the genre, premieres and unique projects - have been the hallmarks of the festival for years.

It is one of the few such festivals in Poland and Europe, addressed to a wide audience with a completely free formula. For years, it has been an artistic and tourist showcase of the capital in the summer, attracting jazz fans from Warsaw, Poland and abroad.

The list of names of artists who have played at the festival is impressive.

The entire top of international jazz performed, including aces and legends such as: Nicholas Payton, Christian McBride, James Carter, Joey Calderazzo, Archie Sheep, David Murray, Roy Hargrove, Ernie Watts, Jacky Terrasson, Richard Galliano, Dino Saluzzi, Bill Evans, Chico Freeman, Lee Konitz, Kevin Mahogany, Bobo Stenson, Kenny Wheeler, John Taylor, Tord Gustavsen, Enrico Pieranunzi, Stefano Bollani, Enrico Rava, Marilyn Mazur, Shai Maestro, Bill Evans, Mike Stern, Stanley Jordan, Palle Mikkelborg, Terje Rypdal, Charnett Moffett, Omar Sosa, Charnett Moffett, Birelli Lagrene, Ulf Wakenius, Courtney Pine, Denys Baptiste. For the first time at the festival, the Polish audience had the opportunity to hear such stars of American jazz as: Duffy Jackson, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Scott Hamilton, Cyrus Chesnut, John Pizzarelli, Daniel Jobim (grandson of Antonio Carlos Jobim), and discoveries of American stages like: Avishai Cohen, Hiromi, Alfredo Rodriguez, Kyle Eastwood (son of Clint Eastwood), Hamilton de Holanda, Harold Lopez -Nussa. It was with great pleasure that we presented legends of Polish jazz and outstanding artists such as: Tomasz Stańko, Michał Urbaniak, Zbigniew Namysłowski, Jan Ptaszyn Wróblewski, Janusz Muniak, Tomasz Szukalski, Jarosław Śmietana, Adam Makowicz, Włodek Pawlik, Leszek Możdżer, Włodzimierz Nahorny, Wojciech Karolak, Andrzej Jagodziński, Piotr Baron, Piotr Wojtasik, Krzysztof Herdzin, Kuba Stankiewicz, Joachim Mencel, Marcin Masecki, Paweł Kaczmarczyk, Sławek Jaskułke, Adam Bałdych, Gary Guthman, Marek Napiórkowski, Krzysztof Ścierański, Ewa Bem, Urszula Dudziak, Grażyna Auguścik, Anna Maria Jopek, Lora Szafran, Aga Zaryan and many others. Excellent Polish bands such as: The Quartet, Miłość, Dream Team, Laboratorium, String Connection, Walk Away, Young Power, Simple Acoustic Trio, Marcin Wasilewski Trio, EABS, RGG Trio, Maciej Obara Quartet, Kacper Smoliński Quintet, Piotr Schmidt Quintet, Wojtek Mazolewski Quintet presented their premiere and anniversary projects.

The festival has been widely present in Polish media and internet portals for years. We have been shown by foreign media - BBC, Deutche Welle, Poland in English.

Visit also Facebook page.

Christie Dashiell 4tet - Journey in Black

4 July 2026

The Grammy-nominated vocalist and songwriter lives at the musical intersection where jazz, soul, R&B, blues, and gospel converge. She has become one of the most sought-after artists on today's scene, a symbol of contemporary jazz rooted in tradition. Her concerts are a celebration of Black music and the power of the voice, bridging the past and present. She fuses jazz, soul, and R&B.

We will hear her latest album, "Journey in Black," which was nominated for a GRAMMY Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album. It features her own compositions, fusing the sounds of improvised music with various styles of African-American music.

christiedashiell.com

Eliane Elias Trio

11 July 2026

An icon of global jazz, this Brazilian pianist, vocalist, composer, and arranger, winner of a Multi-GRAMMY and Multi-LATIN GRAMMY Award, and nominated for numerous prestigious awards, is distinguished by her unique musical style and one of the most unique and recognizable sounds in Brazilian jazz and music. She is one of the most versatile and groundbreaking artists in Brazilian jazz and music, and is considered the queen of bossa nova.

She has released award-winning albums, including milestones with artists like Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, and Chucho Valdes. Her latest album, "Time and Again," received a 2025 GRAMMY nomination for Best Latin Jazz Album.

elianeelias.com

Nicholas Payton Trio - The music of Miles / Coltrane

18 July 2026

The winner of two GRAMMY Awards and five nominations for this prestigious award, Payton is one of the world's leading jazz trumpeters, a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and composer. He is widely considered one of the greatest artists of our time, earning a venerable place in music history. This visionary New Orleans trumpeter combines a deep jazz tradition with innovation. Through his music and mission, Payton continues to push the boundaries of his creativity, inspiring and remaining inspired by the pioneering tradition of Black American music of which he is a part.

On the centennial of the births of two jazz icons – Miles Davies and John Coltrane – this champion of African-American music pays tribute to the greatest legends of jazz. This extraordinary concert, full of captivating reinterpretations, will bring the music into the present.

nicholaspayton.com

Tivon Pennicott Quartet - Roots to Branches

25 July 2026

The three-time GRAMMY Award winner, a highly sought-after saxophonist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist, was named a "rising star of the tenor saxophone" in Downbeat magazine's 2025 critics' poll. He is one of the most distinctive saxophonists on the New York jazz scene, known for his collaborations with Gregory Porter, Esperanza Spalding, and Jon Batiste.

He will perform material from his latest album, Roots to Branches (Dox Records, 2024), a spiritual and energetic project inspired by his Jamaican roots. He blends jazz with groove, soul, and experimentation. His playing is influenced by gospel music, improvisation, and deep harmony, which has captivated audiences at Carnegie Hall, the Berlin Philharmonie, and the Royal Albert Hall.

tivonpennicott.com

Baron Vintage Elektro

1 August 2026

Jazz-rock, funk, and soul in an electrified fusion! This is the latest project from the newest band of one of Poland's most distinguished jazz saxophonists. We'll hear an energetic blend of jazz-rock, funk, and soul. The band is composed of outstanding jazz artists from different generations, each of whom is a distinct part of Polish jazz history.

The band's repertoire features Piotr Baron's original compositions from the 1980s, which he describes as a return to his youth.

Expect music brimming with energy, pulsating grooves, and emotion that engages the audience from the very first notes.

facebook.com

Eleonora Strino Quartet

8 August 2026

This contemporary Italian jazz guitar master, guitarist, vocalist, and composer, has been hailed by critics as one of the most exciting and promising new talents on the international jazz scene. She is an artist who, with extraordinary skill, combines creativity and sensitivity with virtuoso technical skill. The Neapolitan artist reinvents the modern language of swing and bebop guitar, precisely shaping its expressive power. Her compositions, singing, and guitar playing are filled with emotion and extraordinary sensitivity.

eleonorastrino.com

Tribute To Miles Orchestra

15 August 2026

Miles Lives! will mark the centenary of the birth of this jazz icon and legend. The Polish supergroup led by Wojciech Konikiewicz will be joining the ensemble. The music of Miles Davis is one of the foundations of contemporary jazz and an inspiration for an entire generation of artists who find a still relevant, universal message in the legacy of the great master. This is jazz of freedom, emotion, and direct expression. The leader appeals to these values, consistently developing his original and uncompromising musical language.

facebook.com

Marcin Masecki & Boleros

22 August 2026

Premiere. One of the most original and versatile artists on the Polish scene – pianist, improviser, composer, arranger, and conductor – will present his latest, original album inspired by Latin American music. This is a continuation of his personal journey through Latin American music (with which he has been associated since childhood), in which he connects the past with the present. It is not only a tribute to classic boleros, but also a personal reinterpretation of South American genres.

The artist is not afraid to expand his musical identity, blending diverse traditions and introducing innovative sounds, while remaining true to his own style. This will be something special!

marcinmasecki.pl

Adam Bałdych European Quartet - Endless

29 August 2026

We will hear material from the violin visionary's latest album, which is already generating enormous interest in the music community. Led by one of the most original and respected violinists on the international scene, the new quartet brings together distinguished stars of European jazz on a contemplative journey through the musical heritage of the Old Continent. For this new project, Adam Bałdych has invited extraordinary artists: Italian bandoneonist Daniele di Bonaventura, Swedish pianist Jacob Karlzon, and French double bassist Michel Benita. Each brings a rich, multi-colored musical world, and together—in dialogue—they create a beautiful and captivating soundscape. The premiere album, "Endless," will be released by ACT / Imagianry Music in August 2026.

adambaldych.com