Through March 17
The lineup hasn’t been announced yet for the 47th annual Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland, taking place at Playhouse Square June 25-27. But festival passes are available at special pricing that offer two tiers of access, value and premium, both offering entrance to all the ticketed shows indoors at Playhouse Square theaters, with a premium pass offering premium seating and special experiences in addition to the concerts. While no artists have been named, they promise that “The 2026 festival marks Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland’s broadest musical scope yet, with an immersive mix of genres, artists, and venues.” Go here to snag your pass now through March 17; they are surprisingly affordable for what you get — no Taylor Swift prices here!
This year’s Tri-C JazzFest also marks the debut of a new festival director, taking over from Terri Pontremoli, who has led it since 2011 and is now retiring. It’s named Orlando Watson, who served as Tri-C JazzFest’s associate director from 2019-2022, as the new director. At 34, Watson will be the festival’s youngest director in its history but he’s got a pile of credentials that qualify him for the job and bode well for the event. First of all, he’s a musician himself, a baritone who has performed by artists such as John Clayton, Braxton Cook, Terence Blanchard and Cleveland’s own Dominic Farinacci, who directs the Tri-C JazzFest All-Stars summer program.. He’s a Cleveland native who has worked extensively as a promoter and programmer for events in both Ohio and Pennsylvania including the August Wilson African American Cultural Center, where he manages the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival. He founded the Hooks & Phonics festival to focus on the history of hip-hop culture. He’s well situated to bring new energy and diversity to the event while respecting its long, storied history. Learn more here.