The 26th Annual Jazz in the Valley in Poughkeepsie, NY | August 16th, 2026
JAZZ IN THE VALLEY Returns to Poughkeepsie’s Waryas Park
Sunday, August 16,
Featuring
WESTONALIA, A Centennial Celebration of Jazz Master Randy Weston
with Alex Blake, Chief Baba Neil Clarke and Sharp Radway
Plus, Lisa Fischer, Zaccai Curtis, Luques Curtis, Camille Thurman
and Festival Artistic Director Javon Jackson
Special Discount Tickets Available Until August 1
POUGHKEEPSIE, NY, July 27, 2026 – The 26th Annual Jazz in the Valley (JITV), set for Sunday, August 16, 12:00 – 6:00 pm, at Poughkeepsie’s Waryas Park, presents African Rhythms – Alex Blake, Chief Baba Neil Clarke and Sharp Radway – in Westonalia, a centennial celebration of Randy Weston, the late NEA Jazz Master renowned for merging his bold jazz melodies with traditional African rhythms. Also taking the JITV stage are vocalist Lisa Fischer, pianist Zaccai Curtis, bassist Luques Curtis, saxophonist/vocalist Camille Thurman with the Darrell Green Quartet and saxophonist and Festival Artistic Director Javon Jackson.
Located just 90 minutes north of New York City, Jazz in the Valley is upstate New York’s premiere festival. Tickets, including a special discount available until August 1, can be purchased HERE.
Produced by TRANSART & Cultural Services, Inc., the festival has been presenting the legacy, history and future of jazz, with an exciting mix of young and veteran musicians for 26 years .
Greer Smith, festival founder, producer and recipient of the 2021 Jazz Journalist Association’s Jazz Hero Award, says, “For 26 years, Jazz in the Valley has brought world-class music, cultural celebration, and community spirit to the Hudson Valley, establishing itself as one of the region’s premier summer traditions. More than a concert, it’s a gathering of generations brought together by extraordinary music. With new festival fans joining long-time attendees every year, the experience feels like a wonderful family reunion, a homecoming.”
For more information on JITV artists, visit the website to review their BIOS.
TRANSART & Cultural Services, Inc. is a Kingston, NY-based non-profit arts organization dedicated to promoting awareness of the art, history and popular culture of people of African descent. The Festival is headquartered in the beautifully restored Burger-Matthews House at 107 Henry Street, a 2026 winner of the Preservation League of New York State’s Excellence in Historic Preservation Award. The festival’s origins go back to an afternoon of music in the year 2000, when TRANSART received funding from the New York State Council on the Arts to commission Ahmad Jamal to write an original composition for the organization. Jamal composed “Picture Perfect,” inspired by the scenic beauty of the Hudson Valley, which he played in concert.
In addition to the music, JITV also features films and other programs designed to increase dialogue dealing with jazz music, the musicians and the audience. The Festival also includes providing jazz programs in area public schools consisting of a series of workshops, master classes and traditional drum instruction. Festival news and artist profiles can be heard on WKNY, 107.9 FM and 1490 AM, www.radiokingston.org.
Jazz in the Valley is made possible in part with support from The Jane W. Nuhn Charitable Trust. Support also comes from Dutchess Tourism, Inc. administered by Arts Mid-Hudson as well as from the City of Poughkeepsie.
TICKET INFORMATION
Discounted early bird tickets are $50.00 through August 1. Afterward, advance general admission is $60.00 and $70.00 at the gate. The cost for students with valid ID at the gate is $20. Chair seating is available under the Main Stage Tent. Bring lawn chairs or blankets for lawn seating. Tickets can be purchased online through the festival’s website at jazzinthevalleyny.org. For directions and more information about Jazz in the Valley, contact TRANSART at info@transartinc.org, (845) 943-2900, or log on to www.jazzinthevalleyny.org.
GETTING THERE
Car: Jazz in the Valley is just 90 minutes from New York City.
Train: Metro North has regularly scheduled service from Grand Central Terminal to Poughkeepsie. The festival site is across the street from the Poughkeepsie Metro North station.
Carolyn McClair Public Relations