4th Annual Olde Towne East Jazz Festival — HER STORY

The 4th Annual Olde Towne East Jazz Festival returns to Columbus for three days of live music, community and culture at Blackburn Park and Recreation Center.

The 2026 festival theme, “HER STORY: Celebrating Women’s Impact,” honors women whose work and leadership have made an impact in jazz and the community.

Friday, September 18 Performers include Cherimondis J, C’ierra Ceoofdreams & Saxtone, with Grammy-nominated Demetrius Nabors and the OTE Jazz Festival House Band headlining.

Saturday, September 19 Performers include the Mark Hampton Quartet, Mary McClendon, Priscilla Woodson and Abstract Sounds, with Althea Rene headlining.

The festival’s 2026 Awards Presentation will take place Saturday at 4:30 PM, recognizing:

• Mary McClendon — Lifetime Achievement Award

• Priscilla Woodson — OTE Jazz Festival Legacy Award

• Jeanette Williams — OTE Jazz Festival Icon Award, in her eternal memory

• Angela Pace — OTE Jazz Festival HER Award

• Chief Elaine Bryant — CME Community Day Award

Sunday, September 20 The weekend continues with Picnic to Island Vibes by T. Natty, Copacetic, Selina and Friends, Fewxion and headliner Dr. Jazmin Ghent.

The Olde Towne East Jazz Festival is a nonprofit organization producing events of cultural importance designed to elevate Olde Towne East and Columbus’ Near East Side.

Admission is free. Visit otejazz.com for festival information, performance schedules and free tickets.