Scottsdale Jazz Festival
New Orleans Spirit Meets Desert Luxury: Scottsdale Jazz Festival Kicks Off Weeklong Celebration for 15th Anniversary of International Jazz Day
Scottsdale, AZ – 10/25/2025 — The unmistakable energy of New Orleans is coming to the Arizona desert this spring as Scottsdale hosts a weeklong celebration of jazz, culture, and community from April 3–12, 2026. The event marks two significant milestones — the kickoff of Jazz Appreciation Month and the 15th Anniversary of UNESCO and Herbie Hancock’s International Jazz Day — uniting Arizona with a global movement that spans more than 190 countries.
The festivities begin in grand style on Friday, April 3rd, with the Scottsdale Jazz Festival Premiere Party Kierland After Dark at the Westin Kierland Resort — a glamorous evening of fine dining, live entertainment, and New Orleans flair. The celebration will then continue throughout the week, featuring performances, cultural showcases, and citywide events, culminating in the Yrēfy Scottsdale Jazz Festival Gala on Saturday, April 11th, at the Talking Stick Resort.
This year’s festival will feature a powerhouse lineup of jazz icons from New Orleans, including Kermit Ruffins & The Barbecue Swingers, Donald Harrison, Nayo Jones, bringing the soul and sound of Bourbon Street to the Arizona desert, and 5-time Grammy-nominated trumpet player Mike Rocha.
“This year marks a turning point for Arizona,” said Doc Jones, founder of the International Jazz Day AZ Foundation. “For 15 years, we’ve worked to make jazz a bridge between cultures. With support from Yrēfy, Talking Stick Resort/ Casino, and Scottsdale’s tourism partners, we’re turning our state into a global destination for music lovers.”
“We’re honored to partner with Doc Jones and the International Jazz Day AZ Foundation,” added Don Fenstermaker, CEO of Yrēfy LLC. “This weeklong celebration will showcase the best of Arizona — great music, hospitality, and unity — while supporting a mission that uplifts artists and inspires communities,”
From poolside jam sessions to late-night parties, art showcases, and fine dining experiences, Scottsdale will swing all week long. Visitors are encouraged to book early as resort packages, VIP tickets, and special events are expected to sell out quickly.