49th Carolina Jazz Festival and 20th North Carolina Regional Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Festival Thursday-Saturday, February 26 to 28, 2026

Carolina Jazz Festival Schedule – February 26-28, 2026

  • Thursday, Feb. 26, 7-9pm UNC Faculty Jazz with guest baritone saxophonist, Jason Marshall https://jasonmarshalljazz.com/ | Durham Sharp 9 Gallery
  • Friday, Feb. 27 at 4pm  UNC Jazz Combos with guest, Jason Marshall, Kenan Rehearsal Hall | FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
  • Friday, Feb. 27 at 7:30pm Rahsaan Barber Quintet, featuring Jeff “Tain” Watts, Nat Reeves, Matt Endahl, and Ted Ludwig.Moeser Auditorium | FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
  • Friday, Feb. 27 at 9:30pm Jam Session at Imbibe (108 Henderson Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27514)
  • Saturday, Feb. 28, 9:00am-6pm  Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Festival with guest Jason Marshall.
    • Performances by high school jazz bands and combos throughout the day.
    • Additional Clinics by members of the Rahsaan Barber Quintet
      • 10-11am (KMB 2131)

      • 2-3pm (KMB 2131)

    • The UNC Jazz Band, with guests, will perform at approximately 4:30pm in Moeser Auditorium after the high school jazz band and combo performances and just before the afternoon award ceremony.FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC