Kick Off Your Fourth of July

with the Legendary Count Basie Orchestra

Long Swing to Freedom Concert & Swing Dance Party at the MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL

Get ready for an unforgettable evening of music, movement, and celebration as the MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL Soundcheck Series returns to Wellmont Arts Plaza on Wednesday, July 1 with the Legendary Count Basie Orchestra.

This Soundcheck Series concert is a celebration of freedom, movement, the American spirit and marks the 250th anniversary of New Jersey's statehood. The evening brings together the timeless music of the Legendary Count Basie Orchestra and the joy of swing dance, inviting our whole community to move, connect, and celebrate together under the summer sky.

The night opens with a live swing dance lesson led by instructors from the Ailey Extension, the renowned public program of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. No experience is required and no partner is needed. Whether you are a seasoned dancer or stepping onto the floor for the very first time, you will learn the fundamentals of swing and be ready to dance the night away.

Then the incomparable Legendary Count Basie Orchestra, under the direction of Guest Conductor Jon Faddis, takes the stage. Carrying forward the legacy of one of the most important big bands in the history of American music, and honoring the orchestra's deep New Jersey roots in Red Bank, the band will fill the plaza with the irresistible rhythm that defined an era and still moves audiences today. This is swing as it was meant to be experienced, live and in the community, with room to dance.

Throughout the evening, we encourage every guest to visit our Storytelling Tent, where the MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL is activating the Smithsonian Institution’s, We Hold These Truths initiative. As part of the Smithsonian's nationwide commemoration of America's 250th anniversary, attendees are invited to step inside, share their own story, and reflect on a simple but powerful question: what does democracy mean to you? Your voice, recorded in a brief and personal conversation, becomes part of a lasting national record preserved at the Smithsonian. This is your chance to be part of history, in your own words.

A FREE evening of world-class music, dancing, and shared stories. Right here in Montclair. Come swing the night away with us.

Event Details

Presented by JAZZ HOUSE KiDS and TD Bank

Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Wellmont Arts Plaza, Montclair

Free Swing Dance Lesson with Ailey Extension

Performance by the Count Basie Orchestra with Guest Conductor Jon Faddis

Featuring The Long Swing to Freedom

Time: 6:00PM Free Swing Dance Lesson with Ailey Extension

7:00PM the Legendary Count Basie Orchestra 

Location: Wellmont Arts Plaza, Montclair

The 17th annual MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL, produced by JAZZ HOUSE KiDS, continues its celebration of America's 250th anniversary with Jazz: The Sound of Freedom, showcasing artists from iconic jazz cities whose music reflects the nation's rich cultural story.

The festival's free Soundcheck Series continues at Wellmont Arts Plaza with performances by Jason Moran Quartet and Bobby Fisher (June 16) the legendary Count Basie Orchestra led by guest conductor Jon Faddis (July 1), Michele Rosewoman and Quintessence with Orrin Evans (July 14), Joel Ross and Good Vibes (July 28), and Rebirth Brass Band (August 4).

The festival culminates with the Downtown Jamboree + Block Party on Saturday, August 15 at Lackawanna Plaza. The all-day celebration features Dianne Reeves, the Christian McBride Big Band with Bilal, Patrice Rushen, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, and Take Me to the River New Orleans All-Stars featuring Cyril Neville. The day also includes performances by more than 150 young musicians from JAZZ HOUSE KiDS, the JAZZ HOUSE Collective honoring Miles Davis and John Coltrane, and the JAZZ HOUSE All-Stars.

Selected as a collaborating festival for the Smithsonian Institution's Of the People: The Smithsonian Festival of Festivals, the MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL is helping commemorate the nation's 250th anniversary through jazz, America's original art form. Curated by Artistic Director Christian McBride, this year's festival highlights the cities, artists, and stories that continue to shape the American experience.

New this year, attendees can support the summer tradition they know and love with a 2026 MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL JAM PASS ticket. As the event has grown to become the largest jazz festival in the region, fans will be required to register for a JAM PASS ticket to attend the Downtown Jamboree at Lackawanna Plaza

Reserve your JAM PASS today and be part of the region's largest outdoor summer jazz festival.

MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL Upcoming Dates

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