The 12th annual Jersey City Jazz Festival, produced by non-profit Riverview Jazz and presented by Exchange Place Alliance, will host hundreds of musicians on Friday, May 30 beginning at 6 PM and Saturday, May 31 from noon to 9 PM at the Exchange Place plaza on the Hudson River waterfront. The festival is a free event with one ticketed stage (Clubhouse by Fords Gin) and VIP options. The festival will also host events throughout Jersey City leading up to the festival beginning Tuesday, May 27.
This year’s lineup includes a number of ensembles across three waterfront stages.The festival will also feature a Community Zone presented by the Jersey City Public Library that will have arts and crafts, a bucket drum class, dance classes and kids programming. The schedule is as follows:
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
6-8pm – The Junto: Attic Bar – Champian Fulton ($)
8-11pm – Pet Shop – John Hébert w/Brandon Seabrook & Ches Smith ($)
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
6-8pm – The Junto: Attic Bar – Lezlie Harrison ($)
7-10pm – The Archer – Go Bailers (bluegrass)
8-11pm – Pet Shop – Tim Berne w/Gregg Belisle-Chi, Tim Angulo, John Hébert ($)
Thursday, May 29, 2025
6:30-9pm – Brennan Courthouse – James Austin, Jr. Songs in the Key of Wonder, with opening act Danny Raycraft ($)
7-10pm – The Rooftop on Pacific (902 Brewery) – Riverview Jazz All-Stars
7-10pm – The Archer – Milkman & Sons
7-10pm – The Statuary – Kali Rodriquez Peña
Friday, May 30, 2025
Hyatt Regency
4:30pm-6:30pm – Happy Hour Opening Party featuring Orion Turre
RWJBarnabas Health Plaza Stage
6-7pm – Winard Harper & Jeli Posse
7-8pm – DJ Niko & Bad Habits
8-9:30pm – The Rumble featuring Big Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr.
Hyatt House After Party
9pm-1am – Official JCJF Jam Session on the Terrace with Charlie Sigler
Saturday, May 31, 2025
The Clubhouse by Ford’s Gin ($)
1-2pm – WBGO Next Gen Collective
3-4pm – Artemis ft. Renee Rosnes, Ingrid Jensen, Nicole Glover, Noriko Ueda & Allison Miller
5-6pm – Hersch*Hébert*Wallace*Drummond – Bridge & Tunnel
7-8pm – Tyreek McDole
RWJBarnabas Health Plaza Stage
Noon – 1pm – Riverview Jazz All-Stars
2-3pm – Sam Barsh
3pm – Honk Family Band (parade to Pier Stage)
4-5pm – Sounds of April & Randall
6-7pm – Steven Bernstein’s Millennial Territory Orchestra featuring Catherine Russell
8-9pm – Astoria Salsa Company
Exchange Place Alliance Pier Stage
1:30-2:30pm – United Children’s Music Project Latin Ensemble
3:45-4:30pm – New Jersey City University Jazz Ensemble
4:30pm – Swing Dance Lesson
5-6pm – Robert Edwards Big Band
7pm – Salsa/Mambo Dance Lesson with Salsa Fever On2
Jersey City Free Public Library Community Zone
Programs for youth and families – full schedule to be announced
Hyatt House
9pm-1am – Official After Party on the Terrace
Sunday, June 1, 2025
Moore’s Lounge
7pm – Closing Party Jam Session at Moore’s Lounge, featuring Winard Harper and friends
For more information, go to: JerseyCityJazzFestival.com
