VIEW THE 2026 EVENT PROGRAM – CLICK HERE
Hello Jazz Fans
Well…. we did it BIG this year! I am so proud of the work NJF did to bring our 7th annual event to life. People are talking about us in ways that reignite my energy when it needs a boost. THIS IS NOT AN EASY GIG. The financial aspect of bringing the music to life each year at the PCC is quite daunting. NJF needs your support in every way. Your dollars make paying the bills possible but we also need mind & bodies. Join me….Help us….. Show your thanks by volunteering your time, your skills and your talents. Just contact me at wilbur@nationaljazzfestival.org. Ride with NJF as we approach a decade of inspiring Jazz growth. Back in 2025 our mission statement grew from not only inspiring our nation’s young men and women but bringing Jazz music lovers of all ages from all around the world to a historic city where Jazz music has always blossomed.
In 2026 new strategic partners like Kendor Publishing (Peter Blair) , collegiate partners like Fordham University (Matt Butterman) and collaborations with Philadelphia’s historic Jazz angels at the Clef Club of Jazz (Oscar Payne) and Chris’s Jazz Cafe (Mark DeNinno) joined the Ella Fitzgerald Foundation, McGraw
I promise the three year journey to year 10 has begun in a big way! Support us now like the US Army Jazz Ambassadors did all day. Interacting with every aspect of this event in the best way they know…..HARD WORK. “I am inspired”. We at NJF are all inspired. Come work with inspired people. Help us make the National Jazz Festival even better for all the right reasons.
       Thank you from the bottom of my heart to the many Jazz artists that worked hard to be role models for all these students of Jazz. Congratulations to the music directors for being resilient about making the trip to NJF important to their music programs. Finally, to the beautiful people that worked so hard to make the NJF so enjoyable an experience for so many people. Rest up and know that people are “Beginning to See the Light”. Wilbur Wittemann Managing Director National Jazz Festival
An annual jazz festival inspiring high school and middle school musicians to take jazz to the next level through education, collaboration and celebration.
All inclusive. No audition necessary. Competitive and Non-Competitive Categories.
The Festival
High schools, Middle schools, and Colleges from across the nation and other countries come together in Philadelphia at the Pennsylvania Convention Center to showcase the talents of their jazz musicians, experience a full day of jazz and attend educational clinics. Jazz ensembles, vocal groups and soloists are allotted a performance time and room where they set up, warm up and perform in front of adjudicators and attendees. Constructive verbal feedback is given following the performance. Each ensemble has the opportunity to perform in either a competitive or non-competitive class. There are no ratings, however at the end of the evening the top 3 ensembles in each division will be announced at the Award Ceremony. A full recap sheet of competitive groups will be released at the end of the festival. Non-competitive groups will not be included on that recap. Pre-festival events and performance opportunities begin on Wednesday, April 15th.
Student and Jazz Educator Awards
Nominate a student and jazz educator for the LOVE Award and Jazz Educator Award
The National Jazz Festival LOVE Award was created to honor a middle or high school student who has used their passion for music to better the lives of others through activism and/or community service. Students are nominated by their directors, parents, or fellow musicians.
Presented at evening NJF Awards Ceremony
Nominate your student by clicking on the link.
LOVE Award Nomination Form
National Jazz Festival’s Educator of the Year Award is awarded to an exemplary middle or high school educator who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to students and to jazz music education. The awardee models best practices in teaching inside and outside of the classroom and demonstrates outstanding leadership and excellence in education.
Nominate by clicking on the link.
Watch performances from the 2021 & 2022 virtual festivals and the 2023 & 2025 Award Ceremonies on our YouTube channel
Become a Benefactor
The NJF is grounded in a philosophy of personal growth and education and our annual high school jazz competition fosters friendly competition, musical education and the development of lasting connections between young jazz musicians. High school jazz bands and middle school jazz bands from across the nation are inspired to take jazz to the next level through education, collaboration and celebration.
Consider making a donation to support our mission to provide a festival with an educational philosophy that is free for all to attend.
The National Jazz Festival is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization ID 83-3751080