FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 06/26/2026

Background

The 24 Hours of Music Jamboree began in 2017 in South Orange as a continuous 24‑hour celebration of community and live music. It shifted online in 2020 during the COVID‑19 pandemic, returned as a two‑day hybrid event in 2021, and has now evolved from 2 days into 2021 to an eight‑day “horizontal edition” stretching from Jersey City to the Jersey Shore. This expanded format allows the Jamboree to reach more towns, more audiences, and more stages while remaining rooted in its mission of free, community‑centered live music events.

2026 Festival Week Overview

Stretching from Jersey City to the Jersey Shore.

Sunday, July 12 – Grand Kickoff 3-6 PM Brightside

The 2026 Jamboree launches with a thrilling 17‑piece big band led by internationally renowned composer and conductor Hyeseon Hong. This powerhouse ensemble ignites the week with a sweeping, cinematic sound—an opening night designed to announce, unmistakably, that the Jamboree has arrived.

Tuesday, July 14 – Lynette Sheard Returns 6-8 PM Cranford

On Tuesday, Lynette Sheard—acclaimed vocalist, MHANJ ambassador, and the official MC/host of the Jamboree since 2019—returns to lead, uplift, and perform with her band, continuing her long tradition of guiding audiences through the heart and spirit of the festival.

Wednesday, July 15 – Bradley Beach Summer Jazz Bash 4 -9 PM Riley Park

On Wednesday, Bradley Beach Tourism transforms Downtown Bradley Beach’s Riley Park into a vibrant Summer Jazz Bash honoring the 24 Hours of Music Jamboree. The park becomes a lively hub of music, community, and summer energy featuring an array of stellar jazz musicians..

Thursday offers two parallel experiences in Cranford and Morristown

Thursday, July 16 – Jared Paparozzi Group Cranford 6-8 PM

• A free Summer Sounds Series concert in Cranford with the Jared Paparozzi Group, continuing the Jamboree’s commitment to accessible community music.

Thursday July 15 AMANI – The Music of Burt Bacharach – Morris Museum Back Deck 7:30 PM – 9 PM

A ticketed performance at the Morris Museum featuring Marti Egan with Amani.

Click for Ticks Morris Museum Back Deck

Friday, July 17 – Newark Keeps the Groove Alive 7:30 PM – 10 PM

Newark’s Clements Place Jazz at Newark Express 54 Halsey St. 2nd Floor carries the momentum into Friday with an evening that celebrates the city’s deep jazz legacy. Don’t Miss Buster Williams & Lenny White, Steve Wilson, Stefon Harris, Brandon Mccune Live. Get ready for a once‑in‑a‑lifetime night of jazz mastery at Express Newark! Clements Place Jazz brings an extraordinary lineup to the Express Newark stage on Thursday, July 17, featuring five world‑class artists whose impact on modern jazz is undeniable.

Join us for an unforgettable evening 

Saturday, July 18 – The Jazz, Health & Food Truck Festival -Orange, NJ 11 AM – 10 PM

Saturday brings the Jamboree’s signature event: an 11‑hour celebration of music, wellness, and community. Emerging from their remarkable journey, the Gemini‑Dragon Duo joins a powerhouse roster that defines the Jamboree’s coast‑to‑coast musical spirit—the soaring saxophone of Bradford Hayes, the explosive trumpet fire of James Gibbs, the raw blues intensity of GeminiiDragon, the soul‑deep storytelling of the Ma Rainey Tribute, the masterful elegance of Nat Adderley Jr., the timeless swing of Houston Person & Matt Chertkoff, the radiant vocal brilliance of Alexis Morrast, and the chart‑topping, high‑energy finale delivered by Lin Rountree—plus the artistry of Phil Bingham and a moving Barry Harris Choir tribute honoring the legendary Barry Harris.

Jamboree Closing – Sunday, July 20

The 2026 Horizontal Edition concludes on Sunday, July 20, with Linwood Taylor and Christeon Simeon the Gemini‑Dragon Duo at Mt. Zion AME Church in Millburn. This final gathering serves as a festival wind‑down—a space for gratitude, reflection, and community uplift as we welcome the Duo from their long journey north and send them safely back home after their performances and ministry.

Supporters and Venues

The 2026 Jamboree is elevated by an exceptional team of hosts, MCs, and cultural leaders whose presence brings stature, credibility, and deep community connection:

• Lynette Sheard — acclaimed vocalist, MHANJ ambassador, and the official Jamboree MC since 2019 — will host the entire event with her trademark grace, power, and community spirit.
• Wayne Winborne — Executive Director of the Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies — will sponsor, support, and introduce rising phenom Alexis Morrast, spotlighting her as one of New Jersey’s brightest young stars.
• Rev. Eyesha Marable — AVP of NJPAC and Associate Pastor of Mt. Zion AME Church, Millburn — will introduce chart‑topping trumpeter Lin Rountree, bringing both artistic authority and spiritual grounding to the moment.

Media & Festival Coverage Team

The Jamboree’s story is captured, shared, and amplified by a dynamic media team working throughout the day:

• Jacqueline Mestre — the celebrated Latin‑music broadcaster known as JacQuiTÒMAsalsa! — returns to conduct exclusive artist interviews, bringing decades of cultural storytelling and deep musical insight.
• Chelsea Burrus — East Coast talent scout and digital correspondent — provides live social media coverage all day, capturing behind‑the‑scenes moments, artist arrivals, and real‑time festival energy.
• Billy Prest — DJ, club manager, and online radio host — will promote the festival in advance on his broadcast platforms and be on‑site throughout the day, amplifying the music and the movement.
• Festival Photographers — the event’s visual documentarians, including Robert Wasilewski, Albert Clarke, and others — will capture the performances, crowds, and signature moments that define the 11‑hour celebration.
• Festival Videographer — on site from start to finish — will document the full arc of the festival, preserving the music, movement, and community spirit for future storytelling.

Summary

With eight days of performances, a major health and food truck festival, a new partnership with Bradley Beach Tourism, a powerhouse lineup, and the cross‑country musical journey of the Gemini‑Dragon Duo, the 2026 24 Hours of Music Jamboree stands as the most expansive, story‑driven, and community‑centered edition yet.