Unity Jazz Festival returns to Jazz at Lincoln Center for its fourth year on January 15–16, 2027, bringing together more than 20 acclaimed acts and emerging artists across five stages. With two days of performances throughout Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center, the festival showcases talent spanning generations and cultures.
Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall is located at Broadway at 60th St., in NY, NY.
The newly announced headliners bring the festival’s spirit of creative exchange to The Appel Room stage: Weedie Braimah and the Hands of Time with Special Guest Stokley (from Mint Condition) on Jan. 15; John Medeski and Billy Martin and Special Guests, featuring two founding members of Medeski Martin & Wood, in two unique performances on Jan. 15 and 16; and a world premiere honoring Wynton Marsalis from Grammy Award-winners Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra on Jan. 16.
New this year, the Unity Jazz Festival offers audiences a chance to experience Rose Theater like never before, with intimate, in-the-round seating onstage. Surrounded by the beauty of the hall, audiences gather around the musicians in an acoustic setting that highlights the theater’s natural resonance and the nuances of each performance. Unexpected ensemble pairings will offer fresh perspectives and opportunities for musical discovery.
Djembefola (master of the djembe drum) and recipient of Jazz at Lincoln Center’s 2026 Award for Artistic Excellence, Weedie Braimah brings his encyclopedic command of diverse musical languages to Unity Jazz Festival on Jan. 15, leading Weedie Braimah and the Hands of Time with special guest Stokley. A Grammy-nominated vocalist, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist best known as the lead singer and drummer of R&B group Mint Condition, Stokley adds a rich background in soul and rhythm to the collaboration. Joining Braimah onstage are Courtney Smith (keyboards), Raja Kassis (guitar), Luke Quaranta (dunun, kenkeni, bongos, pandero), Cheikh Ndoye (ngoni bass, bass guitar), Sam Dickey (ngoni, guitar), Munir Richard (sangba set), and Shea Pierre (keyboards).
Keyboardist John Medeski and percussionist Billy Martin, both of Medeski Martin & Wood, bring their longstanding musical partnership to the festival on Jan. 15 and 16. Across two nights, Medeski and Martin perform two distinct sets alongside handpicked special guests whose artistry inspires them. Against the backdrop of the Appel Room’s sweeping views, these concerts offer audiences a chance to experience the duo’s adventurous improvisation in an elevated setting, celebrating the spontaneous exchange that makes jazz a powerful meeting ground for distinct musical voices.
Pianist, composer, bandleader and Grammy Award-winner Arturo O’Farrill, hailed as “one of our greatest living pianists” by DownBeat, leads the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra on Jan. 16. This special concert event marks the world premiere of Arturo O’Farrill’s suite honoring Wynton Marsalis, celebrating a musical relationship spanning more than two decades. This performance reflects O’Farrill’s commitment to cultural exchange, embodying the festival’s vision of music as a means of connecting communities.
Additional artists featured on the 2027 Unity Jazz Festival line-up include: Hubby Jenkins (of Carolina Chocolate Drops); Myra Melford’s Splash Trio (Myra Melford, piano; Michael Formanek, bass; Ches Smith, drums); Brian Marsella + Sae Hashimoto; Hubby Jenkins; Blood Brothers (Nasheet Waits, drums; Abraham Burton, tenor saxophone; Marvin Sewell, guitar; Dezron Douglas, acoustic and electric bass); JD Allen Quartet; Toninho Horta (Toninho Horta, guitar and vocals; Alex Claffy, bass); Ember (Caleb Wheeler Curtis, stritch, sopranino saxophone, and trumpet; Noah Garabedian, double bass and synthesizer; Vinnie Sperrazza, drums); and Ashlin Parker Jam Session.
The full artist lineup, detailed performance schedule, and special vendors to be announced soon.
For tickets and more information, visit: jazz.org/unity
2027 UNITY JAZZ FESTIVAL LINE-UP:
Weedie Braimah and the Hands of Time With Special Guest Stokley
John Medeski and Billy Martin and Special Guests
Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra
Hubby Jenkins
Myra Melford’s Splash Trio
Brian Marsella + Sae Hashimoto
Blood Brothers
JD Allen Quartet
Toninho Horta
Ember
Ashlin Parker Jam Session