Tucson Jazz Festival 2027
Nine days of jazz in downtown Tucson's theaters, clubs and courtyards, in the heart of the desert winter
January 15–23, 2027
Venue: Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress St., Tucson, AZ, 85701, Tucson, AZ
Tucson Jazz Festival 2027 Lineup
Friday, Jan 15 · January 15, 2027
- Anthony Wilson
- Eric Alexander
- Kresten Osgood
- Magos Herrera
- Vincent Herring
Saturday, Jan 16 · January 16, 2027
- Christian Sands
- Brandon Woody
- Diego Figueiredo
Sunday, Jan 17 · January 17, 2027
- Lakecia Benjamin
- Brandon Woody
- Dave Potter & Retro Groove
- Gunhild Carling
Monday, Jan 18 · January 18, 2027
- Keyon Harrold
Tuesday, Jan 19 · January 19, 2027
- Keyon Harrold
Wednesday, Jan 20 · January 20, 2027
- Christian Sands
Thursday, Jan 21 · January 21, 2027
- Amina Figarova
- Camille Thurman
Friday, Jan 22 · January 22, 2027
- Nicole Zuraitis
- Rick Braun
Saturday, Jan 23 · January 23, 2027
- Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
- Melissa Aldana
- Nicole Zuraitis
Is Tucson Jazz Festival Worth the Trip?
While most of the country is shoveling snow, downtown Tucson spends nine nights in January going from one jazz room to the next. The Tucson Jazz Festival runs January 15 to 23, 2027 across about ten venues, most of them within a few blocks of each other on and around Congress Street: the restored 1930 Fox Tucson Theatre, the Rialto, The Century Room jazz club, courtyards, hotel ballrooms and a music hall.
The 2027 lineup runs from Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue closing at the Fox, to saxophonists Lakecia Benjamin and Melissa Aldana, trumpeter Keyon Harrold, pianist Christian Sands and singer Nicole Zuraitis, plus bossa nova, Latin jazz and a Gershwin night. Bassist Ron Carter returns for an encore show at the Rialto on January 28.
Insider tip: every show is ticketed separately, so the festival is whatever you make it. A Thursday-to-Sunday trip catches the first weekend's run of shows; arriving on the second weekend gets you Rick Braun, Nicole Zuraitis and the Trombone Shorty finale.
Best For
Jazz fans who'd rather sit in a 1930s theater or a club than on a festival lawn. Snowbirds and anyone chasing winter sun. Food travelers: Tucson is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, and the festival builds that in.
Less ideal for
Anyone wanting one wristband for everything: tickets are show by show. And anyone after a single-weekend blowout, since the best shows are spread over nine days.
Where to Stay
Most of the shows are downtown, so staying downtown means walking to the Fox, the Rialto and The Century Room.
- Downtown (walk to the shows). The festival lists the AC Hotel Tucson Downtown (group rates available) and The Tuxon among its downtown picks. Congress Street restaurants and bars are on your doorstep.
- The Blenman Inn (historic, with a festival discount). A historic inn on the festival's list, with 15% off a two-night stay using code JAZZ15.
- The festival's partner hotels. The festival also recommends a list of hotels from its title sponsor, HSL Properties, including El Conquistador in the Catalina foothills and several around the Williams Center. They're a drive or rideshare from downtown.
- The foothills resorts (a desert getaway). For a full winter-sun vacation with the shows in the evening, the resorts in the Catalina foothills make sense, with a drive into downtown.
January is high season in Tucson. Book downtown early, especially if your dates include the closing weekend.
Getting There
Flying in: Tucson International (TUS) is a short drive from downtown. Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) has more flights and is about two hours away by car.
Getting around: most venues are walkable from downtown hotels. The Sun Link streetcar runs through downtown and along Fourth Avenue. La Rosa (on North Country Club Road) and Tucson Gastro Park are a short drive or rideshare.
Where to Eat
Tucson's UNESCO City of Gastronomy designation shows up in the festival itself: there's a Sunday Jazz Brunch at The Grand Tucson and Fuego y Ritmo, a fire, food and music night at Tucson Gastro Park. Downtown, Congress Street and Fourth Avenue are lined with restaurants for dinner before a show.
How to Pick Your Dates
First weekend (Jan 15 to 17): the busiest stretch, with four shows on opening night, the Gershwin night with Christian Sands, Lakecia Benjamin, Gunhild Carling and the Jazz Brunch. Midweek (Jan 18 to 21): the free Downtown Jazz Fiesta on Monday, Keyon Harrold two nights running, a Christian Sands Trio night and Fuego y Ritmo. Closing weekend (Jan 22 and 23): Rick Braun plays Chuck Mangione, Nicole Zuraitis, Melissa Aldana and Trombone Shorty at the Fox.
Free Jazz and Food Events
The Downtown Jazz Fiesta at Corbett's is free, Monday January 18 from 11am to 6pm. For food, there's the TJF Jazz Brunch with Brandon Woody on Sunday the 17th and Fuego y Ritmo at Tucson Gastro Park on Wednesday the 20th.