CAPE MAY, Oct. 19, 2026 — Bassist Marcus Miller, saxophonist Kenny Garrett and pianist Chucho Valdés headline the fall Exit Zero Jazz Festival, which brings more than two dozen acts to Cape May from Friday, Oct. 23, through Sunday, Oct. 25.
The main stage is Convention Hall at 714 Beach Ave. Club sets fill Carney's, Carney's Other Room, Harry's at the Montreal Beach Resort and the Nauti Spirits Distillery outdoor stage, according to the festival's lineup.
Opening night
A benefit concert and silent auction for the Cape May Jazz Festival Foundation opens the weekend Thursday, Oct. 22, at Convention Hall. Kyle Roussel plays at 7:20 p.m., followed by singer Kurt Elling and pianist Orrin Evans at 8:15 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Convention Hall
Friday, Oct. 23
- New Philly Sound, noon
- Brass Queens, 1:45 p.m.
- Marel Hidalgo Sextet, 3:30 p.m.
- Danilo Pérez Trio, 'Panamonk,' 7 p.m.
- Kenny Garrett, 'Sounds from the Ancestors,' 9 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 24
- Aidan McKeon Quartet, 11:45 a.m.
- Brian Betz/Behn Gillece Quartet, 1:40 p.m.
- Jordan Williams Quartet, 3:50 p.m.
- Michael Mayo, 7 p.m.
- Marcus Miller, 9 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 25
- New Jazz Underground, noon
- Chucho Valdés 85th Birthday Celebration, featuring Etienne Charles, 2 p.m.
- Eddie Palmieri Experience, 4 p.m.
Clubs and outdoor stages
Kyle Roussel Quartet, Greg Farnese Sextet, Carl Cox Sextet, the Marel Hidalgo Organ Trio, Steve Green & the Elevators, Bluebone, BlocoFunk, Edgardo Cintron & the Incaband and nightly Imani Records jams with Elliot Bild play Carney's and Carney's Other Room. Brass Queens, Aidan McKeon and New Philly Sound also play Harry's.
The Nauti Spirits Distillery stage on Shunpike Road has Brass Queens, Edgardo Cintron, Eddie 9V, Michael Mayo, BlocoFunk and Red Baraat across Saturday and Sunday. The Ocean Avenue Stompers Brass Band leads the David O. Clemans Second Line on the Washington Street Mall at 11 a.m. Saturday.
Tickets
Three-day passes are $240 for general admission, with a guaranteed riser seat at Convention Hall shows, and $280 for VIP floor seating. Single-day passes are $100 and $125. Fees apply online. A club-only HOPS pass covers Carney's, Harry's, the Convention Hall deck stage and Nauti Spirits, and Nauti Spirits day passes are $30, or $50 for both days. Club seats are first come, first served, and the festival says venues fill quickly.
Phone sales at 609-849-9202 end Wednesday at 9 p.m. Artists and times are subject to change.
Source: Exit Zero Jazz Festival.