JAZZOULA 2026

Montana’s premiere jazz festival since 1984, presents the 2026 spring concert series April 29th-May 2nd at the ZACC. Four nights of Montana’s finest jazz artists celebrating 22 years of jazz in the Missoula community. The festival presents 20+ jazz combos, septets, big bands, vocalists, and student groups giving the audience a chance to experience Montana’s eclectic and diverse jazz performers including musicians and vocalists of all ages and backgrounds from around the state. Anchored in Missoula, Montana, Jazzoula is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization sharing extraordinary live jazz performances to inspire discovery and build community. Check out this year’s amazing line-up:

4/29

Missoula Youth Orchestra
All City
Basement Boyz
Eriksson/Ross Quartet
Canta Brazil 

4/30 

Night Blooming Jasmine
Nightcrawlers
The Florabelle Sextet
Owen Thayer Trio

5/1

Sweet Adelines
Ally Fradkin Quintet
Naomi Siegel Project
Daijha Vu Quartet

5/2

Boyd Combo (University of Montana)
Skyler Mendell Sextet
Bob Packwood
Bob Nell Presents Original works by Tim Martin 
(Loren Stillman/Jeff Stickney/Naomi Seigel/Tommy Sciple/Alex Nauman/Owen Ross/Simon Hickey)

Sponsored by Rocking Rudy’s and Montana Public Radio (MTPR)

FIRST ANNUAL MISSOULA GUITAR SHOW & GALLERY

This year Jazzoula is excited to announce the First Annual Missoula Guitar Show displaying a gallery of handcrafted guitars from Montana’s finest luthiers. When Gibson Guitars moved their acoustic instrument division to Bozeman in 1980, many new and skilled instruments makers were lured to Montana creating a remarkably high concentration of Master Luthiers within one state. Luthiers from Bozeman, Livingston, Belgrade, Manhattan, Boulder, Missoula, Potomac, Alberton and Libby have all been invited to the 2026 Missoula Guitar Show to exhibit their acoustic, electric, steel and resonator guitars.

The Guitar Show gallery is free and open to the public April 29th - May 2nd at the ZACC from 12pm-5:30pm leading up to the Jazzoula evening performances. On closing night of the festival, a raffle will be held to give away a Custom Telecaster hand painted by renowned Scottish artist Jennifer Armstrong valued at $2,200. Proceeds to benefit Jazzoula 501(c)(3).

JAZZOULA AT THE RIVER EDGE SUMMER CONCERT

JULY 18, 2026 AT THE RIVER EDGE RESORT & STEAKHOUSE IN ALBERTON, MT

Last summer’s concert was a beautiful experience beside the Clark Fork River. Let’s do it again!

JAZZOULA AT THE RIVER EDGE 2025 WAS A HUGE SUCCESS!!

What an amazing time at Jazzoula at the River Edge on Sunday! The weather was perfect and so was the jazz! A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who came out to support their local jazz muscians. A special thanks goes out to our sponsors: River Edge Steakhouse, Bruce Micklus, and Rockin' Rudy's. We'd also like to thank all those who worked hard to make the first annual Jazzoula Summer Concert a success:

Musicians:

Connor Racicot

Basement Boyz

The Nightcrawlers

Craig Hall Trio and special guest Loren Stillman

Producers:

Kimberlee Carlson

John Arvish

Sound:

Mike Jones

River Edge Steakhouse Staff:

Tom Armstrong

Yvonne Paul

Kindra Fuller

Molly Carson

Jazzoula wouldn't have been such a success without all of you! See you next summer!

JAZZOULA AT THE RIVER EDGE IS ALL SET FOR OUR NEW DATE ON SUNDAY, JULY 20TH!!

The winter storm ruined our summer solstice, but the clouds have cleared and summer is officially in full swing!  Good things come to those who wait, so let’s try this again, shall we?  Come out to the first ever Jazzoula Summer Concert Event at The River Edge Steakhouse in Alberton, MT on Sunday, July 20th from 12pm-4pm!!  Enjoy the beautiful view of the Clark Fork River, savor delicious food and drinks while enjoying music from Missoula’s finest jazz musicians: 

  • Conner Racicot Trio

  • Basement Boyz

  • Craig Hall

  • The Nightcrawlers

A full bar and lunch menu will be available for purchase inside the venue. Seating is limited so attendees are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets.

The event is open to the public, but exclusive VIP seating options are still available in the Pavilion for those looking to elevate their experience.  For those who purchased a VIP table on the original date, your reservation will be fully honored on Sunday, July 20th. 

2-Guest VIP Package – $80
Includes:

  • Your choice of 1 bottle of Red Bordeaux or New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc

  • 1 charcuterie board

  • Premium seating for 2 guests from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

4-Guest VIP Table – $150
Includes:

  • 1 bottle of Red Bordeaux

  • 1 bottle of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc

  • 1 charcuterie board

  • Premium seating for 4 guests from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Call 406-552-0573 today to reserve your VIP seating before they sell out!