Detroit Symphony Orchestra Unveils a Jazz Season That Honors Legends and Spotlights Today’s Innovators

Detroit’s rich jazz tradition takes center stage once again as the Detroit Symphony Orchestra has announced the lineup for its 2026–27 Paradise Jazz Series, bringing together celebrated artists, hometown talent, and tributes to some of the genre’s most influential voices. The six-concert series opens Sept. 19 at Orchestra Hall with acclaimed trumpeter, composer, and DSO Fred A. Erb Jazz Creative Director Chair Terence Blanchard. A six-time Grammy Award winner and two-time Academy Award nominee, Blanchard will lead a program honoring jazz giants Miles Davis and John Coltrane, whose musical legacies continue to shape generations of artists.

Detroit musicians will also have a prominent place in this season’s programming. On Nov. 13, trumpeter, composer, and arranger Kris Johnson returns to Orchestra Hall alongside the Paradise Theatre Big Band for a performance celebrating Detroit’s enduring influence on the jazz landscape. Johnson, one of the city’s most respected musicians and educators, has long championed Detroit’s distinctive sound through both performance and mentorship. The holiday season brings pianist Cyrus Chestnut to the stage on Dec. 6 with A Charlie Brown Christmas .

Chestnut will reinterpret Vince Guaraldi’s beloved score, blending the familiar holiday soundtrack with his signature gospel- and blues-influenced jazz style. The series continues Feb. 6, 2027, with Brazilian pianist and vocalist Eliane Elias, who will commemorate the 100th anniversary of Antônio Carlos Jobim’s birth. Her program pays tribute to the legendary composer whose work helped introduce bossa nova to audiences around the world. 1 On March 26, harpist Brandee Younger and saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin will each bring their own ensembles to Orchestra Hall for an evening showcasing contemporary spiritual jazz and genre-defying performances.

The Paradise Jazz Series concludes May 28 with pianist Jason Moran and his acclaimed trio, The Bandwagon, known for pushing the boundaries of modern jazz while honoring its rich traditions. Now entering its 27th season, the Paradise Jazz Series continues to celebrate Detroit’s historic connection to jazz. Named for the legendary Paradise Theatre, which stood on the Orchestra Hall site from 1941 to 1951, the series reflects the city’s deep musical roots while presenting internationally recognized artists on one of the nation’s premier orchestra stages.

According to the DSO, it remains one of the few major American orchestras to present a dedicated jazz series on its main stage. Tickets for the 2026–27 Paradise Jazz Series start at $26 and will be available through the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

Source Credit: This syndicated story is based on reporting and the official announcement published by Colin’s Column and information provided by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.