This April, Banyan Tree’s World Jazz Festival – Edition 6 returns to India with a vibrant five-city tour across New Delhi, Pune, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Launched in 2020 to enrich and expand India’s jazz landscape, the festival is presented in collaboration with Paradise Jazz Festival, one of Europe’s most celebrated jazz gatherings that attracts over 100,000 visitors annually and is known for fostering global jazz collaborations.
Over the years, the festival has evolved into a lively platform for international jazz musicians to come together, creating memorable musical exchanges and celebrating jazz as a universal language.
The 2026 edition brings a dynamic lineup of artists representing diverse jazz styles and traditions from across continents. Audiences can expect a rich blend of American jazz standards, African influences, European sounds and Latin American rhythms.
This year’s lineup includes:
- Michael Varekamp Quintet feat. Alexander ‘The Hurricane’ Beets – A nostalgic journey through the golden era of jazz with tributes to legends such as Louis Armstrong and Miles Davis.
- Wiboud Burkens Trio – A swing-inspired performance influenced by the iconic Hammond organ sound of Jimmy Smith.
- Georgie Aué Quintet – A cross-continental ensemble blending influences from Australia and Brazil with classics by Antônio Carlos Jobim, Burt Bacharach and Norah Jones.
- Titi Luzipho & Muneeb Hermans – A collaboration celebrating African jazz while paying homage to Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba.
Continuing its focus on cultural dialogue, the festival will also feature special interactions with Indian musicians. These cross-genre collaborations highlight the shared improvisational traditions between jazz and Indian music, a defining aspect of the festival’s identity over the years.
Festival Schedule – April 2026
- New Delhi – 17 April | Bharat Mandapam
- Pune – 18 April | Pune International Centre
- Mumbai – 19 April | St. Andrew’s Auditorium
- Bengaluru – 24 April | Chowdiah Memorial Hall
- Hyderabad – 25 April | Shilpakala Vedika Auditorium
With artists and audiences from varied cultural backgrounds, the festival continues to celebrate jazz as a living, evolving art form. From soulful melodies to powerful improvisations, the 2026 edition promises an immersive experience that brings together cultures, traditions and generations through music.
Whether you are a dedicated jazz enthusiast or exploring the genre for the first time, Banyan Tree’s World Jazz Festival 2026 offers an evening of exceptional global artistry.
