A Night of Jazz, Community & Connection: College Park JazzFest Returns to Orlando

November 7, 2026 | College Park, Orlando, Florida

Tonight, Edgewater Drive comes to life with the sounds of live music as College Park JazzFest returns for another evening of music, culture, and community. One of Central Florida’s favorite traditions, College Park JazzFest brings together musicians, music lovers, local businesses, and families for a one-night celebration spanning generations.

Since its inception in 2002, College Park JazzFest has grown into a signature community event, featuring three stages and 12 live bands performing an eclectic mix of jazz, R&B, rock, and more. Beyond the music, the festival celebrates the neighborhood itself, with local restaurants, shops, and food vendors welcoming visitors along Edgewater Drive.

My colleague Alex Diaz will host the South Stage, introducing Sanford Jazz Ensemble, Groove Slayers, Dave Capp Project featuring France Neil, and Ramona + THE RIOT. The Center Stage will feature Few Fellas Brass, Strange Trip, Control This!, and Brown Bag Brass Band.

Meet the North Stage Lineup

Tonight, I have the honor of hosting the North Stage for the third consecutive year. This year’s lineup features four ensembles offering audiences a range of musical voices. JM4 will set the tone for the evening, followed by Lustre Trio. Pablo Aragona Quintet will feature drummer, and multi-instrumentalist Pablo Aragona. Originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, Aragona relocated to Orlando in 2020 and has become an active presence in Central Florida’s music scene. His releases include Baco, Yikes, and The Third Eye. 8th Note Collective will headline the stage, offering distinct jazz and R&B flavors for all to enjoy.

Jazz: A Living Expression of Culture and Connection

Born out of African American musical traditions in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in New Orleans, jazz emerged through a blending of African and Afro-Caribbean rhythmic influences, blues, spirituals, ragtime, and brass band traditions. Jazz represents an important part of Black American cultural history, reflecting generations of creativity, innovation, resilience, and artistic expression. Its influence extends far beyond its origins, shaping the development of blues, swing, bebop, soul jazz, funk, R&B, and hip-hop.

At its heart, jazz is a music of expression and exchange. Improvisation allows musicians to interpret melodies, experiment with rhythm and harmony, and respond to one another in real time. Each performance offers the possibility of something different, bringing together individual artistry and collective creativity. From the early pioneers and big band era to bebop, hard bop, and contemporary jazz, the music continues to evolve while honoring the traditions that came first. Its ability to bring people together across cultures and generations is part of what makes jazz such an enduring art form.

Celebrating the Legacy of Lou Donaldson & Idris Muhammad

November is also a meaningful month for jazz history, with two influential musicians—among others—whose birthdays fall less than two weeks apart.

Born November 1, 1926, Lou Donaldson was an extraordinary alto saxophonist whose blues-inflected sound helped shape hard bop and soul jazz. A 2013 NEA Jazz Master, Donaldson recorded extensively for Blue Note Records and became known for memorable recordings such as Blues Walk and Alligator Bogaloo. His music brought together the sophistication of bebop, the warmth of the blues, and an unmistakable sense of groove. Donaldson passed away in 2024, leaving behind an extraordinary musical legacy.

Born November 13, 1939, Idris Muhammad was a celebrated New Orleans-born drummer whose refined rhythmic approach crossed the boundaries of jazz, funk, soul, and R&B. Muhammad performed with an impressive roster of artists, including Sam Cooke, Curtis Mayfield, Pharoah Sanders, Ahmad Jamal, and Lou Donaldson. His contributions to Donaldson’s albums Alligator Bogaloo, Mr. Shing-A-Ling, and Midnight Creeper are among the many highlights of his recording career. His own influential recordings, Black Rhythm Revolution! and Power of Soul, helped establish him as one of the defining drummers of jazz-funk.

Muhammad spent several years performing and recording with Lou Donaldson, contributing his distinctive grooves to some of the saxophonist’s celebrated sessions. As we gather for JazzFest between their birthdays, let us recognize the many musicians who helped shape the sounds we continue to enjoy today.

Join Us on the North Stage!

Whether you’re a jazz enthusiast, a live music fan, or simply looking for a great evening outdoors, College Park JazzFest offers something for everyone. Bring your friends, family, and chairs, explore the neighborhood’s local businesses and food trucks, and enjoy an evening filled with music.

College Park JazzFest 2026
Saturday, November 7, 2026
5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Edgewater Drive, College Park, Orlando, Florida

Admission is $15 in advance or $20 at the event. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Proceeds benefit College Park Main Street, the nonprofit organization supporting the neighborhood and its business district.

Editorial note: AI-assisted editing and formatting; research, content, and final editorial decisions by the author.