Giants of Jazz

Giants of Jazz is South Orange’s legendary gathering that brings together master musicians for an evening full of spontaneity, swing, and creative fireworks. This year’s honoree, pianist Cyrus Chestnut, joins a curated lineup helmed by Grammy Award-winning producer and bass virtuoso John Lee, a South Orange resident. Now a cherished tradition, this annual event continues to delight both longtime fans and newcomers with the vibrant energy and artistry of jazz’s finest.

• 2026 Honoree: Cyrus Chestnut — One of the most gifted pianists of his generation, Chestnut fuses gospel roots, classical rigor, and straight-ahead swing into a sound instantly his own. Raised in a musical Baltimore family steeped in church music, he brings that same soulful, testifying energy to every performance — a sideman to jazz giants like Wynton Marsalis, Betty Carter, and Donald Harrison, and a bandleader whose trio has helped define contemporary jazz piano. A Steinway Artist, he’s equally at home with a symphony orchestra as a jazz quartet. Down Beat calls him “one of the finest jazz pianists of his generation” — expect an evening that proves it.
• Hall of Jazz Legends: Giants of Jazz boasts an honor roll of past recipients and performers that reads like a jazz hall of fame, including icons such as Kenny Barron, Jimmy Cobb, George Coleman, Frank Foster, Jimmy Heath, Jackie McLean, James Moody, Rufus Reid, Billy Taylor, Clark Terry, McCoy Tyner, and Phil Woods.
• Curated by John Lee: The vision of John Lee ensures each year’s lineup is a dazzling convergence of jazz elites, uniting generations and styles for a night of surprising collaborations.
• Spontaneity & Community Spirit: Each edition pulses with inventive improvisation, deep grooves, and the unmistakable camaraderie that only true jazz masters can create.

Whether you’re a dedicated jazz lover or a curious newcomer, Giants of Jazz offers you a joyful, high-caliber celebration where the spirit of innovation and community comes through on every note.