Acclaimed Jewish musician and jazz legend Fred Hersch will headline the closing night of the Denver Jazz Fest in 2026, marking the culmination of a partnership that began more than two years ago at the Mizel Arts & Culture Center (MACC). That partnership took shape when MACC Executive Director Stephanie Herm was first contacted by festival co-producers Don Lucoff and David Froman about the possibility of hosting the festival in the Elaine Wolf Theatre. They immediately recognized the MACC as a natural home for jazz, culture, and community, and Stephanie was intrigued by the vision. Following the festival’s inaugural launch in 2025, the MACC was secured as a key venue in 2026—bringing the citywide celebration of jazz to a powerful close with Hersch’s performance. 

Since its launch, Denver Jazz Fest has quickly grown into a citywide celebration of jazz, education, and creative expression. By selecting the MACC as the venue for its grand finale, the festival underscores the JCC’s role as a gathering place where world-class artistry and meaningful community connection meet. 

At the heart of Denver Jazz Fest is David Froman, co-producer and president of Gift of Jazz, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing jazz education and performance. A lifelong musician and educator, Froman has spent decades nurturing Denver’s jazz ecosystem—bringing live performances into schools, supporting emerging artists, and ensuring jazz remains accessible to new audiences. His partnership with Don Lucoff, whose résumé includes leadership roles with premier international jazz festivals, blends national reach with deep local roots. 

That combination has fueled rapid growth. The inaugural 2025 festival welcomed more than 8,300 attendees across 30 performances in just four days. In 2026, the festival expands to 40 shows over six days, activating venues throughout the city—from concert halls and schools to culturally significant spaces across Denver. The intent is clear: jazz is for everyone. 

The festival runs April 7–12, culminating in a closing-night performance at the MACC featuring legendary jazz pianist Fred Hersch. Widely regarded as one of the most influential and expressive artists in contemporary jazz, Hersch brings an intimate, reflective sound that perfectly suits the Elaine Wolf Theatre. A New York–based artist who records for ECM Records, he is known for deeply personal compositions and interactive trio performances. As The New York Times writes, “A master who plays it his way.” 

Hosting this finale at the JCC is about more than a single performance. It reflects the JCC’s broader commitment to arts, culture, and lifelong learning—and its role as a welcoming space where diverse communities come together through shared experiences. Jazz, with its roots in improvisation, dialogue, and connection, aligns powerfully with that mission. 

Education remains central to the festival’s purpose. Through partnerships with MSU Denver’s Jazz Studies program, Denver Jazz Fest offers free clinics led by renowned educator Rodney Whitaker, opening doors for aspiring musicians and reinforcing jazz as a living, evolving art form. This year’s programming also honors the centennial of jazz icons Miles Davis and John Coltrane, celebrating their enduring influence on music and culture. 

At its core, Denver Jazz Fest is about connection—between artists and audiences, generations, traditions, and ideas. By hosting the festival’s closing night, the Mizel Arts & Culture Center and the JCC invite the community to experience that connection firsthand, in a setting designed to inspire, engage, and bring people together.