The Richmond Jazz & Music Festival has unveiled a genre-spanning 2026 lineup that reflects both musical legacy and the future of jazz, soul, and hip-hop culture. From Grammy-winning vocalists and jazz virtuosos to influential rap lyricists and funk collectives, this year’s featured artists bring decades of innovation to Maymont.
Erykah Badu
Erykah Badu has spent nearly three decades redefining the boundaries of soul, jazz, hip-hop, and alternative Black music culture. Emerging with her groundbreaking 1997 debut Baduizm, Badu became one of the central architects of the neo-soul movement, blending live instrumentation, poetic lyricism, spirituality, and Afrocentric aesthetics into a sound and visual identity that reshaped contemporary R&B. Her influence extends far beyond music, inspiring generations of artists through her experimental approach to performance, fashion, storytelling, and creative independence.
Known for transformative live shows that often feel equal parts concert and communal experience, Badu continues to bridge genres and generations through a catalog that includes Mama’s Gun, Worldwide Underground, and the politically charged New Amerykah series. Her appearance at the Richmond Jazz & Music Festival brings one of Black music’s most influential and genre-defying voices to Maymont, reinforcing the festival’s commitment to celebrating artistic innovation, cultural legacy, and the evolving landscape of jazz and soul-rooted music.
Leon Thomas
Leon Thomas has evolved from child actor and television star into one of contemporary R&B’s most compelling creative voices. The Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and producer blends psychedelic soul, jazz textures, alternative R&B, and live instrumentation into a sound rooted in musicianship and emotional storytelling. Thomas’ recent projects, including MUTT and PHOLKS, showcase a cinematic approach to songwriting that has positioned him as a rising force in modern Black music.
Johnny Gill
A defining voice in classic R&B, Johnny Gill remains one of the genre’s most recognizable vocalists. Rising to prominence through New Edition before joining the supergroup LSG and building a successful solo career, Gill’s catalog helped define late-1980s and 1990s soul music. His appearance adds a legacy R&B presence to the festival lineup.
Samara Joy
Samara Joy represents a new generation of jazz vocal excellence. The Bronx-born singer has become one of the most celebrated young jazz artists in the country, earning multiple Grammy Awards and widespread acclaim for her interpretations of jazz standards and modern compositions. Her albums Linger Awhile and Portrait helped introduce younger audiences to traditional jazz vocal performance while maintaining deep respect for the genre’s lineage.
Alex Isley
Alex Isley has built a devoted following through intimate songwriting, smooth vocal arrangements, and sophisticated contemporary soul production. As the daughter of Ernie Isley of The Isley Brothers, her music carries both legacy and modernity, helping define today’s independent R&B movement.
Free Nationals
Known globally as the powerhouse band behind Anderson .Paak, Free Nationals have become stars in their own right through their fusion of funk, jazz, soul, psychedelic grooves, and West Coast musicianship. The Los Angeles collective brings a live-band energy that bridges classic funk traditions with contemporary alternative R&B.
Doug E. Fresh
Widely regarded as one of hip-hop’s greatest entertainers and pioneers of beatboxing, Doug E. Fresh remains an influential figure in rap history. His live performances continue to celebrate the foundational era of hip-hop culture while connecting generations of audiences through crowd engagement and performance artistry.
Talib Kweli
Talib Kweli’s politically conscious lyricism and independent spirit have made him one of hip-hop’s most respected emcees. Emerging from the Rawkus Records era alongside Mos Def and Black Star, Kweli’s music consistently explores race, politics, social justice, and Black identity with lyrical depth and cultural awareness.
Lupe Fiasco
Lupe Fiasco remains one of hip-hop’s most technically gifted lyricists, known for blending intellectual commentary, storytelling, and sharp social critique. From Food & Liquor to The Cool, his work helped redefine what mainstream rap audiences expected from lyrical artistry.
Peter White
Contemporary jazz guitarist Peter White brings decades of smooth jazz excellence to the festival. Known for melodic guitar work and internationally recognized performances, White has long been a staple in adult contemporary and jazz festival circuits.
Tony! Toni! Toné! — The Legacy Continues
The music of Tony! Toni! Toné! helped shape 1990s R&B through timeless records like “Feels Good,” “Anniversary,” and “It Never Rains.” Their catalog remains foundational to modern soul music and continues influencing younger generations of artists across R&B and neo-soul.
Noname
Chicago artist Noname has become one of the most distinctive voices in independent hip-hop through poetic lyricism, jazz-influenced production, and politically engaged storytelling. Her work explores identity, liberation, community, and vulnerability with a literary sensibility rarely seen in contemporary rap.
Down to the Bone
The long-running acid jazz and jazz-funk collective continues to blend groove-heavy instrumentation with dancefloor energy. Their sound channels classic jazz fusion traditions while remaining rooted in funk and soul arrangements.
Tiana Major9
Tiana Major9’s airy vocals and emotionally rich songwriting have positioned her as one of contemporary soul music’s emerging international voices. Her music blends jazz, R&B, and alternative soul influences into atmospheric, introspective compositions.
The Blackbyrds
Originally formed under the mentorship of jazz legend Donald Byrd, The Blackbyrds became one of the defining jazz-funk bands of the 1970s. Their music remains heavily sampled within hip-hop and continues influencing funk, jazz, and soul artists today.
Hot Like Mars
Detroit-based collective Hot Like Mars combines funk, psychedelic soul, rock, and jazz influences into high-energy performances that emphasize improvisation and musicianship.
Victor Wooten and the Wooten Brothers
Victor Wooten is widely considered one of the greatest bass players in modern music history. Performing alongside his brothers, the group merges jazz, funk, fusion, gospel, and improvisational virtuosity into performances that celebrate both technical mastery and musical collaboration.
Bigger Than A Festival
The 2026 lineup reflects the continued evolution of the Richmond Jazz & Music Festival as more than a traditional jazz event. The programming intentionally bridges generations and genres — from foundational hip-hop pioneers and legacy R&B acts to emerging jazz vocalists and contemporary neo-soul artists — reinforcing Richmond’s growing reputation as a destination for Black music culture and live performance.
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