April 28 to May 3 brings the UNESCO Jazz Day Festival to multiple stages, turning the genre’s global celebration into a six-day citywide groove. Expect veteran innovators, cross-border collaborations, and new-school fire-breathing through brass, strings, and rhythm sections built to swing late.
Headliners and Collaborations
Lőrinc Barabás (Barabás Lőrinc) joins forces with Russian virtuoso Anton Silaev, promising a high-voltage set that blurs trumpets, loops, and fearless improvisation. Violin luminary Christian Garrick pairs with the József Balázs Trio (Balázs József Trio), fusing lyrical bow work with muscular, modern Hungarian jazz energy.
Ensembles to Watch
Máté Szabó Sextet (Szabó Máté) feat. Máté Drippey (Drippey Máté) brings layered horn writing and tight, restless grooves. Trio Times (István Grencsó, Róbert Benkő, István Baló) strips things back to raw essentials—sax, bass, and drums—in a set that prizes risk, space, and combustible interplay.
When and Where
Dates: Tuesday, April 28–Sunday, May 3, 2026. Performances unfold across multiple venues throughout the city, with stages curated to match each act’s vibe. Expect intimate rooms, late starts, and encores that refuse to quit. (Cover photo: Norbert Juhász – We Love Budapest)
