Hamilton Winter Jazz Fest
Thursday, March 5 – Sunday, March 8, 2026
Hamilton, NY
The Hamilton Winter Jazz Festival is a four-day celebration of jazz, film, art, and community, bringing performances and events to venues throughout the village. Featuring live music, a classic film screening, visual art, and nationally and internationally touring artists, the festival invites audiences of all ages to experience jazz in its many forms.
Thursday, March 5th
12:00 PM | Louis Armstrong: Black & Blues | Hamilton Movie Theater
Presented by the Hamilton Movie Theater, this free community screening explores the life and legacy of Louis Armstrong. Schools and student groups are especially encouraged to attend.
8:00 PM | Jack & Friends Jazz Quartet | Lower Lake Brewery
An evening of live jazz at Lower Lake to kick off the festival.
Friday, March 6th
5:00 PM | Preshow shopping and appetizers are available at Littoral Lines and Brine & Stave, with an after-party following at Local Culture.
7:00 PM | Dave Solazzo and The Bridge Premiere Performance & Gallery Opening | Arts at the Palace
At Arts at the Palace (19 Utica St.) international performing artists Dave Solazzo and The Bridge present a live performance and premiere screening of a newly composed soundtrack for the 1921 silent film Now or Never, starring Harold Lloyd. A live jazz trio performs an original score in real time, blending film, improvisation, and storytelling into an immersive experience.
The evening also features an arts opening with work by Jill Sziliga and Ryan Stewart.
Saturday, March 7th
12 Noon | Saturday Jazz with Monk Rowe | Arts at the Palace
One of Hamilton’s most well-loved music series, Saturday Jazz is hosted by professional freelance percussionist Mark Shiner and Colgate Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies Brian Stark. As part of the Hamilton Winter Jazz Festival, this special installment features guest artist Monk Rowe! Equally adept on piano and saxophone, Monk Rowe brings decades of experience as a performer, educator, and composer.
Sponsored by Sholes and Oliveri’s Pizzeria.
2:00 - 5:00 PM | Open Gallery Hours
Visit art galleries and explore special exhibitions featuring works by Diana Godfrey at Hamilton Center for the Arts and Jill Sziliga & Ryan Stewart at Arts at the Palace.
Sunday, March 8th
3:00 PM | Songs Without Words | Colgate Memorial Chapel
Cellist Hilary Glen, Visiting Assistant Professor of Music, explores the expressive world of art song through lyricism beyond the voice in a program for cello and piano, featuring Steven Heyman, Artist-in-Residence, piano.