Northampton Jazz Fest Presents
The Northampton Jazz Festival partners with Pioneer Valley venues to sponsor live jazz performances throughout the year.
Side of Jazz
Enjoy live jazz at a featured food establishment after each Arts Night Out!
The Northampton Jazz Festival helps keep it lively by staging jazz at one of Northampton's breweries, bars, cafes or restaurants following Arts Night Out.
On the second Friday of each month, a different duo or trio will play at a featured downtown establishment so you can enjoy live jazz while you sip and dine to extend your Arts Night Out fun!
Many Thanks
Sponsors: City of Northampton Economic Development Dept. and Downtown Sounds.
Partner: Downtown Northampton Association.
Sunset Thursdays at The Carle
Visit the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, MA each Thursday in July and August from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. As the sun begins to set, the grounds come alive with outdoor jazz performed by local musicians curated by Northampton Jazz Festival along with artists of all ages drawing together, hands-on art activities, story times, local food vendors, and more. All events are held outdoors (weather permitting) in Bobbie’s Meadow, nestled within the Museum’s beautiful 100-year-old orchard. In case of rain, programs will move indoors to the Museum’s “Jazz Café.”
Previous events
Civil Disobedience at The Iron Horse
Civil Disobedience: Blue Note in the Progressive 60s
Date: Sunday, April 12
Time: 7:00 PM (doors open at 6:00)
Location: The Iron Horse
18 Center St., Northampton
Tickets: $35 advance (inclusive of all fees: $42); $40 door
Parlor Room Collective Members: $2 discount
Civil Disobedience, created by New York bassist David Ambrosio, is a project meticulously crafted to showcase the compositions of progressive jazz maestros from the late 60s Blue Note Era.
Peter Bernstein Quartet at The Drake
Date: Saturday, March 7
Time: 8:00 PM (doors open at 7:00)
Location: The Drake
44 N. Pleasant St., Amherst
Summer at The Carle
Sunset Thursdays
For summer 2025, The Eric Carle Museum in nearby Amherst, MA is a joyful gathering place filled with art viewing, art making, storytelling, picnicking, and live outdoor music co-presented by the Northampton Jazz Festival.
On Thursday evenings during July & August in 2025, the museum stays open until 8pm for Sunset Thursdays, presenting live jazz and global music performed by local artists, co-presented by the Northampton Jazz Festival. Visitors can enjoy wine from local vendors, order picnics to-go from area restaurants, or bring their own food to enjoy on the museum’s beautiful grounds.
Northampton Jazz Fest & Signature Sounds Present
Sun Ra Arkestra
Sun Ra Arkestra
Date: Sunday, May 18th
Time: 8:00 PM
Venue: Academy of Music, Northampton
Concert photos by Ricard Torres-Mateluna
Sean Mason Quartet at The Drake
Date: Wednesday, March 12
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: 44 N. Pleasant St., Amherst
Concert photos by Ed Cohen