Past event · Music
Occidental Jazz Festival
- Date
- Time
- Fri 7:00 PM–Sat 9:00 PM
- Venue
- Occidental Center for the Arts
- Admission
- From $35 · Kids 12 and under free
Occidental Jazz Festival 2026
The inaugural Occidental Jazz Festival fills OCA’s indoor and outdoor stages with contemporary jazz, from José Neto’s Brazilian-rooted guitar to adventurous bassoon, bass, and drums and a showcase of young local players.
OCA’s first Occidental Jazz Festival stretches from Friday evening through Saturday night, moving between the indoor auditorium and outdoor amphitheater. The lineup travels from Brazilian-rooted guitar and contemporary piano trio playing to electric bassoon, fretless bass, drums, and a showcase of young local musicians.
This event has passed. The organizer’s page may retain additional details or announce a future edition.
View the organizer’s event page ↗Event times and details can change; check the organizer’s listing before you go.
Two days · Six performances
The complete festival schedule.
Friday begins indoors with one evening set. Saturday moves between the auditorium and amphitheater from early afternoon through the closing performance.
Friday, September 18
Doors open at 6:00 PM- Glass Brick BoulevardIndoors
Saturday, September 19
Doors open at noon- Hanson, Manring & AmendolaOutdoors
- Ken Cook TrioIndoors
- Junior Jazz All-StarsOutdoors
- Jaycie Grady 4TetOutdoors
- José Neto & NetobandIndoors
On stage
Meet the lineup.
Six ensembles span contemporary jazz, Brazilian-rooted guitar, modern piano trio playing, adventurous improvisation, and the next generation of local musicians.
José Neto & Netoband
Brazilian-born guitarist José Neto leads a band shaped by jazz, rock, and Brazilian music. Neto has toured internationally as Steve Winwood’s guitarist; the Netoband lineup includes Frank Martin, Celso Alberti, and Gary Brown.
Glass Brick Boulevard
Composer and pianist Greg Johnson’s reunited Bay Area quartet blends jazz with gospel, classical, rock, and soul influences, with Paul Hanson on bassoon, Rob Fordyce on bass, and Celso Alberti on drums.
Hanson, Manring & Amendola
An unusual trio bringing together Paul Hanson’s electric bassoon, Michael Manring’s fretless bass, and Scott Amendola’s wide-ranging, exploratory drumming.
Ken Cook Trio
Pianist, composer, and Sonoma State jazz educator Ken Cook plays modern jazz colored by soul, blues, Latin, and Brazilian music, joined by Michael Pinkham and Kendrick Freeman.
Jaycie Grady 4Tet
A San Francisco contemporary-jazz ensemble led by drummer Jaycie Grady, grounded in jazz tradition but open to modern textures and instrumentation including violin.
Junior Jazz All-Stars
Young musicians from local school programs, assembled by Greg Johnson and mentored by music educators from Analy High School, Santa Rosa Junior College, and Marin School of the Arts.
2026 ticket options
Tickets started at $35.
Kids 12 and under were free. Friday and Saturday were sold separately, with discounts for OCA members.
View OCA’s festival page ↗Before you set out
Plan your festival weekend.
The venue sits just above downtown Occidental, making it easy to combine a set with a meal or a walk through town.
Bring a seat for outdoors
A seat cushion or low-backed chair is recommended for performances in the amphitheater.
Food and drink
Wine, beer, refreshments, and food will be available on site; downtown Occidental is about two blocks away.
Parking and access
Parking is free, the venue is accessible to people with disabilities, and dogs are not allowed.
Buying both days
Friday and Saturday require separate ticket purchases. OCA members receive discounted pricing through the organizer.
Occidental Center for the Arts
3850 Doris Murphy Court, Occidental, CA 95465
Good to know
Festival questions, answered.
Is the Occidental Jazz Festival indoors or outdoors?
Both. Friday’s performance is indoors. Saturday alternates between the indoor auditorium and outdoor amphitheater, so plan for changing temperatures.
Can I buy one pass for Friday and Saturday?
No. The organizer requires a separate purchase for each day. Saturday is available as an afternoon-only or full-day ticket.
Are children welcome?
Yes. Children age 12 and under are admitted free according to the official festival listing.
Where is the festival?
At the Occidental Center for the Arts, 3850 Doris Murphy Court in Occidental, a short walk from downtown.