The CUNY Jazz Festival brings together students, faculty, and guest artists for two days of performances, master classes, and collaboration.

The CUNY Jazz Festival celebrates jazz and jazz education at the City University of New York through promoting an exchange of ideas and experiences among the various jazz programs in a non-competitive atmosphere.

May 7 & 8, 2026.

The festival includes performances by City College of New York (CCNY) faculty and student ensembles, as well as ensembles from across CUNY, along with master classes and special sessions with guest artists.

On Thursday, drummer Adam Cruz will be in residence, joining the CCNY faculty ensemble for the faculty concert, leading a master class, performing in the evening with student ensembles, and participating in the festival’s jam session.

On Friday, saxophonist Chris Potter will lead a master class, and the festival culminates in a featured performance by the Chris Potter Quartet—with Potter joined by Adam Rogers, Scott Colley, and Marcus Gilmore.

The event is sponsored by the Leonard Davis Center for the Performing Arts and the CCNY Division of Humanities & Arts and will take place at Aaron Davis Hall, Theater B at The City College of New York.

Tickets:

• Thursday Day-Pass

• Friday Day-Pass [Does not include Chris Potter Concert]

• Chris Potter Concert [Friday, May 8, opens @ 7 PM]