New Orleans on Lake Maggiore: JazzAscona

With more than 200 concerts, international artists and a cultural bridge spanning the Atlantic, JazzAscona once again transforms Ticino into a little European New Orleans for its 42nd edition.

When brass bands suddenly march through the streets on a summer evening, jazz melodies drift across Piazza Giuseppe Motta and the lakeside promenade becomes a stage late into the night, JazzAscona is back. From 25 June to 4 July 2026, the Ticino village once again turns into a musical homage to New Orleans, with concerts, jam sessions, culinary discoveries and the relaxed spirit that has defined the festival for decades. Yet the festival’s success no longer relies solely on big names. Its true magic lies in the feeling that music is everywhere. On the main stages directly overlooking Lake Maggiore, in small bars, on terraces, between historic façades or spontaneously in the middle of the street. Anyone strolling through Ascona continually discovers new sounds – sometimes planned, sometimes unexpected. It is precisely this openness that makes the festival so appealing.

Under the artistic direction of Nolan Quinn, the 2026 edition returns even more decisively to the roots of jazz. A choice that reflects the wishes of audiences while reaffirming the historical soul of the festival. Alongside traditional jazz, Rhythm & Blues, Funk, Blues and related genres continue to play a central role in a programme that is both coherent and open, appealing to a wide variety of audiences. New Orleans remains the beating heart of JazzAscona – not only musically, but also through the atmosphere that flows through the streets. Much of this unique flair comes from the many musicians arriving from the Crescent City, as well as from the energy reminiscent of the French Quarter that permeates the festival. It is no coincidence that Ascona has officially been a Sister City of New Orleans since 2022. This cultural and human connection is renewed every year through JazzAscona, creating an authentic musical bridge across the Atlantic.

The 2026 programme, curated by Grammy Award winner Adonis Rose, brings together emerging talents, local ensembles and internationally acclaimed stars. Among the most original voices of the new generation is Sabine McCalla, a singer-songwriter whose refined songwriting blends Haitian traditions and folk influences with a deeply personal narrative style. Also returning to Ascona is Sean Ardoin, Zydeco star and multiple Grammy nominee. Other highly anticipated performances include NOJO5 with Glen David Andrews, Fred Wesley, Radius (Audience Award winner), Torsten Goods, the Adonis Rose & Philip Manuel Ensemble, and the Swiss Armed Forces Big Band. The rich concert calendar concludes with Vincen García, one of the most innovative bassists on the European jazz-funk scene.

… Manon Mullener, the pianist and composer from Fribourg. Presented annually during JazzAscona, the award honours established and emerging Swiss musicians who have also built an international presence. According to the jury, ​“Manon Mullener has distinguished herself through an intense concert activity, both as a solo pianist and as the leader of her own ensemble. In recent years, her career has experienced steady growth, leading her to some of the world’s most important jazz stages and establishing her as a defining figure of the Swiss jazz scene.” The award ceremony will take place on 2 July 2026, immediately before her JazzAscona performance.

Free access to music has always been one of JazzAscona’s defining principles. In 2026, admission to all 200-plus concerts remains free of charge. The result is an experience that extends far beyond the traditional jazz audience. Families, holidaymakers, music lovers and spontaneous visitors naturally come together between concerts, restaurants and the promenades along Lake Maggiore. Perhaps that is exactly what makes JazzAscona so special: you arrive for a concert and stay for the atmosphere. For ten days, Ascona feels a little like New Orleans – only with palm trees, a lake breeze and warm Ticino summer nights.

Don’t miss a thing — we’ll keep you up to date!

Sign up for our newsletter.