For nearly two decades, the Blue Jay Jazz Festival has brought outstanding musicians and music lovers together in the San Bernardino Mountains. The annual event returns next week with its 2026 theme, “Style and Sass!”, featuring three evenings of jazz, soul, R&B, funk, and more at Tavern Bay Beach Club in Lake Arrowhead and San Moritz Lodge in Crestline.
This year’s lineup begins Thursday, August 27, with acclaimed guitarist and longtime Supertramp member Carl Verheyen, joined by opening act 6 Beats Apart. Friday features the Latin R&B sounds of Tierra Legacy, continuing the musical heritage of the legendary East Los Angeles band Tierra, along with “Ambassador of Soul” Ellis Hall. The festival moves to Crestline Saturday, August 29, where vocalist Niki Haris joins the Jazz Salon All Stars, with Digital Audio Projekt opening the show.
The volunteer-run Blue Jay Jazz Foundation produces the festival to support scholarships and performance opportunities for young musicians. It operates the Adopt an Instrument program, which places donated and refurbished instruments with students who need them. Thursday’s concert will include a special ceremony recognizing the foundation’s 2026 Future Generation Jazz Scholars. For tickets, schedules and additional festival information, visit bluejayjazz.org.