Jazz in the Gardens 2026 Brings R&B Soul and Hip-Hop Legends to Miami

Across two days in Miami Gardens, artists spanning jazz, R&B, soul, gospel, and hip-hop brought generations of fans together through music and shared memories.

Every spring, music lovers from across Florida and beyond flock to Jazz in the Gardens (JITG), held this year on March 7–8, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium, a festival that has become one of South Florida’s defining cultural experiences. What began nearly two decades ago as a celebration rooted in jazz has evolved into a celebratory weekend honouring R&B, soul, hip‑hop, and Black music culture — where multigenerational fans come together for performances, community, and shared memories. The festival’s second day coincided with International Women’s Day, with several artists taking moments to acknowledge and celebrate the women in the audience.

Saturday’s overcast skies did little to diminish the crowd’s fervour, with attendees gathering to sing along to enduring hits. By Sunday, the Miami sun prevailed, providing a fitting climax to the festival.

DAY ONE HIGHLIGHTS

Damien Escobar — Opening with Strings

Violinist Damien Escobar opened the evening with a smooth, genre-blending performance that reimagined classic R&B through live strings. His interpretations of For the Love of You, Caught Up in the Rapture, Rock Steady, and What You Won’t Do for Love created an early moment of connection, laying the foundation for a night of star-studded performances.

Joe — Classic R&B Returns

Joe’s performance felt like a time machine straight back to R&B’s 90s and early 2000s heyday. Dressed sharp and sounding just as smooth as ever, he ran through More & More, What If a Woman, and If I Was Your Man, giving every listener a personal connection to the songs. By the time All the Things (Your Man Won’t Do) came around, fans weren’t just listening — they were living it, phones held high and voices rising in unison.

D-Nice & Friends — Classic Hits Bring Fans Together

D-Nice & Friends transformed the festival into a celebration of R&B with appearances from SWV, Donell Jones, Case, and Sunshine Anderson. Cultural tastemaker Kenny Burns kept the energy flowing as host, hyping the crowd and singing along throughout the set. Donell Jones sparked sing-along moments with This Luv, U Know What’s Up, and Where I Wanna Be, while Case followed with Happily Ever After and Missing You. SWV had the crowd singing every word to Weak and Right Here, while Sunshine Anderson kept momentum with Heard It All Before, creating a live conversation between eras that the audience knew by heart.

Mýa — A Catalogue of 90s Hits

Mýa followed with a set that hit the sweet spot between throwback warmth and polished performance. Her catalogue of hits — from Case of the Ex to Best of Me and Girls Dem Sugar — reminded longtime fans why her recordings still resonate two decades on. She mixed in favourites like Lady Marmalade and Take Me There too, and when she passed out roses and CDs, it felt less like a gimmick and more like a moment of shared affection between artist and audience.

Ella Mai — A Warm Return to the Festival Stage

Ella Mai offered one of the more heartfelt moments of the night. Making her first festival appearance in years, she eased into Shot Clock, Boo’d Up, Trip and Little Things with a kind of quiet confidence that drew cheers without trying too hard. Blending newer tracks from Do You Still Love Me? With her earlier hits, she struck the balance between familiarity and progress that a lot of artists aim for, but few actually pull off.

GloRilla — Modern Hip-Hop Takes the Spotlight

Memphis rapper GloRilla heightened the festival’s momentum with a fiery set including Yeah Glo!, F.N.F., Hollon, and Let Her Cook. A surprise appearance from Sexyy Red sent the crowd into a frenzy during WHATCHU KNO ABOUT ME, underlining JITG’s commitment to blending nostalgia with today’s rising stars.

Jhené Aiko — A Reflective Close to Day One

Closing the night, Jhené Aiko transformed the stage into a jazz-lounge-inspired sanctuary. Dressed in a shimmering metallic gown, she performed with a live band featuring keys, bass, and harp, weaving soft visuals and delicate vocals into her set. Tracks included While We’re Young, The Worst, Sativa, P$$Y Fairy (OTW)*, Triggered (freestyle), None of Your Concern, and B.S., alongside thoughtful musical moments blending John Legend’s Ordinary People into Triggered and Aaliyah’s One in a Million into Sativa. She concluded with sound bowl healing and a spiritual reflection, offering a serene counterpoint to the night’s earlier energy.

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DAY TWO HIGHLIGHTS

Boney James — A Return to Jazz Roots

Day two opened by honouring the festival’s jazz roots, with Boney James delivering a smooth instrumental set backed by a full ensemble. His soulful rendition of Ain’t No Sunshine set a contemplative, mellow tone, a reminder of the artistry that first established JITG as a cultural touchstone.

Tonio Armani & King George — Southern Soul in the Spotlight

The mood shifted as Tonio Armani and King George brought Southern soul to the forefront. Fans donned cowboy boots, hats, and bandanas, line-dancing and waving their fans in time with hits like Country Girl and Keep On Rollin’. The energy was infectious, a celebration of storytelling and communal spirit that the genre embodies.

Ashanti — Timeless R&B Favourites

Ashanti followed, performing timeless hits including Foolish, Rain on Me, and Baby, with visuals paying tribute to Black lives lost to violence. A mashup of Rock Wit U (Awww Baby) and Michael Jackson’s Rock With You offered a nostalgic nod to the King of Pop.

Nelly — St. Louis Classics Send the Crowd Into Rap-Along Mode

Soon after, Nelly took the stage by storm, performing classics including Ride Wit Me, Air Force 1s, Hot in Herre, Dilemma, and Shake Ya Tail Feather, flowing into Juvenile’s Back That Azz Up. Murphy Lee, fellow member of Nelly’s St. Lunatics, joined him, adding authentic St. Louis energy. Fans rapped along to every word, turning Miami Gardens into a jubilant hip-hop celebration.

Pastor Mike Jr. — A Gospel Interlude

The afternoon brought gospel with Pastor Mike Jr., whose Grammy-nominated voice transformed the festival grounds with songs such as I’m Winning, Counting My Blessings, Amazing, and a gospel-infused Crazy. Music and faith blended seamlessly, offering reflection and joy.

Stephanie Mills — A Voice That Still Resonates

Stephanie Mills held the audience rapt with classics including Never Knew Love Like This Before, Feel the Fire, Home from The Wiz, and What Cha Gonna Do with My Lovin’. A touching interlude saw her son, Jason Mills, join for a solo segment, carrying forward the family’s vocal legacy.

The Isley Brothers — Legends Revisit Their Classics

Later, The Isley Brothers, led by Ron Isley, delivered one of the weekend’s most defining performances. Archival footage of their early years played behind them as they performed Footsteps in the Dark, Voyage to Atlantis, and Hello It’s Me, culminating in the call-and-response of Shout. Ernie Isley delivered a masterful guitar solo during Summer Breeze, showcasing that these icons continue to command the stage.

Ludacris — Closing with Hip-Hop Staples

Closing the festival, Ludacris celebrated 25 years in music with a star-studded set. Acknowledging International Women’s Day, he dedicated tracks such as Lovers and Friends, One Minute Man, and Fantasy to the women in the audience, while energising fans with hits including Stand Up, Move B**, Throw Them Bows, Area Codes, and Pimpin’ All Over the World.

Ludacris welcomed collaborators, including Chingy, Shawnna, Bobby V, Uncle Luke, Trick Daddy, CeeLo Green, Trina, DJ Khaled, and I-20, delivering rare and unforgettable moments. A highlight saw CeeLo Green, Trick Daddy, and Ludacris perform Sugar (Gimme Some) live together for the first time. He also paid tribute to Miami, calling it his “second home” and referencing the Fast & Furious films shot there, before closing with Act a Fool.