The 19th annual Jazz in the Gardens (JITG) Music Festival returned to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL, on March 7–8, 2026, with performances from Jhené Aiko, Ludacris, Nelly, Ashanti, Joe, D-Nice & Friends, and More.
Thousands of people flocked to Hard Rock Stadium- home of the Miami Dolphins- for two days of thrilling performances as Jazz in the Gardens (JITG) 2026 offered yet another remarkable weekend of music, culture, and community. International Women’s Day was on the second day of the festival, and a number of artists took time to acknowledge and honor the women in the audience.
Saturday’s cloudy skies did nothing to dampen the crowd’s energy as fans filled the grounds, ready to sing along to timeless tunes. By Sunday, the Miami heat returned in full force, setting the stage for a high-energy finale.
On Saturday, March 7th, the weekend began with Damien Escobar opening with Soulful Strings. R&B singer, songwriter, and record producer Joe transformed JITG into Lovers’ Lane in a way that only he could. The party was then ushered in by D-Nice & Friends, while Pop-R&B energy and nostalgic hits were presented by Mühla. That Lover Girl Era was brought to life by Ella Mai. Jhené Aiko finished with Ethereal Elegance while GloRilla increased the intensity.
Violinist Damien Escobar set the tone for the night with a smooth, genre-blending performance that reimagined classic R&B through the power of live strings. Stepping onto the stage with his violin, he drew the audience into an emotionally layered set with interpretations of “For the Love of You,” “Caught Up in the Rapture,” “Rock Steady,” and “What You Won’t Do for Love,” creating an early moment of connection that settled naturally over the crowd and laid the foundation for an evening of star-studded performances.
Joe followed with a stage presence that changed the mood right away. Wearing an eye-catching Tiffany blue suit, he sang singles including “More & More,” “What If a Woman,” “If I Was Your Man,” and “All the Things (Your Man Won’t Do)” while leaning into his signature mature R&B catalog. The audience was completely engaged by the time he got to “All the Things,” and they were singing along to almost every line.
With visits by SWV, Donell Jones, Case, and Sunshine Anderson, D-Nice & Friends transformed the festival into an R&B celebration. As host, cultural tastemaker Kenny Burns kept the spirit high by energizing the audience and singing along throughout the set. With songs like “This Luv,” “U Know What’s Up,” and “Where I Wanna Be,” Donell Jones immediately sparked sing-alongs; Case followed with “Happily Ever After” and “Missing You”; SWV had the audience singing along to “Weak” and “Right Here,” and Sunshine Anderson maintained the momentum with “Heard It All Before,” giving the performance the feel of a live dialogue between eras that the audience was obviously familiar with.
Mýa combined flawless choreography with the natural charisma that has long characterized her performances to bring a delicate, feminine spirit to the stage. Her performance during Women’s History Month seemed like a suitable reminder of the enduring impact of women whose artistic ability transcends decades. She transitioned between singles like “Case of the Ex,” “Best of Me,” and “Girls Dem Sugar” and nostalgic moments with timeless songs like “Take Me There” and “Lady Marmalade.” Giving out CDs and roses to the audience was an extra touch that went well with the set’s retro vibe.
Ella Mai captivated the crowd with her smooth vocals and heartfelt delivery, marking her first festival performance in three years. All smiles and carrying an easy, natural presence on stage, she moved through fan favorites like “Shot Clock,” “Boo’d Up,” “Trip,” and “Little Things,” with vocals that remained strikingly true to the recordings. Blending songs from her early breakout era with tracks from her latest project, Do You Still Love Me?, Mai’s performance felt both effortless and genuine, warmly reconnecting with the audience.
Memphis rapper GloRilla shifted the festival’s energy into high gear with a fiery set packed with crowd-moving anthems including “Yeah Glo!,” “F.N.F.,” “Hollon,” and “Let Her Cook.” The excitement escalated even further when Sexyy Red made a surprise appearance for “WHATCHU KNO ABOUT ME,” sending the crowd into a frenzy.
Closing the night, Jhené Aiko transformed the stage into an intimate, jazz-lounge-inspired sanctuary she called “JC Brown’s Jazz Lounge.” Dressed in a shimmering metallic gown, she performed alongside a live band featuring keys, bass, and harp, creating an ethereal and tranquil atmosphere with soft visuals and delicate vocals. Throughout the set, she delivered fan favorites like “While We’re Young,” “The Worst,” “Sativa,” “P*$$Y Fairy (OTW),” “Triggered (freestyle),” “None of Your Concern,” and “B.S.,” while also weaving in thoughtful musical moments—blending John Legend’s “Ordinary People” into “Triggered” and Aaliyah’s “One in a Million” into “Sativa.”
The performance reached a spiritual peak as Aiko incorporated sound bowl healing into the set and paused to give glory to God, closing day one with a calm, grounding energy that contrasted beautifully with the night’s earlier momentum.
On Sunday, March 8, Boney James and Jazz Roots made a comeback, followed by Southern Soul, Sunday Service to the Stage by Pastor Mike Jr., Timeless Vocals by Stephanie Mills, and the classics by The Isley Brothers. Ludacris concluded the Festival with a Star-Studded Celebration after back-to-back hits from Ashanti and Nelly.
With an homage to the festival’s jazz legacy, Boney James opened day two with a seamless instrumental set supported by a full ensemble. His poignant performance of “Ain’t No Sunshine” established the mood for the day. Artists and fans wearing cowboy boots, hats, and bandanas line danced and waved throughout the crowd as Tonio Armani and King George added Southern soul flavor to the event. The entire audience was dancing to hits like “Country Girl” and “Keep On Rollin,” demonstrating the genre’s expanding impact throughout the South.
As Sunday afternoon continued, Pastor Mike Jr., recently nominated for a Grammy Award, delivered a powerful performance featuring songs like “I’m Winning,” “Counting My Blessings,” and “Amazing,” his gospel rendition of the Gnarls Barkley hit “Crazy,” turning the festival grounds into a joyful celebration of faith and perseverance.
Legendary vocalist Stephanie Mills captivated the crowd with timeless classics, including “Never Knew Love Like This Before,” “Feel the Fire,” “Home” from The Wiz, and “What Cha Gonna Do with My Lovin.” A special moment came when her son, Jason Mills, stepped into the spotlight for a solo moment, showcasing that powerful vocals clearly run in the family.
Later, the legendary Isley Brothers, led by Ron Isley, delivered one of the weekend’s most iconic moments. As archival visuals of their younger performances played across the screens behind them, the group launched into timeless hits, including “Footsteps in the Dark,” “Voyage to Atlantis,” “Contagious,” and “Hello It’s Me,” before bringing the crowd to its feet with the classic “Shout.”
Ernie Isley stunned the audience with an electrifying guitar solo during “Summer Breeze”, making the performance feel like a powerful full-circle moment—watching legends who helped define generations of music still commanding the stage today.
Ashanti reminded fans why her catalog continues to stand the test of time, delivering a hit-filled set that had the audience singing along word for word. During one poignant moment, stage visuals honored Black lives lost to violence, adding a reflective layer to the performance as fans sang along to favorites including “Foolish,” “Rain on Me,” and “Baby,” while a mashup of “Rock Wit U (Awww Baby)” and Michael Jackson’s “Rock With You” added a nostalgic nod to the King of Pop.
Soon after, Nelly took the stage with an explosive performance featuring classics like “Ride Wit Me,” “Air Force 1s,” “Hot in Herre,” “Dilemma,” and “Shake Ya Tail Feather,” which blended into a mashup with Juvenile’s “Back That Azz Up.” The energy rose even higher when Murphy Lee, a fellow member of Nelly’s St. Lunatics, joined him onstage, bringing a full St. Louis energy to Miami Gardens and keeping the crowd rapping along to every word.
Closing out Jazz in the Gardens 2026, Ludacris delivered a career-spanning performance celebrating 25 years in the game. Acknowledging International Women’s Day, he showed love to the ladies with songs like “Lovers and Friends,” “One Minute Man,” and “Fantasy,” while also running through crowd favorites including “Stand Up,” “Move B***,” “Throw Them Bows,” “Area Codes,” and “Pimpin’ All Over the World,” keeping the crowd moving from start to finish.
Chingy, Shawnna, Bobby V, Uncle Luke, Trick Daddy, CeeLo Green, Trina, DJ Khaled, and I-20 were among the special guests whom Ludacris invited to the stage during the concert to honor his Disturbing Tha Peace family and longtime partners. Fans had the unique opportunity to see CeeLo Green, Trick Daddy, and Ludacris play the hit song “Sugar (Gimme Some)” live for the first time. He once expressed his affection for Miami, referring to it as his “second home” in reference to the Fast & Furious movies that were filmed there, before singing “Act a Fool” from the 2003 soundtrack of the franchise.
Jazz in the Gardens 2026 once again demonstrated why it is still one of the country’s most cherished music festivals with memorable performances, unexpected appearances, and moments that honored both history and new generations of musicians. The event highlighted the diversity of Black music and culture across genres and generations, from soulful nostalgia to contemporary chart-toppers.
Fans exited Miami Gardens as the lights went down on yet another memorable weekend, eager to see what magic Jazz in the Gardens 2027 will bring.
