Jazz Middelheim returns in 2026 to the beautiful Park Den Brandt in Antwerp, continuing the renewed momentum set in motion last year. The 2025 edition marked the first under the new organisation and reaffirmed the festival’s place within the Belgian and international jazz landscape, a position it has held since 1969. Rooted in history yet open to new perspectives, Jazz Middelheim once again connected with a broad and curious audience. From 23 to 25 May 2026, during the extended Pentecost weekend, the festival continues this trajectory with three days of music in the open air. After previously announcing Flea & The Honora band and Cécile McLorin Salvant, among others, Jazz Middelheim today announces a new series of artists joining the 2026 lineup.

The newly announced names further expand the festival's wide musical horizon. The Buena Vista Orchestra brings the timeless spirit of the Cuban sun to life, celebrating the legacy of the Buena Vista Social Club with warmth, rhythm, and intergenerational musicianship. Legendary drummer Billy Cobham's Time Machine revisits and reinterprets the groundbreaking fusion that reshaped jazz in the 1970s, driven by virtuosity and forward momentum. British collective Cymande adds their unmistakable blend of funk, soul, jazz and Caribbean influences, a sound that has inspired generations of artists across genres.

With the Fred Hersch Trio, one of the most lyrical and refined pianists of his generation returns to an intimate format that highlights nuance, interplay and emotional depth. The Herbaliser Band brings a dynamic live experience rooted in jazz, hip-hop and cinematic grooves, bridging club culture and instrumental performance. South African pianist Nduduzo Makhatini introduces a spiritual and deeply expressive voice, weaving Zulu heritage and contemporary jazz into expansive, meditative compositions. And finally, vinyl heroes HUNEE and Danilo Plessow (formerly known as Motor City Drum Ensemble) will guide our festival into the night with expertly crafted DJ sets filled with unknown gems and long-lost B-sides.

These additions underscore the artistic direction of Jazz Middelheim: a festival where tradition and innovation coexist, where global influences meet in dialogue, and where jazz is approached as a living, evolving language. The full lineup for 2026 will be revealed in the coming weeks.