A Statement from Jazz at Five

The fatal police shooting of Corey Ruiz on July 22nd has impacted the entire Madison community. Healing will take time, patience and understanding by all.

We believe music can help heal the soul and bring people together. To that end, after speaking with community members, we have decided to go ahead with our jazz concert series beginning on August 5th.

We invite all to come and enjoy and support our community and our musicians.

Jazz at Five is a community-based organization and we need to support each other now more than ever.

The 2026 Summer Performance Series Lineup

 Conversation and comradery are encouraged.

The season kicks off on Wednesday, August 5th with a local favorite, Tom Gullion – Doug White Quartet with fresh versions of classic modern jazz at 5pm, followed by the infectious high energy fund band, Rare Element

On the 12th, the Michael Hackett Sextet is bringing original music and new arrangements of not-so-standards at 5pm. Followed by the Hornado, one of Madison’s newest groove music super-groups with their typhoon jazz at 6:45pm.

The 2026 series continues August 19th with Brazilian inspired, bossa nova jazz from Canção at 5pm followed by Milwaukee native, highly versatile jazz pianist, Tim Whalen Trio at 6:45pm.

August 26th is Jazz at Five’s UW Night, kicking off with from the UW Jazz Ensemble All Stars featuring a special guest at 5 pm. And the UW Faculty Band led by composer and pianist Dan Cavanagh at 6:45pm.

Ending out the series on September 2nd is Jazz at Five’s Summit of the Big Bands featuring Ladies Must Swing and the Milwaukee Jazz Orchestra performing two sets from 5pm – 8pm.

“Our mission is to make Madison a better place to be and visit by providing live jazz events free to the public. We promote awareness of the jazz art form and increase local community culture with performer diversity, enhanced visibility for our local jazz artists and public performance opportunities for youth musical groups.”

eventdirector@jazzatfive.org