The Wilkes-Barre Cavalcade of Jazz will officially kick off its 2026 festival weekend with a free Opening Ceremony on Friday, June 5 at 5 p.m. at the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts.
The celebration will feature a lively performance by Indigo Moon Brass Band, a Northeast Pennsylvania favorite known for bringing the spirit of New Orleans-style second line, traditional jazz, and funk to downtown Wilkes-Barre.
The evening will also include a special presentation honoring George Graham as the recipient of the Cavalcade’s inaugural Champion of Jazz Award, recognizing his extraordinary contributions to jazz broadcasting, recording, and promotion over more than five decades at WVIA Radio.
One of WVIA’s original staff members, Graham spent decades hosting and producing beloved programs including Mixed Bag, All That Jazz, and Homegrown Music, helping introduce generations of listeners to jazz, regional artists, and eclectic contemporary music. Though now retired from his regular hosting duties at WVIA, Graham continues his lifelong dedication to jazz as Director of Artist & Repertoire for Chiaroscuro Records.
Festival organizers encourage the public to attend the free event and help launch a weekend celebrating the rich legacy and continued evolution of jazz in Wilkes-Barre.
Event Details:
Location: F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts
Date: Friday, June 5
Time: 5 p.m.
Price: Free Admission
Additional artists, performances, and festival updates can be found at wilkesbarrecavalcadeofjazz.org and on the festival’s social media channels.
The Wilkes-Barre Cavalcade of Jazz is made possible through the efforts of the Wilkes-Barre Cavalcade of Jazz Committee in partnership with Visit Luzerne County, City of Wilkes-Barre, and Diamond City Partnership.
About the Wilkes-Barre Cavalcade of Jazz
Founded in 1951, the Wilkes-Barre Cavalcade of Jazz is widely recognized as America’s first jazz festival. A plaque on Wilkes-Barre’s Public Square commemorates the historic occasion, which began on February 23, 1951, when eight jazz bands gathered for “The Cavalcade of Dixieland Jazz,” establishing a tradition that continues today both in Wilkes-Barre and throughout the country.
The Wilkes-Barre Cavalcade of Jazz Committee is comprised of dedicated community leaders and jazz enthusiasts, including this year’s committee chairs James and Susan Shoemaker, along with Bob Borwick, Maria Edmunds, Shelby Gushka, AJ Jump, John Maday, Gina Malsky, Neil Prisco, Michael Slusser, and Alan Stout. Festival organizers invite the community to celebrate jazz in the heart of Wilkes-Barre from June 5–7 with a weekend of extraordinary performances, community connection, and the joy of live music.
