Chicago Latin Jazz Festival at Humboldt

The Jazz Institute of Chicago and the Chicago Park District present: Latin Jazz Festival 2026
Featuring Richard PeñaPuerto Rican guitarist Richard Peña brings a vibrant, cutting-edge sound to the stage, intricately blending the traditional rhythms of Afro-Caribbean music with the raw energy of modern jazz and bebop. A native of San Juan, Peña has quickly risen to international prominence, earning accolades as a Youth Jazz Ambassador and recording five award-winning albums recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Independent Music Awards.
A versatile collaborator, Richard has performed globally with Latin Grammy winners such as Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez and Dafnis Prieto, as well as renowned vocalists Carlos Vives and Víctor Manuelle. Beyond the stage, Peña is a trailblazing educator, reaching a global audience of over 260,000 followers through his digital masterclasses and lessons. His performance promises a masterclass in fusion, celebrating the deep cultural roots and the future of jazz guitar.
Featuring Zaccai Curtis Cubop Lives!Fresh off his 2025 Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz Album, acclaimed pianist and composer Zaccai Curtis brings his world-class artistry to the Jazz City stage. A prolific force in modern jazz, Curtis has spent two decades performing alongside legends such as Eddie Palmieri, Christian Scott, and Cindy Blackman Santana.
Beyond his virtuosic performance career, Curtis is a visionary producer and educator at the University of Hartford’s Jackie McLean Jazz Studies Division. Whether he is touring the globe as a "Jazz Ambassador" for the U.S. State Department or authoring definitive texts on Latin Jazz theory, Curtis remains dedicated to expanding the boundaries of the genre. With his latest project, Sonoluminescence, he continues to blend complex rhythms with soulful improvisation, cementing his reputation as one of the most vital voices in jazz today.
6:00 PM - Richard Peña7:30 PM - Zaccai Curtis
Jazz City, a free, family-friendly, public concert series, was initiated in 1997 by the Jazz Institute of Chicago in collaboration with the Chicago Park District to bring people together from across the city to listen to Chicago's top jazz musicians.