Above: Thousands attended the 15th Annual Uptown Jazz Festival in Houghton Park in August 2025.

Long Beach, CA – The City of Long Beach is inviting the community to save the date for the Uptown Jazz Festival, which is returning for a 15th year on Aug. 1, 2026 from 2 to 7 p.m. at Houghton Park (6301 Myrtle Ave.). The beloved community festival will once again bring residents together for an afternoon of music, food and family-friendly fun in the heart of North Long Beach.

"For 15 years, the Uptown Jazz Festival has showcased the very best of Long Beach, bringing together neighbors, families and visitors through the universal language of music," said Mayor Rex Richardson. "As we celebrate this milestone year, we're excited to welcome an outstanding lineup of artists for an afternoon that reflects the culture, creativity and community spirit that make our city so special."

Attendees of the family-friendly event can look forward to vibrant food and beverage offerings available for purchase, a dedicated Kids Zone for family fun, and a variety of vendor and community resource booths. This year's diverse musical lineup will feature headliner Morris Day & The Time, along with more performances offering a vibrant mix of jazz, funk, soul and Latin rhythms.

More about the festival lineup:

Morris Day Biography
Born in Minneapolis, Morris Day developed a distinctive fashion sense early on, inspired by photographs of his grandfather in zoot suits. Day attended school
with Prince Rogers Nelson and later sang in Prince's first band, Grand Central. As Prince's career evolved, so did the opportunities around him. The Time was originally created as Prince's alter ego, envisioned as a cool, streetwise funk band that contrasted with his more soulful R&B sound. After considering several vocalists, Prince tapped his high school friend Morris Day for the role. Day and The Time later appeared in "Purple Rain," which showcased the burgeoning Minneapolis music scene.

Day emerged on the national stage with The Time's self‑titled debut album, which featured "Get It Up," "Cool" and "Girl." The group went on to record three additional albums, including "What Time Is It?"—featuring hits such as "777‑9311," "Wild and Loose," "Walk" and "Gigolos Get Lonely Too"—and "Ice Cream Castle," which included the hit "Jungle Love." After three albums with the band, Day launched a solo career with three releases: "The Color of Success," "Daydreaming" and "Guaranteed." Combined sales of Day's solo work and albums with The Time exceed 10 million units.

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Rush Hour Orquesta
Rush Hour Orquesta is a high-energy Los Angeles salsa band founded by childhood friends Raul Membreno and Jonathan Patterson. Blending classic salsa with a modern edge, the group brings explosive percussion, vibrant brass and infectious grooves to every performance. Born from friendship and fueled by rhythm, Rush Hour Orquesta delivers music that feels like a nonstop celebration. From the Santa Monica Pier to venues throughout Southern California, this band never fails to get the dance floor moving.

Biscuits & Gravy Live
Built on friendships spanning more than three decades, Biscuits & Gravy Live is a Southern California R&B, soul, funk and Motown band with members that hail from Long Beach, Compton, Watts and Carson. Known for smooth vocals, tight musicianship, and crowd-pleasing performances, the band has become a favorite at festivals, community celebrations, and special events throughout the region. Its timeless blend of classic soul, funk and R&B keeps audiences on their feet from the first song to the last.

La Verdad
For more than a decade, La Verdad has electrified audiences with a vibrant fusion of salsa, funk, jazz, and sounds inspired by the Latino diaspora. Led by Gabrielito Gonzalez, a former member of the acclaimed band Quetzal, the group blends classic Latin grooves with contemporary urban rhythms, powerful horn lines, and infectious melodies. Through dynamic performances and storytelling centered on community, heritage, and identity, La Verdad creates an experience that invites audiences of all ages to dance, connect and celebrate.

In addition to the above lineup, DJ Mr. Quick, DaShaun E. Quick, is a Southern California DJ, host and founder of Q-20 Entertainment. With years of experience entertaining audiences at community festivals, corporate events, private celebrations, and civic gatherings, Mr. Quick is known for reading the crowd and keeping the energy high. Blending classic R&B, funk, soul, hip-hop, and current favorites, he will serve as the official DJ and host of the 15th Annual Uptown Jazz Festival, keeping the music flowing between performances and the audience engaged throughout the day.

"Fifteen years ago, the Uptown Jazz Festival began with a vision to create a signature event that celebrates the people, culture and music that make North Long Beach extraordinary," said Ninth District Councilmember Dr. Joni Ricks-Oddie. "Today, that vision has grown into one of our city's most anticipated community traditions, and I'm especially proud that, 15 years later, it remains completely free and open to everyone. As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we're raising the bar with the legendary Morris Day & The Time headlining a lineup that honors the rich traditions of jazz, funk, soul and Latin music. The Uptown Jazz Festival is more than a concert—it's an investment in our community, our local businesses and the shared experiences that bring us together year after year. I look forward to welcoming everyone to Uptown for our biggest celebration yet."

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The Uptown Jazz Festival is generously supported by numerous City offices, including Council District 1 (Councilwoman Mary Zendejas), Council District 3 (Councilwoman Kristina Duggan), Council District 5 (Councilwoman Megan Kerr), Council District 6 (Councilwoman Suely Saro), Council District 7 (Vice Mayor Roberto Uranga) and Council District 8 (Councilwoman Tunua Thrash-Ntuk) and City Council District 9. This year's event is also made possible through the partnership and sponsorship of organizations such as the Port of Long Beach, Marathon Petroleum, Southern California Edison, AES Corporation, SEIU Local 721, Laborers' International Union of North America Local 1309 (LiUNA), International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 47, Water Replenishment District, Long Beach City College, the Apartment Association, Inc., The Sumer and Temple King Trust, Amusement Industry, Inc. (Westland Real Estate Group), Supervisor Janice Hahn, Bulletin Displays, Pedal Movement and Republic Services.

The 15th Annual Uptown Jazz Festival is a different event than the Long Beach Jazz Festival, which recently postponed its annual event until next year.

Complete details about this year's Uptown Jazz Festival are available at longbeach.gov/uptownjazzfest.

About the City of Long Beach

Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000 people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture, and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, the award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.

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