Pauline Adamek
Jazz at Naz 2026 Builds Momentum as Festival Heads Into Final Weeks
Widely considered one of the best winter jazz festivals on the West Coast, the fifth annual Jazz at Naz festival is entering its final stretch at The Soraya at California State University, Northridge, offering audiences a last chance to experience one of Southern California’s most anticipated winter jazz events. With a lineup that spans intimate club performances and full-scale concert hall productions, the festival continues through February with a series of high-profile appearances and genre-spanning artistry.
Presented by The Soraya, Jazz at Naz has become a signature celebration of jazz excellence, spotlighting today’s leading performers alongside artists deeply connected to the music’s traditions. Full festival details and tickets are available online here.
Jazz Club: Feb. 11 | Feb. 12
The remaining schedule leans into the festival’s dual-format approach. In the Soraya’s Jazz Club, audiences can experience world-class musicians in an up-close setting designed for deep listening and connection.
Upcoming club performances include clarinetist and bandleader Anat Cohen with her Quartetinho on Feb 11 and 12.
Anat Cohen will be joined onstage by featured musicians Vitor Gonçalves, Tal Mashiach, and James Shipp.
Widely considered one of the best clarinet players in the jazz world, Anat Cohen brings to The Soraya her vibrant Quartetinho (Portuguese for “little quartet”) equipped with vibraphone, accordion, piano, bass, and percussion. With two albums under the quartet’s belt, the Israeli artist leads the group in an eclectic mix of originals, Brazilian classics, and more.
Anat Cohen Quartetinho – Jazz Club
Wed Feb 11 | 8PM
Thu Feb 12 | 8PM
Jazz club seating is general admission. While you do purchase your table, row, or riser, it will be first-come first-served as to which exact seat you get in those sections. Table and row seating come with the option to add dinner, which includes early access to seating for meal service.
Great Hall Events: Feb. 14 | Feb. 18 | Feb. 21
The Soraya’s Great Hall, with 1,700 seats, hosts larger events in the festival.
On the Great Hall stage, Jazz at Naz continues with large-scale performances that pair star power with sweeping arrangements. A Valentine’s weekend concert featuring Veronica Swift and the Pacific Jazz Orchestra brings romance and classic repertoire to the festival, followed by a closing performance from the legendary Preservation Hall Jazz Band, whose appearance underscores the festival’s commitment to jazz history and living tradition.
There’s nothing versatile artist Veronica Swift can’t do — pop, rock, soul, jazz, Broadway, and more. Her first Soraya solo concert pairs her with the Pacific Jazz Orchestra, magnifying the scope of her powers. Torch songs, anthems, ballads, new love and heartbreak alike — Swift promises to pierce hearts of every type on Valentine’s Day.
Valentine’s Day with Veronica Swift
Featuring the Pacific Jazz Orchestra
Chris Walden, conductor
Sat Feb 14 | 8PM
Mardi Gras returns to The Soraya with one of the most authentic of New Orleans ensembles. Steeped in the history and musical traditions of the French Quarter for more than 60 years, Preservation Hall Jazz Band taps into a musical continuum that stretches back to the city’s roots. As their name implies, the group is living history.
Preservation Hall Jazz Band – Mardi Gras Celebration
Wed Feb 18 | 8PM
Now in its fifth year, Jazz at Naz has established itself as a cornerstone of The Soraya’s programming, known for its balance of accessibility and artistic ambition. By combining celebrated headliners, intimate club settings, and diverse stylistic perspectives, the festival continues to draw both devoted jazz fans and new listeners.
With limited performances remaining, audiences are encouraged to secure tickets early. More information, including streaming options and performance details, can be found here.
Jazz at Naz Festival
For all artist and ticket information visit their site here or call the Ticket Office at (818) 677-3000.
Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts (The Soraya)
18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA 91330.
Website
Phone: 818-677-3000
About Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts (The Soraya):
The award-winning Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts has quickly become one of the cultural jewels of the greater Los Angeles region. Under the leadership of Executive Director Thor Steingraber, The Soraya continues to expand its programming and outstanding multidisciplinary performances. The Soraya presents a wide variety of performances that not only include new and original work from the Los Angeles region but also work from around the world appealing to all of LA’s rich and diverse communities. Located on the campus of California State University, Northridge, The Soraya’s season offers a vibrant performance program of nearly 50 classical and popular music, dance, theater, family, and international events that have served to establish The Soraya as the intellectual and cultural heart of the San Fernando Valley, and further establish itself as one of the top arts companies in Southern California. The award-winning, 1,700-seat theatre was designed by HGA Architects and Engineers.
