Jazz on the Beach: Headliners John Legend and Janelle Monáe Lead Massive New Cultural Festival

CAMPBELL WELLMAN PROPERTIES LA JAZZ ON THE BEACH FESTIVAL 2026

If you caught the inaugural Santa Monica International Jazz Festival earlier this month—which brought incredible sets by Kamasi Washington and Stanley Clarke to our doorstep—you already know that Southern California’s jazz scene is experiencing a massive, soulful renaissance.

Now, the rhythm is expanding down the coast. Founded by music promoter and former Los Angeles City Council member Martin Ludlow, the newly announced LA Jazz Festival is shaping up to be one of the most significant cultural events of the year.

Spanning 17 days from August 7th to August 23rd, this massive citywide celebration of music and culture is expected to draw over 250,000 people. It will culminate in a spectacular, large-scale weekend concert series right on the sand at Dockweiler Beach on August 22nd and 23rd.

 

 

The Lineup: Legendary Beats on the Sand

The festival’s marquee event, dubbed “Jazz on the Beach,” will take over Dockweiler Beach (12000 Vista del Mar in Playa del Rey) from 1:00 PM until evening on both days. The headlining roster crosses genres and generations, blending classic jazz roots with modern R&B, funk, and neo-soul:

  • Janelle Monáe and John Legend leading the headline spots.

  • Charlie Wilson and Raphael Saadiq.

  • Parliament Funkadelic featuring the legendary George Clinton.

  • UK jazz giants Ezra Collective.

Beyond the ticketed main stage at Dockweiler, the broader 17-day festival will weave directly into the fabric of LA neighborhoods. The lineup includes free "Jazz in the Park" events in local public spaces, "Jazz After Dark" neighborhood club performances, a vibrant Caribbean Street Carnival, and a dedicated youth jazz camp.

 

 

Honoring a Century of Coastal Rhythm

While the scale of the festival is modern, the inspiration behind it runs incredibly deep. Organizers designed the event to honor Los Angeles’ storied jazz history—a legacy that traces back to the early 1900s, when Creole musicians first arrived in Southern California via the Union Pacific rail line, permanently shaping the soundscape of the West Coast.

By bringing these world-class performances directly to the Pacific shoreline, the festival bridges LA's historic musical roots with our contemporary beach lifestyle.

 

 

The Campbell Wellman Take

What makes the Westside and South Bay so desirable isn't just the real estate; it's the lifestyle infrastructure. Between the Santa Monica festival a few weeks ago and this massive Dockweiler lineup in August, our coastal backyard is cementing itself as the premier hub for world-class music and art.

An event of this scale brings an incredible energy to the surrounding communities of Playa del Rey, Manhattan Beach, and El Segundo. It underscores the cultural value of our beaches as communal spaces. Tickets for the Dockweiler Beach dates are officially on sale now, and we highly recommend securing yours early—this is going to be the definitive weekend of the summer. DETAILS & TICKETS