First performers announced for Pori Jazz 2026 main concerts

The 59th international Pori Jazz festival, to be held July 10–18, 2026, will once again offer a diverse range of musical experiences. The festival’s main concerts will be held at the Kirjurinluoto Concert Park from Thursday, July 16, to Saturday, July 18, and, as usual, international stars and Finnish favorites will take to the stage.

The main concert on Thursday, July 16, will feature Italian guitar virtuoso Matteo Mancuso, young American vibraphonist Sasha Berliner, known for his innovative style, and Mikko Kuustonen, who is celebrating the 50th anniversary of his first songs.

On Friday, July 17, Kirjurinluoto will welcome Cécile McLorin Salvant, one of today’s most respected jazz singers, Jalen Ngonda, who has been compared to Marvin Gaye in the 2000s and combines soul, funk, and R&B, and Pale Jay, a mysterious soul singer who has been compared to Banksy. Pori will also welcome drummer Salin, who masterfully combines Asian rhythms with soul and funk, and Vesala, who has earned his place in the Finnish cultural scene many times over.

On Saturday, July 18, Juanes will treat the audience to Latin rhythms. Other performers on the day include Victor Wooten & The Wooten Brothers, who combine jazz with other rhythmic music, the New York vocal trio Say She She, known for their discodelic soul style, and Ricky-Tick Big Band & Julkinen Sana, making a spectacular comeback with an updated line-up.

More artist releases are coming in early 2021, when among others the headlining artists for Kirjurinluoto’s main concert nights will be announced.