HIGH POINT, NC, April 24, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ — The John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival proudly announces an electrifying opening-day lineup for Saturday, September 5, 2026, anchored by Victor Wooten and the Wooten Brothers. Recognized by Rolling Stone as one of the ten greatest bassists of all time, Victor Wooten and his Grammy-winning brothers have shaped the evolution of contemporary music across genres and generations.
Joining them on Saturday are two powerhouse artists who continue to push the boundaries of modern jazz:
• Mike Phillips — A longtime favorite of Coltrane JazzFest audiences – the high-energy saxophonist known as the ‘jazz man with the hip hop flavor’ Phillips has worked with Prince, Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder. The experiences nurtured Phillips’ expansion creatively, steering his artistic direction to explore the possibilities of genre-blending themes that integrate jazz improvisation with R&B grooves and hip-hop sensibilities.
• Raul Midón — the two-time Grammy-nominated guitarist, vocalist, and genre-bender whose signature “vocal horns” and soulful songwriting have earned global acclaim. Midón earned his first Grammy nomination for “Bad Ass and Blind,” in the category of Best Jazz Vocal Album. His second nomination came in the same category three years later for “If You Really Want,” an album recorded with the Metropole Orkest.
Festival Director Joe Williams notes the significance of this year’s milestone: “Fifteen years of honoring John Coltrane’s legacy in the year the world celebrates his 100th birthday is very special. High Point is the place to be this Labor Day Weekend, Catch the Trane to 15!”
A Lineup Rooted in Innovation
The Wooten Brothers—Victor, Regi, Roy “Future Man,” and Joseph—bring a legacy of musical innovation spanning R&B, jazz fusion, classical, funk, soul, and more. Their collective artistry has earned 10 Grammy Awards and 26 nominations. The Brothers’ music bends and defines genres, amplifies centuries, and spans continents.
Phillips and Midón add their own creative signatures, each known for expanding the soundscape of contemporary jazz through bold genre-blending and virtuosic performance.
Festival Details
Celebrating 15 years, the John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival honors the legacy of legendary saxophonist and composer John Coltrane in his hometown, High Point. The two-day festival takes place September 5–6, 2026, over Labor Day Weekend. Gates open at 3 p.m. daily. For tickets and full event details, visit coltranejazzfest.com.
About the Friends of John Coltrane, Inc.
The festival is presented by the Friends of John Coltrane, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving John Coltrane’s legacy through music education and community engagement.
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