SALEM JAZZ AND SOUL FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 2026 LINE-UP AND NEW LEADERSHIP
SALEM, MA (July 9, 2026) — The Salem Jazz and Soul Festival (SJSF), now entering its 19th season, is proud to announce a stellar line-up for this year’s festival. This free community event is set for Saturday, August 15, 2026, at the Salem Willows from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm. The Salem Jazz and Soul Festival is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that produces free concerts and supports music education throughout the North Shore region, fostering the next generation of musical talent.
New Structure
SJSF is also unveiling a new leadership structure designed to propel its mission and its continued growth. The board of directors is now being led by Co-Chairs Morgan Walsh and Petra Slinkard. Walsh is the Donor Relations and Stewardship Coordinator at Simmons University, while Slinkard serves as the James B. and Mary Lou Hawkes Chief Curator at the Peabody Essex Museum. They bring together strategic leadership to carry the organization into its next chapter. In another step towards further professionalization, former Board Chair Larry Claflin stepped off the board to assume the newly established role of Executive Director. Claflin cofounded the festival in 2007 and served as Board President from 2007 to 2017. Larry is also the Major Gifts Officer at the Wenham Museum and served on the Salem Cultural Council. Last, several new board members have been recruited to help lead the enterprise forward. This reorganization is part of the SJSF's ongoing commitment to expanding its capacity to uplift and financially support school music education on the North Shore.
2026 Festival Line-up Preview
The main stage at Salem Willows will feature a vibrant roster of local, regional, and national talent, including two headlining acts:
Dwayne Dopsie and Zydeco Hellraisers: This nationally acclaimed, Grammy-nominated act is transporting their high-energy Zydeco sound from New Orleans to the North Shore. Front man, Dwayne (Dopsie) Rubin, offers a unique, fast-paced style of music and hails from one of the most influential Zydeco families in the world.
The Nth Power: Another nationally celebrated act, The Nth Power is a genre-defying trio that blends soulful funk, reggae, and jazz into a powerful sonic tapestry. The band is known for their energetic live shows and their ability to seamlessly blend genres and styles.
Lydia Harrell: Harrell is a Boston based Folk, Jazz, R&B/Soul artist and professor at Berklee College of Music. She won the 2015 Duke Ellington Jazz Vocal Competition and the 2017 Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival Voice Competition. She has also performed at Harlem’s Apollo Theater and with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Wood & Bone: Hometown heroes, Wood & Bone are an American roots band originating from Massachusetts and led by Jesse Ciarmataro of Salem. They delight audiences with their ever-changing mix of Americana, Soul, and Blues.
Salem High School Jazz Band: Kicking off the day’s music at 11:00 am, is the Salem High School Jazz Band. The ensemble recently received several accolades from the Massachusetts Association for Jazz Education Festival.
DJ Skotvoid: Rounding out the sound and keeping the beat going, DJ Skotvoid (also known as Skot Void) is a local vinyl DJ, skweee producer, and label producer based on the North Shore. Skot Void is deeply embedded in the local music scene and frequently spins genres like Northern Soul, rare funk, and deep disco
In the SJSF Education Tent, there will be opportunities to engage with musicians from the main stage. Workshops will feature:
Lydia Harrell and the magic of improvisation from 12 to 12:30 p.m.
The world of rhythm with bassist Nate Edgar from 1:30 to 2 p.m.
Zydeco music and culture with Dwayne Dopsie from 3 to 3:30 p.m.
Percussion and flute with Moss, Tapper, and members of the Salem Boys and Girls Club from 5 to 5:30 p.m.
The festival also boasts a unique artisan market featuring over 25 vendors showcasing handcrafted goods from across New England. This year, in honor of Salem’s 400+ commemoration, attendees will be presented with a unique tour through the history of jazz at the Willows, starting with Duke Ellington, who once performed at this historic location.
Mission: Music Education and Community Access
The Salem Jazz and Soul Festival is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to two core pillars: providing vital financial support to North Shore music education initiatives and producing high-quality and accessible community concerts. Since 2007, SJSF has donated more than $80,000 to music-education programs, fostering the next generation of musical talent through educational programming, student performance opportunities, and financial support.
Support the Festival
This is a community, volunteer-run event and organization. Any and all support is of value! Donations can be made online toward our crowdfunding campaign at https://www.salemjazzsoul.org/donate
If you are interested in volunteering, please visit our website for more information.
We look forward to welcoming you to our 2026 Festival!