Inaugural LA Jazz Festival cancelled just hours before start time
Organisers blamed public safety and permitting issues for the decision, as some artist representatives say performers are left out of pocket
News By Ciaran Donnelly | 10 August 2026
The LA Jazz Festival has cancelled the majority of its events just hours before the multi-week event was set to begin, with organisers blaming “public safety” and “municipal cost” concerns.
The city-wide festival was due to stage headline performances by artists including John Legend and Janelle Monáe, as well as jazz artists including Ezra Collective and Nubya Garcia, between 7 and 23 August, with organisers previously having suggested an expected attendance of 250,000 fans across the period.
A message on the festival’s…
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