About the festival

The enchanting nature of the resort town with its charming beach and promenades, world-class jazz artists in the heart of the city park — all this has attracted large audiences and exceptionally warm feedback from visitors.

Narva-Jõesuu Jazz 2026 took place on Saturday, 25 July in Hele park.

Among the artists performing in 2026 were Dado Moroni, one of Italy’s most respected jazz pianists; Dana Masters, Ireland’s powerful soul and jazz vocalist; award-winning Estonian jazz star Kadri Voorand in a duo with Mihkel Mälgand; and the Pauli Halonen Groove Trio, rising stars of the Finnish jazz scene!

See you on 30–31 July 2027 in beautiful Narva-Jõesuu!

Artists for the 2026 festival

FIN16:00

Pauli Halonen Groove Trio

The vibrant energy of the new Finnish jazz generation — fresh creative thinking, strong ensemble interplay and a contemporary European jazz language.

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Pauli Halonen Trio brings the vibrant energy of the new Finnish jazz generation to Narva-Jõesuu Jazz — a group of talented and rapidly emerging musicians whose sound combines fresh creative thinking, strong ensemble interplay and a contemporary European jazz language.

Formed in 2024, Pauli Halonen Trio is a young jazz ensemble whose members have been developing their collective sound through close collaboration over the past year. The trio brings together highly skilled musicians whose shared musical language has grown out of consistent work and a strong artistic connection.

The trio performs mainly original compositions by Pauli Halonen, alongside selected arrangements. Among their musical influences, they cite artists such as Chick Corea, Jacob Collier and Anomalie. While their music is not easily confined to a single genre, the trio describes it as groove-driven jazz, where rhythmic energy meets the freedom of improvisation.

Despite his young age, Pauli Halonen has already established himself as a versatile musician, working as a multi-instrumentalist, composer and voice actor. In addition to the trio, their performances occasionally feature guest appearances by leading figures from the jazz scene.

Line-up:
Pauli Halonen — piano, vocals and saxophone
Oskar Lehtimäki — bass
Kuutti Suonio — drums

EST17:30

Kadri Voorand & Mihkel Mälgand

Award-winning Estonian singer, pianist and composer in a duo with an acclaimed double bassist — an intimate yet powerful musical dialogue.

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Award-winning Estonian singer, pianist and composer Kadri Voorand brings a unique musical world to Narva-Jõesuu Jazz, where spirituality, folk influences and improvisational pop meet. Her work is characterised by emotional immediacy, a strong stage presence and an exceptional ability to create a deep and direct connection with the audience.

Voorand has performed on international stages including the EFG London Jazz Festival, Trondheim Jazzfest and Pori Jazz, earning recognition from both critics and audiences. Her music has been described as genre-crossing and immersive, where carefully crafted arrangements and spontaneous improvisation form a distinctive artistic whole.

Together with acclaimed bassist and double bassist Mihkel Mälgand, Voorand creates an intimate yet powerful musical dialogue. Mälgand is a respected figure on the European jazz scene and has collaborated with artists such as John Scofield, Randy Brecker, Nils Landgren and Kurt Elling.

Their shared sound moves fluidly between jazz ballads, folk influences and free improvisation, combining storytelling, vocal artistry and a playful approach to form. Whether in subtle, intimate moments or more energetic climaxes — their performance offers a cohesive and deeply engaging listening experience.

Line-up:
Kadri Voorand — vocals, piano, violin, live electronics
Mihkel Mälgand — double bass, bass guitar

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IRL19:00

Dana Masters Quartet

A powerful soul and jazz vocalist from Ireland — music about what it means to be human: joy and pain, vulnerability and strength.

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Dana Masters is a powerful soul and jazz vocalist, now based in Ireland and a significant name on the Irish and UK jazz scene, whose music brings together the depth of gospel and R&B with a contemporary jazz sensibility. Born and raised in the Deep South of the United States, the singer and songwriter grew up in a family closely connected to the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 60s — she is the granddaughter of a renowned activist, and that life experience is deeply reflected in her work. Dana’s music speaks of what it means to be human: joy and pain, vulnerability and strength — delivered with honesty, passion and a truly personal voice.

Her distinctive style — jazz infused with soul, funk, R&B and gospel — creates a deep connection with audiences and leaves listeners remembering both the melody and the message. Estonian audiences may also know her from the Jazzkaar Festival, where Dana Masters has performed a sold-out concert.

Dana has appeared on world-class stages for a wide range of audiences: she has sung for the Pope, performed for Bill and Hillary Clinton as well as Tony Blair, and has also presented a BBC music documentary “My Name Is Ottilie”.

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ITA20:30

Dado Moroni Trio

One of Italy’s most respected jazz pianists — brilliant swing, bebop energy and an elegant piano sound. More than 60 albums.

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Edgardo “Dado” Moroni is one of Italy’s most respected jazz pianists — a musician with brilliant swing, bebop energy and an elegant piano sound, who has shared the stage with legends such as Dizzy Gillespie, Chet Baker, Wynton Marsalis, Freddie Hubbard, Roy Hargrove and Tom Harrell. Born in Genoa, Moroni started playing piano at the age of 4, and his roots range from the tradition of Fats Waller, Art Tatum and Erroll Garner to the influences of Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson and Herbie Hancock.

Moroni began performing professionally at just 14 years old. In 1979, an encounter with trumpeter Franco Ambrosetti brought him onto the international jazz scene. In 1987, Moroni was invited to serve as a judge at the first Thelonious Monk Jazz Competition (Smithsonian Institute, Washington D.C.), and in the same year he recorded the New York album “Ron Carter Presents Dado Moroni” together with bass legend Ron Carter. In 1991, he moved to the United States and became part of the New York jazz world, performing regularly at clubs such as Blue Note and Birdland.

Moroni has toured worldwide and recorded more than 60 albums, including 14 as a leader. His current projects range from trio and quintet formations to duos (including with saxophonist Max Ionata), combining the classic jazz tradition with virtuosity and deep musical taste. He takes the Narva-Jõesuu Jazz stage with the Dado Moroni Trio.

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