Don Was, esperanza spalding, Django Festival Allstars and The James Hunter Six bring world-class jazz, soul, and blues to Beaver Creek
The Vilar Performing Arts Center is proud to announce its 2026 Summer Jazz Series, a four-show lineup bringing some of the most celebrated voices in jazz, soul, and blues to Beaver Creek. The series opens with GRAMMY-nominated British soul singer The James Hunter Six on July 2, continues with six-time GRAMMY-winning producer and bassist Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble on August 10 followed by the Django Festival Allstars on August 12, and closes with five-time GRAMMY-winning bassist, vocalist, and composer esperanza spalding on September 17.
The James Hunter Six and Django Festival Allstars will both perform in the Vilar’s intimate Presented Onstage format, which transforms the Eskenazi Meyers Theatre into a jazz club by placing audience members directly on the stage alongside the performers. Don Was and esperanza spalding will take the stage in the full theater, accommodating larger audiences for two unforgettable evenings of masterful, boundary-pushing performance.
“ Jazz has become one of the most exciting pillars of our programming, and this summer’s lineup spotlights four artists who each represent the extraordinary range and vitality of the genre,” said Cameron Morgan, Executive Director of the Vilar Performing Arts Center. “From James Hunter’s raw, timeless soul to Don Was’ masterful reimagining of the Grateful Dead, the Django Festival All-Stars’ infectious swing and esperanza spalding’s fearless creativity, this series offers something for every jazz lover and for anyone who simply appreciates great music performed at the highest level.”
2026 Summer Jazz Series Performances
The James Hunter Six | Presented Onstage
Thursday, July 2, 2026 | 7:00 PM
GRAMMY-nominated British singer, songwriter, and guitarist James Hunter has been a fixture of the international soul scene for over three decades, earning acclaim for his gritty voice, sharp songwriting, and timeless rhythm & soul sound. Hunter and his six-piece band have shared stages with legends including Aretha Franklin, BB King, and Etta James. Their latest album, Off The Fence, features a duet with longtime collaborator Van Morrison.
Tickets are offered as General Admission theater-style seating closest to the artists, or as Reserved Tables positioned along the back of the stage, which include ideal sightlines, the comfort of a private table, and a dedicated server.
Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble
Monday, August 10, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Grateful Dead’s Blues For Allah
Six-time GRAMMY Award-winning producer, bassist, and bandleader Don Was brings his Pan-Detroit Ensemble to Beaver Creek for a one-of-a-kind evening blending steamy jazz, juke-joint blues, and loose-limbed funk. The band will perform music from their debut album Groove in the Face of Adversity alongside a live rendition of the Grateful Dead’s Blues for Allah, celebrating the landmark album’s 50th anniversary and Was’ longtime musical partnership with the late Bob Weir. Was has produced albums for legends such as The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, John Mayer, and Ringo Starr.
Tickets are available as Reserved Seating or Orchestra Pit Standing.
Django Festival Allstars | Presented Onstage
Wednesday, August 12, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Django Reinhardt’s influence stretches across generations, from Carlos Santana and Eric Clapton to Jimi Hendrix and Willie Nelson, and the Django Festival Allstars have built a career honoring that legacy. A brilliantly cohesive ensemble, they’ve toured top concert halls and festivals across the country, performing a mix of standards and original music that captures the swing and romance of the genre’s golden era.
Tickets are available as General Admission theater-style seating or as Reserved Tables. This show is eligible for the Vilar’s Pick 3 and Pick 5 packages, which offer discounts when purchasing tickets for multiple shows at once.
esperanza spalding
Thursday, September 17, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Five-time GRAMMY Award-winning bassist, vocalist, and composer esperanza spalding is one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary jazz. Trained in the North American jazz tradition, spalding’s work weaves together instrumental music, improvisation, singing, composition, poetry, dance, and storytelling. She is the founder and co-director of Prismid Sanctuary, a nonprofit that stewards free artist residency, performance, and workshop space in her hometown of Portland, Oregon, and she is also a 2024 recipient of the Doris Duke Foundation Artist Award. Her Beaver Creek performance promises an evening of boundary-pushing artistry from a musician whose work continues to redefine what jazz can be.
Tickets for all Summer Jazz Series performances are on sale now at vilarpac.org.
More to experience at the Vilar this summer
The Summer Jazz Series joins an already robust Vilar summer lineup featuring chart-topping and genre-spanning artists sure to appeal to jazz fans and music lovers alike. Highlights include two nights of Graham Nash (July 9 & 10), GRAMMY-winning singer-songwriter Maren Morris (July 17), The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra (July 19), Canadian folk-rock icon Bruce Cockburn (July 23), piano superstar Yuja Wang & People of Earth presented in partnership with Bravo! Vail (July 27), acclaimed bluegrass quintet Punch Brothers (Oct. 13), and more.
To see the Vilar’s full summer season lineup and to purchase tickets, visit vilarpac.org or call the box office at 970-845-8497.