Montreux Jazz Festival Miami 2025 Expands Lineup with WILLOW & Chaka Khan

January 7, 2025 -- The second annual Montreux Jazz Festival Miami (February 28-March 2) has announced several exciting additions to its star-studded lineup.  NAACP Image Award and BET Award-winner WILLOW, the musician, actress and author celebrated for her boundary-pushing sound, will perform on Friday, February 28, on a bill that includes previously announced Jon Batiste & Friends. On Saturday, March 1, the legendary Chaka Khan, a 10-time GRAMMY Award-winner and the unparalleled "Queen of Funk," will perform.  Saturday’s previously announced headliner is innovative singer, songwriter, rapper and actress Janelle Monáe. 

7-time GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY Award-winning pianist Gonzalo Rubalcabaand 16-time GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY Award-winning clarinetist and saxophonist Paquito D'Rivera have been added to the Sunday, March 2 “La Descarga” Afro-Cuban jam, co-hosted by Jon Batiste and Cimafunk, with a dazzling array of beloved Cuban musicians including Alfredo Rodriguez, Cimafunk & La Tribu, Pedrito Martinez, Robe L Ninho, Wampi, Yissy Garcia, trumpet superstar Ibrahim Maalouf, and violinist Yilian Cañizares with the support of the Montreux Jazz Artists Foundation.

The Montreux Jazz Festival Miami, returning to 1500-capacity The Hangar at Regatta Harbour in Coconut Grove, promises a spectacular weekend of one-of-a-kind musical moments in an intimate setting. Five-time GRAMMY Award winner Jon Batiste will kick off the weekend on Friday with his specially curated “Jon Batiste & Friends” show.  Batiste and his band Stay Human will also host after hours Montreux Jam Sessions each night following the headliner performances.  

Batiste played a key role in bringing the Montreux Jazz Festival to Miami. He is also a co-owner of the festival and curated this year’s lineup. Batiste headlined the inaugural edition and hosted the late night Jam Sessions that made international news. Says Batiste, “Bringing the soul of Montreux to the heart of Miami is an honor. It’s a rare festival where the room is intimate and musical collaboration and improvisation are central to the experience. We had an unforgettable experience last year and can’t wait to be back.”   

Attendees can enjoy food from Michelin-starred Chef Henrique Sá Pessoa’s Sereia, the buzzworthy Celia’s, and more, as well as explore a pop-up installation from Dante’s HiFi, the Wynwood-based audiophile vinyl bar.  Festival VIP ticket holders will have the opportunity to attend masterclasses with select artists. 

Says Mathieu Jaton, CEO of Montreux Jazz Festival: "The first edition of the Montreux Jazz Festival in Miami was an incredible success, with the city embracing our music, spirit, and legacy with open arms. As we prepare for the second edition, we are thrilled to bring even more unforgettable performances and experiences to Miami’s vibrant music scene. We look forward to deepening our connection with this beautiful city and celebrating the rich, diverse sounds that make the Montreux Jazz Festival so unique."

*Friday February 28:

Jon Batiste & Friends, WILLOW

*Saturday March 1:

Chaka Khan,  Janelle Monáe

*Sunday March 2: 

Afro-Cuban “La Descarga” hosted by Jon Batiste and Cimafunk with Alfredo Rodriguez, Cimafunk & La Tribu, Pedrito Martinez, Robe L Ninho, Wampi, Yissy Garcia, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Paquito D'Rivera, trumpet superstar Ibrahim Maalouf and violinist Yilian Cañizares with the support of the Montreux Jazz Artists Foundation.  Sunday will also feature Bogotá-based musical ensemble and Latin GRAMMY nominees Monsieur Periné, as well as a set from Alfredo Rodriguez

Ticketing:

Single-day ticket prices for Montreux Jazz Festival Miami begin at $129, with VIP tickets at $569 and Legend tickets at $999. Payment plans are also available.

The 2024 inaugural edition of the festival featured Jon Batiste, Rock and Roll Hall Famer Daryl Hall, Queen of Axé Daniela Mercury, as well as Cimafunk, The Wailers, Cory Henry, Emily Estefan, Israel Houghton, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Lia de Itamaracá, Justin Kauflin, Adrian Cota & The Winston House Band, ELEW, and Mathis Picard.

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About Montreux Jazz Festival

The Montreux Jazz Festival takes place for two weeks every summer in Switzerland, on the shores of Lake Geneva. Created in 1967 by Claude Nobs and directed by Mathieu Jaton since 2013, the Montreux Jazz Festival has become over the years an essential event, generating fantastic stories and legendary performances. Nearly 250,000 spectators come to the Festival every year, enjoying a breath-taking setting, concerts with renowned acoustics and many free stages. Montreux Jazz Festival celebrates the industry’s emerging and contemporary acts, whilst paying homage to music’s legendary acts. Originally a pure jazz festival since inception in 1967, Montreux began showcasing other styles of music throughout the decades and today presents artists from across every genre imaginable. Artists that have graced the stage of Montreux include Etta James, Quincy Jones, Bob Dylan, Elton John, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Aretha Franklin, David Bowie, James Brown, Kendrick Lamar, Leonard Cohen, Marvin Gaye, Miles Davis, Nina Simone and many more. In addition to its iconic annual event, the Montreux Jazz Festival has exported its unique expertise and ambiance to cities worldwide for over fifty years. From São Paulo to Detroit, Atlanta to Singapore, Monaco to Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro to Suzhou, and now Miami, these global editions continue to embody the spirit of the Montreux Jazz Festival.