Oregon Coast Jazz Party reveals star-studded lineup for 2026, helmed by Grammy-winner John Clayton

NEWPORT, OR — Oregon Coast Council for the Arts and The Jazz Cruise are thrilled to announce the full artist lineup for the 22nd annual Oregon Coast Jazz Party (OCJP), happening October 2-4, 2026, at the Newport Performing Arts Center on the beautiful shores of Nye Beach in Newport, Oregon. Under the artistic stewardship of Grammy-winning bassist, composer, and educator John Clayton, this year’s event will serve as a heartfelt tribute to the enduring legacy of Ken Peplowski, whose vision and spirit shaped the Jazz Party for the past five years.

The 2026 Party will bring together thirteen extraordinary musicians spanning multiple generations of jazz artistry. Joining Clayton on stage are pianist Taylor Eigsti, bassist and vocalist Katie Thiroux, and drummer Jeff Hamilton, all of whom will appear at all four sessions throughout the weekend. Rounding out this remarkable ensemble are flutist Holly Hofmann, clarinetist Jacob Scesney, tenor saxophonist and vocalist Camille Thurman, trumpeters Terell Stafford and Byron Stripling, guitarist Anthony Wilson, pianist Randy Porter, drummer Darrell Green, and rising star student performer Kiara Rouse on tenor saxophone.

As announced earlier this year, Clayton will step into the role of Interim Artistic Director following the passing of Ken Peplowski, who brought his extraordinary wit, masterful musicianship, and gift for assembling world-class musicians to the Party. This October, Clayton and the assembled artists will carry that spirit forward, offering a program that celebrates Peplowski and the joy and energy of live jazz.

Fans will also note Hofmann’s return to this year’s Party lineup, though this time as a performer rather than in a leadership role. Hofmann served as the Party’s Artistic Director from 2006 to 2018, then co-led the event with Peplowski in 2019, after which Peplowski went on to serve as sole Artistic Director from 2021 to 2025.

The weekend unfolds across four sessions: Friday, October 2 at 7 pm; Saturday, October 3 at 1 pm and 7 pm; and Sunday, October 4 at 1 pm. The lineup rotates across the sessions, with different groupings of artists sharing the stage throughout the weekend. Hofmann, Scesney, Eigsti, Clayton, Hamilton, and Thiroux open Friday evening. Saturday’s matinee brings Wilson, Scesney, Hamilton, Clayton, Stripling, Eigsti, and Thiroux, while Saturday evening assembles Thurman, Porter, Clayton, Green, Stafford, Scesney, Hofmann, Eigsti, Thiroux, and Rouse for what promises to be a memorable night. The Sunday matinee closes the weekend with an ensemble celebration featuring Thiroux, Stripling, Thurman, Eigsti, Hofmann, Clayton, Stafford, Wilson, Porter, Green, and Rouse. (Lineup and schedule are subject to change.)

All performances take place at the Newport Performing Arts Center, a state-of-the-art facility featuring an acclaimed Meyer Constellation sound system. For more than two decades, the event has drawn jazz enthusiasts from throughout the Pacific Northwest and across the United States, pairing world-class talent with the relaxed, intimate atmosphere that distinguishes a jazz party. The focus, as always, is on the music.

The 2026 OCJP is produced by Oregon Coast Council for the Arts in partnership with The Jazz Cruise. The event is also honored to welcome back Rev. Carol Stubbs Smith, whose generous support as lead underwriter continues to make this cultural landmark possible for the Oregon Coast community. All proceeds from the event benefit Newport Performing Arts Center.

Tickets are on sale now. For more information and to purchase tickets, call 541-265-2787, stop by the box office in person (Tuesday-Friday, 10 am-3 pm), or visit coastarts.org/jazz.