The last day of Jazz Ascona 2026 promises to take the audience on a long musical journey that begins at noon and ends late at night. On Saturday, July 4th, the festival will bid farewell to the public after ten days of events, confirming the success of this 42nd edition, characterized by a wide participation and an artistic offering that spans both tradition and contemporary influences.
The festival's closing event will bring together many of the stars of this year's lineup, offering a synthesis of the diverse souls that have distinguished the event: from the roots of classic jazz to the most modern sounds, passing through swing, funk, zydeco, and big band.
A swinging start
The music will kick off at 12:00 PM with the Nanna Carling Swingband , featuring a series of performances scheduled until 2:15 PM at Ristorante al Piazza. This event is designed to complement lunch with a light and engaging atmosphere, reflecting the swing that made the band led by the Swedish musician famous.
Nanna Carling herself will then return to the stage at 6:30 pm at the Eden Roc Marina, offering a second chance to hear one of the artists who has garnered the most acclaim during this edition of the festival.
Eden Roc Marina hosts two protagonists
The first part of the evening will see the Eden Roc Marina become a key part of the program. Following the return of Nanna Carling, at 8:15 pm it will be the turn of pianist Manon Mullener , another popular performer in the previous days.
The two concerts will offer a more intimate atmosphere than the large lakeside stages, highlighting the musicians' interpretive qualities in a context dedicated to listening.
The lakeside is transformed into a large stage
The heart of the final day will remain Ascona's lakeside promenade, where the event's traditional closing parade will take place. Many of the artists who have made a name for themselves this year will return to perform to bid farewell to the audience.
The high turnout recorded during the ten-day festival confirmed the interest in a musical offering capable of appealing to both fans of early jazz and those seeking more contemporary rhythms and cross-fertilization with other genres.
From traditional jazz to funk
The evening's programming will offer a journey through different musical languages.
At 7:30 pm, on Stage Seven, Ali Affleck and The Traveling Janes will take to the stage , a band that will perform a repertoire linked to the jazz tradition.
A few minutes later, at 20 pm, Stage New Orleans will host the Swiss Armed Forces Big Band , ready to bring back the charm of the great orchestras with a repertoire full of energy and spectacular arrangements.
At 20.30pm the Elvezia Stage will completely change atmosphere with the Sean Ardoin Quintet , who will bring their zydeco-rock sounds to Ascona, mixing Louisiana influences with modern rhythms.
The return of the great orchestras
The evening will continue at 9:45 pm with the Syncopation Society Orchestra , once again on Stage Seven. The concert will be one of the events dedicated to orchestral trad jazz, one of the genres historically most beloved by fans of the event.
The festival will then turn its attention to contemporary sounds. At 10:30 pm, Stage New Orleans will host the Adonis Rose & Phillip Manuel Ensemble , a group that will combine elegance and musical research through a refined repertoire.
The final concert of the series will take place at 23 pm on Stage Elvezia, with Spanish bassist Vincen García providing a funk sound characterised by rhythm and great intensity, a choice that will accompany the audience until the final farewells.
A festival that also involves the local area
Even on the final day, the event will maintain its widespread character, extending the program beyond Ascona. At 8:30 pm, the Lido di San Nazzaro will host a concert by Sabine McCalla , further demonstrating the organizers' desire to involve various local venues throughout the festival.
Concerts not to be missed
Among the most anticipated events of the final day are:
- Nanna Carling Swingband (12.00-14.15, Ristorante al Piazza)
- Nanna Carling Swingband (18.30pm, Eden Roc Marina)
- Manon Mullener (20.15pm, Eden Roc Marina)
- Ali Affleck and The Traveling Janes (19.30pm, Stage Seven)
- Swiss Armed Forces Big Band (20.00pm, Stage New Orleans)
- Sean Ardoin Quintet (20.30pm, Stage Elvezia)
- Syncopation Society Orchestra (21.45pm, Stage Seven)
- Adonis Rose & Phillip Manuel Ensemble (22.30pm, Stage New Orleans)
- Vincen García (23.00pm, Internship Helvezia)
This intense musical marathon will conclude one of the most popular editions of Jazz Ascona , an event that this year too has offered a richly varied program, alternating established artists with new proposals and confirming its role among the most followed cultural events of the Ticino summer.
