FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWPORT NEWS, VA, March 24, 2026 - Newport News will host a citywide series of jazz performances this spring, honoring its most famous native, Ella Fitzgerald.
The Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Celebration, presented by Hampton Roads Jazz Incorporated (HR Jazz), will feature multiple performances across several venues, bringing together nationally recognized artists, emerging performers, and local talent. The series continues HR Jazz’s mission to present live jazz while supporting education and community engagement throughout the region.
In addition to the HR Jazz concert series, the celebration includes the 28th Annual Ella Fitzgerald Music Festival at the Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center, home of the Ella Fitzgerald Theater. The festival, a longstanding tradition in Newport News, will featuremultiple performances highlighting a range of jazz styles.
The Ferguson Center for the Arts at Christopher Newport University will also host performances as part of the celebration, presenting internationally recognized artists at one of the region’s primary concert venues.
Together, HR Jazz, the Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center, and the Ferguson Center for the Arts are coordinating events across April and May as part of a broader effort to recognize Fitzgerald’s legacy and Newport News’ role in jazz history.
The celebration will include a mix of concerts, educational programming, and community events designed to engage audiences of all ages. Additional information about performance schedules and tickets is available at https://www.visitnewportnews.com/events-and-festivals/the-ella-fitzgerald-jazz- celebration-festival/.
