MUMBAI/ NATIONAL, 23 JANUARY, 2026 (GPN/ SACHIN MURDESHWAR 📞 8108510506): India is set to get jazzed up once again as Teamwork Arts, a leading force in India’s performing arts ecosystem, announces the 9th edition of the Jazz India Circuit, scheduled to tour Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi from 4th to 8th February 2026.

A flagship platform for contemporary and cutting-edge jazz, the Jazz India Circuit 2026 brings together world-renowned international artists and boundary-pushing collaborations, reaffirming its position as one of India’s most exciting live music properties.

A Power-Packed Line-Up for 2026

Headlining this year’s edition is the Benny Greb Brass Band, (Germany). Widely regarded as one of the most influential drummers of our time, Benny Greb has been named among the “Top 30 Greatest Drummers of the 21st Century” by Batterie magazine. A recipient of the prestigious Echo Jazz Award with his band Moving Parts, and recently selected by Cathy Rich as a Special Guest Drummer for the Buddy Rich Big Band, Greb’s Brass Band delivers a high-octane fusion of jazz and funk, celebrated for its tight grooves, explosive energy, and unmistakable sound. Also featured is the Federica Colangelo Trio (Italy), led by Italian pianist and composer Federica Colangelo. Her project Acquaphonica is a contemporary jazz laboratory where composition, improvisation, and cross-cultural rhythmic research converge, drawing from contemporary jazz, 20th-century Western music, and South Indian Carnatic rhythms. The trio’s current project Forward features acclaimed Carnatic percussionist B.C. Manjunath, expanding the rhythmic and improvisational vocabulary of the ensemble. Adding to the line-up is Interstellar (The Netherlands), the dynamic duo of Dutch drummer Joost Lijbaart and guitarist Bram Stadhouders. With over 300 concerts across five continents, Interstellar weaves deep tribal grooves, jazz, electronics, and open improvisation into trance-inducing live performances—evoking a modern, cosmic take on the spirit of Bitches Brew.

Announcing the 2026 edition, Avik Roy Festival Producer, Jazz India Circuit, said, “The Jazz India Circuit continues to be a vital platform for contemporary jazz in India, bringing together artists who are redefining the genre through bold collaborations and fearless experimentation. This year’s edition reflects the diversity of global jazz today—from groove-driven brass ensembles and rhythm-led explorations to cross-cultural conversations that draw from jazz, funk, and Indian classical traditions. As we take the Circuit across three cities, we invite audiences to experience jazz as it is meant to be heard—live, immersive, and full of surprise.”

You can book your tickets for the Jazz India Circuit 2026 here!(https://www.skillboxes.com/events/business/jazz-india-circuit)

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

BENNY GREB- Get ready for the Benny Greb Brass Band! Benny Greb, a world-renowned drummer, has been recognized by Batterie magazine as one of the “Top 30 Greatest Drummers of the 21st Century.” Alongside his band, Moving Parts, he received the prestigious Echo Jazz award. Earlier this year, he was selected by Cathy Rich as Special Guest Drummer for the Buddy Rich Big Band. With his Brass Band, Greb has earned acclaim at festivals around the world, delivering a distinctive fusion of jazz and funk. Known for their tight grooves and signature sound, this is a performance not to be missed.

Federica Colangelo- Acquaphonica is a contemporary jazz project led by Italian pianist and composer Federica Colangelo, serving as a creative laboratory where composition, improvisation, and cross-cultural rhythmic research meet. The trio develops a unique musical language drawing from contemporary jazz, 20th-century Western music, and South Indian Carnatic rhythms, emphasizing form, texture, and collective interplay. Their current project, Forward, features Carnatic percussion master B.C. Manjunath, enriching the rhythmic dimension and exploring new possibilities in groove, time, and improvisation, further expanding the trio’s innovative sound.

Interstellar -is the dynamic duo of drummer Joost Lijbaart and guitarist Bram Stadhouders, merging rhythm, space, and improvisation into hypnotic live performances. Drawing on deep tribal grooves, jazz, electronics, and contemporary composition, their music evokes the spirit of Bitches Brew through a modern lens. Lijbaart, a versatile figure in the Dutch scene, and Stadhouders, a boundary-pushing guitarist, have performed over 300 concerts across five continents. Interstellar blends trance-inducing rhythms, searing guitar, and open improvisation into a ritualistic, earthy, yet cosmic sound.

About Jazz India Circuit

From the nighttime streets of New Orleans to the bustling walkways of Mumbai and the pubs of Park Street, Calcutta, jazz has been both liberation and catharsis. It grew into a movement, carrying a storied narrative and a deeply distinct musical language. This February, the 9th edition of the Jazz India Circuit returns with a three-city tour across the nation!The Jazz India Circuit is your gateway to the best in contemporary jazz, bringing world-class artists and unforgettable live performances to your city. Over the years, the Circuit has featured legends like Stanley Jordan, Dave Weckl, Jojo Mayer | NERVE, Jamison Ross, and over 30 exceptional musicians from India and around the world. This isn’t your stiff-suited, finger-snapping-only-in-private kind of jazz. This jazz hits best with cutting chai in hand, deep grooves, and ‘wrong’ notes full of attitude. From smokey club corners to sunlit festival lawns, we plug you straight into India’s growing jazz bloodstream—one riff, one bass walk, one “oh yeah!” at a time. Think blue notes with a desi soul. Think trumpet conversations that flirt, argue, and make up before the bar closes. The Jazz India Circuit connects artists, venues, festivals, and listeners who know jazz is less about perfection and more about feel. Expect gigs you shouldn’t miss, musicians you’ll brag about discovering early. No gatekeeping, no lecture notes, just rhythm, rebellion, and a whole lot of improv. Whether it’s your first dive into jazz or you’re already a jazz junkie, experience international jazz masters, blazing solos, and electrifying vibes that make every beat exhilarating! https://www.skillboxes.com/

Teamwork Arts, India’s pioneering arts company, crafting cultural experiences for over 30 years, has taken India to the world and brought the world to India, presenting and nurturing the finest of Indian performers, writers, change makers and visual artists to the forefront. Every year, we produce over 33 festivals in 45 cities and 19 countries in the fields of performing & visual arts, knowledge and literature. We produce the world’s largest literary gathering: the annual Jaipur Literature Festival; JLF international now travels to the US, UK, and Europe. Through its digital avatar, the Jaipur Literature Festival reached over 35 million viewers in January 2024. Some key offerings among our digital and hybrid endeavours are – Art Matters, that empowers artists across India to collaborate by commissioning them to create new works, and Be Inspired: Fast tracking the future, that changes the narrative of scientific possibility to innovation. Two new milestones were added to our festival repertoire in 2024 – the Jaigarh Heritage Festival in Jaipur, celebrating India’s regal past and rich legacy of art, culture and architecture, and Voices of Faith in London, exploring the philosophies of faith to find a way towards collective empathy and understanding, and in 2026, Avakai: Amaravati Festival of Cinema, Culture and Literature was inaugurated in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.

More information at: www.teamworkarts.com