On Saturday, November 21, the 2026 Middlesex County Jazz Festival reaches a grand finale in Metuchen when Friends of Metuchen Arts and Metuchen Arts Council present a full evening’s entertainment. The Metuchen event, which is FREE, takes place indoors in the comfortably refurbished Metuchen High School auditorium complete with a new sound system.
Starting at 5:30 p.m., performances featuring the Metuchen Dance Centre & Theatre Arts Conservatory followed by the innovative pairing of the Metuchen High School Jazz Ensemble (big band) directed by John Messenger and the Metuchen High School Orchestra directed by Chris McEwan.
At 7:00 p.m. Dave Schumacher & Cubeye, the outstanding contemporary Latin American Jazz ensemble, takes the Metuchen stage with sounds that meld Cuban tradition, New York hardbop and modern jazz.
Next, the evening’s headliner, Mingus Big Band, performs the music of legendary composer/bassist Charles Mingus.
Experience an evening of world-class music at this free community event.