04th November, 2026
04th November, 2026The NCPA International Jazz Festival 2026 returns for three evenings of live jazz, bringing together internationally acclaimed vocalists and musicians from 20 to 22 November.
Established in 2011 and presented as the NCPA International Jazz Festival since 2017, previous editions of the festival have featured artistes such as The Mingus Big Band, Monty Alexander, Emmet Cohen, Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Veronica Swift over the years. This year’s line-up features the Francesca Tandoi Trio on 20 November, the Nicole Zuraitis Quartet on 21 November, and Thana Alexa featuring Antonio Sánchez on 22 November. The three-day festival offers Mumbai audiences an opportunity to experience leading international jazz talent at their doorstep, led by world-class artistes who will bring the magic of jazz to the NCPA stage.
Day 1 - Francesca Tandoi Trio
Jamshed Bhabha Theatre | November 20, 2026 | 7.00 pm
An NCPA Presentation
The festival opens on Friday, 20 November, with the Francesca Tandoi Trio. Italian pianist, singer, composer and bandleader Francesca Tandoi will lead the evening, bringing together her work as a pianist and vocalist. Known for her virtuosity and performances as a bandleader, Tandoi has built an international career through appearances at jazz venues and festivals across Europe, Asia, Africa and the United States.
Tandoi spent her formative years in the Netherlands, studying at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague before continuing her musical education at Codarts Conservatory in Rotterdam. Since then, she has led her ensembles at venues including Dizzy’s Jazz Club at Lincoln Center and the Caramoor Jazz Festival in New York, Stockholm Concert Hall, Bimhuis in Amsterdam, TivoliVredenburg in Utrecht, Hakuju Hall in Tokyo and Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza. Her festival appearances have taken her to countries including Japan, Indonesia, India, South Africa, Russia, Turkey and Israel.
Her collaborations extend across the international jazz circuit; she has performed with Snarky Puppy at Umbria Jazz Arena Santa Giuliana in 2023 and appeared as a special guest at the Italian debut of the GroundUP festival in 2025. She has also recorded and performed with established jazz musicians including saxophonist Scott Hamilton and drummer Lewis Nash. Her other collaborations include Lee Pearson, Sergey Manukian and Florin Nicolescu. These experiences across ensembles and musical settings inform her work as a performer and bandleader.
Age Recommendation: 6+ | Late entry not permitted
Duration: 2 hours
Day 2 - Nicole Zuraitis Quartet
Jamshed Bhabha Theatre | November 21, 2026 | 6.30 pm
An NCPA Presentation
Nicole Zuraitis Quartet takes the stage for the second evening of the NCPA International Jazz Festival. Zuraitis is a two-time Grammy Award-winning and six-time Grammy-nominated jazz singer-songwriter, pianist, arranger and bandleader whose work brings together vocal performance and original songwriting.
Zuraitis has released seven albums as a bandleader. Her sixth album, How Love Begins, co-produced with eight-time Grammy winner Christian McBride, won the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album in 2024. The album features original compositions, with Zuraitis writing and arranging the entire record. This achievement distinguished her as the sole recipient of the award to have written and arranged the winning album in its entirety. She also received the Gold Medal at the 2021 American Traditions Vocal Competition. At the festival, Zuraitis will perform with her quartet, bringing her work as a vocalist, pianist and composer to the NCPA stage.
Age Recommendation: 6+ | Late entry not permitted
Duration: 2 hours
Day 3 - Thana Alexa ft. Antonio Sanchez
Jamshed Bhabha Theatre | November 20, 2026 | 6.30 pm
An NCPA Presentation
The festival concludes with vocalist, composer, arranger and producer Thana Alexa, featuring drummer, composer and bandleader Antonio Sánchez.
Alexa, a Croatian-American jazz musician based in the United States, is known for a creative practice that draws on personal histories and cross-cultural experiences. Her independently released album ONA, nominated for two Grammy Awards in 2020, was inspired by the stories of immigrant women in her family. The project developed into a wider exploration of the experiences of women across generations and cultures. Alongside her work as a vocalist, composer, arranger and producer, Alexa has also worked as a jazz festival director.
Joining Alexa is Antonio Sánchez, a four-time Grammy winner recognised for his work as a drummer, composer and bandleader. He is particularly known for his two-decade collaboration with guitarist Pat Metheny and for composing the solo drum score for the film Birdman, which received an Oscar nomination. Sánchez’s work extends beyond conventional jazz settings, incorporating elements of electronica, rock and fusion through projects such as Bad Hombre and Shift. His collaborations have included musicians such as Trent Reznor, Dave Matthews and Kimbra. Through his band Migration, he continues to release original music, including work that engages with social issues. His career has been marked by multiple Jazz Drummer of the Year awards and recognition across jazz and film music.
Age Recommendation: 6+ | Late entry not permitted
Tickets for each day (Plus GST)
Enjoy a Season Ticket discount at the NCPA Box Office when you purchase 2 or more tickets for all three concerts—15% for Members and 10% for the public.
