JAZZ ON THE RIVER
Jazz on the River is a series of free Sunday summer concerts held in downtown Wausau, Wisconsin at Kickbusch Plaza, directly behind the Marathon County Downtown Library. Concerts start at 5:00 PM and run until 7:00 PM. There is parking in the lot directly behind the library building. Food trucks provide snacks, or you can bring your own picnic. Bring a chair. You might come early and enjoy the beauty around you before and after the concert, as you walk or bike the trail by the river.
Rain location is Faraway Place (formerly Malarkey’s), 408 N Third St. in downtown Wausau.
jazz on the River 2026 lineup
July 19, 2026 John Greiner’s SwingShift band
John Greiner’s SwingShift Big Band features the music made famous during the immortal Big Band Era of the 1930’s and 1940’s. Music fans of all ages instantly recognize the sights and sounds of the music made famous during World War II. The finest musicians in the state of Wisconsin join John in recreating the music of an era of which there will never be another.
July 26, 2026 Janet Planet
Six time WAMI winner and the recipient of WAMI’s Hall Of Fame award, Janet Planet is a dynamic force in the realm of sound, mesmerizing listeners with her remarkable talent.
Janet has graced renowned jazz festivals and intimate clubs, performing with small combos and full orchestras from Rochester to Russia, NYC to Johannesburg. As a prolific recording artist, Janet has over 25 albums in her discography. On stage, Janet exudes an evident mastery of her instrument, resulting in a personal and meaningful experience for her audiences.
Janet will be joined by the exquisite artistry of Matt Buchman (piano), Mark Urness (bass) and Ryan Korb (drums/percussion).
August 2, 2026 Take That Back
Band leaders Joan Hutton (alto sax, bass clarinet) and Sue Orfield (tenor sax) began their collaboration in 2019, drawn together by a passion for composing and performing original music. With tight harmonies and precise arrangements, the strength of this duo lies as much in their joyful collaboration as it does their distinct, stylistic differences.
Canadian native Joan Hutton is a performer, composer and educator residing in Minneapolis. Joan’s diverse interests have taken her from jazz, free improv and funk to classical, chamber music and pit orchestras. S
Sue Orfield is an award winning tenor saxophonist, composer and educator who tours internationally and has recorded on hundreds of albums. She makes her home in the Chippewa Valley of Wisconsin.
August 9 2026 FASHIONABLY lATE
Fashionably Late is a Milwaukee-based jazz band that strives to keep the original high-energy and danceable quality of jazz alive. In 2021, Anthony Kopczynski and Eddy Magallanes formed the Fashionably Late combo. All the members met in the big band at the University of Wisconsin, UW-Milwaukee. For fans of Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Dean Martin, Duke Ellington, Bobby Darin, Ray Charles, Glen Miller, Louis Armstrong, and more, you will surely have a wonderful time listening to this young group of jazz cats. On April 17, they performed at the Eau Claire Jazz Festival, and in May are travelling to Louisville, Kentucky, to perform on the main stage at the Abbey Road On The River festival... In February of 2026, the group released an EP titled Don't Stop Me, consisting of four original songs (on all streaming platforms). The magic that Fashionably Late brings to the scene is unmatched, so get ready to sing and dance!
August 16 2026 Point of jazz
Made up of UW-Stevens Point graduates, the Point of Jazz Quintet plays jazz standards, original music, and contemporary compositions. Mat Chapman (trumpet), Jayce Gorski (saxophone), Kadin Yach (piano), Colt Maichle (drums) and Jessie Crandall (bass) grew as musicians together while in school and continue to play as a group with the goal of making great music while having fun.
get involved
There are great ways you can get involved as we present Jazz on the River and other events. If you love live music, we would welcome you to help us as we present these concerts. You might help with setup, cleanup, or connecting with and welcoming our audience. Contact uw at rivervalleyjazz@gmail.com. Perhaps you have an idea and would like to help make Jazz on the River better and better each year. Connect with us!
Interested in being a sponsor for Jazz on the River? Check out our sponsorship page for details.
Our corporate sponsors for 2026 are the Eye Clinic of Wisconsin, and Marathon Cheese.. Foundation sponsors are: The Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Arts Board, the Greenheck Foundation, the Dudley Foundation. In kind sponsor is Wausau Pilot and Review.
