Exit Zero Jazz Festival

Twice a year, the Exit Zero Jazz Festival turns the nation’s oldest seaside resort into a hip little music village. Ready to be moved?

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL Looking for a jazz festival experience like no other? Twice a year, Cape May transforms into a musical sandbox during the Exit Zero Jazz Festival, when this small-but-mighty event draws an incredible mix of sounds and cultures, packing world-class talent into an intimate seaside setting.

The Main Stage of the Festival is Cape May Convention Hall, where you’ll find yourself up close with jazz superstars, Grammy-winning legends, and NEA Jazz Masters. Past festivals have featured icons like Wynton Marsalis, Gregory Porter, Jon Batiste, Dianne Reeves, Pat Metheny, Ron Carter, Samara Joy, Branford Marsalis, Christian McBride, Omara Portundo and Terence Blanchard — just to name a few.

But what really sets Exit Zero Jazz apart is its global spirit. Musicians from Brazil, Indonesia, Japan, South Africa, Europe, the Caribbean and Cuba take the stage, bringing new sounds and surprises each time. The best part? You’ll probably discover some new favorites you never even knew existed.

The festival is run by the nonprofit Cape May Jazz Festival Foundation and produced by Michael Kline, the executive director. Want in? Head over to exitzerojazzfestival.com for tickets and all the details.