– The School of American Music (SAM) proudly announces a landmark event for The School of American Music - Jazz Fest 2026: Wildflowers: Kurt Elling with Ben Paterson, taking place Friday, September 18, 2026, at The Acorn Theater in Three Oaks, Michigan. The concert begins at 8:00 PM EDT, with an exclusive VIP Reception at 6:00 PM EDT. Tickets will go on sale soon and are expected to sell out quickly.
This headline performance marks one of the most significant artistic presentations in the festival’s history. Two-time Grammy® Award winner Kurt Elling - hailed by The New York Times as “the standout male jazz vocalist of our time” and described by The Guardian as “a kind of Sinatra with superpowers” - brings his unmistakable voice, poetic lyricism, and groundbreaking artistry to the SAM Jazz Fest stage.
Over a celebrated 25-year international career, Elling has earned sixteen Grammy® nominations and a remarkable string of honors, including multiple international jaz
z awards and a 14-year run atop the DownBeat Critics and Readers Polls. Known for expanding the vocabulary of vocal jazz through inventive lyricism and bold musical collaborations, Elling has performed with luminaries including Branford Marsalis, Danilo Pérez, Fred Hersch, and leading orchestras worldwide. He has appeared at the White House, at UNESCO International Jazz Day celebrations across the globe, and is currently appearing on Broadway in the Tony Award–winning musical Hadestown.
Joining Elling for Wildflowers is internationally acclaimed pianist and Steinway Artist Ben Paterson, praised by DownBeat Magazine as “as soulful a pianist/organist as exists anywhere.” A First Prize winner of the Ellis Marsalis International Jazz Piano Competition, Paterson has performed with jazz greats including Von Freeman, Bobby Broom, Samara Joy, and Houston Person. He was also the pianist on Samara Joy’s Grammy®-winning recording Linger Awhile. With a joyful swing feel, impeccable touch, and deep roots in both Chicago jazz and blues traditions, Paterson brings exceptional artistry and chemistry to this collaboration.
Presented in the intimate and acoustically rich setting of The Acorn Theater, Wildflowers: Kurt Elling with Ben Paterson promises an extraordinary evening of world-class jazz performance in Harbor Country. The event underscores the School of American Music’s continued commitment to presenting internationally renowned artists while strengthening its mission to provide accessible, high-quality music education and cultural programming for the region.
“This is truly a milestone moment for SAM and Jazz Fest,” said Heidi Smith, Executive Director of the School of American Music. “To bring an artist of Kurt Elling’s caliber - alongside the brilliance of Ben Paterson - to our stage reflects both the growth of the festival and the strength of our community’s support for live jazz.”
The VIP Reception at 6:00 PM will offer guests an elevated pre-concert experience, with proceeds directly supporting the School of American Music’s educational programs, scholarships, and community outreach initiatives.
Jazz Fest continues on Saturday, September 19, 2026 and Sunday, September 20, 2026 with additional artists to be announced this Spring.
Tickets will be available for purchase this spring. Additional details and ticketing information will be announced soon at www.schoolofamericanmusic.com and at www.acornlive.org.
About the School of American Music
The School of American Music is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing exceptional music education and performance opportunities in Southwest Michigan. Through private instruction, community programs, scholarships, and major events such as Jazz Fest, the organization fosters artistic excellence while ensuring that music education remains accessible to students of all backgrounds.