DAVENPORT, IOWA (July 26, 2026) — The 55th Bix Jazz Festival celebrates its emerald anniversary with events highlighting Bix’s collaborations with Jean Goldkette. The 2026 festival will also recognize the festival's new home as a program of Common Chord.
The festival begins Thursday, July 30, with a 5-9:45PM session at Rhythm City Casino, Davenport.
Festival events continue 11AM-10PM, Friday, July 31, and 11AM-10:15PM, Saturday, August 1.
Cost for festival sessions at Rhythm City Casino ranges from $50 for a single session pass to $205 for a VIP pass. Tickets are available at commonchordqc.org/bix, by phone at 563-324-7170, or at the door.
For more information about the festival, schedule of events, and tickets, visit commonchordqc.org/bix/festival.
Special events for this year include a showing of silent film comedies of the 1920s with live accompaniment at The Last Picture House and a post-festival jazz quartet concert in the Redstone Room at Common Chord, Davenport.
The Last Picture House, Davenport, will host a screening of silent film comedies of the 1920s 12PM, Thursday, July 30. The event features accompaniment from Jeff Barnhart on piano and Josh Duffee with percussion sound effects to provide the live soundtrack to these films. Admission is $15. To buy tickets, visit commonchordqc.org/bix or call 563-324-7170.
Also new is the Sunday Session in the Redstone Room at Common Chord, 2PM, Sunday, August 2, presenting a variety of jazz from a quartet of Bix Jazz Festival stars. The concert, an all-seated show with a full bar, features Dave Bennett, Dave Kosmyna, Steve Pikal, and Adler Schiedt. Admission is $10 or free with any festival pass. Seating is limited for this event. Purchase tickets through the festival website at commonchordqc.org/bix.
The full listing of festival events is as follows:
Thursday, July 30
- Silent Film Comedies of the 1920s with Jeff Barnhart and Josh Duffee noon at The Last Picture House, Davenport. This is a ticketed event; visit commonchordqc.org/bix.
- Free one-hour concert in the Putnam Museum’s Grand Lobby with Chicago Cellar Boys featuring Bix’s cornet 3PM at the Putnam Museum, Davenport.
- Festival session with five bands, including the Bix Youth Band, 5-9:45PM, at Rhythm City Casino. For festival tickets, visit commonchordqc.org/bix.
Friday, July 31
- Celebration Belle Riverboat Cruise with lunch and live music from T J Muller’s Jazz-O-Maniacs 11AM-2PM, at Celebration Belle, Moline.
- Festival sessions with five bands including the Bix Youth Band, 11AM-3:35PM, followed by another session with six bands 4:45-10PM at Rhythm City Casino. The Friday evening session features open dance instruction by Jeanette Watts.
Saturday, August 1
- Traditional free concert at Bix’s gravesite with a performance by Mike Davis’ New Wonders and a parade of historical cars 10AM at Oakdale Memorial Gardens, 2501 Eastern Ave, Davenport, Iowa 52803.
- Festival sessions with six bands 11AM-4PM, followed by another session with seven performances, 4:45-10:15PM, at Rhythm City Casino.
Sunday, Aug. 2
- Bix Jazz Liturgy 9:30AM at First Presbyterian Church, 1702 Iowa St, Davenport, Iowa 52803. Bix Festival musicians join the FPC Sanctuary Choir for a Bix-inspired church service. This free event is open to the public.
- Sunday Session in the Redstone Room with Dave Bennett, Dave Kosmyna, Steve Pikal, and Adler Schiedt 2PM at The Redstone Room at Common Chord, 131 W 2nd St., Davenport, Iowa 52801. This is a ticketed event; visit commonchordqc.org/bix.
About Common Chord
Common Chord, based in downtown Davenport, Iowa, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit working to build a more vibrant and welcoming community, fueled by music in all its forms. Founded in 2004 as the River Music Experience, the organization has continued to adapt and respond to community needs over its 22-year history. Common Chord provides accessible, inclusive music education programming, and concert programs to more than 50,000 people each year. For more information, visit commonchordqc.org/ or follow us on social media.
Common Chord receives core mission support as a Legacy Partner of The Cultural Trust. Additional leadership support is provided by The Bechtel Trusts, Hubbell-Waterman Foundation, Regional Development Authority, Pierce's Promise, and the Iowa Arts Council, which exists within the Iowa Economic Development Authority.
Corporate leadership support is provided by Common Chord's Rockstar Sponsors, Roto-Rooter, and The Tangled Wood.
