Event Details
Historic New England and Mandorla Music present the fourth annual David Chesnut Jazz Festival at the Eustis Estate. This outdoor music festival features a range of jazz styles performed by an eclectic group of professional musicians from across the Boston area. Doors open at 2:00 p.m., music starts at 3:00.
3pm: Åsa Runefelt Quintet (Åsa Runefelt: voice, Allan Chase: saxophones, Brian Friedland: keyboard, Bruno Raberg: bass, Austin McMahon: drums). With her ethereal, crystalline voice and lyrics celebrating the wonder of the natural world, vocalist Åsa Runefelt and her amazing band will open the day's lineup.
4pm: Witness Matlou Quartet (Witness Matlou: piano, Lihi Haruvi: saxophone, John Lockwood: bass, Lee Fish: drums). Pianist Witness Matlou's approach to jazz is influenced by traditional sounds from his native South Africa as well as folk, gospel, and western classical music.
5pm: Eric Hofbauer’s EHX (Eric Hofbauer: guitar, Temidayo Balogun: saxophone, Ana Ospina: cello, Tony Leva: bass, Miki Matsuki: drums, Hayley Thompson-King: vocals on select tunes). The repertoire of Eric Hofbauer's "Gen X post-style" ensemble EHX includes interpretations of music by such diverse artists as Radiohead, Joni Mitchell, the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Abbey Lincoln, and Eddie Harris.
6pm: Jared Sims & Aftershock (Jared Sims: saxophones, Steve Fell: guitar, Jeffrey Lockhart: guitar, Jef Charland: bass, Charles Haynes: drums). 2025 Boston Music Awards winner Jared Sims will debut an all-star jazz-funk band to get everyone out of their seats and dancing as we close the 2026 David Chesnut Jazz Festival!
The festival will be outdoors, rain or shine. Attendees are encouraged to dress appropriately and bring chairs or blankets for lawn seating.Food and beverages will be available for purchase from Roundhead Brewing Company and Moyzilla food truck, serving Asian dumplings and street food. Outside alcohol is not permitted. Boston Outdoor Preschool Network will provide family-friendly activities throughout the event.
Festival admission is $20 for Historic New England members, $30 for nonmembers, $10 for Card to Culture holders, and free for anyone under 18. Card to Culture tickets, EBT/SNAP/WIC card must be presented at check in. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance: https://my.historicnewengland.org/26495/chesnut-festival.
David Chesnut—a coachman and chauffeur at the Eustis Estate from the 1890s until 1905, and an active member of the community—had a lifelong passion for music, both as a performer and as a connoisseur. Inspired by his legacy, the festival promotes a more inclusive history of the Eustis Estate while celebrating the power of art and community.