Nationwide — In its seventh year, The Dymally Institute is bringing its annual Jazz & Arts Festival onto its home campus at California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH), to be held on April 25th, 2026, from 1pm to 8pm, with doors opening at 12 noon. A stellar lineup of incredible artists that includes the incomparable, five-time Grammy award-winning jazz vocalist, Diane Reeves, best known for her remarkable performance recordings of “I Got it Bad and That Ain’t Good,” “Quiet After the Storm,” “That Day,” “Bridges,” and too many others to name. Cuban American jazz trumpeter, pianist, timbalero, and composer, and ten-time Grammy award-winning, Arturo Sandoval, who also won an Emmy Award for his composition and performances heard on “The Mambo Kings.”
Arturo is world-renowned and the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama in 2013. He also received the 2024 Kennedy Center Honor. Additionally, performing will be Grammy award winner, Trevor Ware and the Positive People featuring jazz singer, Sidney Jacobs, and Grammy-nominated R&B artist Kenyon Dixon will be featured, best known for his R&B/Soul sounds including “Higher Ground,” Expectations,” and “Come as You Are.”
New Jazz Underground, the NYC-based trio of Juilliard alumni—Abdias Armenteros (saxophone), Sebastian Rios (bass), and TJ Reddick (drums). Known for blending traditional jazz with modern, often ironic, digital-age sensibilities, they have risen from street performances to a popular YouTube following and festival performances. Many other artists will be featured on the two-stage programs and the day-long event with festival hosts, radio personality Pat Prescott, and comedian Jay Lamont.
This festival is co-produced by Rainbow Promotions. With over three decades of experience, they are the longtime promoters of Southern California’s Long Beach and San Diego Jazz Festivals.
The Mervyn M. Dymally African American Political & Economic Institute (MDAAPEI) at California State University Dominguez Hills, through the development of a rich oral and digital history project, the MDAAPEI explores and documents the professional lives and achievements of African American public-elected officials, business leaders, and policymakers. The Institute also examines the impact of its public policy efforts on the political and economic development of African Americans and other disadvantaged communities.
The MDAAPEI provides training programs for current and future leaders, including the Dymally Fellows Program, which allows students of color to travel internationally to expand their worldview and higher educational ambitions. The MDAAPEI also supports the African American Leadership Training Program for high school students and entrepreneur-directed training for local businesses. The Institute produces and promotes culturally relevant events for CSUDH students and the community at large, that highlight the Dymally influence on the African Diaspora.
Headed by Dr. Anthony A. Samad, Ph.D. current Executive Director of the Institute, their mission is recognized as a cultural staple not only on the campus of CSUDH, but around the world. Through cultural engagement, research, and leadership mentoring, Dymally Institute’s goal is to build community and institutional memory through a digital archive of the history and contributions of African American elected officials, business, and community leaders who have influenced the progress of the State of California and the world.
To learn more or purchase tickets, please visit the official website at www.csudh.edu
For press inquiries, contact Dr. Anthony A. Samad at (310) 243-2659 or Gail Gibson, GPR (323) 799-6266, email: bayblack@aol.com