First Liberation Saxophone Choir

Cafe Coda is among the businesses hit hard by the recent protest encampment on Williamson Street, and subsequent denial of emergency assistance for neighborhood businesses by the Madison Common Council. One way to help this vital community hub is to visit for a concert or community event, and there are many excellent opportunities coming up at the four-day CodaFest celebration. It kicks off Sept. 23 with a free day of activities honoring the 100th birthday of John Coltrane, with music, documentaries and more. Cafe Coda’s own woodwind master Hanah Jon Taylor leads his Artet for a 7 p.m. concert on Sept. 24, followed by a 9 p.m. show by percussionist Ronnie Burrage & the Holographic Principle. Sept. 25 features ensembles led by Frank Catalano and Eric Jacobson; Saturday features matinee concerts by the Cool School kids' group Spacetime, and First Liberation Saxophone Choir; the evening features fest headliners Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble and Chico Freeman Quintet. Find info on tickets at cafecoda.club.

Schedule:

Wednesday, September 23, 5-11 pm: John Coltrane 100th Birthday Tribute and Celebration

Thursday, September 24, 7-8:30 pm: Hanah Jon Taylor Artet; 9-10:30 pm: Ronnie Burrage & Holographic Principle

Friday, Sept. 25: 7-8:30 pm: Eric Jacobson; 9-10:30 pm: Frank Catalano

Saturday, Sept. 27: Noon-1:30 pm: Cool School Kids' Ensemble; 2-3:30 pm: First Liberation Saxophone Choir; 7-8:30pm: Kahil El'Zabar; 9-10:30 pm: Chico Freeman

media release: Cafe Coda is proud to present "CodaFest 2026 A Celebration of Creative & Contemporary Music"

From September 23 through the 26 Cafe Coda will present a four day festival celebrating the timeless creativity of contemporary jazz.

With performances by local, regional and nationally renowned musicians. We are excited to offer a great Fall experience for music fans of all ages.

As 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of John Coltrane, CodaFest will open with a birthday celebration on Wednesday, September 23, presenting recordings, documentaries and testimonies honoring one of the greatest saxophonists of the 20th century. This event is free!

Thursday, September 24, we'll open with a performance of the Hanah Jon Taylor Artet featuring percussionist Dushon Mosely, bassist Darius Savage and Julian Reid on piano at 7pm.

Later that same evening Florida based percussionist Ronnie Burrage & the Holographic Principle will take the stage for an unforgettable music experience featuring Mike Boone on bass, Yuto Kanazawa on guitar, and Silvano Monosterias at 9pm.

Friday, September 25, Milwaukee trumpeter Eric Jacobson will present music from his latest CD, featuring Pamela York on piano, Clay Schaub on bass, and Dave Bayles on drums at 7pm.

Following Eric's performance, Chicago's Frank Catalano Quartet will deliver an illuminating performance in the evening at 9pm.

Saturday, September 26,, highlights CodaFest with a noon performance by the Cool School Kids’ Ensemble Spacetime, followed by a 2pm performance of the First Liberation Saxophone Choir, an improvisational project led by Hanah Jon Taylor.

The highlight performances for CodaFest will open in the evening on September 26 with master percussionist Kahil El’Zabar's Ethnic Heritage Ensemble at 7pm featuring Corey Wilkes on Trumpet and Alex Harding on baritone saxophone.

Closing the evening will be world-renowned saxophonist Chico Freeman Quintet at 9pm

CodaFest 2026 is sponsored by musicians, friends, and business community supporters who believe in the vitality, need and urgency for living music in the world.

Proceeds from CodaFest support Cafe Coda's outreach initiatives such as Cool School—a free Saturday music experience for kids—and the CodaMobile, a mobile stage which expands out into the less enfranchised areas of Dane County with art and creative activities.