Benson Boone arrives at the 68th annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 1 in Los Angeles.
Benson Boone may not be a household name in Aspen. But in 2024, his song “Beautiful Things” was the most-streamed song in the world. And on Friday, Sept. 4, Boone will headline the three-day 2026 JAS Labor Day Experience.
Boone is among the top of a lineup that includes country superstar and Grammy-winner Tim McGraw, who headlines on Saturday (Sept. 5). Alt-rock band The Red Clay Strays will close the festival as Sunday’s (Sept. 6) headliner.
“We’re excited to welcome a number of high-profile Artists making their JAS debuts, including all three diverse headline artists, a first-time occurrence at the festival,” said Jim Horowitz, founder and CEO of JAS. “Our festival’s programming always strives to blend new artists to our stage with returning artists who become virtual family members through the years.”
Boone’s Friday evening show will be preceded by Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue. Shorty is a frequent visitor to Aspen and recently performed at the grand opening for the new Paul JAS Center on the Cooper Avenue pedestrian mall. He first played with JAS at a gala in 2000, Horowitz said.
“The addition of Trombone Shorty to the bill is a beautiful full circle experience for both the artist and JAS,” Horowitz said.
Troy Andrews, known as Trombone Shorty, along with his band Orleans Avenue, was the first band to play the new Paul JAS Center when it opened in late December.
Country on Saturday
The 2026 lineup marks a shift for JAS Labor Day. In recent years, a country act has closed out the festival on Sunday. This year, it’s the Saturday lineup that will be packed with country acts, culminating with McGraw’s evening set.
McGraw has sold more than 104 million records worldwide and dominated the country charts with 29 No. 1 singles. He has been one of the most-played artists of the country genre since debuting in 1992.
Singer-songwriter Shaboozey will take the stage at 5 p.m. Saturday before McGraw. Shaboozey is one of the first artists to blend hip-hop and country to mainstream success. “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” made him the first Black male artist to top Billboard’s Hot Country Songs and Hot 100.
Country newcomer Avery Anna will get the proceedings going on Saturday at 3 p.m. She boasts over 1 billion clicks on music streaming services.
Blues and soul Sunday
Sunday’s headliner, The Red Clay Strays, blends rock and southern soul. They are from Mobile, Alabama, and their song “Wondering Why” catapulted them into the top 10 on Billboard’s Hot Rock and Alternative Songs chart in 2022.
Thirteen-time Grammy winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Bonnie Raitt returns to JAS Labor Day for the first time since 1998 and will play at 5 p.m. before The Red Clay Strays. Horowitz said Raitt played JAS June in 2019.
“Bonnie Raitt is a great example of a returning artist who has become virtual family over the years,” Horowitz said. “There are not enough superlatives to describe the greatness of Bonnie Raitt. We are just thrilled it worked out this year for her to return.”
Grammy-winning blues phenom Christone “Kingfish” Ingram is slated to get the day going at 3 p.m. He performed last year at the Wheeler Opera House as part of the JAS June Experience.
Blues-guitar extraordinaire Christone “Kingfish” Ingram plays guitar with his teeth at the Wheeler Opera House during 2025’s JAS June Experience.
Limited early-bird three-day general admission passes are available now for $348, with a move to midway pricing at $399 expected soon. JAS Deck three-day passes, which include afternoon snacks and dinner, complimentary beer, wine, specialty cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages, and entrance into the private two-story deck structure also are available.
Tax-deductible Patron (VIP) three-day passes, including access to the JAS VIP tent with live cooking stations, open bars and dinner-dessert, open bars are also available.
Visit jazzaspensnowmass.org for more information and tickets.
