India Jazz Project: Grammy Award-winning Tinariwen to headline inaugural edition in February

Tinariwen bring their hypnotic Saharan soundscapes back to India after years. Photo Courtesy: Special Arrangement

India Jazz Project (IJP) is a new music festival is set to debut in February 2026 in India across Delhi-NCR, Mumbai and Bengaluru from February 6 to 8.

The brainchild of Foreword (Overture × The Soul Company), the first edition will be headlined by Grammy-winning desert blues legends, Tinariwen, marking their much-awaited return to the country.

The India Jazz Project is envisioned as a cultural platform where global artistry meets India's evolving creative landscape, bringing together jazz, blues, soul and contemporary world sounds. Each city will feature Tinariwen alongside some of India's most accomplished jazz and blues musicians, creating a stage where international and Indian talent come together to celebrate music.

The India Jazz Project is the first flagship IP from Foreword, a collaboration between live music and cultural programmer Overture and Indian F&B curators, The Soul Company.

According to the press release to the media, IJP aims to create a world where what happens on stage is elevated by what happens around it, from design-led spaces to curated bar programmes, culinary experiences and immersive cultural storytelling.

Co-founder Arpan Peter says, "India has a rich and often overlooked history in jazz and blues, and the India Jazz Project is our effort to bring that legacy into a global conversation. With IJP, we want to create a platform where world-class artists find a home in India, and where Indian audiences gain access to the finest international talent alongside our own exceptional jazz and blues musicians. Our aim is to build a long-term cultural movement that places India firmly on the global map for genre-defining experiences."

Co-founder Somanna PM adds, "India has emerged as one of the most dynamic markets in the world for premium food and beverage experiences, and it's time our cultural platforms reflected that evolution. With the India Jazz Project, we want to build a movement where the country's culinary and hospitality prowess stands shoulder to shoulder with the sophistication of jazz and blues. This is an opportunity to showcase the best of India, on stage, at the bar, and in the way we collectively experience culture."

Icons of desert blues and one of the most influential global acts of the past two decades, Tinariwen bring their hypnotic Saharan soundscapes back to India after years of anticipation. Born from the desert camps of the Tuareg rebellion, their music carries the poetry of exile, freedom, and resilience - woven through swirling guitar lines, meditative rhythms, and haunting call-and-response vocals that have captivated audiences worldwide.

Winners of the Grammy Award for Best World Music Album, the band have shaped modern world music and inspired generations of artists across rock, blues, and folk. Their collaborations span global heavyweights including Carlos Santana, Thom Yorke, The Black Keys, Mark Lanegan, and Warren Ellis.

Renowned for their transcendent live performances - equal parts spiritual, immersive, and electrifying - Tinariwen's return at the India Jazz Project marks a rare opportunity to experience the soul of the Sahara on an Indian stage.

The tickets for the festival will be available on District by Zomato.