The Utah Jazz have recently unveiled a new set of uniforms for the 2024-25 NBA season, marking another chapter in their rich visual history. This latest rebrand, emphasizing midnight black, mountain purple, and sky blue, signals a forward-looking approach, yet it’s essential to appreciate the journey that brought the Jazz to this point. From their New Orleans origins and the iconic “J-Note” to the beloved mountain jerseys and the modern gradient designs, the Utah Jazz Uniform History is a fascinating evolution reflecting basketball trends, regional pride, and team identity. Let’s delve into the complete Utah Jazz uniform history, exploring each era and the jerseys that defined it.
The Early Years: New Orleans Roots in Utah (1979-1996)
Alt text: Karl Malone Utah Jazz green road uniform 1980s, clenched fists during Lakers playoff game, showcasing vintage NBA jersey design.
Alt text: Karl Malone Utah Jazz white home uniform 1988, layup against Lakers Mychal Thompson, classic J-Note logo on NBA jersey.
Alt text: Utah Jazz original purple jersey 1980s, green and gold trim, showcasing Mardi Gras colors of team’s New Orleans origins.
When the Jazz relocated from New Orleans to Utah in 1979, they brought with them the vibrant colors of Mardi Gras: purple, green, and gold. For nearly two decades, these colors and the distinctive “J-Note” logo defined the Utah Jazz uniform. Initially, from 1979 to 1984, the Jazz sported white home jerseys and green road jerseys, both featuring the iconic “J-Note” logo. In 1984, the green road jersey was replaced with a purple version, maintaining the team’s original color scheme but offering a different look on the court.
The green jerseys were notably revived for special occasions, worn on St. Patrick’s Day in both 1985 and 1986, adding a festive touch to the team’s visual identity. This era of Utah Jazz uniforms coincided with the franchise’s rise to prominence. Donning these classic jerseys, the Jazz embarked on an impressive streak of 20 consecutive postseason appearances, a testament to the team’s sustained success under legendary coach Jerry Sloan.
In more recent years, the Jazz have revisited their uniform history, wearing throwback jerseys from this era on several occasions. The white jersey was brought back in 2004, followed by the green jersey in 2010 – a game where Sundiata Gaines famously hit a game-winning three-pointer against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers while wearing the retro green. The purple jerseys also made a comeback in the 2018-19 season, allowing fans to appreciate the team’s visual roots.
The Mountain Era: Peak Jazz Success (1996-2004)
Alt text: John Stockton Utah Jazz white mountain uniform 1998, dribbling against Cavaliers Brevin Knight, iconic mountain range jersey design.
Alt text: Karl Malone Utah Jazz purple mountain jersey 1998 NBA Finals, driving to basket against Shaquille O’Neal, representing team’s most successful era.
Alt text: Karl Malone Utah Jazz black alternate uniform 1999, shooting over Brian Grant, unique copper trim and mountain logo.
The period from 1996 to 2004 marked the most celebrated era in Utah Jazz history, both in terms of on-court achievements and uniform design. These “mountain jerseys” are deeply ingrained in the memories of Jazz fans. Paying homage to Utah’s landscape, the jerseys prominently featured a mountain range across the chest and shorts. In these iconic uniforms, John Stockton and Karl Malone led the Jazz to two NBA Finals appearances, solidifying their place in NBA history.
Along with the mountain design, the Jazz updated their logo. The “J-Note” was replaced by a basketball and mountain range graphic, encircled by a copper ring and overlaid with the word “Jazz” in purple and teal. This logo and color scheme became synonymous with the Stockton and Malone era. Adding to the visual variety, the Jazz introduced a black and copper alternate jersey in the 1998-99 season. This alternate uniform, with its distinctive color combination, was worn until 2004, offering a darker, bolder option in the team’s rotation.
The popularity of the mountain jerseys has endured. The Jazz brought back the purple mountain throwback jerseys from this era for several games in both the 2019-20 and 2022-23 seasons, demonstrating the enduring appeal of this classic design among fans and players alike.
Transition Years: Navy, Powder Blue, and Purple (2004-2010)
Alt text: Carlos Boozer Utah Jazz navy blue road uniform 2004, reacting after scoring, showcasing 3D text and new color palette.
Alt text: Deron Williams Utah Jazz white home uniform 2006, dribbling against Seattle SuperSonics, featuring 3D “Jazz” lettering.
Alt text: Deron Williams Utah Jazz powder blue alternate jersey 2007 playoffs, standing with Paul Millsap, same design as copper alternates.
With the retirements of Stockton and Malone, the Utah Jazz entered a new phase. This era, from 2004 to 2010, saw a shift in the team’s color scheme. While the logo remained the same as the late ’90s mountain design, the colors evolved from purple, teal, and copper to a combination of navy, powder blue, and purple.
The home white and away navy jerseys of this period featured a modern touch with 3D text, displaying “Jazz” on the home whites and “Utah” on the navy away jerseys. In 2006, the Jazz introduced a powder blue alternate jersey, utilizing the same design template as the copper alternates from the previous era (1999-2004). This powder blue uniform served as the alternate option until 2010.
Despite the uniform changes and the transition on the court with new stars like Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer, the Jazz maintained a competitive edge. In these uniforms, the team reached the Western Conference Finals in 2007, although they were unable to advance past the second round in the subsequent three seasons.
Return to the J-Note and Rebuilding (2010-2016)
Alt text: Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson Utah Jazz navy road uniform 2010, reacting after scoring, featuring J-Note logo and updated colors.
Alt text: Rudy Gobert Utah Jazz white home uniform 2013, rebounding against Lakers Jordan Hill, J-Note logo and mountain primary logo.
Alt text: Gordon Hayward Utah Jazz green alternate jersey 2012, defended by Spurs Danny Green, reintroduced green color and J-Note logo.
In 2010, the Utah Jazz uniforms underwent another significant change, marking a return to the beloved “J-Note” logo on their jerseys. This era, lasting until 2016, saw the Jazz sporting white home and navy road uniforms, both adorned with the “J-Note.” Adding a touch of retro flair, a green alternate jersey was introduced in 2011, further emphasizing the team’s original color palette, albeit in a modernized form.
While the “J-Note” returned to the jerseys, the mountain logo was retained as the team’s primary logo during this period. The updated color scheme for the overall branding was navy, green, and yellow. However, despite the visual changes, the on-court performance during this era was largely forgettable for Jazz fans. Jerry Sloan’s resignation in the 2010-11 season, followed by the Deron Williams trade, signaled the beginning of a rebuilding phase.
The Jazz made only one playoff appearance during this six-year stretch, in the lockout-shortened 2011-12 season, where they were swept by the San Antonio Spurs. The hiring of Quin Snyder as head coach in the 2014-15 season marked the beginning of a new climb back to playoff contention, spearheaded by young talents like Gordon Hayward and Rudy Gobert.
The Modern Era: Jersey Variety and the Mitchell-Gobert Era (2016-2022)
Alt text: Donovan Mitchell Utah Jazz navy icon jersey 2019 playoffs, reacting during game against Rockets, modern J-Note design.
Alt text: Donovan Mitchell Utah Jazz yellow statement jersey 2022, celebrating three-pointer against Grizzlies, large J-Note and side numbers.
Alt text: Gordon Hayward Utah Jazz white association jersey 2017 playoffs, talking to coach Quin Snyder, standard white home jersey with J-Note.
Alt text: Rudy Gobert Utah Jazz sleeved alternate jersey 2016, defending Lakers Timofey Mozgov, short-lived sleeved design with chest logo.
Alt text: Derrick Favors Utah Jazz orange city jersey 2018 playoffs, defending Russell Westbrook, popular gradient design inspired by Southern Utah.
Alt text: Ricky Rubio Utah Jazz green earned edition jersey 2018 playoffs, reacting after foul, recolored statement jersey for playoff teams.
Alt text: Donovan Mitchell Utah Jazz dark mode city jersey 2020, dribbling against Damian Lillard, black gradient version of city jersey.
Alt text: Donovan Mitchell Utah Jazz white earned edition jersey 2020, playing against Damian Lillard, brighter green and yellow earned jersey.
Alt text: Jordan Clarkson Utah Jazz dark mode city jersey 2021, handling ball against Grizzlies, continued use of popular dark gradient design.
The six-season stretch from 2016 to 2022 was a period of unprecedented jersey variety for the Utah Jazz, with the team wearing a total of ten different uniform designs. The Jazz maintained the “J-Note” as their primary logo, still utilizing the navy, green, and yellow color palette. The white and navy jerseys, featuring the “J-Note,” were updated in 2016 with a different number font and remained core elements of the uniform set.
Green alternate jerseys were reintroduced in 2016, featuring the “Utah” wordmark which would later become prominent on the team’s city jerseys. Also in 2016, the Jazz briefly experimented with sleeved jerseys, showcasing the “J-Note” and number on the upper chest and a yellow, green, and white stripe across the lower chest. However, these sleeved jerseys were short-lived, phased out when Adidas’ uniform contract with the NBA ended in 2017.
When Nike took over as the NBA uniform provider in 2017, teams gained access to a wider array of jersey options. The traditional home, road, and alternate structure was replaced with up to four core jerseys. For the Jazz, this meant a white “Association” jersey and navy “Icon” jersey, retaining the same “J-Note” design from 2016. A yellow “Statement” jersey was added, featuring a large “J-Note” logo with the player numbers positioned to the right. The most visually striking addition was the orange, red, and yellow “City Jersey,” which paid tribute to the red rock landscapes of southern Utah and featured the “Utah” wordmark.
These “City Edition” jerseys, with their gradient design, quickly became fan favorites. Initially planned for a single season, their popularity led the Jazz to keep them for three seasons. In the 2018-19 season, an “Earned Edition” jersey was introduced – an extra jersey for playoff teams, which for the Jazz was a recolored “Statement” jersey in green and yellow. The “City Edition” jerseys were updated in the 2020-21 season with a “dark mode” version, retaining the orange, red, and yellow gradient but fading into black with yellow numbers. The “dark mode” city jerseys were also worn in the 2021-22 season. “Earned Edition” jerseys returned in 2020-21, maintaining the 2018-19 design but with brighter green and yellow hues.
On the court, this era coincided with the Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert led teams making six playoff appearances from 2016-17 to 2021-22. The highlight was the 2018 first-round victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the core group ultimately couldn’t advance beyond the second round, leading to the team’s eventual rebuild in the summer of 2022.
The Unpopular Rebrand and Swift Course Correction (2022-2024)
Alt text: Jordan Clarkson Utah Jazz yellow statement jersey 2024, shooting over Lakers Taurean Prince, part of unpopular 2022 rebrand.
Alt text: Lauri Markkanen Utah Jazz black icon jersey 2022, talking with Mike Conley, featuring “Utah” wordmark and bright yellow lettering.
Alt text: Keyonte George Utah Jazz white association jersey 2024, dribbling against Cavaliers, J-Note logo with bright yellow trim.
Alt text: Lauri Markkanen Utah Jazz purple city jersey 2024, driving to basket against Timberwolves, modern take on mountain jerseys.
In 2022, the Utah Jazz unveiled a rebrand that proved to be largely unpopular with fans. The new uniform set included a white jersey with bright yellow trim and the “J-Note” logo, a bright yellow jersey with a “Jazz” wordmark, and a black jersey with a “Utah” wordmark. For the 2023-24 season, a new purple “City Edition” jersey was introduced, offering a modern interpretation of the classic mountain jerseys with a “Utah” wordmark and simplified, gradient mountains.
Despite the attempt to modernize, the 2022 rebrand was met with significant disappointment from fans, and these uniforms were only worn for two seasons. Coinciding with this uniform era, the on-court performance was also transitional. While the Jazz showed early promise in both seasons, mid-season trades led to increased losses and a sense of rebuilding.
Back to the Mountains: The 2024 Rebrand and the Future (2024-Present)
Alt text: Utah Jazz new uniforms 2024-2025 season, showcasing midnight black, mountain purple, and sky blue color palette, mountain and J-Note designs.
Acknowledging fan feedback and embracing their heritage, the Utah Jazz announced a new rebrand in June 2024, returning to their mountain roots. The new uniform set includes four jerseys, though not all will be worn in the 2024-25 season. The white jersey with bright yellow trim will be retained for the 2024-25 season, along with the black jersey with bright yellow lettering for the first half of the season.
New additions for the 2024-25 campaign include a purple “City Edition” jersey with a white “Utah” wordmark and mountain designs reminiscent of the late 1990s jerseys, and a new black jersey featuring a large white “J-Note” logo set against gray mountains. Looking ahead to the 2025-26 season, the 2024-25 “City Edition” jersey will be retired, and two new jerseys will complete the uniform transition. These include a purple mountain jersey, closely resembling the 2023-24 “City Edition,” and a white version of that design, featuring purple gradient mountains, black numbers, and a white and gray “Utah” wordmark. These two will become the “Association” and “Icon” editions, with the black jersey becoming the “Statement” jersey. A new “City Edition” jersey, yet to be revealed, will round out the 2025-26 uniform set, promising a visually exciting future for the Utah Jazz.
