APRIL 2026 ISSUE

April is our season. Jazz Appreciation Month. Record Store Day. International Jazz Day. And this year, America at 250. Right here in New York and New Jersey — the jazz capital of the world — we feel every note of it. Our cover celebrates Sistering — Lenora Zenzalai Helm, Nnenna Freelon, Lois Deloatch, and Kate McGarry — four extraordinary voices whose artistry and sisterhood embody the grace, depth, and brilliance of this music. Our flip cover honors Tony Waag, who joins Mercedes Ellington to bring Such Sweet Thunder — Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn's magnificent Shakespearean jazz suite — to the world with a special YouTube Premiere on Sunday, April 19 at 2pm. A gift from the stage to your screen. Inside, we celebrate the artists, the venues, the records, and the culture that make this region the heartbeat of jazz worldwide. This music was born of genius, shaped by struggle, and offered to the world as a gesture of profound beauty. We remain honored to be its messenger. Enjoy the issue. ~Chrys R

Table of Contents

Boundary-Pushers

This week’s edge lives where composition, improvisation, and intent meet. From Vijay Iyer sharing space with Bill Frisell and Ron Carter at the Jazz Gallery, to the structural interplay of Caroline Davis and Matt Mitchell at Roulette, these sets move beyond form into real-time architecture. Kendrick Scott brings a compositional drummer’s lens to Smoke, while Gregory Hutchinson reframes lineage through concept and ensemble. Leo Genovese and Manuel Valera extend the language outward, drawing from multiple traditions without settling into any one of them. And with New Jazz Underground at Birdland Theater, the next wave is already testing the boundaries—less concerned with category than with possibility.

Keepers of the Flame

The throughline is unmistakable: sound shaped by lineage, carried forward without compromise. At the Village Vanguard, Sullivan Fortner brings clarity, swing, and modern command to a historic bandstand, while Monty Alexander returns to the Blue Note with a lifetime of rhythm, blues, and Caribbean pulse intact. Bobby Watson and Wayne Escoffery anchor the music in hard-bop language—direct, expressive, and unbroken—while Pasquale Grasso and Ehud Asherie refine the tradition through touch, time, and detail. From Gary Smulyan to Helen Sung, these artists don’t revisit the past—they extend it, keeping the language alive by playing it forward.

Voices of Resistance

This music has always carried more than sound—it carries memory, identity, and insistence. The Randy Weston centennial at Dizzy’s centers African roots not as reference, but as foundation, while Craig Harris and the Harlem Nightsongs Big Band continue a lineage where history and present-day urgency meet. At City Winery, the Billie Holiday celebration returns to a voice that transformed pain into art and truth into permanence. Michel Camilo and Pedrito Martinez bring Afro-Caribbean traditions into full conversation with jazz, affirming the music’s diasporic core, while Kazemde George represents a generation shaping new language from inherited struggle. These are not retrospectives—they are living expressions of resistance, continuity, and cultural clarity.

RANDY WESTON

FESTIVALS

MUST SEE NEXT WEEK

APRIL 2026

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PODCAST

CATHERINE RUSSELL

Catherine Russell stands as one of the era’s great interpreters of American song—a vocalist whose authenticity bridges the elegance of swing with the emotional clarity of blues and early rhythm & blues. Featured in the March issue of Hot House Jazz, Russell continues to illuminate the lineage of artists like her father, the legendary bandleader Luis Russell, and her mentor, Louis Armstrong. Her upcoming performance at Caffè Lena on March 28 promises a luminous evening of timeless storytelling, where every lyric feels both classic and freshly unearthed. Backed by a stellar ensemble, she brings warmth, wit, and effortless phrasing to repertoire that spans from vintage standards to sly, soulful gems. In Russell’s hands, the Great American Songbook lives not as nostalgia but as revelation—a living conversation between history and heart. READ MORE

Boundary-Pushers

Boundary Pushers spotlight the artists redefining the edges of jazz this week—from the Bronx to Baltimore. Arturo O’Farrill’s Quinteto at Pregones Theater fuses Afro‑Latin fire with modern invention, while Emmet Cohen honors Miles & Trane at Birdland with fresh vitality. At the Blue Note, Tiana Major9 blurs soul and improvisation, and a Buena Vista Social Club Tribute revives Cuban elegance. Smalls and Five Spot host bop innovators Jesse Davis and Lew Tabackin, balancing deep tradition with fearless swing. Brooklyn’s John Pizzarelli charms with urbane artistry, Mala Waldron brings introspective grace to Peekskill’s Beanrunner Café, and the powerhouse Artemis ignites Keystone Korner in Baltimore. Together, they reveal jazz’s boundless terrain—where heritage meets experiment and every note carries discovery.

Emmet Cohen: Miles & Trane Centennial — Birdland (Mar 27–28, 8:30pm) — Midtown

Arturo O’Farrill Quinteto — Pregones Theater (Mar 28, 7pm) — Bronx

Artemis — Keystone Korner (Mar 28, 7pm) — Baltimore

Lew Tabackin — Five Spot Jazz (Mar 27–28, 7pm) — East Village

Keepers of the Flame

Keepers of the Flame honors the artists preserving jazz’s lineage while keeping its spirit vividly alive. Birdland Theater shines with Flying High: Still Soaring, a salute to timeless swing, followed by Vince Giordano & the Nighthawks, reviving the dance‑band era with unmatched authenticity. At Dizzy’s and Jazz at Lincoln Center, the DIVA Jazz Orchestra and Bill Frisell’s 75th Birthday Celebration bridge tradition and evolution—Frisell’s lyricism standing as proof of music’s endless renewal. Midtown warms to Lynette Washington’s elegance, while Wayne Tucker at Cellar Dog and Gillian Margot & Geoffrey Keezer at Mezzrow bring the Village its soulful glow. Kevin Hays Trios at the Vanguard, Ed Jackson’s Quartet in Queens, and Karrin Allyson in Tarrytown each kindle the essence of jazz storytelling. From John Pizzarelli in New Jersey to Emily Braden in Philadelphia, Keepers of the Flame celebrates those who transform reverence into reinvention.

DIVA Jazz Orchestra — Dizzy’s Club (Mar 27–29, 7pm) — Columbus Circle

Kevin Hays Trio — Village Vanguard (Mar 27–29, 8pm) — Greenwich Village

Karrin Allyson Quartet — Jazz Forum (Mar 27–28, 7pm) — Tarrytown

John Pizzarelli — William Paterson University (Mar 29, 3pm) — New Jersey

Voices of Resistance

Voices of Resistance amplifies artists who use sound as conviction—transforming rhythm into resilience and melody into meaning. At Smoke Jazz Club, the Kenny Barron Trio reaffirms the power of beauty as quiet defiance, while Unlimited Miles: Miles Davis at 100 at Birdland salutes the master whose innovations forever challenged boundaries. Zahili Gonzalez Zamora ignites Hell’s Kitchen with Cuban‑infused urgency, and at The Django, Ed Cherry and Richard Cortez channel resistance through groove and grace. In Brooklyn, Eric Person fuses spiritual fire with modern edge, and Meshell Ndegeocello turns Pioneer Works into a sanctuary of sonic activism. Pete Rodriguez Quartet, Catherine Russell, and T.K. Blue Quintet carry the torch from Mt. Kisco to Saratoga Springs to Newark—each exploring heritage as protest, and truth as song. Together, these artists remind us that jazz remains a voice of endurance: ever‑questioning, ever‑moving, and ever‑free.

Kenny Barron Trio — Smoke Jazz Club (Mar 27–29) — Upper West Side

Zahili Gonzalez Zamora — So & So’s (Mar 28, 6pm) — Hell’s Kitchen

Richard Cortez Band — The Django (Mar 28, 7:30pm) — Tribeca

Catherine Russell — Caffè Lena (Mar 28, 5pm) — Saratoga Springs

Meshell Ndegeocello — Pioneer Works (Mar 29, 8pm) — Brooklyn

More Events

FESTIVALS

SPECIAL

MUST SEE NEXT WEEK

MARCH 2026

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Vanisha Gould | (Mon, Mar 16) — Dizzy’s Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center NYC

Vocalist Vanisha Gould has emerged as one of the most compelling storytellers among a new generation of jazz singers. Her voice balances warmth and precision, drawing equally from the swing-era tradition and the emotional directness of contemporary song. In the intimate setting of Dizzy’s Club, Gould’s performances tend to feel conversational—each lyric unfolding as if shared across the table rather than across a stage. Vanisha is featured in this month’s Hot House. [Read More] [Tickets]

Pioneers of Jazz: Celebrating Melba Liston |Tue, Mar 17, 10am | National Jazz Museum in Harlem | Melba Liston remains one of the most important—and too often overlooked—architects of modern jazz. A brilliant trombonist, arranger, and composer, Liston shaped the sound of bands led by Randy Weston, Dizzy Gillespie, and others, bringing a rich orchestral imagination to jazz writing. This program at the National Jazz Museum in Harlem revisits her legacy, reminding audiences how profoundly her musical voice helped define the sound of the era. MORE INFO

Boundary-Pushers

Chris Dave : Atomic Habitz | Blue Note Jazz Club \ Mar 13–19 | Chris Dave has spent the past decade redefining rhythm in contemporary music, moving effortlessly between hip-hop, gospel, jazz, and the unpredictable spaces in between. Atomic Habitz leans into that restless energy, with guitarist Marcus King and producer DJ Ginyard pushing the band toward a groove-driven improvisational edge. Expect a late-night laboratory where jazz meets the modern beat culture. MORE INFO

Tyreek McDole | Jazz Gallery | Mar 14 | Rising vocalist Tyreek McDole has quickly become one of the most talked-about young voices on the scene. His sound carries the gravity of the great baritone stylists while maintaining the flexibility of a modern improviser. The Jazz Gallery—always a home for artists on the cusp—provides the perfect room for that kind of emergence. *Livestream Avail MORE INFO

Sunny Jain’s Wild Wild East | Joe’s Pub | Mar 19 | Sunny Jain has long built bridges between jazz, punk energy, and the rhythms of the South Asian diaspora. Wild Wild East expands that language further, mixing dhol percussion, brass, and improvisation into a bold hybrid sound. It’s music that feels both global and deeply rooted in New York’s restless creative spirit. MORE INFO

Danilo Pérez & Godwin Louis with the JLCO | Jazz at Lincoln Center | Mar 13–14 | Panamanian pianist Danilo Pérez has spent decades exploring the intersection of jazz with global musical traditions. In “African Routes,” he joins forces with saxophonist Godwin Louis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra to trace the rhythmic pathways linking Africa, the Caribbean, and the Americas. The result promises a sweeping musical conversation across continents. MORE INFO

Billy Hart Quartet | Dizzy’s Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center | Mar 13–15 | Drummer Billy Hart has been a quiet force in modern jazz for more than half a century, shaping the music from the bandstand alongside Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, and countless others. His quartet projects that same restless curiosity—rhythmic textures unfolding with patience, nuance, and deep listening. At Dizzy’s Club, with its panoramic view of the city, Hart’s music often feels like a masterclass in the art of collective improvisation. MORE INFO

Keepers of the Flame

Fred Hersch Trio | Smoke Jazz Club | Mar 13–15 | Few pianists combine lyricism and harmonic depth the way Fred Hersch does. His trio has become a masterclass in listening—every phrase unfolding with patience, elegance, and quiet intensity. At Smoke’s intimate room, Hersch’s music often feels less like a concert and more like a shared meditation. MORE INFO

Walter Smith III TWIO | Village Vanguard | Mar 13–15 | Walter Smith III’s tenor sound sits squarely in the modern lineage of the instrument—warm, searching, and harmonically adventurous. His TWIO project strips the format down to essentials, leaving space for long melodic lines and subtle rhythmic interplay. The Vanguard remains the proving ground where that kind of focused conversation thrives. MORE INFO

Camille Thurman with the Darrell Green Quartet | Jazz Forum Arts | Mar 14 | Saxophonist and vocalist Camille Thurman has built a reputation as one of the most versatile artists of her generation, moving seamlessly between horn and voice while drawing deeply from the jazz tradition. Whether channeling the spirit of classic swing-era singers or stretching out on tenor sax, Thurman brings both power and elegance to the bandstand. Joined by drummer Darrell Green’s quartet, the performance promises a vibrant mix of soulful swing, modern phrasing, and fearless improvisation. MORE INFO

Marion Cowings | Jazz Club at Aman | Mar 17 | Vocalist Marion Cowings carries the warmth and authority of a classic jazz storyteller. His phrasing recalls the elegance of the great mid-century stylists while remaining firmly rooted in today’s scene. In the refined setting of the Aman Jazz Club, that timeless sound feels perfectly at home. MORE INFO

A Tribute to Harold Mabern w/Eric Alexander & Cyrus Chestnut | Smoke Jazz Club | Mar 18–21 | Few pianists carried the torch of hard bop with the warmth and authority of Harold Mabern. A Memphis native whose rhythmic drive and blues-soaked touch energized generations of musicians, Mabern left an indelible mark on the New York scene. Saxophonist Eric Alexander and pianist Cyrus Chestnut—both longtime collaborators and spiritual heirs to that tradition—revisit his music in a tribute that promises equal parts reverence, swing, and deep groove. MORE INFO

Joanne Brackeen | Jazz Forum Arts — | Mar 20 | Pianist Joanne Brackeen has long stood among the most imaginative voices in modern jazz. Rising to prominence in the bands of Art Blakey and Joe Henderson, she developed a style that blends fearless improvisation with lyrical depth and spiritual intensity. At Jazz Forum Arts, Brackeen brings that singular approach to the keyboard—music that moves fluidly between tradition and exploration while remaining unmistakably her own. MORE INFO

Voices of Resistance

“Manteniendo el Legado de El Conde” w/ – Cita Rodríguez & Pete Rodríguez | Pregones Theater | Mar 14 | A tribute to salsa legend Pete “El Conde” Rodríguez, this performance connects generations of Latin music heritage. Led by family members Cita and Pete Rodríguez, the program celebrates a sound that shaped New York’s Afro-Caribbean musical identity. In the Bronx—where so much of that story unfolded—the legacy feels especially alive. MORE INFO

Craig Harris & Harlem Nightsongs Big Band | Harlem Jazz Boxx Harlem Jazz Series @ Mount Morris Ascension Church (Mar 20) Trombonist Craig Harris has long used music as a platform for storytelling, weaving history and social memory into large-ensemble jazz. Harlem Nightsongs draws directly from the poetry, struggles, and celebrations that shaped the neighborhood’s cultural life. It’s big band music with a conscience. MORE INFO

Women’s Jazz Fest : Lisa Fischer | Schomburg Center | Mar 16 Lisa Fischer’s voice has carried through decades of music history—from the Rolling Stones’ stage to deeply soulful solo work. At the Schomburg Center’s Women’s Jazz Fest, she brings that extraordinary range into a setting devoted to cultural memory and artistic lineage. Fischer doesn’t simply sing songs—she inhabits them. MORE INFO

More Events

Jazz Vespers @ Saint Peter’s Church : Ron Jackson | Mar 15 | Guitarist Ron Jackson brings his warm tone and elegant phrasing to Saint Peter’s long-running Jazz Vespers series, where music and reflection meet in a uniquely intimate setting. Known for his mastery of both six- and seven-string guitar, Jackson moves easily between blues, swing, and modern harmony. In the quiet acoustics of the sanctuary, his music unfolds with a calm, contemplative grace. MORE INFO

FESTIVALS

Flamenco Festival New York — Citywide (through Mar 15) Each year the Flamenco Festival brings some of Spain’s most dynamic dancers, singers, and guitarists to New York stages. The performances reveal the deep rhythmic kinship between flamenco and jazz improvisation—two traditions built on pulse, expression, and fearless dialogue. For a few weeks each spring, the city moves to a distinctly Andalusian beat. Hot House lists a few places to consider. MORE INFO

SPECIAL

100th Birthday Celebration for Nobuko “Cobi” Narita | Tue, Mar 17, 5pm | Saint Peter’s Church For decades, Nobuko “Cobi” Narita was one of the quiet pillars of New York’s jazz community, offering musicians a welcoming stage and devoted advocacy through the Jazz Center of New York. This centennial celebration honors the remarkable life of a woman who helped nurture generations of artists. Fittingly held at Saint Peter’s—often called the “Jazz Church”—the event reflects the spirit of community Narita championed throughout her life. MORE INFO

SPOTLIGHTS

MARCH 2026

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Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for the New Year

JANUARY 2026 ISSUE - HOT HOUSE JAZZ GUIDE

We arrive at that magical moment between watching an iconic year unfold and preparing to celebrate the new one ahead. As we prepare these articles in December, just before the holiday break, I'm struck by how quickly the year sprinted by. What great times we've witnessed. This year brought changes to our family. Two of our writing staff said goodbye, with one transitioning completely from the jazz world. They were both missed immediately, their voices leaving spaces we're still learning to fill. We honor Raúl da Gama in these pages with one of his poems—and of course, it became a conversation piece, just as his writing always was. Our year in review reveals an industry in remarkably good shape. New artists are making waves while masters continue to live and work well into their 100s, still appreciated and celebrated by our community. We honor 101-year-old Marshall Allen, a testament to jazz's life-giving force.

Looking ahead, 2026 will bring an unprecedented number of centennials. There must have been pixie dust in the air in 1925-26, as the jazz icon centennial list reads like a roster of the greatest names in our music's history: Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Max Roach, Gigi Gryce, and many more. It's a year that will demand our full attention and celebration. We pay tribute to two remarkable artists: Melba Liston and Sammy Davis Jr., each of whom broke barriers and expanded jazz's possibilities. Our Premium Edition spotlights the up-and-coming artists to watch in 2026—the next generation carrying our music forward.

I hope you enjoy reading what we've created as much as we enjoyed putting it together. Here's to the music that keeps us young, the artists who inspire us, and the community that sustains us all.

Happy New Year!

Chrys R

STATEN ISLAND JAZZ FESTIVAL 2026

Staten Island Jazz Festival 37 turns the St. George Theatre into a one-night crossroads for Afro Latin fire, swing, and vocal soul. On Saturday, December 20, 2025 (7:00pm, doors at 6:00pm), Universal Temple of the Arts brings together Arturo O’Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble, trombone master Wycliffe Gordon with the Dal Segno Trio, the powerhouse Brianna Thomas Band, Sounds of April & Randall, and the Julie Maniscalco Dectet for a lineup that really does span generations. Festival visuals draw on the work of Romare Bearden, underscoring UTA’s long relationship with iconic Black artists and cultural visionaries since 1967. Adding to the glow, WBGO 88.3 FM’s Sheila E. Anderson emcees the evening, threading the stories between sets and keeping the focus on community as much as virtuosity. If you’re looking for a holiday-season night where the borough’s neighborhood feel meets world-class jazz, this is the Staten Island stop to circle. MORE INFO AND TICKETS

🚀 Boundary-Pushers

Artists experimenting, innovating, and stretching jazz forward

The Boundary-Pushers this weekend are the bands stretching the music from inside the tradition, not outside of it. At Patrick’s Place, the jam with Patience Higgins keeps Harlem’s improvising culture live and messy in the best way, while downtown Smalls runs a three-part story with the Scott Robinson, Justin Robinson, and Sullivan Fortner quartets pushing harmony, sound, and swing right up against the club’s brick walls. The Kenny Barron Quintet at the Village Vanguard is technically “keeper” territory, but the way Barron reharmonizes and rephrases puts him squarely in the boundary conversation, especially in that room. Over in Tribeca, Steve Davis, T.K. Blue, and the JC Hopkins Biggish Band rotate through The Django, giving you everything from modern hard bop to big-band color in a single basement. The TJG 30th Anniversary sets with Gerald Clayton at The Jazz Gallery show how the next generation is writing the book in real time, and Camille Thurman with the Darrell Green Quartet at The Side Door stretches the corridor east—reminding us that pushing the music forward is happening in Brooklyn lofts, Harlem lounges, West Village basements, and quiet Connecticut inns all at once.

Patience Higgins — Jam at Patrick’s Place (Dec 19, 8:00pm) The Friday jam at Patrick’s Place with Patience Higgins is Harlem’s laboratory night—horns, singers, and walk-ins stretching hard-swing language until it blurs into church, jukebox, and neighborhood storytelling. It’s loose, loud, and gloriously unpolished in the best way, a reminder that the edge of the music often lives in rooms where the bandstand and the bar are basically the same conversation. MORE INFO

TLG 30th Anniversary ft. Gerald Clayton — The Jazz Gallery (Dec 19–20, 7:00pm) The Jazz Gallery’s 30th Anniversary with Gerald Clayton sits right at the fault line between institution and experiment: a pianist with deep mainstream credentials treating the gig like a sketchbook for new ideas. Surrounded by a room that has always been a launchpad for the next wave, Clayton’s writing and improvising feel less like a victory lap and more like a status report from the future. MORE INFO

Camille Thurman with the Darrell Green Quartet — The Side Door, Old Lyme (Dec 19) At The Side Door, Camille Thurman and the Darrell Green Quartet turn a cozy Connecticut inn into a high-voltage listening room. Thurman’s dual identity as vocalist and saxophonist lets the band slip quickly from songbook clarity into open, hard-swinging stretches—proof that the boundary-pushing energy of the city is quietly alive up the corridor too. MORE INFO

Sullivan Fortner Quartet — Smalls Jazz Club (Dec 20) Sullivan Fortner’s quartet at Smalls takes the piano-trio-plus-horn format and twists it through reharmonizations, rhythmic feints, and sudden dynamic drops. In that tight basement, every left-hand gesture and voicing choice lands like a small plot twist—one of those sets where you walk out humming standards that don’t feel like standards anymore. MORE INFO

🎷 Keepers of the Flame 

Masters and modern torchbearers carrying the jazz tradition forward

Keepers of the Flame this week highlights artists and rooms dedicated to continuity—music grounded in lineage, craft, and the steady transmission of style. From the The Keepers of the Flame this weekend are the ones reminding everyone why straight-ahead, song-driven jazz still hits so hard. At Birdland, Stacey Kent brings her deceptively light touch to deep lyric storytelling, while Christian Sands at Dizzy’s swings the piano trio tradition forward with that big, orchestral sound. Over in the Village, the Kenny Barron Quintet at the Vanguard and the Uri Caine and William Hill III trios at Mezzrow cover two sides of the same lineage—one in a storied basement, one in an intimate listening room where every nuance lands. The midtown glow comes from the Chris Botti Quartet at Blue Note, threading pop sheen through real band interplay, and Kenny Martyn & the Kings of Swing with Sarah Hayes at Swing 46, keeping social-dance swing honest. Beyond the city, Bill Charlap’s trio at Jazz Forum and Ingrid Laubrock’s “Grammy Season” with DoYeon Kim at Firehouse 12 extend that flame up the corridor—proof that straight-ahead and chamber-leaning modern jazz can both be part of the same living tradition.

Kenny Barron Quintet — Village Vanguard (Dec 19–21) Kenny Barron’s quintet at the Vanguard is the textbook definition of Keeper of the Flame: a master pianist working modern changes, deep swing, and ballads in the most storied room in the music. The band stretches without ever losing the song, so you get edge and elegance in the same breath—perfect for listeners who want to feel the lineage in real time. MORE INFO

Stacey Kent — Birdland (Dec 19) 8:30pm) At Birdland, Stacey Kent keeps the vocal flame with that quiet, precise storytelling she’s known for—standards, bossa, and originals delivered like short films. The band leaves plenty of space around her phrasing, letting lyric and melody sit front and center in a room built for song. MORE INFO

Bill Charlap Trio — Jazz Forum, Tarrytown (Dec 19 - 20) Bill Charlap’s trio at Jazz Forum brings big-city piano tradition into a small, serious listening room just up the river. It’s all about touch, time, and voicings—trio jazz that feels both classic and very alive, for people who want to sit close and actually hear how the harmony moves. MORE INFO

✊ Voices of Resistance 

Artists channeling jazz’s spirit of resilience, protest, and community

Voices of Resistance this weekend trace a straight line from Harlem sanctuaries to downtown bandstands. At Mount Morris Ascension, the Harlem Jazz Series with Neil Clarke (Dec 19) turns the drum into a talking instrument inside a Black church—Rhythm as history lesson, ceremony, and neighborhood heartbeat. A few blocks west, the Countdown 2026 Coltrane Festival ft. Ravi Coltrane Quartet at Smoke (Dec 19–21) is its own kind of testimony: the son extending his father’s spiritual and political vocabulary without ever turning it into nostalgia. Downtown, Mingus Dynasty at Zinc Bar (Dec 19–20) keeps Charles Mingus’s fire alive in a tight club—blues, anger, humor, and swing in one compressed blast. Taken together, these sets frame resistance not as slogan but as sound: drums, saxophones, and bands insisting on memory, agency, and joy in real time.

Neil Clarke — Harlem Jazz Boxx Series @ Mount Morris Ascension (Dec 19) Master percussionist Neil Clarke turns the Harlem Jazz Series into a conversation between drums, church acoustics, and community. In that sanctuary, every pattern feels like call-and-response with the room itself—part concert, part ceremony, and a reminder that rhythm has always been a language of survival and resistance. MORE INFO

Ravi Coltrane Quartet — Countdown 2026 Coltrane Festival, Smoke (Dec 19–21) Ravi Coltrane’s run at Smoke sits right in the emotional center of the Countdown Coltrane Festival: not a tribute act, but a living extension of the language his father helped shape. In a close-up room with serious listeners, the quartet leans into risk, space, and intensity—treating Coltrane’s spirit as a launching pad rather than a museum piece. MORE INFO

Mingus Dynasty — Zinc Bar (Dec 19–20) Mingus Dynasty at Zinc Bar keeps Charles Mingus’s mix of blues, rage, and humor very much alive. The band compresses big-ensemble energy into a tight club, where protest themes, gospel shouts, and hard swing collide—making the music feel less like “repertoire” and more like a still-current manifesto. MORE INFO

Special / Holiday & Christmas Shows

The holiday slate this year runs like a little festival of its own, from sacred jazz pageants to big-band blowouts and Charlie Brown nostalgia. At the center are the marquee concert halls: Big Band Holidays with JLCO and Chris Crenshaw at Jazz at Lincoln Center, A Swinging Birdland Christmas and Champian Fulton’s Christmas run at Birdland, plus Dave Koz & Friends and Marcus Johnson’s Holiday Celebration carrying the smooth-jazz and R&B side of the season down the corridor. Church and community spaces bring the spiritual thread: “Bending Towards the Light… A Jazz Nativity” at St. Paul & St. Andrew, Cartoon Christmas Trio with the Wilmington Children’s Chorus, and a whole family of Charlie Brown shows—Charlie Brown Christmas LIVE at ShapeShifter, and A Charlie Brown Jazz Christmas at the River Room—keep the focus on story, choir, and kids. Around that core you’ve got the small-room holiday parties: Allan Harris’ Nat King Cole Christmas at Pangea, It’s a Ray Blue Christmas at BeanRunner, Nicole Zuraitis’ Jazz Christmas Party at the Jazz Loft, Jeremy Baum’s “Charlie ‘Baum’ Christmas” at the Falcon, and Water Gap Jazz Orchestra’s Ellington Nutcracker/Grinch suites at the Morris Museum, all giving the standards a local accent. And then there’s the cosmic side: Sun Ra Arkestra’s Holiday Jam in Philly and Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat at Sista’s Place reminding us that holiday jazz can hold joy, politics, and satire in the same stocking. Taken together, the season reads less like background music and more like a map of how different communities claim December in their own sound.

Bending Towards the Light… A Jazz Nativity ft. Paquito D’Rivera, Ingrid Jensen & Maurice Chestnut | Dec 22 | St. Paul & St. Andrew United Methodist Church: 263 W 86th St, New York, NY 10024. 212-362-3179. stpaulandstandrew.org

Swinging in the Holidays ft. Champian Fulton, Olivia Chindamo, Wyatt Michael & Ken Peplowski | Dec 21 | 54 Below: 254 W 54th St, Cellar, New York, NY 10019. 646-476-3551. 54below.com

A Swinging Birdland Christmas | Dec 21–22 | Birdland: 315 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036. 212-851-3080. birdlandjazz.com

Champian Fulton | Dec 23–26 | Birdland: 315 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036. 212-851-3080. birdlandjazz.com

Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat | Dec 20 | Sista’s Place: 456 Nostrand Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11216. 718-398-1766. sistasplace.org

Big Band Holidays – JLCO w/ Chris Crenshaw ft. Shenel Johns & Kate Kortum | Dec 19–21 | Jazz At Lincoln Center: 10 Columbus Cir, 5th Fl, New York, NY 10019. 212-258-9800. jazz.org

Allan Harris – A Nat King Cole Christmas | Dec 19 | Pangea: 178 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003. 212-995-0900. pangeanyc.com

Melissa Hamilton Trio | Dec 20 | Pangea: 178 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003. 212-995-0900. pangeanyc.com

Emily Braden | Dec 20 | Daddy Rabbit NYC at LouLou: 176 8th Ave, Lower level, New York, NY 10011. 212-337-9577. daddyrabbitnyc.com

Black Tie Jazz Party | Dec 26 | Daddy Rabbit NYC at LouLou: 176 8th Ave, Lower level, New York, NY 10011. 212-337-9577. daddyrabbitnyc.com

Charlie Brown Christmas LIVE 2025 | Dec 21, 11:00am | ShapeShifter Lab: 837 Union Street, Ground Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11215. 646-820-9452. shapeshifterplus.org

It’s a Ray Blue Christmas | Dec 20 | BeanRunner Café: 201 South Division St, Peekskill, NY 10566. 914-737-1701. beanrunnercafe.com

Nicole Zuraitis’ Jazz Christmas Party | Dec 22 | The Jazz Loft: 275 Christian Ave, Stony Brook, NY 11790. 631-751-1895. thejazzloft.org

Jeremy Baum Trio – “Charlie ‘Baum’ Christmas” | Dec 21, 2:30pm | The Falcon: 1348 Route 9W, Marlboro, NY 12542. 845-236-7970. liveatthefalcon.com

A Charlie Brown Jazz Christmas | Dec 20 | The River Room: 50 Riverside Dr, Willimantic, CT 06226. 860-292-0025. riverroomwilli.com

Water Gap Jazz Orchestra – Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker and the Grinch Suites | Dec 20, 3:00pm | Morris Museum: 6 Normandy Heights Rd, Morristown, NJ 07960. 973-971-3706. morrismuseum.org

Sun Ra Arkestra Holiday Jam | Dec 26 | World Café Live: 3025 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104. 215-222-1400. worldcafelive.org

Cartoon Christmas Trio with Wilmington Children’s Chorus | Dec 19 | OperaDelaware Studios: 4 South Poplar St, Wilmington, DE 19801.

Marcus Johnson Holiday Celebration | Dec 23–24 | Keystone Korner Baltimore: 1350 Lancaster St, Baltimore, MD 21231. 410-946-6726. keystonekornerbaltimore.com

🔔 Must See Next Week (Dec 15-20)

“Must See Next Week” is basically late-December in stereo: sacred, swinging, and a little cinematic. Harlem sets the tone with Craig Harris & the Harlem Nightsongs Big Band and Joaquin Pozo at the Harlem Jazz Series (Dec 25–26), turning Christmas week into a brass-and-batá sermon. Up on Broadway, Smoke keeps the Countdown 2026 Coltrane Festival blazing with Eddie Henderson, Vincent Herring, and George Cables (Dec 24–26), while Dizzy’s splits the week between the wry, joyful chaos of Matt Wilson’s Tree-O (Dec 22–23) and A Very Irby Christmas (Dec 24).

For the night-owl crowd, the Village Vanguard holds down the center with Kenny Barron’s Quintet (through Dec 26), and The Django offers two sides of the club spectrum: global groove with People of Earth (Dec 23) and straight-ahead fire from the Eric Alexander and Wayne Tucker bands (Dec 26). On the more luxe end, crooner energy shows up at Aman’s Jazz Club (Brian Newman, Richard Cortez, SaRon Crenshaw) and Fasano Baretto (Richard Cortez), while the corridor stretches out to City Winery Philly for Wayne Newton – Mr. Las Vegas, and to Blue Note LA, where bass phenom Mohini Dey and trumpeter Maurice “Mobetta” Brown turn the West Coast into its own holiday hang.

Craig Harris & the Harlem Nightsongs Big Band | Dec 25 | Harlem Jazz Series @ Mount Morris Ascension Presbyterian Church: 12 Mt Morris Park W, New York, NY 10027. 212-831-6800. harlemjazzboxx.com

Joaquin Pozo | Dec 26 | Harlem Jazz Series @ Mount Morris Ascension Presbyterian Church: 12 Mt Morris Park W, New York, NY 10027. 212-831-6800. harlemjazzboxx.com

Eddie Henderson w/ Vincent Herring Quintet feat. George Cables | Dec 24–26 | Countdown 2026 Coltrane Festival @ Smoke Jazz Club: 2751 B’way, New York, NY 10025. 212-864-6662. smokejazz.com

Matt Wilson Tree-O | Dec 22–23 | Dizzy’s Club at Jazz At Lincoln Center: 10 Columbus Cir, 5th Fl, New York, NY 10019. 212-258-9595. jazz.org/dizzys

A Very Irby Christmas | Dec 24 | Dizzy’s Club at Jazz At Lincoln Center: 10 Columbus Cir, 5th Fl, New York, NY 10019. 212-258-9595. jazz.org/dizzys

Richard Cortez | Dec 26 | Fasano Baretto: 60 E 49th St, New York, NY 10017. 646-869-5400. fasanorestaurantny.com/baretto

Brian Newman | Dec 23 | The Jazz Club at Aman New York: The Crown Building, 9 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019. 212-970-2626. thejazzclub.com

Richard Cortez | Dec 24 | The Jazz Club at Aman New York: The Crown Building, 9 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019. 212-970-2626. thejazzclub.com

SaRon Crenshaw | Dec 26 | The Jazz Club at Aman New York: The Crown Building, 9 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019. 212-970-2626. thejazzclub.com

Kenny Barron Quintet | Dec 23–26 | Village Vanguard: 178 7th Ave S, New York, NY 10014. 212-255-4037. villagevanguard.com

People of Earth | Dec 23 | The Django: 2 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10013. 212-519-6649. thedjangonyc.com

Eric Alexander Quartet | Dec 26 | The Django: 2 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10013. 212-519-6649. thedjangonyc.com

Wayne Tucker Quintet | Dec 26 | The Django: 2 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10013. 212-519-6649. thedjangonyc.com

Wayne Newton – Mr. Las Vegas: Memories and Melodies | Dec 26 | City Winery Philadelphia: 990 Filbert St, Philadelphia, PA 19107. 267-479-7373. citywinery.com/philadelphia

Mohini Dey | Dec 22 | Blue Note LA: 6372 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028. 310-855-3750. bluenotejazz.com/la

Maurice “Mobetta” Brown (Album Release) | Dec 23–24 | Blue Note LA: 6372 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028. 310-855-3750. bluenotejazz.com/la

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Melba Liston Remembered: Two Nights, One Legacy

This week, New York honors the enduring legacy of Melba Liston—trailblazing trombonist, composer, arranger, and one of the most quietly influential architects of modern jazz.

On Saturday, December 13, Sista’s Place hosts a special tribute celebrating Liston’s life and music, performed by an ensemble deeply connected to her sound and spirit. The tribute continues Friday, December 19 at The Django NYC, where the same core band reconvenes, joined by saxophonist TK Blue, a longtime collaborator and close musical ally of Liston.

Liston’s career defied the limitations imposed on her era. As a composer and arranger, she shaped the sound of Charles Mingus, Randy Weston, Dizzy Gillespie, and others—often without receiving the recognition afforded her male peers. Her work blended orchestral precision with Afro-diasporic depth, leaving an indelible mark on large-ensemble jazz and modern composition.

These two performances are not retrospectives—they are living continuations. Heard across intimate stages rather than museum walls, Liston’s music remains exactly where it belongs: active, resonant, and necessary. MORE INFO

🚀 Boundary-Pushers

Artists experimenting, innovating, and stretching jazz forward

Boundary-Pushers this week center on artists and settings where form is flexible and the music leads. The focus ranges from large-scale reinterpretation to intimate risk-taking: Duke Ellington’s Such Sweet Thunder reframed at Symphony Space; the Coltrane lineage extended at Smoke through Melissa Aldana, Walter Smith III, and George Garzone; and Jacky Terrasson’s elastic trio language at Dizzy’s. The category also reaches into club and listening-room spaces—Briana Swann at Aman, Darrell Green at Cellar Dog, and the rhythm-driven edge of Billy Drummond and April Varner at Mezzrow—then outward to Tyshawn Sorey’s uncompromising trio work at Firehouse 12, Jon Faddis’s high-octane leadership with Jazz Arts Project, and large-ensemble reinvention from New York Voices and Dan Pugach’s big band. Taken together, these dates trace a through-line of innovation that honors tradition while actively reshaping it in real time.

Countdown 2026 Coltrane Festival ft. Melissa Aldana, Walter Smith III & George Garzone Sextet | Dec 13–14 | Smoke Jazz Club: A boundary-pushing Coltrane-centered bill where three distinct improvising minds converge—Aldana’s modern tenor logic, Smith’s wide-angle phrasing, and Garzone’s veteran intensity. Expect music that honors the lineage by testing its edges. MORE INFO

Jacky Terrasson Trio | Dec 13–14 | Dizzy’s Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center: Terrasson’s trio is built for surprise—elastic time, quick pivots, and a feel that can turn on a dime without losing the thread. A strong pick for listeners who want swing plus spontaneity, not comfort. MORE INFO

Billy Drummond Trio | Dec 13 | Mezzrow: Drummond is a master of forward motion—drumming that reshapes the room’s gravity and forces new decisions in real time. Mezzrow’s close listening environment makes the trio’s inner architecture audible. MORE INFO

Duke Ellington’s Such Sweet Thunder | Dec 14 | Symphony Space: Ellington’s Shakespeare suite remains radical: character-driven writing, color, and narrative structure that still feels modern. A reminder that “boundary-pushing” doesn’t always mean new—sometimes it means hearing a masterwork as the experiment it was. MORE INFO

🎷 Keepers of the Flame 

Masters and modern torchbearers carrying the jazz tradition forward

Keepers of the Flame this week highlights artists and rooms dedicated to continuity—music grounded in lineage, craft, and the steady transmission of style. From the Birdland Big Band and vocalists Jane Monheit and Gabrielle Stravelli to Chris Botti’s extended Blue Note run, these dates reflect musicianship rooted in form and tone. The category also includes elegant standards work at the Pierre (Mariella Price; The Modern Martinis), swing-forward evenings at Swing 46 with George Gee, and sacred space traditions at Saint Peter’s and First Presbyterian Church. Beyond the city, John Pizzarelli’s holiday program at Jazz Forum, Melissa Errico with Billy Stritch at the Tilles Center, Jane Monheit in Norfolk, and Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite at the Eubie Blake Center reinforce the role of jazz as a living inheritance—kept vibrant through performance, repetition, and respect for the source.

Christian McBride & Inside Straight | Dec 12–14 | Village Vanguard: McBride’s band carries the hard-bop and modern mainstream tradition with authority—tight arrangements, deep groove, and solos built on storytelling rather than flash. The Vanguard setting makes it feel like a living chapter in the lineage. MORE INFO

Mimi Jones | Dec 14 | First Presbyterian Church - Mount Vernon: A grounded, musician-first set from bassist Mimi Jones—deep time, clear direction, and bandleading that favors substance over flash. A strong “keepers” pick for listeners who want tone, feel, and craft to lead the room. MORE INFO

Jazz Vespers ft. Tyler Bassett Sings Mel Tormé | Dec 14 | Saint Peter's Church: Tyler Bassett brings Mel Tormé’s songbook into a reverent setting where the phrasing and lyric intelligence can breathe. This is flame-keeping in its purest form: standards treated with respect, clarity, and vocal discipline. MORE INFO

George Gee Swing All-Stars | Dec 14 | Swing 46: Pure dance-floor swing with a strong New York bandstand tradition—tight horn lines, bright tempos, and that essential big-band feel in a supper-club setting. A reminder that keeping the flame includes keeping the joy. MORE INFO

✊ Voices of Resistance 

Artists channeling jazz’s spirit of resilience, protest, and community

Voices of Resistance foregrounds music as testimony—art shaped by history, identity, and the refusal to be silenced. This week’s selections draw on legacy and intent, from Du’Bois A’Keen at the Apollo Theater to Ellington’s Such Sweet Thunder, a work rooted in narrative, character, and cultural assertion. At the Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute, Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite is revisited not as seasonal fare but as a statement of authorship and Black creative authority. Across these performances, resistance is expressed through composition, context, and presence: music that speaks back to history while insisting on visibility, dignity, and continuation.

Du’Bois A’Keen | Dec 12 | Apollo Theater: 253 W 125th St, New York, NY 10027. 212-531-5300. apollotheater.org Du’Bois A’Keen brings voice, narrative, and intent to a room historically defined by cultural assertion. This is resistance expressed through presence—music that speaks directly to history while claiming contemporary space. MORE INFO

An Ode to Mary Lou Williams | Dec 16 | Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture: 515 Malcolm X Blvd, New York, NY 10037. 212-491-2200. nypl.org/locations/schomburg A tribute rooted in scholarship and sound, honoring Mary Lou Williams not only as a composer and pianist, but as a cultural architect. The Schomburg setting reinforces the work’s larger purpose: restoration, recognition, and continuity. MORE INFO

Rare Jazz on Film Series – A Jazz Potpourri | Dec 16 | National Jazz Museum in Harlem: 58 W 129th St, New York, NY 10035. 212-348-8300. jmih.org Archival footage becomes an act of resistance when it preserves stories otherwise lost or misframed. This screening centers jazz as lived history—documented, protected, and re-presented on its own terms. MORE INFO

Jazz Harlem in Conversation – Ron Carter and Christian McBride | Dec 17 | National Jazz Museum in Harlem: 58 W 129th St, New York, NY 10035. 212-348-8300. jmih.org A rare intergenerational exchange between two master bassists whose careers define artistic self-determination. The resistance here is intellectual and lived—knowledge shared openly, lineage spoken aloud, and authority claimed without mediation. MORE INFO

Other this week expands the frame to include community-building, education, and the next generation of musicians in active formation. At ShapeShifter Lab in Brooklyn, youth-centered programming takes the spotlight with open workshops and rehearsals from The Fat Cats Youth Orchestra, their 15th Anniversary Afternoon Concert Series, and a performance by the New York Youth Symphony. These events emphasize process as much as presentation—spaces where young players learn repertoire, ensemble discipline, and creative confidence in public view. Alongside intimate concerts and regional performances elsewhere in the category, these listings remind us that the ecosystem depends not only on stages and stars, but on rehearsal rooms, mentorship, and the steady cultivation of what comes next.

The Fat Cats Youth Orchestra / New York Youth Symphony — ShapeShifter Lab: 837 Union Street, Ground Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11215, United States. 646-820-9452. shapeshifterplus.org . Dec 14: 7:00pm The Fat Cats Youth Orchestra Open Workshop and Rehearsals; The Fat Cats 15th Anniversary Afternoon Concert Series; Dec 15: 7:00pm New York Youth Symphony.

🔔 Must See Next Week (Dec 15-20)

Next week’s must-see list balances Harlem-facing legacy, Lincoln Center polish, and club-level heat across the city (and a couple of strong out-of-town anchors). Harlem leads with Craig Harris & the Harlem Nightsongs Big Band at Mount Morris Ascension, plus two vital daytime stops: the National Jazz Museum in Harlem for Rare Jazz on Film and a conversation pairing Ron Carter and Christian McBride, and the Schomburg’s Ode to Mary Lou Williams. Midtown and Columbus Circle bring the holiday arc in high definition—JLCO’s Big Band Holidays (with Shenel Johns and Kate Kortum), Christian Sands at Dizzy’s, and Stacey Kent at Birdland—while downtown keeps it grounded with Kenny Barron at the Vanguard and a Wednesday Jazz Hang circuit that ranges from Daryl Sherman (Mezzrow) to William Hill III (Zinc) and a full slate at Pangea, Gotham Jazz, and 333 Lounge. Add Ravi Coltrane at Smoke, Gerald Clayton at the Jazz Gallery, and the Baltimore coda with Tammy McCann, and you’ve got a week that moves between lineage, celebration, and straight-ahead substance.

Craig Harris & the Harlem Nightsongs Big Band – Harlem Jazz Series | Dec 18 | Mount Morris Ascension Presbyterian Church: 12 Mt Morris Park W, New York, NY 10027. 212-831-6800. harlemjazzboxx.com

Rare Jazz on Film Series – A Jazz Potpourri | Dec 16 | National Jazz Museum in Harlem: 58 W 129th St, New York, NY 10035. 212-348-8300. jmih.org

Jazz Harlem in Conversation – Ron Carter and Christian McBride | Dec 17 | National Jazz Museum in Harlem: 58 W 129th St, New York, NY 10035. 212-348-8300. jmih.org

An Ode to Mary Lou Williams | Dec 16 | Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture: 515 Malcolm X Blvd, New York, NY 10037. 212-491-2200. nypl.org/locations/schomburg

Countdown 2026 Coltrane Festival – Ravi Coltrane Quartet | Dec 17–18 | Smoke Jazz Club: 2751 B'way, New York, NY 10025. 212-864-6662. smokejazz.com

Bill Wurtzel & guests – Wednesday Jazz Hang | Dec 17 | American Folk Art Museum: 2 Lincoln Sq, New York, NY 10023. 212-595-9533. folkartmuseum.org

Stacey Kent | Dec 16–18 | Birdland: 315 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036. 212-851-3080. birdlandjazz.com

Christian Sands | Dec 17–18 | Dizzy's Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center: 10 Columbus Cir, 5th Fl, New York, NY 10019. 212-258-9595. jazz.org/dizzys

Big Band Holidays – JLCO w/ Chris Crenshaw ft. Shenel Johns & Kate Kortum | Dec 16–18 | Jazz at Lincoln Center: 10 Columbus Cir, 5th Fl, New York, NY 10019. 212-258-9800. jazz.org

Kelly Green | Dec 16 | Jazz Club at Aman New York: The Crown Building, 9 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019. 212-970-2626. thejazzclub.com

Benny Benack III Quintet | Dec 16 | Jazz Club at Aman New York: The Crown Building, 9 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019. 212-970-2626. thejazzclub.com

AC Lincoln | Dec 17 | Jazz Club at Aman New York: The Crown Building, 9 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019. 212-970-2626. thejazzclub.com

Stan Rubin Orchestra featuring Joe Politi & Lynn McCune – Wednesday Jazz Hang | Dec 18 | Swing 46: 349 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036. 212-262-9554. swing46.nyc

Daryl Sherman Trio – Wednesday Jazz Hang | Dec 17 | Mezzrow: 163 W 10th St, New York, NY 10014. 646-476-4346. smallslive.com

Kenny Barron Quintet | Dec 16–18 | Village Vanguard: 178 7th Ave S, New York, NY 10014. 212-255-4037. villagevanguard.com

William Hill III Trio – Wednesday Jazz Hang | Dec 17 | Zinc Bar: 82 W 3rd St, New York, NY 10012. 212-477-8337. zincbar.com

Wednesday Night Jazz Series – A Whyte Christmas (Alex Leonard, Boots Maleson, Ben Cassara, Eric Comstock, Amy London, Stephanie Nakasian & Jane Scheckter) – Wednesday Jazz Hang | Dec 17 | Pangea: 178 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003. 212-995-0900. pangeanyc.com

Gotham Jazz Wednesday ft. Hot Toddies Jazz Band – Wednesday Jazz Hang | Dec 17 | Somewhere Nowhere NYC at Renaissance Chelsea Hotel: 112 W 25th St, New York, NY 10001. 212-404-7969. prohibitionproductions.com/gothamjazz

Lezlie Harrison feat. Wine & Jazz Trio – Wednesday Jazz Hang | Dec 17 | 333 Lounge: 333 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217. 718-399-8008. 333lounge.com

TLG 30th Anniversary ft. Gerald Clayton – Wednesday Jazz Hang | Dec 17–18 | The Jazz Gallery: 1160 B'way, 5th Fl, New York, NY 10001. jazzgallery.org

Library Jazz Band | Dec 16 | Yonkers Public Library – Grinton I. Will Public Library: 1500 Central Park Ave, Yonkers, NY 10710. +1 914-771-9616. ypl.org/grinton-i-will-library

Tammy McCann: Merry Christmas, Baby! | Dec 18 | Keystone Korner Baltimore: 1350 Lancaster St, Baltimore, MD 21231. 410-946-6726. keystonekornerbaltimore.com

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🚀 Boundary-Pushers

Artists experimenting, innovating, and stretching jazz forward

The “Boundary-Pushers” this week form a loose circuit of artists stretching the language of jazz in very different rooms. At Smoke, Chief Adjuah is running trumpet, electronics, and Black Indian ritual through a club format, while downtown The Soul Rebels & Friends and New York Holidays with Svetlana & The New York Collective bend brass, second-line, and holiday repertoire into something closer to a block party than a straight club hit. At Dizzy’s, Ulysses Owens Jr.’s Big Band treats the large ensemble as a modern engine—groove, gospel, and sharp writing—while Sam Newsome’s quartet at Smalls and the Yuko Fujiyama/Reggie Nicholson duo at IBeam work the more experimental edge of small-room improv. The Jazz Gallery’s Mentoring Series with Johnathan Blake & Dabin Ryu shows what the next generation is doing with that vocabulary, and Adam Hersh’s trio with Gary Novak at ShapeShifter folds fusion chops into Brooklyn’s open-lab scene. Out West, the axis shifts to bass and groove: Marcus Miller at Catalina and Derrick Hodge at Blue Note LA both anchor “West Coast Pulse” with sets that pull equally from funk, gospel, and film-score atmospheres—more proof that the edges of the music are just as rooted as the center.

Chief Adjuah — Smoke Jazz Club (Dec 5–7, 7pm) Trumpet, electronics, Black Indian/New Orleans lineage, and full ritual energy. This can sit in BP or Voices of Resistance; editorially I’d anchor it in Voices and mention him here as a cross-over. MORE INFO

The Soul Rebels & Friends — Blue Note NYC (Dec 5–7, 8pm) Brass band, hip-hop, second-line, and guests. Big “New Orleans in the Village” feel and absolutely a boundary show. MORE INFO

Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band — Dizzy’s Club (Dec 5–7, 9pm) Large ensemble, modern writing, and groove-forward charts. Big band as contemporary statement, not nostalgia. MORE INFO

Yuko Fujiyama / Reggie Nicholson — IBeam, Brooklyn (Dec 6, 8pm) Loft-space duo energy; texture and sound more than head–solo–head. MORE INFO

🎷 Keepers of the Flame 

Masters and modern torchbearers carrying the jazz tradition forward

Keepers of the Flame this week live in that sweet spot where swing, melody, and small-band conversation hold steady across very different rooms. You get it in Joshua Redman’s quartet at Jazz Forum, working post-bop language in a listening room just outside the city, and in The Anderson Brothers’ Sinatra program at Symphony Space, treating standards as material to shape, not museum pieces. Mid-Manhattan keeps the line moving with the Michelle Collier Jazz Swingtet and Bill Malchow Band at Swing 46, giving dancers and listeners a real band to lean into. Downtown and Brooklyn, Milena Casado at Close Up, Ollice Spaulding at the Soho Grand Club Room, Eric Person at The Django, and the Adam Hersh Trio feat. Gary Novak at ShapeShifter all carry that same torch—modern harmony and feel, but still rooted in song form, groove, and live-room dynamics.

Joshua Redman | Dec 5-7| Jazz Forum, Tarrytown | Joshua Redman’s quartet at Jazz Forum keeps the focus on intimacy and interaction: post-bop language, deep tone, and a room small enough that every dynamic shift lands. It’s the kind of set where you hear the difference between “tour date” and “working band in a listening space.” *LIMITED SEATS MORE INFO

Eric Person | Dec 5 | The Django NYC | Eric Person’s quartet at The Django works inside the straight-ahead frame but keeps the lines angular and alive. In that brick-and-vaulted room, his horn sits right on top of the rhythm section, giving the set a feel that’s equal parts classic downtown and present-tense New York. MORE INFO

Milena Casado | Dec 5 | Close Up NYC | Milena Casado brings a modern, melodic horn voice into Close Up’s focused listening environment. Her writing leans lyrical rather than flashy, and the club’s scale keeps the details front and center—good for listeners who want to sit close and track how the tunes unfold over a set. MORE INFO

Michelle Collier | Dec 6 | Swing 46 NYC | Michelle Collier’s Swingtet at Swing 46 carries the flame for social dance jazz: clear time, ensemble blend, and arrangements built to move both dancers and seated listeners. It’s a reminder that “straight-ahead” doesn’t have to be museum music—it can still be Saturday-night social fuel. MORE INFO

✊ Voices of Resistance 

Artists channeling jazz’s spirit of resilience, protest, and community

Voices of Resistance trace how the music speaks for community, spirit, and long memory. In Harlem, the Harlem Jazz Series at Mount Morris Ascension—with Yayoi Ikawa this week and Craig Harris & the Harlem Nightsongs Big Band next—puts improvisers inside a church, where the sound echoes both neighborhood history and global Black movements. The City Island Jazz Quartet at the Starving Artist Cafe and the All’s Well Sisters at All Souls each offer quieter versions of that same impulse: small ensembles creating space for gathering, not just background. At Smalls, the Duane Eubanks Quintet and Sam Newsome Quartet push against the walls of straight-ahead language, while the TJG Mentoring Series with Johnathan Blake & Dabin Ryu and the duo of Yuko Fujiyama/Reggie Nicholson at IBeam frame experimentation as a kind of testimony—music that resists easy categories while staying grounded in community rooms.

Yayoi Ikawa | Dec 5 | Harlem Jazz Series (Mount Morris Ascension) | At the Harlem Jazz Series, Yayoi Ikawa brings a pianist’s touch for harmony and space into a church setting, where every chord hangs a little longer in the air. The context matters: this is concert, community gathering, and quiet testimony folded into one weekly ritual. MORE INFO

Johnathan Blake & Dabin Ryu Duo | Dec 5&6 | TJG Mentoring Series, The Jazz Gallery | In the Jazz Gallery’s Mentoring Series with Dabin Ryu, Johnathan Blake stands at the hinge between generations: a drummer with deep bandstand history holding space for newer voices. The project reads as both concert and infrastructure—building a future for the music on purpose. MORE INFO

Sam Newsome Quartet | Dec 5-6 | Smalls Jazz Club, NYC | Sam Newsome’s quartet at Smalls stretches what a soprano-led band can be without losing swing and form. Extended techniques and color sit right next to more traditional language, turning the basement club into a place where experiment and lineage share the bandstand. MORE INFO

🔔 Must See Next Week (Dec 8 -12)

Next week brings a rare mix of mastery, intimacy, and cross-coastal fire. Bill Charlap settles into Smoke for his annual solo-piano residency, offering two sets an evening of unfiltered lyricism and swing. At Birdland Theater, Eliane Elias brings her signature blend of Brazilian elegance and jazz sophistication across two nights of 7pm and 9:30pm performances. Brandon Sanders takes over Dizzy’s with a double-set album-release celebration, while the Joe Lovano & Dave Douglas Sound Prints project continues its run at the Village Vanguard—modern interplay at its highest level. Over at Zinc Bar, the week forms a three-night arc: Houston Person, Christopher McBride, and William Hill III each leading back-to-back early and late shows. Sunday at Pangea, Premik Russell Tubbs & Margee Miner-Tubbs bring a fusion-driven spiritual uplift. And on the West Coast, Blue Note LA presents rising star Julius Rodriguez followed by the always-electric Keyon Harrold—a perfect bicoastal snapshot of jazz’s evolving future.

Craig Harris & the Harlem Nightsongs Big Band – Harlem Jazz Series | Dec 11 | Mount Morris Ascension Presbyterian Church: 12 Mt Morris Park W, New York, NY 10027. 212-831-6800. harlemjazzboxx.com

Countdown 2026 Coltrane Festival ft. Melissa Aldana, Walter Smith III & George Garzone Sextet | Dec 10–11 | Smoke Jazz Club: 2751 B'way, New York, NY 10025. 212-864-6662. www.smokejazz.com

Jane Monheit | Dec 9–11 | Birdland: 315 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036. 212-851-3080. www.birdlandjazz.com

Tammy McCann | Dec 10 | Dizzy's Club at Jazz At Lincoln Center: 10 Columbus Cir, 5th Fl, New York, NY 10019. 212-258-9595. jazz.org/dizzys

Jacky Terrasson Trio | Dec 11 | Dizzy's Club at Jazz At Lincoln Center: 10 Columbus Cir, 5th Fl, New York, NY 10019. 212-258-9595. jazz.org/dizzys

Patricia Brennan Trio | Dec 11 | Instituto Cervantes: 211 E 49th St, New York, NY 10017. 212-308-7720. cervantes.org

Stan Rubin Orchestra feat. Joe Politi & Lynn McCune | Dec 11 | Swing 46: 349 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036. 212-262-9554. swing46.nyc

Chris Botti Quartet | Dec 8–11 | Blue Note Jazz Club: 131 W 3rd St, New York, NY 10012. 212-475-8592. www.bluenotejazz.com

Ron Carter & Gene Bertoncini Duo | Dec 8–9 | Mezzrow: 163 W 10th St, New York, NY 10014. 646-476-4346. www.smallslive.com

Adam Kolker & Marc Copland | Dec 10 | Mezzrow: 163 W 10th St, New York, NY 10014. 646-476-4346. www.smallslive.com

Ricky Ford Quartet | Dec 11 | Smalls Jazz Club: 183 W 10th St, New York, NY 10014. 212-252-5091. www.smallsjazzclub.com

Christian McBride & Inside Straight | Dec 9–11 | Village Vanguard: 178 7th Ave S, New York, NY 10014. 212-255-4037. www.villagevanguard.com

Christian Finger Band | Dec 6 | Pangea: 178 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003. 212-995-0900. www.pangeanyc.com

Wednesday Night Jazz Series ft. Steve Berger | Dec 10 | Pangea: 178 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003. 212-995-0900. www.pangeanyc.com

TJG 30th Anniversary ft. Bill Frisell | Dec 10–11 | Jazz Gallery (The): 1160 B'way, 5th Fl, New York, NY 10001. www.jazzgallery.org

Oz Noy Trio | Dec 11 | Django (The): 2 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10013. 212-519-6649. www.thedjangonyc.com

Mark Whitfield | Dec 11 | Django (The): 2 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10013. 212-519-6649. www.thedjangonyc.com

Gustavo Casenave Solo Concert | Dec 10 | National Opera Center: 330 7th Ave, 7th Fl, New York, NY 10001. 212-796-8620. www.operaamerica.org

Gotham Jazz Wednesday ft. Hot Toddies Jazz Band | Dec 10 | Somewhere Nowhere NYC at Renaissance Chelsea Hotel: 112 W 25th St, New York, NY 10001. 212-404-7969. www.prohibitionproductions.com/gothamjazz

Lezlie Harrison feat. Wine & Jazz Trio | Dec 10 | 333 Lounge: 333 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217. 718-399-8008. www.333lounge.com

Jeremy Pelt Quartet | Dec 8 | Jazzmobile @ 500 MacDonough St: 500 MacDonough St, Brooklyn, NY 11233. jazzmobile.org

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A quick snapshot of this week’s highlights. Click through to the full blog for complete listings, details, and writeups. 🔗 Full Blog: https://hothousejazz.beehiiv.com/p/hotspots-this-weekend-fa20

FEATURED STORY — James Moody International Jazz Festival & Nat Adderley Jr.

The James Moody International Jazz Festival takes center stage this week at NJPAC, bringing together signature concerts, special guests, and one of the most anticipated moments of the season: the return of Nat Adderley Jr. to the festival stage. A distinguished pianist, composer, and arranger, Adderley—longtime music director for Luther Vandross—has stepped fully into his jazz lineage, carrying forward the Adderley family tradition with a renewed artistic voice. As highlighted in his recent Hot House profile, Nat draws on the soulful swing of his father Nat Sr. and the melodic fire of his uncle Cannonball, blending gospel roots, groove, and modern improvisation into a sound entirely his own. This year’s James Moody Festival performance marks another chapter in his journey “on the jazz road,” as he brings the spirit of his acclaimed debut Took So Long to Newark. READ MORE

🟩 Boundary-Pushers

Artists experimenting, innovating, and stretching jazz forward

This week’s Boundary-Pushers spotlight the innovators stretching jazz into new emotional, cultural, and sonic terrain. Mary Stallings’ residency at Dizzy’s explores the modern vocal lineage through Aaron Goldberg’s harmonic imagination, while Arooj Aftab transforms the Blue Note into a space of ambient ritual and cross-border resonance. Miguel Zenón’s 30th Anniversary Big Band at The Jazz Gallery stands as a masterclass in contemporary composition, and Marianne Solivan’s set at Aman adds vocal intimacy to the avant-luxe aesthetic. Downtown, Bill O’Connell and Richard Cortez bring fresh angularity to Mezzrow, Papuna Sharikadze’s quartet brings Georgian fire to DROM, and Helio Alves lights up the Roxy with his unmistakable Brazilian modernism. From Mariel Bildsten’s brassy adrenaline at The Django to John Scofield’s fearless trio at SOPAC, this is the week where the edge of the music becomes the center of gravity. → MORE INFO

🟦 Keepers of the Flame

Masters and modern torchbearers carrying the jazz tradition forward

This week’s Keepers of the Flame spotlight the artists carrying forward the core traditions of jazz with clarity, swing, and deep musical roots. Bill Charlap’s solo piano sets at Smoke offer a rare, intimate look at his mastery of the Songbook, while Eliane Elias brings her signature blend of Brazilian lyricism and straight-ahead sophistication to Birdland. Tatiana Eva-Marie adds her vintage-tinged charm at Birdland Theater, and veteran ensembles like Dave Stryker’s group and the Library Jazz Band continue the lineage through classic repertoire and warm ensemble interplay. From Benny Benack’s modern swing at Fasano and Five Spot Jazz to Sarah Hayes’ big-band energy at Swing 46, these performances honor the craft, history, and timeless spirit of this music. → MORE INFO

🟥 Voices of Resistance

Artists channeling jazz’s spirit of resilience, protest, and community

This week’s Voices of Resistance highlights artists and ensembles who carry forward the music’s social, spiritual, and communal dimensions. Jason Marshall brings the Harlem Jazz Series to sacred space at Mount Morris Ascension, while Smalls and the Vanguard host musicians whose work speaks to lineage, struggle, and collective expression. Mingus Dynasty at Zinc Bar channels the fire and urgency of Mingus’ legacy, and Reginald Chapman’s Chaphouse at Barbès adds a modern edge to that tradition. Across the region, from Ahmed Abdullah’s Diaspora at Sista’s Place to Carrie Jackson’s set at Shanghai Jazz and Zakiyyah’s performance at Bethel AME, these gatherings reflect the power of jazz—and its sister artforms—to honor history, amplify community voices, and keep resistance in motion. → MORE INFO

🎉 Festivals & Special Events

NJPAC’s James Moody International Jazz Festival leads the week with Jazz Jams, Represent!, Christian McBride Big Band, Stanley Jordan’s Hendrix tribute, Dorthaan’s Place Brunch, and the Sarah Vaughan Vocal Competition. Across the region, seasonal highlights appear at Flushing Town Hall, The Falcon, Round Hill Community House, and the Side Door Jazz Club. → See festival listings

⭐ Must-See Next Week

Thanksgiving week brings a standout lineup: the Ken Peplowski Quartet at Birdland, the John Scofield Trio at Blue Note NYC, Jason Moran & The Bandwagon at the Vanguard, Billy Hart at Smoke, and Herlin Riley at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Strong showings continue at Aman, 333 Lounge, Blues Alley DC, and Blue Note LA. → See next week’s listings

🎄 Special Event List — Holiday & Sacred Season

• Hot Five Centennial Celebration at Louis Armstrong Center

• Harlem Jazz Series in Sacred Space

• Global Mashup at Flushing Town Hall → Read More

📝 Antetodes 

A brief reflection on the week’s themes — improvisation, lineage, and the start of the holiday season.

📣 Announcements

• December issue is in production.

• Holiday & Sacred Music features underway.

• Advertising placements for December & January now open.

🚀 Boundary-Pushers

Artists experimenting, innovating, and stretching jazz forward

This week’s Boundary-Pushers spotlight the innovators stretching jazz into new emotional, cultural, and sonic terrain. Mary Stallings’ residency at Dizzy’s explores the modern vocal lineage through Aaron Goldberg’s harmonic imagination, while Arooj Aftab transforms the Blue Note into a space of ambient ritual and cross-border resonance. Miguel Zenón’s 30th Anniversary Big Band at The Jazz Gallery stands as a masterclass in contemporary composition, and Marianne Solivan’s set at Aman adds vocal intimacy to the avant-luxe aesthetic. Downtown, Bill O’Connell and Richard Cortez bring fresh angularity to Mezzrow, Papuna Sharikadze’s quartet brings Georgian fire to DROM, and Helio Alves lights up the Roxy with his unmistakable Brazilian modernism. From Mariel Bildsten’s brassy adrenaline at The Django to John Scofield’s fearless trio at SOPAC, this is the week where the edge of the music becomes the center of gravity.

Journey Through Jazz: The Mighty Negro Spirituals (Marcus Printup) — Jazz at Lincoln Center (Nov 21–22) 10 Columbus Cir 5th Fl New York NY • Marcus Printup’s Mighty Negro Spirituals brings together members of the historic Abyssinian Baptist Church and the JLCO to honor the spirituals that shaped American music. Rooted in Printup’s gospel upbringing, the program moves through classics like “Wade in the Water” and “This Little Light of Mine” with deep reverence and power. It’s a stirring blend of voice, history, and ensemble fire. MORE INFO

Shenel Johns ft. Aaron Goldberg Trio — Dizzy’s Club (Nov 20–23) 10 Columbus Cir 5th Fl New York NY • Shenel Johns joins the Aaron Goldberg Trio for a luminous evening of Great American Songbook classics, infusing each melody with soulful warmth and impeccable phrasing. Fresh from her appearance in Wynton Marsalis’ season-opening premiere Afro! and soon to be featured in Big Band Holidays, Johns’ radiant voice shines alongside Goldberg, Reuben Rogers, and Willie Jones III. Together, the ensemble delivers swing, intimacy, and timeless artistry. MORE INFO

N’Kenge — Club Room at the Soho Grand Hotel (Nov 21) 310 W Broadway New York NY • N’Kenge is a commanding, genre-spanning vocalist whose brilliance extends from Broadway to opera houses and concert stages worldwide. A Juilliard and Manhattan School of Music alumna, she moves effortlessly through classical, jazz, gospel, pop, and soul with both virtuosity and emotional fire. Known for standout roles in Motown: The Musical and Caroline, or Change, she brings extraordinary range and magnetic presence to every performance. MORE INFO

Arooj Aftab — Blue Note Jazz Club (Nov 20–23) 131 W 3rd St New York NY • Arooj Aftab is a visionary artist at the forefront of global, genre-defying music, celebrated for her luminous sound and fearless experimentation. With Grammy-recognized albums like Night Reign and Vulture Prince, she continues to captivate worldwide audiences through performances that are both haunting and deeply innovative. MORE INFO

🎷 Keepers of the Flame 

Masters and modern torchbearers carrying the jazz tradition forward

This week’s Keepers of the Flame spotlight the artists carrying forward the core traditions of jazz with clarity, swing, and deep musical roots. Bill Charlap’s solo piano sets at Smoke offer a rare, intimate look at his mastery of the Songbook, while Eliane Elias brings her signature blend of Brazilian lyricism and straight-ahead sophistication to Birdland. Tatiana Eva-Marie adds her vintage-tinged charm at Birdland Theater, and veteran ensembles like Dave Stryker’s group and the Library Jazz Band continue the lineage through classic repertoire and warm ensemble interplay. From Benny Benack’s modern swing at Fasano and Five Spot Jazz to Sarah Hayes’ big-band energy at Swing 46, these performances honor the craft, history, and timeless spirit of this music.

Michelle Collier Swingtet — Swing 46 (Nov 21, 9pm) 349 W 46th St New York NY • Michelle Collier Swingtet brings a warm, classic swing feel to the night, led by Collier’s smooth vocals and elegant phrasing. The band keeps the groove lively and timeless, offering a stylish take on swing-era tradition. swing46.nyc

Bill Charlap Solo — Smoke Jazz Club (Nov 20–23, 7pm) 2751 Broadway New York NY • Bill Charlap offers a masterclass in solo piano at Smoke, revealing the depth and nuance of the Great American Songbook through his unmatched touch and harmonic clarity. Each set is intimate, lyrical, and deeply rooted in the timeless traditions he embodies. smokejazz.com

Daddy Rabbit ft. Khailah Johnson — Daddy Rabbit NYC at LouLou (Nov 21, 8pm) 176 8th Ave New York NY • Daddy Rabbit is an immersive live session at LouLou’s speakeasy, mixing jazz, soul, funk, and R&B with a rotating cast of singers and instrumentalists. Featuring Khailah Johnson, the show keeps its in-the-round setup where audiences can stand right alongside the band. daddyrabbitnyc.com;

✊ Voices of Resistance 

Artists channeling jazz’s spirit of resilience, protest, and community

This week’s Voices of Resistance highlights artists and ensembles who carry forward the music’s social, spiritual, and communal dimensions. Jason Marshall brings the Harlem Jazz Series to sacred space at Mount Morris Ascension, while Smalls and the Vanguard host musicians whose work speaks to lineage, struggle, and collective expression. Mingus Dynasty at Zinc Bar channels the fire and urgency of Mingus’ legacy, and Reginald Chapman’s Chaphouse at Barbès adds a modern edge to that tradition. Across the region, from Ahmed Abdullah’s Diaspora at Sista’s Place to Carrie Jackson’s set at Shanghai Jazz and Zakiyyah’s performance at Bethel AME, these gatherings reflect the power of jazz—and its sister artforms—to honor history, amplify community voices, and keep resistance in motion.

Jason Marshall — Harlem Jazz Series, Mount Morris Ascension Church (Nov 21, 7pm) 12 Mt Morris Park W New York NY • Baritone saxophonist Jason Marshall brings his deep, full-bodied sound to the Harlem Jazz Series, leading a set rooted in groove, blues, and community tradition. His performance highlights the power of the baritone voice in modern jazz while honoring the spirit of Harlem’s sacred music lineage. harlemjazzboxx.com

Joe Lovano & Dave Douglas — Village Vanguard (Nov 20–23, 10pm) 178 7th Ave S New York NY • Joe Lovano and Dave Douglas bring their Sound Prints quintet to the Village Vanguard, exploring bold original compositions with a lineup that includes Lawrence Fields, Matt Penman, and Andrew Cyrille. Together, the group delivers sharp interplay, deep improvisational focus, and the unmistakable chemistry that defines their long-running collaboration. villagevanguard.com

Ahmed Abdullah’s Diaspora — Sista’s Place (Nov 22, 8pm) 456 Nostrand Ave Brooklyn NY • Ahmed Abdullah’s Diaspora returns to Sistas’ Place with a powerful ensemble featuring Monique Ngozi Nri, Ras Moshe Burnett, Don Chapman, D.D. Jackson, Norbert Marius, and Warren “Trae” Cudrup. The group blends poetry, improvisation, and deep-rooted Black musical traditions in a set that reflects the spirit and community legacy of Sistas’ Place. sistasplace.org

🎉 FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS

This week’s festivals and special programs span the region with a mix of jazz, community gatherings, and multidisciplinary performances. NJPAC’s James Moody International Jazz Festival anchors the calendar with Jazz Jams, Represent! Hip Hop & Poetry, Christian McBride’s Big Band, Stanley Jordan’s Hendrix tribute, and the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. Around the tri-state area, seasonal highlights include the Fall of Freedom Rally in Sag Harbor, Backcountry Jazz’s Fall Benefit Concert in Greenwich, Isaiah J. Thompson at The Side Door in Old Lyme, and the Bridge Arts Jazz Concert at The Falcon. Additional series programming features Abe Speller’s set in Camden County and Jean-Efflam Bavouzet’s recital as part of Eastman’s Kilbourn Piano Series, rounding out a diverse week of performances across the northeast.

James Moody International Jazz Festival — NJPAC Address: 1 Center St, Newark NJ • njpac.org

• Nov 20, 7:30pm — Jazz Jams

• Nov 20, 7:30pm — Represent! Hip Hop & Poetry ft. Chuck D, Rakim & more

• Nov 21, 7:30pm — Christian McBride Big Band ft. Andra Day, José James & more

• Nov 21, 7:30pm — Carlos Varela ft. Diana Fuentes

• Nov 22, 7:30pm — Stanley Jordan Plays Jimi

• Nov 23, 11am — Nat Adderley Jr. Quartet (Dorthaan’s Place Jazz Brunch)

• Nov 23, 7:30pm — Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition

• Fall of Freedom Rally — Masonic Music Series

Location: Sag Harbor NY • masonicmusicseries.com • Nov 21 — Time varies Featuring writers, musicians & performers including Ruby Jackson, Adelaide Mestre, Inda Eaton, Loudon Wainwright III, Andrea Cote, Liz Joyce, Ur Mom, Spitnkitn, Candace Hill Montgomery, Scott Bluedorn, Judy D’Mello & more Admission: A can of non-perishable food

Backcountry Jazz — Fall Benefit Concert Location: Round Hill Community House, Greenwich CT • Nov 21, 6:30pm — Backcountry Jazz Fall Benefit Concert

The Side Door Jazz Club — Old Lyme CT • Nov 21, 8pm — Isaiah J. Thompson Quartet

The Falcon — Marlboro NY • Nov 23, 7pm — Bridge Arts Jazz Concert

Fall Music Series — South County Regional Branch Library (Atco, NJ) • Nov 21, 2–3pm — Abe Speller Trio

Eastman School of Music — Kilbourn Piano Series (Rochester NY) • Nov 20, 7:30pm — Jean-Efflam Bavouzet

Hot Five Centennial Celebration — Louis Armstrong Center (Nov 22, 3–4pm, $25) 34-56 107th St Queens NY • blackbaudhosting.com/tickets;

José Alberto “El Canario” 50th Anniversary Celebration — Lehman Center (Nov 22, 8pm) 250 Bedford Park Blvd W Bronx NY • lehmancenter.org;

Global Mashup: Seffarine & Garifuna Jazz Ensemble — Flushing Town Hall (Nov 21, 7pm) 137-35 Northern Blvd Flushing NY • flushingtownhall.org;

🔔 Must See Next Week (Nov 24 – 30)

Next week brings a powerful lineup of masters and rising voices across major stages. Ken Peplowski leads a swinging quartet at Birdland, while Blue Note NYC hosts the John Scofield Trio for an extended run featuring Vicente Archer and Bill Stewart. Jason Moran & The Bandwagon return to the Village Vanguard for their annual Thanksgiving-week performances, and Herlin Riley brings his New Orleans–driven ensemble to Jazz at Lincoln Center for a three-night engagement. Smoke Jazz Club follows with NEA Jazz Master Billy Hart’s quartet at the end of the week, and Dizzy’s presents the Future of Jazz Orchestra alongside sets from David Amram and Herlin Riley’s band. Additional highlights include AC Lincoln and Emily Braden at Aman, James Francies x Joel Ross x Blaque Dynamite in Los Angeles, Dani Cortaza’s Buena Vista Social Club tribute at Blues Alley, and Lezlie Harrison’s appearance at 333 Lounge.

Ken Peplowski Quartet — Birdland (Nov 25–26, 9:30pm) 315 W 44th St New York NY • birdlandjazz.com;

Future of Jazz Orchestra — Dizzy’s Club (Nov 24, 7pm) 10 Columbus Cir 5th Fl New York NY • jazz.org/dizzys;

David Amram — Dizzy’s Club (Nov 25, 7pm) 10 Columbus Cir 5th Fl New York NY • jazz.org/dizzys;

Herlin Riley & Friends — Dizzy’s Club (Nov 26, 7pm) 10 Columbus Cir 5th Fl New York NY • jazz.org/dizzys;

AC Lincoln — The Jazz Club at Aman (Nov 25, 6:30pm) 9 W 56th St New York NY • thejazzclub.com;

Emily Braden — The Jazz Club at Aman (Nov 25, 6:30pm) 9 W 56th St New York NY • thejazzclub.com;

John Scofield Trio ft. Vicente Archer & Bill Stewart — Blue Note NYC (Nov 25–29, 8pm) 131 W 3rd St New York NY • bluenotejazz.com;

Jason Moran & The Bandwagon — Village Vanguard (Nov 25–30, 10pm) 178 7th Ave S New York NY • villagevanguard.com;

Billy Hart Quartet — Smoke Jazz Club (Nov 28–30, 7pm) 2751 Broadway New York NY • smokejazz.com;

Herlin Riley — Jazz at Lincoln Center (Nov 28–30, times vary) 10 Columbus Cir 5th Fl New York NY • jazz.org;

Ryo Sasaki Trio — Saint Tuesday (Nov 26, 9:30pm) 77 Walker St New York NY • sainttuesdaynyc.com;

Craig Harris & The Harlem Nightsongs Big Band — Mount Morris Ascension Church (Nov 20, 7pm) 12 Mt Morris Park W New York NY • harlemjazzboxx.com;

Dani Cortaza: “Tribute to the Buena Vista Social Club” — Blues Alley DC (Nov 26, 7pm) 1073 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington DC • bluesalley.com;

Lezlie Harrison + Wine & Jazz Trio — 333 Lounge (Nov 26, 7pm) 333 Flatbush Ave Brooklyn NY • 333lounge.com;

James Francies × Joel Ross × Blaque Dynamite — Blue Note LA (Nov 24, 7pm) 6372 W Sunset Blvd Los Angeles CA • bluenotejazz.com/la;

MORE SPOTLIGHTS

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🚀 Boundary-Pushers

Artists experimenting, innovating, and stretching jazz forward

This week’s boundary-shifters stretch the music forward with fearless invention and bold reimagining. Henry Threadgill, Vijay Iyer, and Dafnis Prieto collide at 92NY in a rare trio encounter where rhythm, abstraction, and melodic architecture bend into something new. Joey Alexander begins a four-night run at Smoke, shaping post-bop language with a pianist’s sensitivity and a composer’s reach. At Blue Note, Tank and the Bangas & Friends turn the late-night stage into a sonic playground, fusing poetry, groove, and electric New Orleans imagination. The Django lights up with Eric Alexander, N’Kenge, and Rico Jones, a triptych of powerhouse voices pushing jazz from swing to soul to shape-shifting modernism. Across Brooklyn and beyond, artists like Endea Owens, Curtis Taylor, and Miss Maybell continue the week’s theme: boundary-pushing isn’t a style — it’s a stance, a willingness to turn tradition into momentum.

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Henry Threadgill, Vijay Iyer & Dafnis Prieto Trio — 92NY (Nov 14, 7:30pm) 1395 Lexington Ave New York NY • MORE INFO

Joey Alexander & Friends — Smoke Jazz Club (Nov 14–16, 9pm) 2751 Broadway New York NY • MORE INFO

Tank and the Bangas & Friends — Blue Note Jazz Club (Nov 14–16, 11:55pm) 131 W 3rd St New York NY • MORE INFO

N’Kenge — The Django (Nov 15, 7:30pm) 2 Avenue of the Americas New York NY • MORE INFO

🎷 Keepers of the Flame 

Masters and modern torchbearers carrying the jazz tradition forward

This week’s Keepers of the Flame remind us that jazz’s foundation is not a museum — it’s a living discipline shaped by elders, mentors, and torchbearers who hold the line with love and rigor. Sean Mason brings his rising-star clarity to Miller Theatre, carrying forward the lyricism of the great piano storytellers. At Mezzrow, vocalists Mary Foster Conklin and Vanisha Gould offer contrasting shades of intimacy, both rooted in deep song tradition. Smalls hosts Pete Malinverni, Billy Mintz, and a community of veteran improvisers who treat the bandstand like a sacred classroom. Uptown, the Tyshawn Sorey Trio continues their run at the Village Vanguard — a modern master channeling history through precision, space, and spiritual weight. From Tom Manuel & Tim Hagans at The Jazz Loft to Steve Nelson on the Connecticut coast, these artists remind us that the flame only stays lit because someone is willing to tend it.

Tyshawn Sorey Trio — Village Vanguard (Nov 14–16, 10pm) 178 7th Ave S New York NY • MORE INFO

Scott Wendholt w/ WPU Jazz Orchestra — William Paterson University (Nov 16, 3pm) 300 Pompton Rd Wayne NJ • MORE INFO

Sean Mason — Miller Theatre at Columbia University (Nov 15, 7:30pm) 2960 Broadway New York NY • MORE INFO

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✊ Voices of Resistance 

Artists channeling jazz’s spirit of resilience, protest, and community

This week’s Voices of Resistance speak through rhythm, memory, and uncompromising truth. At Mount Morris Ascension, bassist Alex Blake turns the Harlem Jazz Series into a spiritual uprising — percussive, urgent, and rooted in diaspora lineage. Artemis storms the Birdland Theater stage with collective firepower, a sisterhood of virtuosos redefining what modern ensemble resistance sounds like. At Dizzy’s, Azar Lawrence channels cosmic warrior energy, carrying forward the spiritual-jazz ethos of Coltrane while charting his own path of liberation. Brooklyn’s Bryan Carrott brings vibraphone clarity and community power to Sista’s Place, where music and movement have long walked hand-in-hand. And from Branford Marsalis’ quartet in Purchase to youth ensembles lifting their voices in libraries and community halls, this week reminds us that resistance in jazz is not always loud — sometimes it is precise, uncompromised, and beautifully unbending.

Alex Blake — Mount Morris Ascension Presbyterian Church (Nov 14, 7pm) 12 Mt Morris Park W New York NY • harlemjazzboxx.com

Artemis — Birdland Theater (Nov 14–15, 10:30pm) 315 W 44th St New York NY • birdlandjazz.com

Mary Stallings ft. Aaron Goldberg Trio - Jazz at Lincoln Center (Nov 14–16, 9pm) 10 Columbus Cir 5th Fl New York NY • MORE INFO

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🌹 Special Tribute: Sheila Jordan Sheila Jordan Memorial — Saint Peter’s Church

(Nov 18, 5pm) 619 Lexington Ave New York NY • saintpeters.org;

Sheila Jordan’s passing marks the loss of one of jazz’s most fearless storytellers — a vocalist who blurred the lines between bebop, poetry, and lived truth. Her voice carried the spirit of Bird, the pulse of Detroit, and the courage of a woman who carved her own path through a male-dominated era with integrity, humor, and heart. Saint Peter’s Church, long a sanctuary for jazz legacies, hosts a community memorial where musicians, admirers, and fellow travelers will gather to honor the life of an artist who never stopped swinging, searching, or teaching. A moment to celebrate a singular voice whose influence threads through generations.

🎉 FESTIVALS & SPECIALS

This weekend’s festival landscape stretches from uptown celebration to Brooklyn experimentalism and a major finale down in Annapolis. Washington Heights continues its community-powered tradition with multiple ensembles turning Le Cheile into a neighborhood jazz hub. Brooklyn hosts the AACM’s 60th Anniversary tribute at Roulette—one of the most important creative-music milestones of the year—and The Owl Music Parlor welcomes the 30th anniversary of Elysian Fields. On Friday, Culture Lab LIC lights up the harbor with Sunset Jazz, while Sunday brings the grand finale of the Annapolis Jazz & Roots Festival with the Joshua Redman Quartet. A weekend of heritage, experimentation, and musical rituals across the Northeast.

AACM NYC 60th Anniversary

AACM NYC 60th Anniversary: Muhal Richard Abrams Tribute — Roulette (Nov 14 & 15, 8pm) 509 Atlantic Ave Brooklyn NY • roulette.org

For two nights, AACM NYC honors its founding visionary Muhal Richard Abrams with a celebration worthy of the organization’s six-decade legacy. The AACM has shaped modern creative music since 1965, forging a new grammar for improvisation, composition, and collective expression. This 60th anniversary tribute brings together generations of artists whose work carries forward Abrams’ uncompromising spirit — part ceremony, part gathering, part forward-looking summit.

Night One — Nov 14

A deep dive into lineage, art, and sound.

Panel Discussion AACM members reflect on the organization’s transformative impact. Panelists: Amina Claudine Myers; Chico Freeman; Roscoe Mitchell; Adegoke Steve Colson & Iqua Colson; Thurman Barker Moderator: George E. Lewis

Performances: Roscoe Mitchell — solo performance; Chico Freeman Quartet; Chico Freeman — saxophone, Amina Claudine Myers — piano, Kenny Davis — bass, Yoron Israel — drums; Amina Claudine Myers — gospel piano tribute honoring Leonard E. Jones & Lester Helmar Lashley

Visual Art: Exhibition & sale of Roscoe Mitchell’s paintings

Night Two — Nov 15

A ceremony of sound, featuring master artists alongside rising voices.

Performances: Thurman Barker Quintet — TIME FACTOR: Thurman Barker — drums, percussion, bells ; Adegoke Steve Colson & Iqua Colson Ensemble; Adegoke Steve Colson — piano, alto saxophone, Iqua Colson — vocals, J.D. Parran — woodwinds, Andrew Cyrille — drums, Andy McKee — bass, Maurice Chestnut — tap dance

Featuring (Emerging Artist Series): Noah Barker — piano, Patience Higgins — tenor saxophone, clarinet, Asher Kurtz — guitar, Nate Zaur — organ;

Washington Heights Jazz Festival (Nov 14–16)

 Le Cheile (Nov 14–16, 8pm) 839 W 181st St New York NY • lecheilenyc.com | Sara Caswell Quartet; Camila Cortina Quintet; Marianne Solivan; Noah Myers Quintet; Yotam Ishay Septet; The Prism Trio; Jazz WaHi Big ’Nuff Band

Elysian Fields 30th Anniversary

Elysian Fields — The Owl Music Parlor (Nov 15, 8pm) 497 Rogers Ave Brooklyn NY • theowl.nyc

Sunset Jazz – Culture Lab LIC

Sunset Jazz — Culture Lab LIC (Nov 14, 8pm) 5-25 46th Ave Long Island City NY $0–$41.32 • culturelablic.org;

Annapolis Jazz & Roots Festival – Grand Finale

Joshua Redman Quartet — Maryland Hall (Nov 16, 7pm) 801 Chase St Annapolis MD • marylandhall.org;

🎭 Other Events

Spoken Word, Poetry & New Works — Alice Tully Hall @ Lincoln Center (Nov 15, 7:30pm) 1941 Broadway at W 65th St New York NY • lincolncenter.org/venue/alice-tully-hall;

Leonieke Scheuble — Jazz Vespers @ Saint Peter’s Church (Nov 16, 5pm) 619 Lexington Ave New York NY • saintpeters.org;

Jazz Gumbo: Trad Meets Second Line — Jalopy (Nov 14, 8pm) 315 Columbia St Brooklyn NY • jalopy.biz;

🔔 Must See Next Week (Nov 11 – 17)

Next week brings a rare mix of mastery, intimacy, and cross-coastal fire. Bill Charlap settles into Smoke for his annual solo-piano residency, offering two sets an evening of unfiltered lyricism and swing. At Birdland Theater, Eliane Elias brings her signature blend of Brazilian elegance and jazz sophistication across two nights of 7pm and 9:30pm performances. Brandon Sanders takes over Dizzy’s with a double-set album-release celebration, while the Joe Lovano & Dave Douglas Sound Prints project continues its run at the Village Vanguard—modern interplay at its highest level. Over at Zinc Bar, the week forms a three-night arc: Houston Person, Christopher McBride, and William Hill III each leading back-to-back early and late shows. Sunday at Pangea, Premik Russell Tubbs & Margee Miner-Tubbs bring a fusion-driven spiritual uplift. And on the West Coast, Blue Note LA presents rising star Julius Rodriguez followed by the always-electric Keyon Harrold—a perfect bicoastal snapshot of jazz’s evolving future.

Bill Charlap (Solo) — Smoke Jazz Club (Nov 19, 7pm & 9pm) 2751 Broadway New York NY • smokejazz.com;

Eliane Elias — Birdland Theater (Nov 18–19, 7pm & 9:30pm) 315 W 44th St New York NY • birdlandjazz.com;

Brandon Sanders — Dizzy’s Club @ Jazz at Lincoln Center (Nov 17, 7pm & 9pm) 10 Columbus Cir 5th Fl New York NY • jazz.org/dizzys;

Joe Lovano & Dave Douglas — Village Vanguard (Nov 18–19, 10pm) 178 7th Ave S New York NY • villagevanguard.com;

Houston Person Quartet — Zinc Bar (Nov 17, 7pm & 8:30pm) 82 W 3rd St New York NY • zincbar.com;

Christopher McBride w/ Gabriel Schillinger-Hyman Quartet — Zinc Bar (Nov 18, 7pm & 8:30pm) 82 W 3rd St New York NY • zincbar.com;

William Hill III Trio — Zinc Bar (Nov 19, 7pm & 8:30pm) 82 W 3rd St New York NY • zincbar.com;

Premik Russell Tubbs & Margee Miner-Tubbs w/ Oneness-World Jazz Fusion Band — Pangea (Nov 16, 7pm) 178 2nd Ave New York NY • pangeanyc.com;

West Coast Pulse

Julius Rodriguez — Blue Note LA (Nov 17, 7pm & 9:30pm) 6372 W Sunset Blvd Los Angeles CA • bluenotejazz.com/la;

Keyon Harrold — Blue Note LA (Nov 18, 7pm & 9:30pm) 6372 W Sunset Blvd Los Angeles CA • bluenotejazz.com/la;

MORE SPOTLIGHTS

DIRECTORY OF JAZZ BRUNCHES AROUND TOWN

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Three-time Grammy Award-winner Ulysses Owens Jr. Joins 8th Annual Emerging Artist Festival (Nov 7–8)

Every generation in jazz inherits both a pulse and a purpose. Drummer Ulysses Owens Jr. hears that inheritance not as weight but as invitation: a call to connect, to mentor, to groove. From the sanctified rhythms of his Jacksonville church to the Vermont Jazz Center’s Emerging Artist Festival, Owens turns the stage into a classroom and the classroom into a stage. His Generation Y Band is less a project than a philosophy — proof that mentorship is the deepest form of improvisation. In a moment when so much of culture feels disposable, Owens reminds us that the truest innovation is continuity: one hand keeping time while the other passes the flame.

Now in its eighth year, the Vermont Jazz Center’s Emerging Artist Festival continues its mission to bridge generations through music, education, and community. This year’s headliner, three-time Grammy-winning drummer and Juilliard educator Ulysses Owens Jr., brings his acclaimed Generation Y Band — a powerhouse of rising stars including Anthony Hervey, Langston Hughes II, Liya Grigoryan, and Guillermo Lopez — for two days of concerts, student showcases, and clinics. Owens’ approach blends mentorship with mastery, championing connectivity as the soul of jazz: “Once we are all fulfilling our roles in this music, we connect — and that’s when the magic comes in.”

Performances run Friday, Nov 7 (5–8pm) at 118 Elliot and continue Saturday, Nov 8 with student groups, a 4pm clinic, and the 7:30pm headliner concert at the Vermont Jazz Center. The festival celebrates jazz as both heritage and horizon.

🎟️ Admission — Sliding scale beginning at $25. Tickets available at vtjazz.org or via the VJC hotline 802-254-9088 ext. 1. 💻 Online Access — Stream by donation at vtjazz.org and support live music wherever you are.

The Vermont Jazz Center is excited to use the EAF as a means to illustrate the great potential of our music moving forward. The only way that this is possible is through community support. This festival is sponsored in honor of the memory of Jonathan Flaccus, a man who cared deeply about the arts. During his rich life, Flaccus intentionally supported the Jazz Center mindfully, promoting causes he strongly believed in, especially youth participation. This concert is being sponsored by Marcy Hermansader, Flaccus’s widow. Concert publicity is underwritten by The Commons and The Brattleboro Reformer. The VJC is also grateful to the Vermont Arts Council for their support and increased efforts in supporting arts organizations throughout the state.

🚀 Boundary-Pushers

Artists experimenting, innovating, and stretching jazz forward

This week’s innovators stretch jazz’s language into new sonic worlds. At the Apollo Theater, Renée Neufville brings her velvet neo-soul to Harlem’s late-night air, while at Jazz at Lincoln Center, master percussionist Cyro Baptista celebrates 75 years of rhythmic revolution with guests Trey Anastasio and Cassandra Wilson. Over at The Django, JC Hopkins’ Biggish Band and AC Lincoln Quintet keep Tribeca swinging in modern technicolor, and the Vermont Jazz Center lights up Brattleboro with the Emerging Artist Festival, led by Grammy-winning drummer Ulysses Owens Jr. and his electrifying Generation Y Band. From George Cables’ spirited trio at Newark’s Bethany Baptist Church to Blaque Dynamite igniting City Winery, the week hums with creators who fuse tradition and daring—proving that the spirit of jazz innovation is very much alive, pulsing, and pushing forward.

Cyro Baptista at 75 — Jazz at Lincoln Center (Nov 7–8) Brazilian percussionist Cyro Baptista marks his 75th year with a rhythm carnival that defies genre and gravity alike. Joined by Trey Anastasio and Cassandra Wilson, Baptista transforms the Rose Theater into a living drum — where samba, funk, and free jazz meet in ecstatic conversation. Each beat is a story, each sound a celebration of joy, age, and endless invention. MORE INFO

Renée Neufville — Apollo Theater (Nov 8) At Harlem’s historic Apollo, Renée Neufville brings a velvety, genre-fluid set that slips effortlessly between jazz, soul, and hip-hop inflection. Known for her early work in Zhané and her collaborations with Roy Hargrove’s RH Factor, Neufville’s solo performances shimmer with sophistication and spirit — proof that jazz’s modern pulse still lives in the groove. MORE INFO

George Cables Trio ft. Alexander Claffy & Jerome Jennings — Bethany Baptist Church (Nov 8) Few artists balance grace and grit like pianist George Cables, whose playing carries the wisdom of decades yet still feels daringly alive. At Newark’s Bethany Baptist Church, Cables reunites with bassist Alexander Claffy and drummer Jerome Jennings for a concert that transforms sanctuary into stage — a communion of rhythm, reverence, and renewal. MORE INFO

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🎷 Keepers of the Flame 

Masters and modern torchbearers carrying the jazz tradition forward

This weekend, the tradition burns bright across every borough. At Birdland, The Hot Sardines deliver their effervescent swing, while Kevin Hays brings lyrical elegance to Dizzy’s Club. Uptown, Daryl Sherman leads a soulful Jazz Vespers at Saint Peter’s, and George Gee’s Swing All-Stars keep the floor moving at Swing 46. The Village Vanguard hosts Vijay Iyer Quartet in a run that bridges intellect and groove, and Philip Harper lights up both Smalls and Beanrunner Café, proving bebop’s pulse is still alive and syncopated. From Zaccai Curtis and Amy London to Alexis Cole’s cabaret grace, these artists remind us that mastery isn’t a museum piece — it’s a living flame passed from one night to the next, one set to another.

Vijay Iyer Quartet — Village Vanguard (Nov 6–9) At the Village Vanguard, Vijay Iyer and his quartet remind us that intellect and intuition are not opposites but partners in time. His performances hum with geometry and grace — polyrhythms that think and swing at once. For Iyer, the tradition isn’t a boundary; it’s a frequency he keeps tuning forward. MORE INFO

Daryl Sherman — Jazz Vespers @ Saint Peter’s Church (Nov 9) Singer-pianist Daryl Sherman brings warmth, wit, and a century’s worth of melody to Jazz Vespers this weekend. Her phrasing glows with Ellingtonian ease — a Sunday service where swing feels sacred and humor feels holy. Sherman’s presence reminds us that devotion and delight can share the same chord. MORE INFO

The Hot Sardines — Birdland (Nov 6–8) Retro never sounded so right. With a horn section that hollers and rhythms that wink, The Hot Sardines turn Birdland into a 1930s block party every night this week. It’s classic swing reborn — playful, precise, and irresistibly alive — proof that joy, too, can be a form of mastery. MORE INFO

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✊ Voices of Resistance 

Artists channeling jazz’s spirit of resilience, protest, and community

This week’s Voices remind us that jazz has always been a language of faith, fire, and freedom. At Mount Morris Ascension Church, Cantrese Alloway raises the spirit of Harlem’s sacred songbook, while the legendary Charles McPherson takes the stage at Smoke Jazz Club, transforming bebop into a sermon on resilience. Upstate, Houston Person celebrates another year of soulful tenor warmth at Jazz Forum, and Carrie Jackson brings Newark’s deep gospel swing to Deer Head Inn alongside the timeless artistry of Stephane Wrembel. In Cambridge, George Coleman’s rich horn reminds us that legacy and liberation can coexist in every note. From Harlem to Massachusetts, these performances affirm that resistance in jazz is not only political — it’s spiritual, rhythmic, and beautifully alive.

Charles McPherson Quintet — Smoke Jazz Club (Nov 6–9) Alto legend Charles McPherson stands as a living thread to jazz’s bebop genesis. At Smoke Jazz Club, his quintet delivers music that’s fierce yet tender, shaped by decades of discipline and defiance. McPherson’s horn reminds us that freedom in jazz is not rebellion—it’s inheritance, practiced daily and played with conviction.  MORE INFO

📖 Featured as this month’s cover story in Hot House Jazz Magazine — read the full interview HERE.

Cantrese Alloway — Harlem Jazz Series @ Mount Morris Ascension Church (Nov 7) In the heart of Harlem, vocalist Cantrese Alloway brings the sanctuary sound home. Her performance at Mount Morris Ascension Church blends gospel warmth with jazz phrasing, echoing the voices of those who turned struggle into song. With each note, Alloway restores the sacred link between jazz, spirit, and survival. MORE INFO

Mike Monford & The Afro Ether — Sista’s Place, Brooklyn (Nov 8) Detroit-born saxophonist Mike Monford brings his fiery ensemble The Afro Ether to Brooklyn’s legendary Sista’s Place for two powerful sets. Rooted in the spirit of the Black Arts Movement, Monford’s sound channels cosmic consciousness and street-level truth — a freedom cry wrapped in rhythm and reverence. Doors open 7:30 pm; shows at 8 pm & 9:30 pm. MORE INFO

Houston Person Quintet — Jazz Forum Arts - Tarrytown (Nov 7 & 8) Few sounds carry more soul than Houston Person’s tenor saxophone. Celebrating another birthday and another year of musical truth, Person turns Jazz Forum into a house of joy, bringing blues, gospel, and groove together with timeless ease. In every phrase, he reminds us that endurance itself is a form of resistance. THIS IS ALSO A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION. HAPPY BIRTHDAY HOUSTON - THE BOSS TENOR! More Info

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💃🏽 HotSpot Other

Comedy, theater, youth, and interdisciplinary arts.

Baile Cangrejero — Pregones Theater (Nov 6 & 8 7 pm $30) 571 Walton Ave Bronx NY pregonesprtt.org

Jazz & Jokes — Comedy In Harlem (Nov 7 10:30 pm) 750A St Nicholas Ave NYC comedyinharlem.com

The Fat Cats Youth Orchestra Workshop — ShapeShifter Lab (Nov 9 11 am) 837 Union St Brooklyn NY shapeshifterplus.org

Jazz In The Stacks / Books On The Move — Newark Public Library (Nov 12 4:30 pm) 235 Clifton Ave Newark NJ npl.org

The Late(ish) Poetry Show — PhilaMOCA (Nov 7 8:30 pm Poetry) 531 N 12th St Philadelphia PA philamoca.org

🎉 FESTIVALS & SPECIALS

November’s big-stage celebrations.

Washington Heights Jazz Festival — Upper Manhattan (Nov 6–8) A neighborhood-wide celebration of uptown swing and community. Events at Le Cheile, The Bonnefont, and St. Frances Cabrini Shrine feature Paul Jost Quartet, Louise Rogers’ Jazz for Kids, Sara Caswell Quartet, Camila Cortina Quintet, Marianne Solivan, and the Jazz WaHi Big ’Nuff Band. A true Harlem Heights happening. • lecheilenyc.com

Exit Zero Jazz Festival — Cape May, NJ (Nov 6–9) The Jersey Shore’s signature jazz week returns with a powerhouse lineup: Stanley Clarke, Cassandra Wilson, Endea Owens & The Cookout, Amina Figarova Sextet, Omar Sosa, and Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen. Oceanfront groove meets world-class artistry. • exitzerojazzfestival.com

James Moody Jazz Festival — Newark, NJ (Nov 6–9) At NJPAC, the James Moody Jazz Festival continues its tradition of blending jazz excellence with joyful variety. Highlights include Stanley Clarke, Omar Sosa’s Quarteto Americanos, and the New Jersey Symphony’s Rhapsody in Blue program. A homecoming for the Garden State’s musical spirit. • njpac.org

Annapolis Jazz & Roots Festival — Annapolis, MD (Nov 7–8) From Eva Cassidy tributes to the J.C. Jefferson Quartet’s Salute to Quincy Jones, the Annapolis Jazz & Roots Festival fills venues like Performance Space New York and the Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum with sound, soul, and storytelling. • performancespacenewyork.org / annapolisjazzandrootsfestival.com

🎂 The Boss Tenor Turns 91: Houston Person’s Timeless Swing

This week, The Boss Tenor Houston Person celebrates his 91st birthday — still swinging, still singing through that golden horn. From his early work alongside Etta Jones to decades of leadership as one of jazz’s most beloved stylists, Person has turned melody into ministry. His tone carries the warmth of the blues, the soul of gospel, and the patience of wisdom hard-earned. As he returns to Jazz Forum Arts in Tarrytown, NY for his annual birthday shows, audiences will once again feel what his longtime fans already know: that every note he plays is an act of generosity — a reminder that jazz, at its heart, is a conversation between time, truth, and love. MORE INFO

🔔 Must See Next Week (Nov 11 – 17)

Next week brings a dynamic mix of legends and rising voices lighting up stages across the city. Pianist Bertha Hope anchors Jazzmobile Sessions at the Interchurch Center, while Gabrielle Cavassa and Tessa Souter bring elegance and emotion to Dizzy’s Club. At the Village Vanguard, Tyshawn Sorey Trio stretches time and form in their singular way, and Joey Alexander & Friends return to Smoke Jazz Club with youthful brilliance and melodic grace. Saxophonist Braxton Cook keeps things modern at the Blue Note, as Johnny O’Neal Trio holds the hard-swinging flame at Zinc Bar. Over at Café Carlyle, John Pizzarelli & Jessica Molaskey offer their trademark wit and sophistication, while Roulette hosts the avant-garde edge with Henry Threadgill, Anthony Braxton, Mary Halvorson, and George Lewis pushing the limits of sound. Guitarist Stephan Crump joins Sam Newsome and Dan Weiss at Close Up NYC, and Patricia Brennan continues her bold explorations at The Stone at The New School. For groove and uplift, trumpeter Wayne Tucker brings the heat to the Jamaica Performing Arts Center. From Harlem to Brooklyn, next week’s lineup proves once again that New York’s stages remain the world’s living laboratory for jazz — ever-inventive, ever-alive.

Beyond NYC

Joey Alexander — Blues Alley, Washington DC (Nov 7) A prodigy turned poet of the piano — Alexander’s lyricism continues to deepen with age and grace.

Eliane Elias — Blues Alley, Washington DC (Nov 8–9) Brazilian piano brilliance meets sensual swing; Elias brings her signature warmth to Georgetown’s intimate room.

Brian Charette Organ Trio — Blues Alley, Washington DC (Nov 10) Soul-jazz grooves from the modern B3 master — high-voltage Hammond with urban edge.

Gregory Lewis’ Organ Monk Trio / Tony Monaco Trio — Blues Alley, Washington DC (Nov 11) Twin Hammond celebrations close out the week: Greg Lewis reimagines Monk through the organ’s growl, and Tony Monaco brings swing-school fire with Shawn Purcell and Steve Fidyk.

West Coast Pulse

Tank and the Bangas — Blue Note LA (Nov 6) New Orleans energy and technicolor joy light up Hollywood; genre-blending funk and poetry in motion.

Emily Bear — Blue Note LA (Nov 10) Composer-pianist and prodigious storyteller Emily Bear blurs the lines between jazz, classical, and cinematic imagination.

MORE SPOTLIGHTS

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🎃 

TRICK OR TREAT: ROBTOBER -vs- RONTOBER

New York doesn’t do small rivalries. Even our jazz clubs compete like heavyweight champions. This October, while the rest of the city carved pumpkins, two institutions carved their names into the month’s musical history: Blue Note’s “Robtober” and Birdland’s “Rontober.”

Down in the Village, Robert Glasper has turned Blue Note into a living manifesto — a month-long collision of hip-hop rhythm and jazz improvisation that’s still going strong through November 2. Every night brings new guests, new grooves, and a new reminder that innovation doesn’t need permission. “Robtober” has been a laboratory of sound and community — proof that jazz’s next century is being built in real time, one collaboration at a time.

Uptown, Ron Carter’s “Rontober” at Birdland continues its final nights with equal mastery and momentum, also running through November 2. With his Great Big Band and Foursight Quartet, Carter transforms precision into poetry, balancing intellect with elegance. His music doesn’t shout — it commands.

Together, Glasper and Carter gave New York the perfect balance of Trick and Treat: two artists, two generations, two rooms, both redefining what it means to push the music forward. “Robtober” reminds us the future is fearless; “Rontober” proves the foundation still holds. For one more weekend, the city hums between them — the sound of jazz alive, urgent, and beautifully in conversation with itself. ~Chrys R.

🚀 Boundary-Pushers

Artists experimenting, innovating, and stretching jazz forward

This weekend’s trailblazers remind us that jazz is not a museum piece — it’s a living conversation with the unknown. Robert Glasper turns Blue Note into a laboratory of rhythm and rebellion, merging groove, truth, and digital soul. At Dizzy’s, Stephane Wrembel redefines Django’s gypsy swing with the sweep of a filmmaker’s imagination, while Joel Ross builds glowing harmonic constellations at The Jazz Gallery. Harlem’s own Patience Higgins stretches the jam session into a cultural ritual, and T.K. Blue channels diasporic spirit and saxophone fire at The Django. Even giants keep pushing the edge — Ron Carter reshapes big band tradition at Birdland as part of the month-long Ron-tober, and Jon Faddis lights Blues Alley with trumpet lines that still echo Dizzy’s fearless joy. Together, they remind us that evolution has always been the most radical form of respect.

Stephane Wrembel — Dizzy’s Club @ Jazz at Lincoln Center (Oct 31 – Nov 2) France-born, Brooklyn-based, and utterly unbound, Stephane Wrembel takes Django Reinhardt’s legacy on a cinematic ride through flamenco, blues, and impressionism. His gypsy-jazz guitar becomes both brush and blade, painting with nostalgia one moment and slicing into modern harmony the next. MORE INFO

Steve Davis “We See” All-Star Sextet — Smoke Jazz Club (Oct 31 – Nov 2) Trombonist Steve Davis gathers an elite frontline—trumpet, alto, and his velvet slide—for a set that honors Monk’s angular genius while keeping the groove contemporary. Every chorus feels like a conversation across generations: tradition handled not as relic but as living rhythm. MORE INFO

Herbie Hancock — Music Center @ Strathmore - Maryland (Nov 1) Herbie Hancock remains the archetype of artistic courage. From “Maiden Voyage” to “Rockit,” he’s spent six decades proving that reinvention is the purest form of resistance. His current tour fuses acoustic brilliance with electric freedom, a meditation on creativity itself.

Joel Ross — The Jazz Gallery (Oct 31 – Nov 1) Vibraphonist Joel Ross appears with his quintet for two nights at The Jazz Gallery, presenting new material that combines modern harmonic writing with ensemble interplay shaped by post-bop and gospel influences. MORE INFO

🎷 Keepers of the Flame 

Masters and modern torchbearers carrying the jazz tradition forward

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Edmar Castañeda Quartet — Jazz Forum Tarrytown (Oct 31 - Nov 1) Harpist Edmar Castañeda brings his quartet to Jazz Forum for a program blending Colombian rhythm, jazz improvisation, and chamber-style interaction. MORE INFO

Ravi Coltrane Sextet — Village Vanguard (Oct 31 – Nov 2) Saxophonist Ravi Coltrane leads a sextet at the Village Vanguard, presenting original compositions and modern arrangements that extend the legacy of post-bop through focused ensemble interplay. MORE INFO

Tyreek McDole w/ HVLT — The Django (Nov 2 - matinee show) Vocalist Tyreek McDole joins HVLT for a matinee set at The Django, performing selections that bridge swing tradition with contemporary vocal jazz. MORE INFO

Luther Allison Quartet — Birdland NYC Nov 2, 5:30pm | Pianist and composer Luther S. Allison opens the final night of Ron Carter’s “Rontober” series at Birdland with a set rooted in blues and gospel tradition, drawing on his work as a bandleader, educator, and collaborator with artists including Samara Joy and Jazzmeia Horn. MORE INFO

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✊ Voices of Resistance 

Artists channeling jazz’s spirit of resilience, protest, and community

From Harlem to Havana, this week’s lineup speaks to freedom in all its forms. At Mount Morris Ascension Presbyterian Church, bassist Melissa Slocum leads the Harlem Jazz Series with a performance rooted in strength, lineage, and liberation. At Zinc Bar, Paul Carr and Elew remind us that resistance also swings — each transforming intensity into purpose through sound. From there, the current flows south and outward: at the National Jazz Museum in Harlem, Charles Altura and Jonathan Paik bring intergenerational dialogue to life through the Jazz Gallery Mentoring Series; at NJPAC, Omar Sosa fuses Afro-Cuban rhythm with spiritual transcendence, and Stanley Clarke’s N•4EVER turns fusion into testimony — a celebration of legacy and liberation. In every setting, these artists channel the sacred lineage of sound that has always carried jazz beyond entertainment and into awakening.

Melissa Slocum — Harlem Jazz Series @ Mount Morris Ascension Presbyterian Church (Oct 31) Bassist Melissa Slocum appears in the Harlem Jazz Series at Mount Morris Ascension Presbyterian Church, leading a program grounded in hard-swinging acoustic jazz and uptown tradition. MORE INFO

Organ Monk Trio (Nov 1) | Dada Bar: 6047 Myrtle Ave, Queens, NY 11385. 347-422-0411. dadabar.nyc

Cécile McLorin Salvant (Nov 1) Berklee Performance Center: 136 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02115. 8:00pm

💃🏽 HotSpot Other

Comedy, theater, youth, and interdisciplinary arts.

Baile Cangrejero (play) — Pregones Theater, Bronx (Nov 1 10 pm) 571-575 Walton Ave Bronx 718-585-1202 pregonesprtt.org

Jazz & Jokes — Comedy in Harlem (Oct 31 10:30 pm) 750A St Nicholas Ave NYC 347-766-3001 comedyinharlem.com

The Moth StorySLAM — The Bell House (Nov 3 8 pm preview) 149 7th St Brooklyn 718-643-6510 thebellhouseny.com

Fat Cats Youth Orchestra Workshop — ShapeShifter Lab (Nov 2 11 am) 837 Union St Brooklyn 646-820-9452 shapeshifterplus.org

🎉 FESTIVALS & SPECIALS

November’s big-stage celebrations.

Exit Zero Jazz Festival — Cape May NJ (Nov 7–9)

Multiple venues | exitzerojazzfestival.com From Cassandra Wilson’s New Moon Daughter anniversary to Endea Owens, Omar Sosa, Stanley Clarke, Gabrielle Cavassa & more—three days of ocean-front groove and heritage.

James Moody International Jazz Festival @ NJPAC (Newark NJ | Nov 8–23)

njpac.org Featuring Omar Sosa, Stanley Clarke, Arturo Sandoval, Christian McBride Big Band ft. Andra Day & José James, Represent! with Chuck D & Rakim, Stanley Jordan Plays Jimi, and the Sarah Vaughan Vocal Competition.

🌟 Special: Celebrating Sheila Jordan

Dizzy’s Club @ Jazz at Lincoln Center — Nov 5, 7:00pm 10 Columbus Cir, 5th Fl, New York, NY 10019 • 212-258-9595 • jazz.org

This week, Dizzy’s Club becomes hallowed ground as the jazz community gathers to celebrate the life and spirit of Sheila Jordan (1928–2025) — a singular voice who transformed bebop into storytelling. Once a protégée of Charlie Parker, Sheila carried the music’s emotional language into new generations, her phrasing as honest as a heartbeat and as daring as flight.

Originally planned as a tribute, the concert now stands as a farewell — a final chorus for the NEA Jazz Master whose artistry redefined what it means to sing jazz. In every note, she taught that courage and vulnerability share the same key. Tonight, those lessons echo across Dizzy’s stage — not as an elegy, but as a thank you.

🔔 Must See Next Week (Nov 3 – 10)

The week ahead carries momentum and memory — a city alive with masters, innovators, and tributes that remind us why jazz never stands still.

New York City & Metro

Charles McPherson Quintet — Smoke Jazz Club (Nov 5 – 10) Bebop royalty in full command — six nights of swing, melody, and grace.

Vijay Iyer Quartet — Village Vanguard (Nov 4 – 5) Pianistic intellect meets rhythmic daring; a study in modern interplay.

The Hot Sardines — Birdland (Nov 4 – 5) Vintage swing with downtown sparkle; a joyful revival of pre-war energy.

Frank Vignola’s Guitar Night w/ Mark Whitfield & Ted Rosenthal — Birdland Theater (Nov 5) Three virtuosos trading choruses in Birdland’s most beloved weekly jam.

Michael Feinstein “Standard Time” — Carnegie Hall (Nov 5) A big-band salute to the Great American Songbook led by its foremost interpreter.

Boney James — Sony Hall (Nov 4) Smooth-jazz polish and R&B heartbeat from a crossover favorite.

Preservation Hall Jazz Band & Friends — City Winery NYC (Nov 4) New Orleans heritage and joy take over the Hudson River stage.

Paul Carr — Zinc Bar (Nov 3) | Elew Trio — Zinc Bar (Nov 4) DC swing meets piano pyrotechnics in back-to-back club sets.

Richard Cortez — Arthur’s Tavern (Nov 3) Late-night croon and charm in the Village’s most historic room.

Hot Toddies Jazz Band — C @ Renaissance Chelsea Hotel (Nov 5) Prohibition-era sass returns for Gotham Jazz Wednesdays.

Lezlie Harrison feat. Wine & Jazz Trio — 333 Lounge, Brooklyn (Nov 5) Soulful vocals and candle-lit groove; Brooklyn’s warmest night out.

Sylvie Courvoisier Trio — Roulette, Brooklyn (Nov 4) Avant-garde piano, fearless rhythm, and sound sculpture in motion.

David Collins Quartet Plays Horace Silver — Dada Bar, Queens (Nov 5) Hard-bop revival with deep Queens energy.

The Jazz Gallery Mentoring Series ft. Charles Altura & Jonathan Paik — National Jazz Museum in Harlem (Nov 4) Cross-generational artistry and improvisational dialogue in motion.

Ollice Spaulding — Da Milio’s NYC (Nov 6) A rising voice bridging the American songbook and new-soul storytelling.

Beyond NYC

George Cables Trio — Jazz Vespers @ Bethany Baptist Church, Newark (Nov 8) Hard-bop mastery meets sacred intensity.

Houston Person — Jazz Forum, Tarrytown (Nov 7 – 8) Soul-tenor warmth and storytelling tone from a living legend.

Omar Sosa Quarteto Americanos — NJPAC (Nov 8) Afro-Cuban fusion and spiritual uplift at the James Moody Festival.

Stanley Clarke N•4EVER — NJPAC (Nov 8 – 9) Fusion’s founding bassist leads his new ensemble with electrifying force.

Jacob Collier — McCarter Theatre, Princeton (Nov 6) Genre-defying virtuoso orchestrating harmony on a cosmic scale.

West Coast Pulse

Robert Glasper — Blue Note LA (through Nov 3) A masterclass in groove and genre-blending — the close of his LA residency.

Ghost Note — Blue Note California (Nov 4 – 5) Funk-fusion fireworks from Snarky Puppy alumni.

Tank and the Bangas — Blue Note California (Nov 6 – 9) New Orleans energy, poetry, and playfulness in technicolor motion.

MORE SPOTLIGHTS

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Nduduzo Makhathini & The Music of Bheki Mseleku | Jazz at Lincoln Center | Oct 24–25

South African pianist and composer Nduduzo Makhathini brings the spirit of the ancestors to Jazz at Lincoln Center in a transcendent tribute to the late Bheki Mseleku (1955–2008), one of South Africa’s most beloved and enigmatic jazz visionaries. A self-taught pianist, saxophonist, and composer, Mseleku emerged in the 1980s and ’90s with albums like Celebration and Home at Last, earning acclaim for his luminous fusion of Zulu spirituality, modal harmony, and Coltrane-inspired transcendence. Guided by Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Makhathini reimagines Mseleku’s searching sound as both homage and evolution—an act of restoration and reverence. His performance transforms jazz into ceremony: a dialogue between Africa and America, between freedom songs and sacred invocation. The result is both meditative and volcanic, a reminder that the deepest improvisation is prayer—and that Mseleku’s legacy still burns bright. MORE INFO

🚀 Boundary-Pushers

Artists experimenting, innovating, and stretching jazz forward

Boundary Pushers — This week’s forward-thinkers stretch the limits of sound, form, and feeling. At the Blue Note, Robert Glasper continues his late-set residency, fusing jazz, hip-hop, and spirit into one pulse of modern improvisation. At The Jazz Gallery, Matana Roberts and Joel Ross channel new languages of expression—one through sonic storytelling, the other through crystalline vibraphone interplay. Brooklyn’s Jerome Sabbagh Quartet celebrates the release of Stand Up! at Bar Bayeux, while Santi Debriano’s Bembé Arktet ignites Zinc Bar with Afro-Caribbean fire. The Django hosts two nights of modern swing and funk with AC Lincoln and Nick Hempton, and across coasts, Brandee Younger and Amaro Freitas illuminate L.A. and NYC with harplines and rhythmic poetry.

Robert Glasper – Blue Note Jazz Club (Oct 24 – 26) Glasper remains the movement’s lodestar for 21st-century improvisation — the point where hip-hop, gospel, and post-bop fuse into a living, breathing groove. His late-night Blue Note residency is more than a concert; it’s an ongoing dialogue about freedom, rhythm, and the Black musical continuum. Every set feels like a masterclass in what jazz can become when it stops asking permission. MORE INFO

Matana Roberts – The Jazz Gallery (Oct 24 – 25) Composer, saxophonist, and sonic historian Matana Roberts transforms jazz into memoir, ritual, and revolution. Their Coin Coin series has redefined the art of narrative improvisation, blending field recordings, poetry, and ancestral memory. At The Jazz Gallery, Roberts lineup include: Matana Roberts - horns/voice/wordspeak Chris Ryan Williams - trumpet Lester St. Louis - cello Adi Myerson - bass Ryan Sawyer - drums. MORE INFO

Amaro Freitas – Drom NYC (Oct 29) | Blue Note LA (Oct 27) The Brazilian pianist Amaro Freitas turns the keyboard into a percussion instrument of liberation, marrying Afro-Brazilian rhythms with fearless harmonic invention. His playing surges between meditative introspection and volcanic urgency, re-centering jazz within the African diaspora’s rhythmic heart. Whether in New York or Los Angeles, Freitas proves that modern jazz speaks fluent Portuguese — and universal truth. MORE INFO

🎷 Keepers of the Flame

Masters and modern torchbearers carrying the jazz tradition forward

This week’s masters remind us that jazz’s deepest roots are still alive and evolving. Ron Carter, ever the innovator even within tradition, leads his Foursight Quartet at Birdland with the same architectural precision that has defined modern bass playing for decades. Carole J. Bufford brings classic cabaret energy to the Birdland Theater, while at Dizzy’s Club, Mike LeDonne and Carlos Henriquez uphold the groove-driven lineage of hard bop and Latin swing. Uptown, Goldings/Bernstein/Stewart anchor Smoke with their seamless organ-trio interplay, mirrored downtown by the lyrical poise of Fred Hersch at the Vanguard. From Winard Harper & Jeli Posse at Smalls to Joe Locke & Phil Markowitz at Mezzrow, the city’s small rooms pulse with virtuosity and warmth. Across Harlem and Brooklyn, Kevin Blancq, Danny Mixon, and Tyshawn Sorey connect the generations—each a bridge between legacy and experimentation—while Javon Jackson and Matthew Whitaker carry the tradition forward beyond city lines. These artists don’t merely keep the flame; they reshape its light.

Ron Carter’s Foursight Quartet – Birdland (Midtown) Oct 24–25 Even after more than six decades, Ron Carter remains one of jazz’s most fearless architects. His Foursight Quartet balances precision and freedom, turning Birdland into a living laboratory of melody and logic. Ron Carter's Foursight with Renee Rosnes, Jimmy Greene & Payton Crossley. MORE INFO

Fred Hersch Trio – Village Vanguard (Greenwich Village) Oct 24–26 At the Vanguard, Fred Hersch continues to refine the art of the jazz piano trio. Every phrase feels hand-carved, balancing vulnerability and command. With his intuitive interplay and emotional clarity, Hersch shows that intimacy can be as explosive as virtuosity, making small gestures sound monumental. MORE INFO

Mike LeDonne & The Heavy Hitters | Dizzy’s Club (Columbus Circle) Oct 24–26 Organist Mike LeDonne brings the hard-swinging soul of Harlem straight to the skyline. Lineup: Mike LeDonne, piano Eric Alexander, tenor saxophone Randy Brecker, trumpet Vincent Herring, alto saxophone John Webber, bass Kenny Washington, drums. MORE INFO

Goldings / Bernstein / Stewart – Smoke Jazz Club (Uptown) Oct 24–26 Few trios define musical telepathy like Larry Goldings, Peter Bernstein, and Bill Stewart. Their long-running collaboration transforms standards into fresh compositions through subtle humor, rhythmic risk, and unspoken understanding. At Smoke, they prove that the language of swing—when spoken fluently—never goes out of style. MORE INFO

Ann Hampton Callaway | Jazz Forum Arts (Tarrytown) | Oct 24–25 With her velvet tone and impeccable phrasing, Ann Hampton Callaway brings the elegance of the Great American Songbook into the present tense. Whether interpreting Cole Porter or her own compositions, Callaway blends Broadway flair with jazz sophistication, reminding audiences that storytelling is still the heartbeat of song. MORE INFO

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✊ Voices of Resistance

Artists channeling jazz’s spirit of resilience, protest, and community

This week’s lineup channels the fire of liberation and the poetry of spirit. At Jazz at Lincoln Center, Nduduzo Makhathini honors South African visionary Bheki Mseleku, his music intertwined with the sacred intensity of Wynton Marsalis and the JLCO. In Baltimore, Cindy Blackman Santana turns the drum kit into a sermon of rhythm and resolve, while the Sun Ra Arkestra transforms Halloween into a cosmic ritual of freedom. In D.C., Paul Carr joins Delfeayo Marsalis at Blues Alley for a message-driven set steeped in swing and purpose, and Kevin Blancq and the Harlem Jazz Boxx Ensemble keep Harlem’s community tradition of resistance alive. Out West, Kenny Garrett ignites the Blue Note LA stage with the spiritual fire and modal intensity that have defined his sound for decades. And next week, Queens’ Dada Literary Café blurs the line between verse and revolution with The Most Hated Poets. Together, these artists remind us that jazz—at its core—is protest made beautiful.

Kevin Blancq & the Harlem Jazz Boxx Ensemble – Harlem Jazz Boxx, Mount Morris Ascension Presbyterian Church (Oct 24, 7 PM) Trumpeter Kevin Blancq, a Juilliard-trained musician and longtime figure on the New York jazz scene, leads the Harlem Jazz Boxx Ensemble as part of the weekly Harlem Jazz Series. Known for his work with the Lionel Hampton and Duke Ellington Orchestras, Blancq bridges classic swing and modern expression with a clear, lyrical style. His ensemble brings together Harlem regulars and emerging players in a program that blends straight-ahead and spiritual jazz — a grounded, community-centered performance that reflects Harlem’s ongoing role in shaping the sound and soul of the music. MORE INFO

Gustavo Casenave Trio – Jazz on Main (Mt Kisco) Oct 25 7 PM Uruguayan pianist Gustavo Casenave channels both Chopin and candombe in a dynamic fusion of classical precision and South American soul. His trio’s rhythmic counterpoint and harmonic daring dissolve borders, reminding us that resistance often means re-imagining identity itself. MORE INFO

Tyreek McDole – The Club Room at SoHo Grand (Oct 24 9 PM) Vocalist Tyreek McDole brings a millennial spirit to the jazz tradition, weaving protest and romance into one narrative. His smooth tone and fearless improvisation transform familiar standards into conversations about love, justice, and belonging — resistance sung in velvet. MORE INFO

Danny Mixon Quintet – Sista’s Place (Brooklyn) Oct 25 8 PM At Sista’s Place, pianist Danny Mixon continues Harlem’s lineage of community-driven artistry. His quintet blends gospel warmth with defiant swing, turning each set into a ritual of resilience. The Quintet features Antoinette Montague (Vocals), Gene Ghee (Sax), Bryce Sebastien (Bass), Earl Grice (Drums), and Danny Mixon (Bandleader and Piano). MORE INFO

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🎉 FESTIVALS & SPECIALS

Tributes, pop-ups & seasonal celebrations.

• Celebrating 20 Years of Yarn/Wire – Miller Theatre (Columbia Univ.) Oct 27 – 29

• Brownstone Jazz Fest Concert Series – Brooklyn Oct 24 7:30 PM

• Let the Ghoul Times Roll Halloween Bash – Maureen’s Jazz Cellar (Nyack) Oct 25

• Sun Ra Arkestra Halloween Freakout – Keystone Korner (Baltimore) Oct 29

🌟 Special

Jazz Memorial for Dave Gibson – St. Peter’s Church Oct 28 5 PM | St. Peter’s Church hosts a memorial celebrating the life and music of Dave Gibson, the respected drummer, composer, and educator whose career spanned decades on the New York jazz scene. A mainstay in ensembles led by Count Basie, Lionel Hampton, and Etta Jones, Gibson was known for his dynamic touch and deep sense of swing. The gathering brings together colleagues, students, and friends in a musical tribute that honors his lasting impact as both performer and mentor within the city’s jazz community. MORE INFO

🔮 Must See Next Week (Oct 27 - Nov 1)

Brandee Younger Trio – Sam First (LA) Oct 26 (one night) Harp innovator closes her West Coast run with shimmering originals and fearless groove.

Amaro Freitas – Blue Note LA Oct 27 | Drom NYC Oct 29

Brazilian piano firebrand merges Afro-Brazilian rhythm and modal jazz intensity across both coasts.

Diana Ross – NJPAC (Newark) Oct 27 The icon brings six decades of hits to Newark for an evening of timeless soul and elegance.

Matthew Whitaker Organ Trio – Jazz House Kids (Montclair NJ) Oct 27 1 PM The young Hammond virtuoso returns home for a high-energy afternoon with students and pros.

Carlos Henriquez Nonet – Dizzy’s Club Oct 28 – 29 Latin-jazz powerhouse blends Bronx swing and Afro-Cuban fire above Columbus Circle.

Ravi Coltrane Sextet – Village Vanguard Oct 28 – 29 Modern post-bop lines meet spiritual search in Coltrane’s two-night residency.

Steve Davis All-Star Sextet – Smoke Jazz Club Oct 29 – Nov 1 Trombonist Davis leads an all-pro lineup through straight-ahead swing and modern hard-bop.

Jerome Sabbagh Quartet (Album Release Stand Up!) – Bar Bayeux (Brooklyn) Oct 29 (one night) Sabbagh debuts new compositions with understated intensity and tight ensemble cohesion.

Kevin Blancq Big Band Night – Swing 46 (Midtown) Oct 29 9 PM Blancq’s ensemble anchors Midtown’s big-band circuit with crisp charts and classic drive.

Joel Ross – The Jazz Gallery Oct 29 (one night) Vibraphonist Ross brings crystalline tone and rhythmic daring to the Gallery stage.

Sun Ra Arkestra Halloween Freakout – Keystone Korner (Baltimore) Oct 29 (Halloween show) Marshall Allen and company light up Halloween with cosmic costumes and interplanetary swing.

Dada Literary Café: The Most Hated Poets – Dada Bar (Queens) Oct 28 9 PM Poets and musicians share new work in Queens’ boldest word-and-sound experiment.

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Celia Cruz | Centennial Celebration

🎶 Celia Cruz | A Centennial Celebration

Jazz at Lincoln Center — Oct 17–18

The Queen of Salsa lives on in rhythm and spirit. Born in Havana in 1925, Celia Cruz rose from singing in neighborhood competitions to fronting Cuba’s legendary Sonora Matancera, later igniting stages with Tito Puente, Johnny Pacheco, and the Fania All-Stars. Her voice—bright, commanding, and joyous—helped define the sound of Latin music across the globe.

This centennial tribute, led by Carlos Henriquez, brings together Aymée Nuviola, Alain Pérez, and Ariacne Trujillo Durán in a vibrant salute to Celia’s indomitable legacy. Expect an evening of rumba, son, and salsa fused with jazz fire—a celebration of freedom, faith, and that immortal cry: ¡Azúcar! MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CELIA

🚀 Boundary-Pushers

Artists experimenting, innovating, and stretching jazz forward

This week’s innovators blur the lines between tradition and tomorrow. Ron Carter’s New Jazz Trio keeps Birdland simmering with fearless interplay, while Robert Glasper continues to bend the modern songbook at the Blue Note. Marcus Gilmore brings percussive imagination to the Vanguard, and Julian Lage turns The Town Hall into a canvas of harmonic daring. From Dida Pelled’s genre-mixing soul at BRIC JazzFest to Winard Harper’s rhythm-charged set in Metuchen, each artist pushes jazz forward without losing its center. Cindy Blackman Santana ignites SOPAC with cosmic fire, Carrie Jackson swings through Tio’s with raw power, and the Cuban Jazz Series at Blues Alley—featuring Chuchito Valdés, Alfredo Rodríguez, and Pedrito Martínez—reminds us that innovation and ancestry dance on the same clave. Add Adam O’Farrill & Patricia Brennan, Nazir Ebo, Organ Monk (Greg Lewis), Bill Mays Trio, and Nicola Caminiti’s up-and-coming quintet, and you have the restless pulse of jazz in motion.

Marcus Gilmore | Village Vanguard (Oct 17–19) Explosive and innovative, Gilmore expands rhythmic language while honoring the lineage of his grandfather, Roy Haynes. MORE INFO

Adam O’Farrill & Patricia Brennan | Close Up (Oct 17) Trumpet and vibraphone meet in an avant-duo exploring space, sound, and imagination—a masterclass in fearless creation. MORE INFO

Nazir Ebo — Close Up (Oct 18) A rising drum voice shaping the next chapter of jazz, Ebo delivers precision and passion in equal measure. MORE INFO

Carrie Jackson & Jazzin’ All Stars — Tio’s Bistro (Oct 19) Newark’s queen of swing lights up Harlem with a soulful, straight-ahead set that blends Ella’s elegance with her own fiery charm. MORE INFO

Cindy Blackman Santana Group — SOPAC (Oct 20) Dynamic and electric, Santana’s group fuses jazz virtuosity with rock intensity—otherworldly energy in motion.

🎷 Keepers of the Flame

Masters and modern torchbearers carrying the jazz tradition forward

This week’s masters remind us that swing never fades—it evolves with devotion. Ravi Coltrane brings a fierce lyricism and spiritual depth to Keystone Korner, echoing his father’s intensity while defining his own sound of truth. Pianist Ted Rosenthal revisits Gershwin at William Paterson University with the elegance of a scholar and the heart of a storyteller, showing why the American songbook remains jazz’s eternal canvas. Champian Fulton, joined by Sweden’s Klas Lindquist Nonet, keeps Birdland glowing with a classic feel—her phrasing pure swing, her tone unmistakably golden-age. In the intimacy of Mezzrow, Bill Charlap and bassist Noriko Ueda weave standards with grace and restraint, a duet that breathes quiet fire. And at Cellar Dog, Harry Allen proves that a tenor’s warmth still lights the room—steady, unhurried, and honest. Together, these artists carry the lineage forward, one note at a time.

Ravi Coltrane — Keystone Korner Baltimore, MD (Oct 18–19) Carrying his father’s legacy with fearless independence, Coltrane bridges deep tradition and modern tone in a set pulsing with spirit and grace. MORE INFO

Bill Charlap & Noriko Ueda — Mezzrow (Oct 17–18) An intimate duet of piano and bass, Charlap and Ueda turn standards into whispered conversations—precision wrapped in warmth. MORE INFO

Ted Rosenthal Trio – Plays Gershwin — William Paterson University (Oct 19) A lyrical master at the piano, Rosenthal revisits the Great American Songbook with impeccable touch and inventive swing. MORE INFO

Champian Fulton & Klas Lindquist Nonet — Birdland (Oct 19) Vocalist-pianist Fulton teams with Sweden’s Klas Lindquist for a night of timeless phrasing, brassy color, and pure Birdland charm. MORE INFO

Harry Allen Trio — Cellar Dog (Oct 19) Smooth tone, elegant swing, and effortless storytelling—Allen reminds us why the tenor ballad will never go out of style. MORE INFO

✊ Voices of Resistance

Artists channeling jazz’s spirit of resilience, protest, and community

The pulse of resistance runs deep in this week’s lineup—where rhythm becomes testimony and melody becomes movement. Ronnie Burrage brings his politically charged artistry to Harlem Jazz Boxx, blending fire, funk, and freedom in equal measure. At BRIC JazzFest, Endea Owens & The Cookout deliver their fierce, community-rooted groove, while OKAN, the Afro-Cuban duo, raise harmonies that celebrate womanhood and ancestral strength. Bass legend Reggie Workman mentors the next wave with his New Stars on the Horizon project, linking past and present through spiritual tone and uncompromising truth. And at Dizzy’s Club, Adonis Rose & the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, featuring Andromeda Turre, bring resistance home to its joyful center—proving that defiance can still dance. These artists don’t just perform—they affirm that jazz remains the sound of liberation, ever-evolving and unafraid.

Ronnie Burrage — Harlem Jazz Boxx @ Mount Morris Ascension (Oct 17) Drummer, composer, and truth-teller Burrage delivers a thunderous statement of groove and conscience in Harlem’s sacred space. MORE INFO

Endea Owens & The Cookout — BRIC JazzFest / BRIC Arts (Oct 18) With heart and community at the center, Owens leads a joyous, high-energy ensemble that transforms protest into celebration. MORE INFO

OKAN — BRIC JazzFest / BRIC Arts (Oct 18) Afro-Cuban fusion and feminist fire define this powerhouse duo—lush vocals, rhythmic heat, and ancestral pride on full display. MORE INFO

Adonis Rose & NOJO ft. Andromeda Turre — Dizzy’s Club / JALC (Oct 16–19) From New Orleans to Columbus Circle, Rose’s orchestra channels the resilience of Black music—radiant brass, fierce rhythm, and unapologetic joy. MORE INFO

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FESTIVALS

🎪 This weekend pulses with festival energy. Over in Harlem, the Harlem Jazz Club Revival (Oct 10–19) sweeps across more than 15 historic venues, with over 200 musicians converging in late-night jams, ambassador concerts, and communal performances that reawaken the neighborhood’s sonic heartbeat. Harlem One Stop +1 Meanwhile, inGardens Festival (Oct 11–13) transforms East Village’s First Street Green Park into a living laboratory of sound, gathering experimental improvisers, cross-genre collaborations, and downtown voices in one open-air ecstasy. And for a more intimate Sunday experience, Jazz in the Park at Ralph Ellison Plaza holds its October edition on Oct 12, 2:00–5:00 PM, featuring local vocalists and jazz artists in a free performance by Riverside Park / Berta Indeed.

🎷 Jazz Festival & Special Event Listings (This Weekend)

Thelonious Monk Festival — Smoke Jazz Club (Oct 16–19) A powerhouse tribute to Monk’s genius featuring Kevin Hays, Joe Lovano, Miguel Zenón, Rick Rosato, and Obed Calvaire—inventive, intimate, and unmistakably Monk.

BRIC JazzFest 2025 — BRIC Arts Media, Brooklyn (Oct 17–19) Brooklyn’s annual jazz summit celebrates boundary-breaking voices like Dida Pelled, Endea Owens & The Cookout, and OKAN, blending groove, identity, and innovation.

Celia Cruz | A Centennial Celebration — Jazz at Lincoln Center (Oct 17–18) Led by Carlos Henriquez with Aymée Nuviola, Alain Pérez, and Ariacne Trujillo Durán, this dazzling centennial honors the Queen of Salsa with irresistible Afro-Cuban swing.

ArtsWestchester / ArtsFest 2025 — White Plains (Oct 17–19) A vibrant weekend of music and art across Westchester, featuring Brian Carter Quintet on Friday and Rod MacDonald w/ Mark Dann on Sunday’s Walkabout Clearwater Coffeehouse.

Allan Harris – Harlem After Dark: An Uptown Jazz Party — South Jazz Club, Philadelphia (Oct 19) Velvet-voiced vocalist Allan Harris brings Harlem sophistication to Philly for a night of timeless swing and storytelling.

Jazz in the Park @ Ralph Ellison Park — NYC Parks, Harlem (Oct 19) Free outdoor concert blending Harlem’s local talent and neighborhood pride—where jazz meets community under autumn skies.

Maplewood Village Art Walk & Music Fest 2025 — Clement’s Place @ Rutgers, Newark (Oct 19) An art-and-music celebration uniting local creators and festival bands—proof that New Jersey’s jazz heartbeat still swings strong.

🌟 Special

Claire Daly Lives! — National Jazz Museum in Harlem (Oct 18) A heartfelt celebration of the late baritone saxophonist and beloved NYC fixture, presented by Jazz Power Initiative—a tribute to her soul, swing, and humor.

Ertegun Jazz Hall of Fame – Celebrating Abbey Lincoln — Dizzy’s Club @ Jazz at Lincoln Center (Oct 21, 9 PM) Vocalist, poet, and activist Abbey Lincoln is honored through song and story, recognizing her fearless artistry and enduring influence on jazz and social justice.

Ertegun Jazz Hall of Fame – Celebrating Thad Jones — Dizzy’s Club @ Jazz at Lincoln Center (Oct 22, 7 PM) A big-band visionary remembered for his joyful arrangements and brilliance as both composer and trumpeter—swing and sophistication in perfect balance.

Ertegun Jazz Hall of Fame – Celebrating Melba Liston — Dizzy’s Club @ Jazz at Lincoln Center (Oct 22, 9 PM) Trailblazing trombonist, arranger, and composer Melba Liston gets long-overdue spotlight—her music still radiant with courage and craft.

Celia Cruz | A Centennial Celebration — Jazz at Lincoln Center (Oct 17–18) Marking the 100th birthday of the Queen of Salsa, this joyous concert led by Carlos Henriquez unites Afro-Cuban rhythm and jazz reverence in a global salute.

🔮 Must See Next Week

Isaiah Collier Plays Coltrane — Blue Note Jazz Club (Oct 20–21); Champian Fulton — Zinc Bar (Oct 20); Laura Anglade Quartet — Zinc Bar (Oct 21); Erik Charlston & JazzBrasil — Zinc Bar (Oct 22); Fred Hersch Trio — Village Vanguard (Oct 21–22); Ron Carter’s Foursight Quartet — Birdland (Oct 22); Goldings / Bernstein / Stewart — Smoke Jazz Club (Oct 22); Noriko Ueda Trio — Cellar Dog (Oct 21); Kelly Green Quartet — Mezzrow (Oct 21); Sarah Jane Cion Trio — Mezzrow (Oct 22); Joe Farnsworth Quartet — Smalls Jazz Club (Oct 20); Spike Wilner & Charles Owens Quartet — Smalls Jazz Club (Oct 22); William Hill III Trio — The Django (Oct 20); Amanda Monaco Trio — The Django (Oct 22); Charlie Roman Hot Club — The Rum House (Oct 22); Gotham Jazz Wednesday ft. Hot Toddies Jazz Band — Somewhere Nowhere NYC (Oct 22); Lezlie Harrison ft. Wine & Jazz Trio — 333 Lounge Brooklyn (Oct 22); Anne Phillips – “Survivor of the Music Business” — Pangea (Oct 22); Branford Marsalis — Blue Note LA (Oct 21–22); Ann Hampton Callaway — Jazz Forum Arts (Oct 24–25); Ravi Coltrane — Village Vanguard (Oct 28–Nov 2).

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🎺 Opportunity in Jazz Journalism

The Jazz Journalists Association (JJA) is seeking a new Executive Director to guide its programs, including the annual Jazz Awards, educational initiatives, and community engagement. This leadership role is a rare chance to shape the future of jazz journalism and advocacy.

👉 Learn more and apply at jazzjournalists.org

📢 Join the Hot House Team

Hot House Jazz is expanding its voice across North America — and we’re looking for writers, content producers, and social media creatives to cover the jazz, spoken word, and arts scenes in:

• Boston / Northeast

• Chicago

• Detroit

• Los Angeles

• New Orleans

• New York

• Toronto

If you’ve got a voice for storytelling or a vision for digital content, we’d love to hear from you.

📩 Send inquiries to info@hhjazzguide.com

Thelonious Monk - Birthday Celebration (Oct 10)

🎹 Monk’s Birthday: A Citywide Tribute in Sound

All weekend long, the jazz world turns its spotlight to Thelonious Monk, and New York pulses with homage. At Smoke Jazz Club the Monk Festival continues (Oct 8–12) with a powerhouse quartet led by Orrin Evans, featuring Melissa Aldana, Robert Hurst, and Terri Lyne Carrington — each night diving deep into Monk’s playbook with fresh interpretation and reverence. smokejazz.com At Birdland, the Monk Birthday Celebration spans Oct 10–12, with multiple sets nightly (7:00 PM, 9:30 PM, etc.), offering rotating ensembles interpreting Monk’s repertoire in vibrant new shades.

These aren’t the only celebrations of Monk’s legacy this weekend. Across the region, you’re likely to find tribute sets, themed jams, and “Monk nights” in jazz clubs and festivals from New Jersey to Connecticut and even Boston. One such creative twist: Tokyo Record Bar NYC hosts a “Monk Night Birthday Celebration” with immersive listening sessions and cocktail pairings beginning Oct 8.

What to look for: through this weekend you’ll hear Monk’s classics — “’Round Midnight,” “Blue Monk,” “Straight, No Chaser” — but also daring reharmonizations, surprising tempo shifts, and nods to Monk’s habit of silence and space between notes. And across the rotations at Birdland and Smoke, part of the magic lies in comparing how different ensembles— from solo voices to full quartets — interpret the same compositions.

Monk’s birthday isn’t just an anniversary: it’s a living invitation to re-enter his world, and for this weekend, the city is the stage.

HOT HOUSE JAZZ MAGAZINE - CURRENT ISSUE

Ron Carter at Birdland all Month

October in New York belongs to Ron Carter. Dubbed “Rontober” by fans and fellow musicians, this annual Birdland residency is more than a concert series—it’s a month-long masterclass from the most recorded bassist in jazz history. Carter leads 32 performances across the month, each exploring a different facet of his musical universe. This week’s sets feature the Foursight Quartet with Jimmy Greene, Renee Rosnes, and Payton Crossley—a group known for elegance, swing, and telepathic interplay. In the coming weeks, he’ll shift from the conversational intimacy of his New Jazz Trio, to the expansive sweep of his Great Big Band, and finally to duo performances with pianist Bill Charlap that promise pure dialogue in sound. Whether in trio or big band form, Carter plays with the balance of a philosopher and the groove of a boxer—placing each note with purpose, patience, and poetry. Birdland calls him its “anchor and architect,” and for good reason: when Ron Carter takes the stage, the music doesn’t just swing—it listens back. MORE INFO

🚀 Boundary-Pushers

Artists experimenting, innovating, and stretching jazz forward

This weekend’s lineup pushes jazz far beyond its familiar borders. At the Blue Note (Oct 10–12), Robert Glasper continues to redefine the modern jazz vocabulary, fusing hip-hop, soul, and improvisation into a sound that’s both futuristic and deeply human. Uptown at Dizzy’s Club, Brazilian composer Gaia Wilmer leads her Large Ensemble in a lush exploration of color and orchestration, while downtown at The Stone @ New School (Oct 10–11), cellist Erik Friedlander expands the language of chamber jazz through texture and daring spontaneity. At the Village Vanguard (Oct 10–12), guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel and pianist Gerald Clayton trade harmonic alchemy in performances that stretch post-bop into new dimensions. Visionaries Pheeroan akLaff (Clement’s Place, Oct 11) and Chief Adjuah (Christian Scott) (Vermont Jazz Center, Oct 11) channel spiritual intensity and sonic innovation, each redefining what jazz freedom means in 2025. Closer to home, Vivian Sessoms (The Club Room @ Soho Grand, Oct 10) transforms social consciousness into vocal art, Ariel Posen (The Falcon, Oct 10) bridges blues grit with improvisational fire, and the InGardens Festival (East Village, Oct 11–13) gathers New York’s experimental community for an open-air celebration of sound without limits.

Robert Glasper – Blue Note NYC (Oct 10–12) A pioneer of modern expression, Glasper fuses hip-hop flow, gospel warmth, and harmonic daring into a sound that defines 21st-century jazz. Every set becomes a conversation between groove and revelation. MORE INFO

Gaia Wilmer Large Ensemble – Dizzy’s Club (Oct 10–12) The Brazilian composer-arranger paints with rhythm and color, merging Afro-Brazilian roots with big-band sophistication. Expect sweeping orchestrations and vibrant improvisation. MORE INFO

Kurt Rosenwinkel & Gerald Clayton – Village Vanguard (Oct 10–12) Two of the most lyrical minds in jazz explore the geometry of sound—Clayton’s fluid harmonies meeting Rosenwinkel’s cosmic guitar voice in a telepathic dialogue of post-bop reinvention. MORE INFO

Pheeroan akLaff – Clement’s Place @ Rutgers (Oct 11) A spiritual and rhythmic force since the AACM era, akLaff channels urgency and liberation through percussion—turning every drum phrase into both heartbeat and manifesto. MORE INFO

🎷 Keepers of the Flame

Masters and modern torchbearers carrying the jazz tradition forward

This weekend belongs to the masters—the artists who sustain jazz’s lineage with grace, swing, and unshakable authority. At Birdland, Rontober continues as Ron Carter leads his New Jazz Trio in week two of his month-long celebration, reminding us that mastery is a living dialogue. The spirit of Thelonious Monk burns brightly across town, with dual tributes at Smoke Jazz Club—featuring Orrin Evans, Melissa Aldana, and Terri Lyne Carrington—and at Birdland Theater, where rotating ensembles mark Monk’s birthday with joyful reverence. The rhythm section reigns supreme this weekend: Ben Wolfe and George Coleman keep Smalls steeped in hard bop grit, Bill Mays brings poetic swing to Mezzrow, and Cyrus Chestnut’s Trio fills Jazz Forum with gospel-fueled warmth. Across intimate rooms, the tradition echoes—Organ Monk grooves at Arthur’s Tavern, Mark Whitfield brings silky sophistication to The Jazz Club at Aman, Darrell Green’s drumming radiates intensity and drive, built on deep rhythmic awareness and contemporary edge at the Cellar Dog, The Modern Martinis reimagine timeless standards at The Pierre, and Wayne Tucker lights up The Roxy with urbane flair. Together, these performances form a living bridge between the roots of jazz and its ever-evolving heartbeat..

George Coleman Quartet – Smalls Jazz Club (Oct 12) A tenor sound carved from experience and conviction—bold, lyrical, and unhurried. Every solo unfolds like a story only time could teach. MORE INFO

Bill Mays Trio – Mezzrow (Oct 10–11) Grace and clarity define the trio’s touch, where each phrase breathes with understatement and quiet command. MORE INFO

Cyrus Chestnut Trio – Jazz Forum, Tarrytown (Oct 10–11) Joy and reverence intertwine as gospel warmth meets the pulse of straight-ahead swing, music that smiles even as it soars. MORE INFO

Ben Wolfe Quartet – Smalls Jazz Club (Oct 10–11) Precision and drive anchor intricate conversation—modern lines grounded in unshakable rhythm and respect for form. MORE INFO

Mark Whitfield – The Jazz Club at Aman (Oct 10) Fluid phrasing, luminous tone, and effortless timing combine in performances that remind us sophistication can still groove. MORE INFO

✊ Voices of Resistance

Artists channeling jazz’s spirit of resilience, protest, and community

From Harlem to Long Island City, this weekend’s performances remind us that jazz has always been more than music—it’s testimony. The John Coltrane Festival at Marcus Garvey Park (Oct 10) gathers the community in an open-air celebration of spirit and sound, honoring a legacy built on courage and conviction. At Harlem Jazz Boxx Series @ Mount Morris Ascension Church, Adegoke Steve Colson transforms the piano into a vessel for renewal, his improvisations echoing the freedom and urgency of the AACM movement. In Purchase, Endea Owens & The Cookout channel activism through groove and joy, proving that protest can dance. Lezlie Harrison brings light and affirmation to the sanctuary at Mt. Vernon’s First Presbyterian Church, her voice equal parts love and liberation. At Culture Lab LIC, Kristina Koller expands jazz’s borders with inclusive vision and fearless artistry, while Kenny Davis at Mignolo Arts Center in New Jersey (Oct 11) bridges generations through mentorship and mastery. Together, these artists affirm that resistance doesn’t always roar—it also swings, sings, and heals.

Adegoke Steve Colson – Harlem Jazz Boxx @ Mount Morris Ascension (Oct 10) Rooted in the AACM tradition, this performance reaches beyond sound into spirit—improvisation as reflection, resilience, and renewal. MORE INFO

Endea Owens & The Cookout – Performing Arts Center @ Purchase College (Oct 12) High-energy swing and gospel-infused funk come together in a joyful act of activism, each groove a call for unity and purpose. MORE INFO

Lezlie Harrison – First Presbyterian Church, Mt. Vernon (Oct 12) Songs of love, light, and perseverance fill the sanctuary, affirming jazz as both prayer and promise. MORE INFO

Kenny Davis Quartet & Rutgers Emerging Artists – Mignolo Arts Center (Oct 11) A program dedicated to mentorship and growth, linking seasoned artistry with the next generation through collaboration and care. MORE INFO

Kristina Koller – Sunset Jazz, Culture Lab LIC (Oct 10) Artist redefining jazz as a space for cultural inclusion and creative freedom. MORE INFO

FESTIVALS

🎪 This weekend pulses with festival energy. Over in Harlem, the Harlem Jazz Club Revival (Oct 10–19) sweeps across more than 15 historic venues, with over 200 musicians converging in late-night jams, ambassador concerts, and communal performances that reawaken the neighborhood’s sonic heartbeat. Harlem One Stop +1 Meanwhile, inGardens Festival (Oct 11–13) transforms East Village’s First Street Green Park into a living laboratory of sound, gathering experimental improvisers, cross-genre collaborations, and downtown voices in one open-air ecstasy. And for a more intimate Sunday experience, Jazz in the Park at Ralph Ellison Plaza holds its October edition on Oct 12, 2:00–5:00 PM, featuring local vocalists and jazz artists in a free performance by Riverside Park / Berta Indeed.

🎷 Jazz Festival & Special Event Listings (This Weekend)

J. Hood Wright Park W. 173 St – W. 178 St, New York, NY 10033 Oct 11 | 2:00pm Annette A. Aguilar & StringBeans Vibrant Latin jazz percussion ensemble bringing Afro-Caribbean swing and community energy to Washington Heights.

Ralph Ellison Park Riverside Dr. & W. 150th St, New York, NY 10031 Oct 12 | 2:00pm Jazz in the Park at Ralph Ellison Free Harlem community concert celebrating the neighborhood’s jazz legacy with local artists. More info: nycgovparks.org

First Street Green Cultural Park (inGardens Festival) 33 E. 1st St, New York, NY 10003 Oct 11–13 | 2:00pm daily Presented by Arts for Art. A three-day outdoor series of experimental and improvisational performances.

• Oct 11 Patrick Brennan | s0nic 0penings Charles Downs Trio Nebula / Crystal Good Tswami

• Oct 12 Chris Williams & Nate Wooley Davalois Fearon & Mike McGinnis Luke Stewart Mixashawn Rozie

• Oct 13 Devin Waldman Trio Gabby Fluke-Mogul & Doyeon Kim Randall Horton & Haleh Liza Gafori William Parker’s Pocketwatch Big Band

🌹 SPECIAL EVENT

Jazz Memorial for Ronny Whyte Saint Peter’s Church – 619 Lexington Ave at 54th St, New York, NY 10022 Tuesday, Oct 14 | 5:30pm A celebration of the life and music of pianist, vocalist, and songwriter Ronny Whyte, whose elegance and wit defined New York’s cabaret and jazz piano scene for decades. Friends, colleagues, and admirers will gather at Saint Peter’s Church—the “Jazz Church”—to honor his artistry, generosity, and enduring influence on the city’s musical community.

🎯 MUST SEE NEXT WEEK

Bill Wurtzel – American Folk Art Museum 2 Lincoln Square, New York, NY 10023 Wed, Oct 15 | 1:00 PM Midday guitar set combining wit, swing, and a painter’s sense of color inside one of the city’s most intimate art spaces.

Verena McBee Trio – Flûte Midtown 205 W 54th St, New York, NY 10019 Wed, Oct 15 | 7:00 PM Warm vocals and subtle trio interplay bring contemporary storytelling and classic standards to Midtown’s elegant lounge.

Reggie Workman – “New Stars on the Horizon” – NAMA Harlem New Amsterdam Musical Association, 107 W 130th St, New York, NY 10027 Tues, Oct 14 | 7:00 PM An evening of mentorship and mastery as NEA Jazz Master Reggie Workman introduces a new generation of artists following his Jazz Tree lecture on lineage and legacy.

Briana Swann – The Jazz Club @ Aman The Crown Building, 730 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10019 Tues, Oct 14 | 8:00 PM A rising voice on the New York scene, blending modern soul with the intimacy of torch-song tradition.

William Hill III Trio – Zinc Bar 82 W 3rd St, New York, NY 10012 Wed, Oct 15 | 7:00 PM Piano-driven trio offering dynamic swing and crisp arrangements in one of the Village’s enduring jazz rooms.

Amy London – Pangea 178 Second Ave, New York, NY 10003 Wed, Oct 15 | 7:00 PM The acclaimed vocalist interprets jazz standards and Broadway gems with signature warmth and precision in Pangea’s cabaret setting. MORE SPOTLIGHTS

DIRECTORY OF JAZZ BRUNCHES AROUND TOWN

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🎺 Opportunity in Jazz Journalism

The Jazz Journalists Association (JJA) is seeking a new Executive Director to guide its programs, including the annual Jazz Awards, educational initiatives, and community engagement. This leadership role is a rare chance to shape the future of jazz journalism and advocacy.

👉 Learn more and apply at jazzjournalists.org

📢 Join the Hot House Team

Hot House Jazz is expanding its voice across North America — and we’re looking for writers, content producers, and social media creatives to cover the jazz, spoken word, and arts scenes in:

• Boston / Northeast

• Chicago

• Detroit

• Los Angeles

• New Orleans

• New York

• Toronto

If you’ve got a voice for storytelling or a vision for digital content, we’d love to hear from you.

📩 Send inquiries to info@hhjazzguide.com

HOT HOUSE JAZZ MAGAZINE - CURRENT ISSUE

RAFAEL HERNÁNDEZ – El Jibarito de Borinquen | Puerto Rico’s beloved “country boy” who became the father of Latin America’s songbook

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Hot House shines a light on the extraordinary yet often overlooked legacy of Rafael Hernández — Puerto Rico’s most celebrated composer and one of Latin America’s greatest musical voices. Before he penned classics like Lamento Borincano and El Cumbanchero, Hernández was a young trombonist in the Harlem Hellfighters Regimental Band, recruited by James Reese Europe during World War I. Alongside 17 other Puerto Rican musicians, he helped introduce proto-jazz and ragtime to Europe, shaping the soundscape that would fuel both the Harlem Renaissance and the Latin jazz tradition. His story is one of artistry, resilience, and cultural pride — a reminder that the roots of jazz are as global as they are American.

✨ Read the full story in this issue of Hot House Jazz Magazine — written by Elena Martínez and edited by Bobby Sanabria — as they uncover the Puerto Rican voices within the Harlem Hellfighters and trace Hernández’s journey from Aguadilla to New York, Havana, and beyond.

🚀 Boundary-Pushers

Artists experimenting, innovating, and stretching jazz forward

This weekend’s Boundary Pushers spotlight artists who are stretching the language of jazz in fearless new directions. From Jonathan Suazo & Ricano at Aaron Davis Hall and Kelvyn Bell at Harlem Jazz Boxx Series offering bold Afro-Caribbean and electric textures, to the genre-bending sounds of Anat Cohen’s Quartetinho at Columbia’s Miller Theatre, innovation takes center stage. At the Jazz Gallery, Sullivan Fortner’s Duo Series pairs him with pianistic visionaries like George Cables, Jason Moran, David Virelles, and Kris Davis, while Terri Lyne Carrington’s We Insist 2025! at Eastman keeps the revolutionary spirit alive. Guitarist Oz Noy brings adventurous fusion to The Falcon, and Robert Glasper has kicked off his now-legendary month-long “Roctober” residency at the Blue Note NYC, curating an ever-changing lineup of surprise guests and cross-genre collaborations. Vocalists are also breaking molds, with Amy London at Swing 46 and Kelly Green at Bar Bayeux showing how the next wave of voices are redefining standards and carving out fresh space in the tradition.

Robert Glasper | Blue Note NYC (Oct 3–5) Always redefining what jazz can be, Glasper turns the Blue Note into a sound lab where hip-hop, R&B, and improvisation collide. Expect groove-heavy explorations and surprise guests that push boundaries well beyond genre. MORE INFO

Terri Lyne Carrington We Insist 2025! | Eastman School of Music, Rochester (Oct 3) Carrington updates Max Roach’s classic call for freedom with a modern urgency, fusing music and message into a powerful reminder that jazz remains a revolutionary artform. MORE INFO

Sullivan Fortner Duo Series | Jazz Gallery (Oct 3–4) Fortner’s daring duos with pianists like Jason Moran, George Cables, Kris Davis, and David Virelles promise to be some of the most adventurous piano dialogues in the city this weekend. MORE INFO

Anat Cohen Quartetinho – Miller Theatre, Columbia University (Oct 4) With clarinet as her compass, Anat Cohen blends Brazilian choro, chamber textures, and deep improvisation, creating a sound world that is both intimate and boundary-breaking. MORE INFO

Jonathan Suazo & Ricano – Aaron Davis Hall (Oct 3) A rising force out of Puerto Rico, Suazo brings his Ricano project to Harlem, weaving Afro-Caribbean roots with forward-looking jazz for a night of rhythm-driven exploration. MORE INFO

🎷 Keepers of the Flame

Masters and modern torchbearers carrying the jazz tradition forward

This weekend’s Keepers of the Flame remind us that the jazz tradition is alive, vibrant, and constantly renewed. Uri Caine’s Bud Powell Celebration at Birdland Theater brings bebop’s brilliance into the present, while Cyrus Chestnut keeps the piano lineage burning strong at Dizzy’s. At Jazz at Lincoln Center, Abdullah Ibrahim’s Life of a Legend featuring Terence Blanchard and Kenny Garrett honors one of the music’s towering voices. The Ethan Iverson Sextet takes the Village Vanguard stage with sharp modernism rooted in classic form, and Jason Marshall keeps the baritone sax swinging at Zinc. From Mike DiRubbo, Stacy Dillard, and Frank Lacy at Smalls to Philip Harper at Jazz Forum, and David Janeway with Joe Magnarelli and Gary Smulyan at Maureen’s, the weekend is filled with artists carrying forward the fire. Rising voices like Sara Hanahan at The Jazz Club @ Aman, Champian Fulton in Jersey City, and Alexis Cole in Tarrytown balance veterans like the George Gee Swing Orchestra at Swing 46 and the stylish Modern Martinis at The Pierre, while Marianne Solivan’s set at The Jazz Club @ Aman adds a timeless vocal touch.

Abdullah Ibrahim Life of a Legend ft. Terence Blanchard, Kenny Garrett – Jazz at Lincoln Center (Oct 3–4) A true master of South African jazz, Abdullah Ibrahim brings a career-spanning program to Jazz at Lincoln Center, joined by heavyweights Terence Blanchard and Kenny Garrett for a celebration of artistry, resilience, and legacy. MORE INFO

Uri Caine Bouncin’ With Bud: Bud Powell Celebration | Birdland Theater (Oct 3–5) Pianist Uri Caine dives into the genius of bebop innovator Bud Powell, reimagining his music with both reverence and wit. A must-hear tribute for lovers of jazz’s piano tradition. MORE INFO

Cyrus Chestnut Quartet | Dizzy’s Club (Oct 3–4) With his deep gospel roots and swinging touch, Cyrus Chestnut channels the spirit of the jazz piano greats while keeping the music fresh and soulful. His quartet at Dizzy’s is pure flame-keeping. MORE INFO

Ethan Iverson Sextet – Village Vanguard (Oct 3–5) Known for his intellectual edge and rhythmic drive, Ethan Iverson leads a stellar sextet at the Vanguard, proving that the classic small-group tradition still thrives in the hands of today’s innovators. MORE INFO

George Gee Swing Orchestra – Swing 46 (Oct 5) Few bands embody the joy of big-band swing like the George Gee Orchestra. Their Sunday set at Swing 46 will keep the dance floor moving while reminding us of the timeless power of swing. MORE INFO

✊ Voices of Resistance

Artists channeling jazz’s spirit of resilience, protest, and community

This weekend’s Voices of Resistance amplify jazz’s role as a music of truth, protest, and affirmation. At Smoke, Nicholas Payton leads his group with the fiery spirit of a bandleader who challenges conventions while honoring tradition, while the Emmet Cohen Trio and Birdland Big Band channel swing into a living, breathing force. Vivienne Aerts offers her art in a free First Fridays set at Neighborhood Church, and Tomeka Reid brings fearless creativity to The Stone at New School. In New Jersey, Lady Got Chops joins Minisibass and Kim Clarke at Mt. Zion AME for a community celebration, while Bobby Sanabria’s Multiverse Big Band at McCarter @ Princeton University reimagines West Side Story as a vibrant call for justice and unity. Sacred sounds ring out with Marvin Carter’s Jazz Vespers at Saint Peter’s Church, while Willie Martinez infuses Latin rhythm into resistance at ArtsWestchester, and Rachiim Ausar-Sahu’s septet at Sista’s Place reminds us that spiritual uplift and struggle walk hand in hand. Pianist Eric Reed adds his voice at Mezzrow, threading gospel, swing, and hard-bop fire into a statement of resilience.

Nicholas Payton Group | Smoke Jazz Club (Oct 3–5) Trumpeter, pianist, and outspoken cultural voice, Nicholas Payton embodies resistance by redefining what it means to play and live jazz today. His weekend stand at Smoke is both a masterclass in swing and a bold statement of artistic independence. MORE INFO

Tomeka Reid | The Stone at The New School (Oct 3–4) Cellist Tomeka Reid pushes boundaries with fearless improvisation and deeply rooted expression. Her performances at The Stone highlight the cello as an instrument of protest and possibility, carrying forward a vital lineage of experimental Black music. MORE INFO

Willie Martinez Latin Jazz Quartet | ArtsWestchester (Oct 4) Percussionist and bandleader Willie Martinez infuses his music with the heartbeat of resistance, blending Afro-Caribbean rhythms and jazz to create a sound that is at once celebratory and defiant. MORE INFO

Bobby Sanabria Multiverse Big Band West Side Story Reimagined – McCarter Theater, Princeton NJ (Oct 4) Drummer and activist Bobby Sanabria reimagines Bernstein’s classic through the lens of Afro-Latin rhythm, turning a Broadway staple into a charged, joyous, and urgent call for unity in turbulent times. MORE INFO

Lady Got Chops w/ Kim Clarke & Minisibass – Mt. Zion AME Church, Millburn NJ (Oct 5) This community-driven celebration blends jazz with faith and legacy. Led by Lady Got Chops, bassist Kim Clarke, and Minisibass, the program at Mt. Zion AME is both a cultural ritual and a reminder of jazz’s power to affirm identity and history. MORE INFO

FESTIVALS

🎪 Festival season is in full swing this weekend, offering everything from neighborhood park vibes to full-on concert halls. Uptown, Jazz in the Park at Ralph Ellison Park (Oct 5) brings community together with free outdoor sounds. Downtown, Arts for Art’s inGardens Festival (Oct 4–5) takes over First Street Green Cultural Park with a lineup of experimental trios, duos, and spoken word that embodies the spirit of the avant-garde. Queens keeps the energy alive with Culture Lab LIC’s Sunset Jazz (Oct 3) featuring the Betty Kean Band. And for those looking to venture upstate, Hudson Jazz Festival at Hudson Hall (Oct 3–5) packs a full weekend: from the dancefloor heat of BIGYUKI and the modern swing of Julius Rodriguez, to rising vocal star Caity Gyorgy, brass fireworks from the Gotham Kings, and a Sunday night closer with vibraphonist Joel Ross. Whether in Harlem, the East Village, Queens, or Hudson, this weekend’s festivals showcase jazz as both community ritual and artistic frontier.

🎷 Jazz Festival & Special Event Listings (This Weekend)

Ralph Ellison Park – Riverside Dr & W. 150th St, New York, NY 10031. nycgovparks.org Oct 5: 2:00pm Jazz in the Park at Ralph Ellison.

First Street Green Cultural Park – 33 E 1st St, New York, NY 10003. artsforart.org/ingardens . Oct 4: 2:00pm inGardens Festival ft. Janice Lowe Trio; Claire de Brunner Trio; L.I.P.; Warren Trae Crudup III Trio. Oct 5: 2:00pm inGardens Festival ft. Lesley Mok Trio; Wolper/Parker Duo; Sol Cabrini/Tongo Eisen Martin; Selendis Quartet.

Culture Lab LIC – 5-25 46th Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101. 347-848-0030. culturelablic.org . Oct 3: 8:00pm Sunset Jazz: Betty Kean Band.

Hudson Hall – 327 Warren St, Hudson, NY 12534. 518-822-1438. hudsonhall.org . Oct 3: 7:00pm Hudson Jazz Festival: Dance Party ft. BIGYUKI; Julius Rodriguez Group. Oct 4: 7:00pm Hudson Jazz Festival ft. Caity Gyorgy Quartet; Tristen Jarvis: Deep Tones for Peace; Gotham Kings. Oct 5: 7:00pm Hudson Jazz Festival ft. Joel Ross.

🎂 Special Event

George Wein’s 100th Birthday Celebration – City Winery NYC 📍 25 11th Ave, New York, NY 10011. 646-751-6033. citywinery.com/new-york-city 📅 Oct 7, 7:00pm The godfather of the modern jazz festival, George Wein is celebrated on what would have been his 100th birthday with a benefit for the Newport Festivals Foundation. Hosted at City Winery, the evening features Christian McBride and an all-star lineup honoring Wein’s legacy as a visionary producer and tireless advocate for the music.

🎯 MUST SEE NEXT WEEK

Looking ahead, next week is packed with can’t-miss performances that stretch from tributes to trailblazers. On Oct 7, City Winery hosts George Wein’s 100th Birthday Celebration, a benefit for the Newport Festivals Foundation led by Christian McBride, honoring the man who invented the modern jazz festival. The same evening, Birdland doubles down with the Dave Stryker Quartet and a rare Ron Carter–Bill Frisell Duo, while the Village Vanguard opens a week-long run pairing Kurt Rosenwinkel and Gerald Clayton in intimate duo explorations. Uptown, the Bronx comes alive with Bochinchando: Bronx Vaudeville at Bronx Music Hall Plaza, blending jazz, theater, and community spirit. Midweek (Oct 8) brings a stellar lineup: Makaya McCraven at (Le) Poisson Rouge unleashing his boundary-breaking grooves, Smoke Jazz Club’s Thelonious Monk Festival featuring Orrin Evans, Melissa Aldana, Robert Hurst, and Terri Lyne Carrington, and the Women in Jazz Living Legacy Project at Hunter College’s Kaye Playhouse spotlighting voices from Madeleine Peyroux to Ryan Keberle’s Big Band. With icons, innovators, and community-driven showcases across the city, next week promises jazz at its most celebratory and adventurous... MORE SPOTLIGHTS

George Wein’s 100th Birthday Celebration 📍 City Winery NYC, 25 11th Ave, New York, NY 10011. 646-751-6033. citywinery.com 📅 Oct 7, 7:00pm A benefit for the Newport Festivals Foundation, this historic evening celebrates the centennial of festival founder George Wein with an all-star lineup led by Christian McBride. A rare chance to honor the visionary who shaped the modern jazz festival.

Bochinchando: Bronx Vaudeville 📍 Bronx Music Hall Plaza, 438 E 163rd St, Bronx, NY 10451 📅 Oct 7, 8:00pm • $10 An immersive Bronx variety showcase blending vaudeville flair, jazz, and local artistry in a community celebration.

Dave Stryker Quartet / Ron Carter Duo with Bill Frisell 📍 Birdland, 315 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036. 212-851-3080. birdlandjazz.com 📅 Oct 7, 7:00pm & 8:00pm A powerhouse double bill: guitarist Dave Stryker with saxophonist Troy Roberts, followed by the legendary Ron Carter in a rare duo with Bill Frisell.

Kurt Rosenwinkel & Gerald Clayton 📍 Village Vanguard, 178 7th Ave S, New York, NY 10014. 212-255-4037. villagevanguard.com 📅 Oct 7–12, 8:00pm Two of today’s most lyrical improvisers in duo conversation, revisiting material from Rosenwinkel’s collaboration with Geri Allen and exploring Strayhorn and Monk. (Spotlight feature, Hot House, Oct 2025)

Makaya McCraven 📍 (Le) Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10012. 212-796-0741. lpr.com 📅 Oct 8, 8:00pm • $25 The Chicago-based drummer and “beat scientist” brings his boundary-smashing grooves that fuse jazz, hip-hop, and global rhythms into living soundscapes. (Spotlight feature, Hot House, Oct 2025)

🎷 Wednesday Jazz Hang (Oct 8)

Jazzmobile Sessions ft. Danny Mixon Quartet – Interchurch Center, 7:00pm

Thelonious Monk Festival ft. Orrin Evans, Melissa Aldana, Robert Hurst & Terri Lyne Carrington – Smoke Jazz Club, 7:00pm

Verena McBee Trio – Flûte Midtown, 8:00pm

Women in Jazz: Ryan Keberle’s Big Band Living Legacy Project w/ Lilli Cooper, Maya Days, Hilary Kole, Madeleine Peyroux – Kaye Playhouse, 7:00pm

Makaya McCraven – (Le) Poisson Rouge, 8:00pm

Alex Kautz Quartet w/ Hélio Alves, Jerome Sabbagh, Joe Martin – Bar Bayeux, Brooklyn, 8:00pm

Alexis Cole Quartet – Pangea, 7:00pm

DIRECTORY OF JAZZ BRUNCHES AROUND TOWN

More listings SUBSCRIBE TO HOT HOUSE READ PRIOR ISSUES SUBMIT AN EVENT

GET THE PREMIUM EDITION - SUBSCRIBE

🎺 Opportunity in Jazz Journalism

The Jazz Journalists Association (JJA) is seeking a new Executive Director to guide its programs, including the annual Jazz Awards, educational initiatives, and community engagement. This leadership role is a rare chance to shape the future of jazz journalism and advocacy.

👉 Learn more and apply at jazzjournalists.org

📢 Join the Hot House Team

Hot House Jazz is expanding its voice across North America — and we’re looking for writers, content producers, and social media creatives to cover the jazz, spoken word, and arts scenes in:

• Boston / Northeast

• Chicago

• Detroit

• Los Angeles

• New Orleans

• New York

• Toronto

If you’ve got a voice for storytelling or a vision for digital content, we’d love to hear from you.

📩 Send inquiries to info@hhjazzguide.com

HOT HOUSE JAZZ MAGAZINE - CURRENT ISSUE

🚀 Boundary-Pushers

Artists experimenting, innovating, and stretching jazz forward

This weekend’s Boundary Pushers spotlight artists stretching the tradition into daring new shapes. Trumpeter Marquis Hill brings his Color Theory project to Smoke, while John Zorn’s New Masada Quartet ignites the Village Vanguard with unbridled downtown energy. At The Stone @ New School, composer Anna Webber builds sonic architecture that challenges and inspires. Pianist Billy Lester, drummer Donald Edwards, trumpeter Matt Cappy, guitarist Andrew Latona, and pianist Marta Sanchez all expand the language of rhythm and harmony in distinct voices. Vocal innovators Nicole Zuraitis and AC Lincoln push the jazz songbook into theatrical, contemporary spaces. Grammy-winner Catherine Russell, flute virtuoso Hubert Laws, and the soulful Lezlie Harrison prove that reinvention and imagination are timeless. And at Dizzy’s, Etienne Charles and his Creole Orchestra honor the genius of Kenny Kirkland’s 70th with music that bridges legacy and innovation.

Etienne Charles Celebrates Kenny Kirkland’s 70th Dizzy’s Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Sep 25–28, 9:00pm

This weekend, Dizzy’s honors one of jazz’s most brilliant pianists, Kenny Kirkland, on what would have been his 70th birthday. Revered for his work with Branford Marsalis, Sting, and the Tonight Show Band, Kirkland’s artistry bridged straight-ahead jazz, fusion, and pop with fearless creativity. Trumpeter and bandleader Etienne Charles leads his Creole Orchestra in a four-night tribute, reimagining Kirkland’s groundbreaking compositions and signature collaborations. Expect music that captures the spirit of a pianist whose touch combined explosive power, harmonic daring, and lyrical depth. With a handpicked ensemble of top improvisers, Charles ensures Kirkland’s influence resonates with today’s audiences, celebrating a life cut short but filled with indelible brilliance. A rare chance to revisit the legacy of a true modern master. MORE INFO

Catherine Russell – William Paterson Univ. (Sep 28) – Grammy-winning vocalist Russell reinvents the songbook with warmth, soul, and timeless innovation. MORE INFO

Hubert Laws - Nyack Jazz Festival (Sep 28) – The flute virtuoso continues to expand his instrument’s horizon with breathtaking imagination. MORE INFO

Marquis Hill: Color Theory - Smoke Jazz Club (Sep 25–28) - Trumpeter Hill expands his Color Theory project with groove-driven explorations that fuse intellect and swing. MORE INFO

John Zorn’s New Masada Quartet – Village Vanguard (Sep 25–28) - A combustible downtown ensemble unleashing raw energy, klezmer roots, and free-jazz fire. MORE INFO

Marta Sanchez w/ Caleb Wheeler Curtis – Masonic Temple, Sag Harbor (Sep 27) - Pianist Sánchez and saxophonist Caleb weave intricate, lyrical dialogues that push jazz into new spaces. MORE INFO

🎷 Keepers of the Flame

Masters and modern torchbearers carrying the jazz tradition forward

This weekend’s Keepers of the Flame remind us that tradition is a living force, carried forward with passion and swing. Coltrane Revisited marks its 24th anniversary at Birdland, while guitar greats Duke Robillard & Chris Flory bring blues-soaked elegance to the Birdland Theater. At the Carnegie Club, crooner Steve Maglio and the Stan Rubin Orchestra keep big band standards alive, and the George Gee Swing Orchestra lights up Swing 46 with irresistible dance rhythms. Sinatra devotees can catch Michael Dutra and his 9-piece ensemble at the Blue Note matinee, while clubs like Smalls and the Jazz Gallery master stylists Matt Wilson, Sullivan Fortner, and George Cables. From Bill Charlap’s sparkling trio in Old Lyme to Sherrie Maricle’s powerhouse DIVA Orchestra, Mala Waldron’s soulful lineage, and Joe Farnsworth’s hard-swinging trio, these artists ensure the jazz flame burns bright.

Coltrane Revisited – 24th Anniversary (Birdland, Sep 25–27): A powerhouse ensemble honoring Coltrane’s legacy with fiery improvisations and timeless spirit. Featuring: Jimmy Greene (Tenor Sax) Wayne Escoffery (Tenor Sax) Helen Sung (Piano) Lonnie Plaxico (Bass) Billy Drummond (Drums) MORE INFO

Matt Wilson Quartet (Smalls, Sep 26–27): Drummer Wilson leads a quartet bursting with wit, swing, and adventurous energy. MORE INFO

George Gee Swing Orchestra (Swing 46, Sep 28): High-energy charts and danceable rhythms keep swing traditions thriving in Times Square. MORE INFO

Mala Waldron (Grasso’s, Cold Spring Harbor, Sep 26): Carrying her father Mal Waldron’s legacy, she blends soulful lyricism and modern jazz vision. MORE INFO

✊ Voices of Resistance

Artists channeling jazz’s spirit of resilience, protest, and community

The Voices of Resistance this weekend amplify jazz’s power as a force for community, identity, and truth. Trombonist Craig Harris launches the Harlem Jazz Series with his Nightsongs Big Band, followed by pianist-composer Amina Figarova, whose music fuses global influences with pointed expression. In the Bronx, the Gene Golden Tribute Concert celebrates cultural legacy, while at Sistas’ Place, Nat Adderley Jr. carries forward the fire of his family name. The public space becomes a stage with the Legacy of Duke Ellington celebration at Ellington Circle, while at the Middlesex County Jazz Festival, vocalist Antoinette Montague and trombonist Conrad Herwig’s Latin Side All Stars give voice to joy and resilience. Elizabeth Bougerol of the Hot Sardines reclaims swing with fresh urgency, while vocalist Richard Cortez brings queer narrative and bold truth-telling to stages at The Django and Mezzrow.

Nat Adderley Jr. (Sistas’ Place - Brooklyn, Sep 27): The pianist and arranger channels his family’s storied legacy into music rooted in resilience and soul. MORE INFO

Elizabeth Bougerol – Hot Sardines (Middlesex County Jazz Festival, Woodbridge, NJ, Sep 24): With sly wit and vintage flair, Bougerol reclaims swing as both joyful and subversive expression. MORE INFO

Antoinette Montague (Middlesex County Jazz Festival, New Brunswick, NJ, Sep 28): A vocalist of power and purpose, Montague lifts tradition into the present with unshakable spirit. MORE INFO

Amina Figarova (Harlem Jazz Boxx Series @ Mount Morris Ascension Presbyterian Church, Sep 26): The Azerbaijani-born pianist-composer blends global influences and pointed lyricism to challenge and inspire. MORE INFO

FESTIVALS

🎪 From midday swing in Bryant Park to avant-garde sounds at the inGardens Festival in the East Village, the city pulses with outdoor and community jazz this weekend. The Kilbourn Concert Series at the Jazz Gallery and Sunset Jazz at Culture Lab LIC offer intimate showcases, while Maureen’s Jazz Cellar in Nyack hosts both the Rockland County Jazz & Blues Society and the Nyack Jazz Festival featuring Hubert Laws. In New Jersey, the Middlesex County Jazz Festival spans Carteret and Metuchen with artists like Lezlie Harrison, Antointette Montague and Sherrie Maricle’s DIVA Jazz Orchestra. Regional highlights include the Northampton Jazz Festival in Massachusetts, the Montco Jazz Fest near Philadelphia, and the Sag Harbor American Music Festival on Long Island, where Cécile McLorin Salvant headlines.

🎷 Jazz Festival & Special Event Listings (This Weekend)

Bryant Park – 6th Ave, New York, NY 10018. 212-768-4242. bryantpark.org . Sep 25, 26: 12:30pm Sue Maskaleris; Sep 29, 30: 12:30pm Charlie Judkins.

Five Spot Jazz – 231 E 9th St, New York, NY 10003. 212-777-7018. fivespotjazz.com . Sep 28: 5:00pm Mike DiRubbo.

First Street Green Community Garden – 33 E 1st St, New York, NY 10003. artsforart.org/ingardens . Sep 27: 2:00pm inGardens Festival ft. Whit Dickey & Rob Brown; John Blum & Cooper-Moore; James Brandon Lewis. Sep 28: 2:00pm inGardens Festival ft. Hans Young Binter Band; Aakash Mittal Trio; Mona Miari; Sam Newsome Trio.

The Jazz Gallery – 1160 Broadway, 5th Fl, New York, NY 10001. jazzgallery.org . Sep 28, 29: 7:00pm Kilbourn Concert Series: Mark Padmore & Paul Lewis.

Culture Lab LIC – 5-25 46th Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101. 347-848-0030. culturelablic.org . Sep 26: 8:00pm Sunset Jazz: Lauren Lee Quartet.

Dada Bar – 6047 Myrtle Ave, Queens, NY 11385. 347-422-0411. dadabar.nyc . Sep 28: 10:30pm Music Explorers (Free).

Maureen’s Jazz Cellar – 2 North Broadway, Nyack, NY 10960. 845-535-3143. maureensjazzcellar.com . Sep 26: 7:00pm Rockland County Jazz & Blues Society w/ Dave Stryker Quartet, $35. Sep 27–28: 7:00pm Rockland County Jazz & Blues Society w/ Dave Stryker Quartet, $35. Sep 28: 7:00pm Nyack Jazz Festival w/ Hubert Laws, Gunhild & Idun Carling, Tiania Grubbs Quintet, Souren Baronian’s Taksim & Rockland Youth Jazz Ensemble, $35.

Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center – 46 Washington St, Carteret, NJ 07008. 877-849-2722. carteretpac.com . Sep 26: 7:00pm Middlesex County Jazz Festival: Lezlie Harrison.

Metuchen High School – 400 Grove Ave, Metuchen, NJ 08840. 732-321-8744. metuchenartscouncil.com . Sep 27: 5:30pm Middlesex County Jazz Festival: Sherrie Maricle & The DIVA Jazz Orchestra; AAPI Jazz Collective led by Peter Lin; MHS Jazz Ensemble & Orchestra; Metuchen Dance Center + MHS Jazz Combo.

Northampton Jazz Festival – Northampton, MA. northamptonjazzfest.org . Sep 26–27: Free daytime performances; Headliner evening Sept 27.

Montco Jazz Fest – Montgomery County, PA (Philadelphia region). montcojazzfest.com (via local listing). Through Sep 28.

Sag Harbor American Music Festival – Sag Harbor, NY (Long Island). hamptons.com . Sep 25–28: Includes jazz shows (Cécile McLorin Salvant, Sept 26).

✍🏾 Poetry / Other

Flushing Town Hall – 137-35 Northern Blvd, Flushing, NY 11354. 718-463-7700. flushingtownhall.org . Sep 25: 6:00pm Jazz Poetry Open Mic hosted by Sherese Francis.

🌹 Special Event

Marcello Pellitteri | Benefit for the Veronica Pellitteri Memorial Fund Birdland: 315 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036. 212-851-3080. https://www.birdlandjazz.com. Sep 28: 7:00pm

🎯 MUST SEE NEXT WEEK

The week ahead is packed with can’t-miss performances across New York and beyond. At Birdland, pianist Emmet Cohen leads his trio (Oct 1–4), while the Rum House swings with Café Society and the Ricky Alexander Trio (Sep 29–30). Spoken-word powerhouse Aja Monet takes the Blue Note stage (Sep 29–30), and Smalls hosts heavyweight quartets led by Joe Farnsworth, David Gibson, and Steve Nelson (Sep 29–30). Vocal firebrand Veronica Swift makes back-to-back appearances at the Count Basie Center and The Vogel (Sep 30), while Kamasi Washington launches a historic 12-night run at Blue Note LA (Sep 30–Oct 5, 7–12). The weekend brings a diverse slate: Cyrus Chestnut at Jazz at Lincoln Center (Oct 1–4), Jesús “Aguaje” Ramos with the Buena Vista Orchestra (Oct 3), Terri Lyne Carrington reimagining We Insist! at Eastman (Oct 3), Anat Cohen at Columbia’s Miller Theatre (Oct 4), and Bobby Sanabria’s Multiverse Big Band at McCarter Theatre in Princeton (Oct 4)... MORE SPOTLIGHTS

Birdland – 315 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036. 212-581-3080. birdlandjazz.com . Oct 1–4: Emmet Cohen Trio.

Rum House (The) – 228 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036. 646-490-6924. therumhousenyc.com . Sep 29: 9:30pm Café Society; Sep 30: 9:30pm Ricky Alexander Trio.

Blue Note Jazz Club – 131 W 3rd St, New York, NY 10012. 212-475-8592. bluenotejazz.com . Sep 29, 30: 1:30pm Aja Monet.

Smalls Jazz Club – 183 W 10th St, New York, NY 10014. 212-252-5091. smallsjazzclub.com . Sep 29: 7:30pm Joe Farnsworth Quartet; Sep 30: 7:30pm David Gibson Quartet; Sep 30: 7:30pm Steve Nelson Quartet.

The Vogel at Count Basie Center for the Arts – 99 Monmouth St, Red Bank, NJ. thebasie.org . Sep 30: 7:30pm Veronica Swift, $40.35.

Blue Note LA – Los Angeles, CA. bluenotejazz.com . Sep 30–Oct 5 & Oct 7–12: Kamasi Washington.

Jazz at Lincoln Center – 10 Columbus Cir, 5th Fl, New York, NY 10019. 212-258-9595. jazz.org/dizzys . Oct 1–4: Cyrus Chestnut Trio.

Kupferberg Center for the Arts – Queens College, Flushing, NY. kupferbergcenter.org . Oct 3: Jesús “Aguaje” Ramos & Buena Vista Orchestra.

Eastman School of Music – Rochester, NY. esm.rochester.edu . Oct 3: Terri Lyne Carrington – We Insist 2025!

Miller Theatre at Columbia University – 2960 Broadway, New York, NY 10027. 212-854-7799. millertheatre.com . Oct 4: Anat Cohen.

McCarter Theatre – 91 University Pl, Princeton, NJ 08540. 609-258-2787. mccarter.org . Oct 4: Bobby Sanabria Multiverse Big Band.

DIRECTORY OF JAZZ BRUNCHES AROUND TOWN

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HOT HOUSE JAZZ MAGAZINE

HOT HOUSE JAZZ MAGAZINE - CURRENT ISSUE

Jazzmeia Horn stands at the crossroads of tradition and daring innovation. With a six-octave range and phrasing that recalls Betty Carter and Abbey Lincoln, she transforms every song into an act of fearless honesty. A Grammy-nominated vocalist, composer, and storyteller, Jazzmeia honors the jazz lineage while boldly reshaping it for today. Her latest album Messages strips back instrumentation, centering her voice in a striking mix of original compositions and reimagined standards. Infused with gospel fervor, bebop fire, and spoken-word cadences, her performances are experiences of empowerment and connection, leaving audiences both spellbound and uplifted. Beyond her artistry, she sees her role as a messenger: singing not just for herself but for those who need to feel seen, heard, and encouraged. As she headlines the Pittsburgh Jazz Festival this weekend, Jazzmeia reminds us that the future of jazz is fearless, authentic, and deeply human. [READ MORE]

🚀 Boundary-Pushers

Artists experimenting, innovating, and stretching jazz forward

This week’s Boundary-Pushing innovators stretch jazz into unexpected shapes and new languages. Kojo Roney thunders into the Blue Note with his Stoic Knight release, melding rock energy, acid-jazz edges, and a next-gen vision of rhythm. At the Village Vanguard, Miguel Zenón takes Puerto Rican folkloric traditions into daring harmonic territory, while Somi transforms Dizzy’s into The Mother Africa Salon, a space of Pan-African narrative and chamber-jazz nuance. Uptown at Jazz at Lincoln Center, the world premiere of Wynton Marsalis’ Afro! with Shenel Johns and Weedie Braimah launches the season, exploring the profound ties between jazz and African traditions through the sound of the JLCO, radiant gospel-jazz vocals, and diasporic drumming fireDowntown, Mehmet Ali Sanlikol and Ingrid Jensen cross Turkish roots with trumpet fire at Drom, while Adam Cruz explores new rhythmic dimensions alongside David Virelles and Marvin Sewell in Brooklyn. Jason Moran revisits Ellington in a deeply personal solo meditation at the Vermont Jazz Center in Burlington, VT and Terell Stafford pushes the hard-bop lineage forward at the Jazz Loft in Stony Brook. Elsewhere, Ricky Ford drives his quartet with raw momentum at The Falcon, AC Lincoln bends swing toward modern expression at the Roxy, and Savion Glover expands tap into a percussive redefinition of jazz at Aman. Out West, Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah creates trumpet-driven Afrofuturist soundscapes at Blue Note LA, while a powerhouse ensemble reignites Tony Williams’ revolutionary quintet at Sam First.

Wynton Marsalis’ Afro! with Shenel Johns & Weedie Braimah – Jazz at Lincoln Center (Sep 18–20) World premiere composition reflecting deep ties between jazz and African musical traditions, uniting diasporic rhythm and voice in groundbreaking ways. MORE INFO

Kojo Roney – Blue Note NY (Sep 19) – Stoic Knight album release; celebrated for his technical mastery, rhythmic creativity, and ability to captivate audiences, Roney delivers explosive drumming that blurs the lines between rock, acid jazz, and avant-garde innovation, leaving listeners in awe of his dynamic artistry. MORE INFO

Miguel Zenón Quartet – Village Vanguard (Sep 18–21) – Puerto Rican roots + modern harmonic daring. MORE INFO

Somi: The Mother Africa Salon – Dizzy’s Club (Sep 18–20) – Pan-African storytelling with chamber-jazz nuance. MORE INFO

Mehmet Ali Sanlikol Quintet ft. Ingrid Jensen – Drom (Sep 18) – Turkish/American fusion meets trumpet fire. MORE INFO

Adam Cruz Quartet – Bar Bayeux - Brooklyn (Sep 20) – Modern rhythmic explorations with David Virelles & Marvin Sewell. MORE INFO

Terell Stafford Quintet – The Jazz Loft, Stony Brook (Sep 19) – Trumpet voice pushing hard-bop into modern terrain. MORE INFO

Jason Moran: Ellington in Focus – Vermont Jazz Center, Burlington VT (Sep 20) – Reimagining Ellington’s genius through a contemporary solo lens. MORE INFO

James Francies Trio with Chris Potter – Blue Note NY (Sep 18) Pianist James Francies brings a bold, modern trio sound infused with gospel and R&B, joined by saxophone powerhouse Chris Potter for a night of fearless improvisation. MORE INFO

🎷 Keepers of the Flame

Masters and modern torchbearers carrying the jazz tradition forward

The heart of jazz beats steady this week with artists carrying its traditions forward. Monty Alexander returns to Birdland, channeling swing, bop, and Jamaican flair, while George Cables holds court at Smoke with his lyrical, modern quartet. Darrell Green brings crisp, straight-ahead drumming to Cellar Dog, and Curtis Nowasad anchors the Harlem Jazz Boxx’s Series with hard-driving post-bop. Senri Oe and Lauren Kinhan offer fresh takes on standards at Birdland Theater, while Chuchito Valdés continues the storied Cuban piano lineage at the Iridium. Mingus Dynasty keeps the bass master’s flame alive at Zinc, and trombonist Steve Davis delivers bop credentials at The Django. Veteran drummer Bill Goodwin leads at Mezzrow, trumpeter Valery Ponomarev maintains Blakey’s spirit at Smalls, and Philip Harper carries the Messenger tradition into today. Voices ring out, too: Samara Joy lifts standards at the Jazz Gallery, Allison Miller builds bridges at Rizzoli, Michelle Collier and Svetlana swing at Swing 46 and Arthur’s Tavern, and guitarist Mark Whitfield keeps the groove taut at The Django. From Harlem to downtown to Brooklyn, the keepers remind us that tradition, in the right hands, always breathes fresh air.

Monty Alexander Trio – Birdland (Sep 17–20) – Renowned for seamlessly blending swing, bebop, and the vibrant rhythms of the Caribbean, Monty Alexander brings his signature energy, virtuosity, and soulful flair to the iconic Birdland stage. MORE INFO

George Cables Quartet – Smoke (Sep 17–21) – One of the most lyrical pianists alive. MORE INFO

Chuchito Valdés – Iridium (Sep 19) Carrying forward the great Cuban piano dynasty of Bebo and Chucho, with his own high-octane fire. MORE INFO

Philip Harper Quintet – Smalls (Sep 21) – Acclaimed trumpeter and former Jazz Messenger, Philip Harper hails from a family of musicians, bringing deep-rooted artistry and hard bop mastery to the stage while honoring the fiery frontline tradition of Art Blakey. MORE INFO

Samara Joy – Jazz Gallery (Sep 21) Grammy-winning vocalist whose rise is reshaping how young audiences connect with jazz standards. MORE INFO

✊ Voices of Resistance

Artists channeling jazz’s spirit of resilience, protest, and community

This week also roars with the sound of testimony, protest, and resilience. Craig Harris and his Harlem Nightsongs Big Band ignite the Harlem Jazz Boxx Series with fiery brass and community spirit, while Alí Bello & the Charanga Syndicate turn the Bronx Music Hall into a hub of Afro-Caribbean resistance. At the National Jazz Museum, Rob Fulton keeps Harlem’s cultural flame lit. Tyreek McDole brings urgency to Dizzy’s, and Carrie Jackson leads her All Star Band at Tio’s Bistro with a voice steeped in the freedom-song tradition. Sean Jones & Tim Green channel spiritual power in sets at both South Jazz in Philadelphia and Keystone Korner Baltimore, while The Blackbyrds celebrate the 50th anniversary of Rock Creek Park, a protest-soul jazz landmark. At Sony Hall, We Call It Jazz journeys to the heart of New Orleans, spotlighting jazz as cultural memory and freedom music. In Brooklyn, Stephane Wrembel reframes gypsy swing as a story of endurance at Barbès. From Harlem to the Bronx, Baltimore to Philly, these voices affirm that jazz is more than music — it is witness, resistance, and survival.

Craig Harris & the Harlem Nightsongs Big Band – Harlem Jazz Boxx @ Mount Morris Ascension Presbyterian Church (Sep 18) – Trombonist’s ensemble rooted in social fire and Harlem pride. MORE INFO

Tyreek McDole – Dizzy’s Club (Sep 21) – Rising vocalist bringing soul-deep urgency. MORE INFO

Alí Bello & The Charanga Syndicate – Bronx Music Hall (Sep 18) – Latin jazz with political and cultural force. MORE INFO

Carrie Jackson & All Star Band – Tio’s Bistro (Sep 21) – A commanding vocalist keeping the freedom-song tradition alive. MORE INFO

We Call It Jazz: A Journey to the Heart of New Orleans – Sony Hall (Sep 21) – Showcasing jazz as cultural memory and freedom music. MORE INFO

FESTIVALS

🎪 Festival season rolls strong this week across the region. The 15th Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival took over the August Wilson Center with a powerful lineup including Branford Marsalis, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Bilal, Jazzmeia Horn, Robert Glasper, and more. In Manhattan, the Bryant Park Lunchtime Concerts keep the city’s heart swinging with Peter Yarin, Roy Eaton, and Sue Maskaleris, while the inGardens Festival at the Children’s Magical Garden offers avant-garde explorations with Rob Brown, Amirtha Kidambi, Miriam Parker, Alfredo Colón, Andrew Drury, Bahar Badietabar, and No Land/Oliver Ray. On Long Island, the Harbor Jazz Festival at the Jazz Loft highlights Winard Harper & Jeli Posse, Eric Alexander, Kelly Green, Anaïs Reno, and Mark Nikirk. Across the river, the West Orange Jazz Festival energizes OSPAC in New Jersey. Uptown Harlem hosts Jazz in the Park at Ralph Ellison Park, bringing music directly into the community. And Central Park closes out the Greenwich Jazz Festival on the Great Lawn with A Night of Brazilian Samba Jazz featuring Duduka Da Fonseca, Guilherme Monteiro, Bennie Wallace, Donald Vega, and Peter Washington. From major stars to grassroots innovators, this week’s festivals show how jazz thrives in the streets, parks, and green spaces where the music breathes free.

15th Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival – Aug. Wilson African American Cultural Center, Pittsburgh (Sep 18–21) Key lineup: Branford Marsalis Quartet, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Bilal, Eric Benét, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Jazzmeia Horn, Kandace Springs, Etienne Charles & Creole Soul, Tarbaby, Michael Mayo, Obed Calvaire–Haitian Project, Keith David, Dan Wilson & Jonathan Butler (Tribute to George Benson), Ella Bric, Be’la Dona, Ekep Nkwelle, Nathan-Paul & The Admirables, PIJF All Star Band led by Howie Alexander, T. Marie & Friends, Kenny Blake & the New Hip, Theron Brown, Selecta. MORE INFO

Bryant Park Lunchtime Concerts – Manhattan (Sep 17–23) Peter Yarin, Roy Eaton, Sue Maskaleris.

inGardens Festival – Children’s Magical Garden, LES (Sep 20–21) Featuring Rob Brown Trio, Amirtha Kidambi & Cooper-Moore, Miriam Parker, Alfredo Colón Trio, Andrew Drury/Ayumi Ishito, Bahar Badietabar/Antonin Fajt, No Land/Oliver Ray.

Harbor Jazz Festival – Jazz Loft/Stony Brook (Sep 20) Winard Harper & Jeli Posse, Mark Nikirk Quartet, Eric Alexander Trio, Kelly Green Trio, Anaïs Reno Quartet.

West Orange Jazz Festival – OSPAC, NJ (Sep 20) Key lineup: Stefon Harris & Blackout, Alicia Olatuja, Don Braden, Victor Provost, and Nat Adderley Jr.

Jazz in the Park – Ralph Ellison Park, Harlem (Sep 21)

Greenwich Jazz Festival Closing Night – Central Park Great Lawn (Sep 21) A Night of Brazilian Samba Jazz with Duduka Da Fonseca, Guilherme Monteiro, Bennie Wallace, Donald Vega, Peter Washington.

🌹 Special Event

Saint Peter’s Church (Sep 23, 12:30pm) – Jazz Memorial for Al Foster
A memorial service honoring Al Foster — one of jazz’s most revered drummers, whose career spanned more than five decades. Foster’s artistry bridged eras: from his defining work with Miles Davis in the 1970s and 80s, to collaborations with Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson, Sonny Rollins, and McCoy Tyner, and his own luminous bands. Known for his supple time feel, melodic approach to rhythm, and deep humanity on and off the bandstand, Foster leaves a legacy that resonates across generations of musicians. The service at Saint Peter’s — the historic “jazz church” in Manhattan — offers the community a chance to celebrate his life, music, and enduring influence. MORE INFO

🎯 MUST SEE NEXT WEEK

The final full week of September brings a mix of tributes, premieres, and standout voices. Birdland hosts the Coltrane Revisited 24th Anniversary (Sep 23), celebrating the saxophone giant’s eternal fire, while at Dizzy’s (Sep 22) the Michael Leonhart Orchestra paints bold soundscapes of brass and groove. At the Village Vanguard (Sep 23–28), John Zorn’s New Masada Quartet delivers relentless improvisational energy, fusing jazz, rock, and Jewish tradition. Vocal spotlights shine too: Elizabeth Bougerol of The Hot Sardines brings vintage jazz with modern flair to the Middlesex County Jazz Festival in Woodbridge (Sep 24), and Lezlie Harrison lights up the festival in New Brunswick (Sep 26) with her soulful blend of gospel, blues, and jazz. At Django (Sep 27), La Tanya Hall — heard with Steely Dan and Aretha Franklin — steps forward in her own right with pianist John di Martino’s quartet. Meanwhile, drummer Sylvia Cuenca leads a swinging trio at Cellar Dog (Sep 23), and the Fulton Champion Quintet fires up Americano Steakhouse in Bayonne (Sep 23). From avant-garde storms to vintage swing, the week ahead shows jazz’s endless versatility.. MORE SPOTLIGHTS

Michael Leonhart Orchestra – Dizzy’s Club (Sep 22) Trumpeter, composer, and arranger leads his adventurous big band blending brass fire, groove, and cinematic textures.

Coltrane Revisited 24th Anniversary – Birdland (Sep 23) A powerhouse ensemble honors John Coltrane’s eternal spirit with reimagined takes on his timeless music.

John Zorn’s New Masada Quartet – Village Vanguard (Sep 23–28) Saxophonist and composer John Zorn returns with his fierce Masada project, fusing jazz, rock, Jewish music, and free improvisation.

Sylvia Cuenca Trio – Cellar Dog (Sep 23) Drummer Sylvia Cuenca, longtime rhythm partner of Joe Henderson, leads a trio with crisp swing and modern drive.

Fulton Champion Quintet – Americano Steakhouse, Bayonne NJ (Sep 23) Straight-ahead energy and hard-swinging grooves light up the Bayonne jazz room.

Elizabeth Bougerol – Middlesex County Jazz Festival, Woodbridge NJ (Sep 24) Hot Sardines co-founder brings vintage jazz with modern flair to Parker Press Park.

Lezlie Harrison – Middlesex County Jazz Festival, New Brunswick NJ (Sep 26) WBGO host and Jazz Gallery co-founder sings gospel-infused jazz and soul, radiating warmth and presence.

La Tanya Hall – Django (Sep 27) Versatile vocalist, heard with Steely Dan, Aretha Franklin, and Diana Ross, steps forward with her own band led by pianist John di Martino.15 FRINGE).

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HOT HOUSE JAZZ MAGAZINE - CURRENT ISSUE

Jazzmeia Horn stands at the crossroads of tradition and daring innovation. With a six-octave range and phrasing that recalls Betty Carter and Abbey Lincoln, she transforms every song into an act of fearless honesty. A Grammy-nominated vocalist, composer, and storyteller, Jazzmeia honors the jazz lineage while boldly reshaping it for today. Her latest album Messages strips back instrumentation, centering her voice in a striking mix of original compositions and reimagined standards. Infused with gospel fervor, bebop fire, and spoken-word cadences, her performances are experiences of empowerment and connection, leaving audiences both spellbound and uplifted. Beyond her artistry, she sees her role as a messenger: singing not just for herself but for those who need to feel seen, heard, and encouraged. As she headlines the Montclair Jazz Festival and the Pittsburgh Jazz Festival this month, Jazzmeia reminds us that the future of jazz is fearless, authentic, and deeply human. [READ MORE]

🚀 Boundary-Pushers

Artists experimenting, innovating, and stretching jazz forward

Boundary-Pushers this weekend spotlight the artists who stretch jazz forward with fearless creativity and bold invention. At Smoke Jazz Club, pianist Kris Davis leads her probing trio in sets that balance intensity and space, while drummer Jonathan Barber brings his groove-driven band Vision Ahead to Smalls, fusing gospel, funk, and swing. Genre-bending drummer and MC Kassa Overall takes both the Jazz Gallery and Keystone Korner Baltimore with his signature mix of hip-hop flow and improvisational fire. At Nublu, trumpeter Seiki Yukimoto’s Soulbleed channels the spirit of Don Cherry in a cross-cultural experiment, and saxophone titan Kenny Garrett ignites Blue Note Los Angeles (available for streaming) with soaring improvisations. Brooklyn gets the avant-garde edge of Tony Malaby’s Apparitions at Bar Bayeux, while Stephane Wrembel reinvents Gypsy jazz traditions at Barbès and in SOPAC New Jersey. The Falcon hosts rising vocalist Tatiana Eva-Marie, and Firehouse 12 continues its forward-looking series with exploratory sets from Dena Derose and guests.

Kris Davis Trio – Smoke Jazz Club (Sep 12–14) A daring pianist whose trio balances intensity and space, reshaping modern piano jazz. MORE INFO

Jonathan Barber & Vision Ahead – Smalls (Sep 12–13) Barber fuses gospel, funk, and swing into electrifying grooves with his trailblazing quintet. MORE INFO

Kassa Overall – Jazz Gallery (Sep 12–13) Album Release. Drummer/rapper/producer mixing hip-hop flow with jazz improvisation in boundary-breaking sets. Lineup: Kassa Overall - drums Jayla Chee - double bass Matt Wong - piano Emilio Modeste - saxophones Shakoor Hakeem - percussion. MORE INFO

Kenny Garrett – Blue Note LA (Sep 12–14) The alto sax titan brings soaring improvisation and spiritual groove to Los Angeles. MORE INFO

Receive Honest News Today

Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with 1440 – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed.

Sign up today!

🎷 Keepers of the Flame

Masters and modern torchbearers carrying the jazz tradition forward

Keepers of the Flame spotlight the masters and torchbearers who carry swing, bop, and the American songbook into the present with timeless artistry. At the Village Vanguard, pianist Bill Charlap keeps the city’s straight-ahead tradition alive, while vocalist Roberta Gambarini graces Dizzy’s with her radiant interpretations. The Yellowjackets bring decades of groove and fusion energy to Birdland, and pianist Geoffrey Keezer showcases his inventive touch at the Birdland Theater. Elsewhere, the flame burns bright in intimate rooms: Ted Rosenthal at Mezzrow, Christian Sands at Jazz Forum, and saxophonist Steve Wilson at Maureen’s Jazz Cellar. Trumpeter Philip Harper swings hard at Cellar Dog, while the Anderson twins bring classic clarinet-and-sax charm to Symphony Space. Across the region, legends and rising stars — from Houston Person in Mount Vernon to / — prove that jazz tradition is alive, swinging, and endlessly renewed.

Bill Charlap Trio – Village Vanguard (Sep 12–14) Timeless elegance from a pianist who embodies New York’s straight-ahead tradition. MORE INFO

Roberta Gambarini Trio – Dizzy’s Club (Sep 12–14) Grammy-nominated vocalist with a radiant touch on jazz’s most beloved standards. MORE INFO

Yellowjackets – Birdland (Sep 12–13) Fusion pioneers still igniting stages with groove-driven interplay after four decades. MORE INFO

Geoffrey Keezer Trio – Birdland Theater (Sep 12–14) Pianist blending bebop sophistication with modern energy in an intimate setting. MORE INFO

Houston Person – First Presbyterian Church, Mt. Vernon (Sep 14) A tenor sax giant delivering warmth, swing, and soul in every phrase. MORE INFO

✊ Voices of Resistance

Artists channeling jazz’s spirit of resilience, protest, and community

This week’s Voices of Resistance - In Harlem, Jorge Sylvester lights up Harlem Jazz Box’s Series @ Mount Morris Ascension Presbyterian Church with fiery alto lines steeped in Afro-Caribbean roots, while trumpeter Terell Stafford brings hard-swinging urgency to Jersey City’s Statuary. In Philadelphia, Christian McBride & Ursa Major deliver groove-driven activism at City Winery, and bassist Russel Hall leads a fearless quintet at Close Up with music steeped in swing and social commentary. The duo SOAR (April May Webb and Randall Haywood) fuse voice and trumpet into stories of joy and resistance at South Jazz Club in Philly, while percussion master Luisito Quintero electrifies the Montclair Jazz Festival with Afro-Latin power. Together, these artists remind us that jazz has always been more than music — it’s a living voice for freedom, community, and renewal.

Jorge Sylvester – Harlem Jazz Series (Sep 12) Fierce alto sax and Afro-Caribbean roots light up Harlem’s sacred stage. MORE INFO

The Statuary and The Festival of New Trumpet Music (FONT) Tribute to William B. Fielder with Ted Chubb Quintet; Lee Hogans & Pursuance & Terell Stafford Quintet MORE INFO

Christian McBride & Ursa Major – City Winery Philly (Sep 12) The iconic bassist brings groove and spirit with his forward-looking ensemble. MORE INFO

Russel Hall Quintet – Close Up, NYC (Sep 12) Bassist Hall leads with groove, activism, and fearless improvisation. MORE INFO

Luisito Quintero – Montclair Jazz Festival (Sep 13) Venezuelan percussion master unites Afro-Latin, salsa, and Afrobeat into communal fire. MORE INFO

FESTIVALS

🎪 Festivals turn neighborhoods, plazas, and parks into jazz stages this weekend, with two major anchors leading the charge.

The Montclair Jazz Festival (Sep 13) — produced by Jazz House Kids — transforms downtown Montclair into a daylong celebration with the Jamboree in the afternoon and a massive Block Party at night. Highlights include fiery percussionist Luisito Quintero, alto sax star Lakecia Benjamin, and powerhouse vocalist Jazzmeia Horn, alongside community bands, food vendors, and an atmosphere that makes Montclair one of the Northeast’s premier jazz destinations. montclairjazzfestival.org

JazzFest White Plains (Sep 10–14), presented by ArtsWestchester, is a five-day citywide takeover blending free and ticketed shows. This weekend features Kurt Elling with Joey Calderazzo (Sep 12), Immanuel Wilkins Quartet (Sep 13), and the outdoor Sunday Jazz Alfresco (Sep 14) with Chembo Corniel, Sounds of A&R, and more — all part of an effort to bring jazz to every corner of downtown.

Beyond the anchors, the Atlantic City Jazz Fest (Sep 13, Hard Rock Hotel) brings big-stage energy to the Jersey Shore, Jazz in the Park at Ralph Ellison Park (Sep 14) celebrates Harlem’s legacy with a free family concert, and the New York Caribbean Jazz Festival (Sep 14, Brooklyn Children’s Museum) lights up with saxophonist Elan Trotman. Rounding out the week: the grassroots Bronx Rising! series (Sep 13) and the avant-garde inGardens Festival (Sep 13–14, LES) keep community and experimentation at the forefront.

Seiki Yukimoto’s Soulbleed – Nublu Jazz Festival (Sep 19) East-meets-West ensemble reviving Don Cherry’s spirit with grit, soul, and fearless energy.

Montclair Jazz Festival – Jamboree + Block Party (Sep 13) From Luisito Quintero to Lakecia Benjamin, Montclair erupts in community-wide celebration.

JazzFest White Plains – ArtsWestchester & White Plains Plaza (Sep 10–14) Featuring Kurt Elling (Sep 12), Immanuel Wilkins (Sep 13), and Sunday Jazz Alfresco (Sep 14).

Atlantic City Jazz Fest – Hard Rock Hotel (Sep 13) A powerhouse night of groove and big-stage energy on the Jersey Shore.

Jazz in the Park – Ralph Ellison Park, Harlem (Sep 14) A free community concert honoring Harlem’s deep jazz legacy.

New York Caribbean Jazz Festival – Brooklyn Children’s Museum (Sep 14) Featuring Elan Trotman & band, blending Caribbean roots with jazz fire.

More Listings: Bronx Rising! (Sep 13), inGardens Festival (LES, Sep 13–14).

🎯 MUST SEE NEXT WEEK

Next week brings a wave of artistry that’s both global and generational. At the Village Vanguard, alto sax innovator Miguel Zenón blends Puerto Rican roots with daring improvisation, while Jamaican-born pianist Monty Alexander swings into Birdland with his fiery trio. At Zinc Bar, pianist/vocalist Kelly Green crafts intimate storytelling in chamber-jazz textures, and at Dizzy’s, steel pan virtuoso Leon Foster Thomas fuses Caribbean lyricism with hard-driving jazz. The week culminates at Blue Note NY, where teenage prodigy Kojo Roney leads a quartet with explosive energy and youthful vision. With additional performances by Caelan Cardello, Briana Swann, Casey Abrams, Itai Kriss, Patrick Bartley, and Kirk Knuffke, next week promises to showcase the vitality and diversity of jazz as it moves boldly into the future. MORE SPOTLIGHTS

Miguel Zenón Quartet – Village Vanguard (Sep 16) Alto sax innovator brings his deeply Puerto Rican-infused jazz to the Vanguard.

Monty Alexander Trio – Birdland (Sep 16) Jamaican-born pianist with a trio that swings hard and soars high.

Kelly Green – Zinc Bar (Sep 16) Pianist/vocalist weaving storytelling and chamber-jazz textures into fresh soundscapes.

Leon Foster Thomas – Dizzy’s Club (Sep 15) Steel pan master blending Caribbean lyricism with straight-ahead jazz power.

Kojo Roney Quartet – Blue Note NY (Sep 19) Teenage drum prodigy, heir to the Roney family tradition, delivers explosive energy.

More Listings: Briana Swann (Aman NY, Sep 16), Casey Abrams (Philly, Sep 16), Itai Kriss (Django, Sep 16), Patrick Bartley (Smalls, Sep 16), Kirk Knuffke (Rochester, Sep 15 FRINGE).

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