CURTIS TAYLOR

Curtis Taylor is a dynamic jazz trumpeter, composer, and educator whose artistry bridges technical mastery and soulful expression. Raised in Bedford, Ohio he began playing trumpet at an early age and committed to a life in jazz after formative concert experiences in his youth. He honed his craft under the mentorship of leading artists while studying at Michigan State University and Rutgers University.

JAZZ at MOCA is South Florida’s longest-running free outdoor jazz concert series and one of the museum’s most beloved public programs for in-person open air musical entertainment.

Since 1999, Jazz at MOCA has been presented on the MOCA Plaza on the last Friday of the month.  Attendees pay as you wish for admission to the museum from 7 to 10pm. Seating starts at 7pm, concert begins at 8pm.

TICKETS: FREE

More Posts: ,,,,,,,,

VANESSA RUBIN

Vanessa Rubin is a revered jazz vocalist and storyteller celebrated for her crystalline clarity, soulful warmth, and bold improvisational style. Born in Cleveland to Trinidadian and Louisiana parents, her sound bridges Caribbean rhythm, classic jazz elegance, and Motown soul. Since launching her career in 1980 in Cleveland’s legendary clubs, Rubin has built an international performance and education legacy.

Signed to Novus/RCA in 1992, she released five albums, including chart-topping Soul Eyes (1992) and Pastiche (1993). Her acclaimed one-woman musical, Yesterdays: An Evening with Billie Holiday, earned a 2011 Kevin Klein Award nomination. Rubin continues touring globally, producing, teaching, and championing lyrical storytelling in jazz.

The Band: Miki Hayama ! Piano | Richie Goods ~ Bass | Alvin Atkinson ~ Drums | Patience Higgins ~ Tenor Saxophone

Cover: Free

More Posts: ,,,,,,,,,

TONY HIGHTOWER

Tony Hightower, an Atlanta-native is a singer-songwriter who has taken up the mantle to be a bridge between R&B audiences and real jazz. Hightower’s parents, vocalist Theresa Hightower and percussionist Ralph Baker highly influenced his path toward becoming an a musician and actor.

Known in Atlanta for singing some of everything, he has performed with Lionel Richie, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, and OutKast. However. The last decade has found him totally devoted to jazz.  Tony Hightower’s latest album, The New Standard, is available on streaming platforms.

Tickets:Non-Members ~ $23.50 | Members ~ Free

 

More Posts: ,,,,,,,,

ALLAN HARRIS

Vocalist, songwriter and guiatarist Allan Harris takes the Rotunda Stage to perform for jazz lovers The Poetry of Jazz.

Hailing from Harlem, New York, he has been described as having a “formidable baritone with husky edges and deep resonant low notes. He has been called a protean talent and is known for both his albums and his live performances.

General Admissions gains you entrance to the museumto the show |. $19.00~$30.00

More Posts: ,,,,,,,,,,

FREEDOM JAZZ QUARTET

Enjoy the music of the Freedom Jazz Quartet in a concert honoring the exhibition Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist, on view through July 6, 2025. 

Sam Newsome, saxophonist, music professor, and accomplished writer, is a leader in the New York jazz world. He has collaborated with notable artists such as Elliot Sharpe, William Parker, Fay Victor, Daniel Carter, and Joe Morris, penned two books of personal essays, and released duo albums Soprano-Logues, with saxophonist Dave Liebman, and Cosmic Unconsciousness Unplugged, with pianist Jean-Michel Pilc.

Pianist James Weidman has been a sideman and accompanist for over 30 years, performing with such notable artists as Abbey Lincoln, Cassandra Wilson, Steve Coleman, Kevin Mahogany, and Joe Lovano Us Five. As a bandleader, composer, arranger, and recording artist, his releases have earned critical acclaim.

Bassist Hilliard Greene has been playing professionally for over 35 years. He is an expert in classical, jazz, rock, blues, R&B, tango, and American and international regional specialties. He appears widely in the New York City area and has performed throughout the Americas, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Caribbean.

Francisco Mora-Catlett is a drummer, composer, educator and son of artist Elizabeth Catlett and Francisco Mora. He began his music career over 50 years ago in Mexico City as a session musician for Capitol Records. After studying at the UNAM Music School in Mexico City and the Berklee School of Music in Boston, he performed with Sun Ra in Detroit and Max Roach in New York City on several percussion projects.

Admission: Free

More Posts: ,,,,,,,,

EUGENIE JONES

Award-winning singer, songwriter Eugenie Jones for an unforgettable night of music at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art as she shares music from her new album – Eugenie!

Prepare to be immersed in jazz you can feel! Experience the unique groove of original soulful jazz, unique arrangements of vintage jazz tunes you love, and never-forgotten classic soul favorites from one of jazz’s most prolific female, African American singer/songwriters in jazz today.

The Band: Nick Allison ~ piano, Bob Antolin ~ guitar and sax, Jonathan Green ~ bass and Ronnie Bishop ~ drums.

Two Shows ~ 5:30-7:00 PM | 7:30-9:00 PM

Tickets: $25.00 + $3.52 fee

 

More Posts: ,,,,,,,,,

WYCLIFFE GORDON & ERIC REED WORKSHOP

The duo will present a workshop for musicians and jazz lovers at the Hammonds House Museum. Registration is required. To reserve your spot, click HERE.

More Posts: ,,,,,,,,,,

WYCLIFFE GORDON & ERIC REED

Wycliffe Gordon and Eric Reed are veteran members of the Wynton Marsalis Septet and original members of Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Wycliffe Gordon has had an impressive career touring the world performing hard-swinging straight-ahead jazz, receiving great acclaim from audiences and critics alike. His unmatched modern mastery of the plunger mute and his exceptional technique and signature sound, has solidified Gordon a place in musical history known as one of the top trombonists of his generation.

When you think of hard-driving swing, daring expression, sophistication and elegance in artistry, formidable technique and a thunderous sound, there are only a very small handful of contemporary pianists you think of and one of them is most assuredly Eric Reed. But don’t think of him as just a pianist; Eric is one of his generation’s most advanced thinkers in music.

More Posts: ,,,,,,,,,,

MALA WALDRON

Mala Waldron is joined by bassist James Cammack and drummer Wayne Henderson.

They will be performing a series of her Mom’s favorites from Duke Ellington to Nat King Cole and much more.

Seating is limited.

More Posts: ,,,,,,,,,,

KATHLEEN BERTRAND

Multifaceted recording artist and writer Kathleen Bertrand is a native Atlantan and Spelman College graduate, whose performances have ranged from two Olympic Games to performances before two presidents, as well as appearances at jazz festivals world-wide. Bertrand toured and recorded as vocalist with jazz vibraphonist Roy Ayers.

This three-octave vocal artist has been an invited performer at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland on three occasions and has made multiple appearances at the Atlanta Jazz Festival, including that of headliner in 2012, as part of the Nina Simone Tribute Ensemble in 2015, and most recently as 2017 producer of  “Celebrating Sarah, Honoring the Music of SarahVaughan” featuring Bertrand and 6 other vocalists. She has opened for many of America’s finest jazz artists, including Ray Charles, Will Downing, Rachelle Ferrell, Najee, Roy Ayers, and Kenny G. Her fan base includes radio and internet listeners across the USA as well as in England, Japan, Finland, Switzerland, Germany, Norway, New Zealand, France, the Netherlands, and Brazil among others.

As a songwriter, she penned the national theme song for the 100 Black Men of America – “What They See is What They’ll Be” – as well as several songs on her CDs All of Me, No Regrets, Reasons for the Season, New Standards, and Katharsis,which was released in June 2011 and is still receiving nationwide and world-wide airplay, including 14 weeks on the UK Soul Chart top 30, 6 weeks in the UK Soul Charts Top 10, and 2 weeks at #1.  In November, 2017, her most recent CD, It’s Time to Love, was released, and is already receiving international airplay.

Bertrand has received numerous honors for her jazzy vocal stylings and arts contributions including the Kuumba Award given by East Point/College Park, GA Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, the inaugural Impact Award from Black Women In Jazz, recognition by the United Negro College Fund as one of “Atlanta’s Legends,” the “Contribution to the Arts” Award by the Pi Alpha Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the 2016 Georgia Highlight Award given by the Georgia Entertainment Gala, the Civic Award for the Arts presented by the Southern Area of The Links, Incorporated, and recognition by Spelman College with its distinguished “Alumnae Achievement Award for the Arts & Entertainment.” In 2015, she was voted Jazz Vocalist of the Year by Black Women in Jazz.

More Posts: ,,,,,,,

SAMORA PINDERHUGHES

Samora Pinderhughes is a composer, pianist, filmmaker and multidisciplinary artist. In his work, radically honest lyrics are combined with masterful musicianship and poignant visual projections. As part of the ensemble August Greene, he has collaborated with greats such as Robert Glasper, Karriem Riggins and Common. He is also known for using his music to examine socio-political issues.  

Samora Pinderhughes (vocals, keys)
Elena Pinderhughes (flute)
Chris Patishall (piano)
Elliott Skinner (vocals, guitar)
Joshua Crumbly (bass) 

Pinderhughes grew up in Cuba and the San Francisco Bay Area, where he studied harmony and jazz composition. He later moved to New York to study music at Juilliard. Here he met his mentor, the award-winning playwright Anna Deavere Smith, who inspired him to combine film, theater and music in new ways. His first major political project was “The Transformation Suite”, which explored the history of radical resistance in African diaspora communities. In 2022, he released the critically acclaimed album GRIEF. 

Tickets In Dollars | 22.09 ~ 27.85

More Posts: ,,,,,,,

EUGENIE JONES

Eugenie Jones is an award-winning singer/songwriter/producer based in the Seattle, WA, area with an international fan base. Her recordings and concerts with jazz icons Reggie Workman, Bobby Sanabria, Julian Priester, Lonnie Plaxico, and many others have earned the entertainer praise in every major jazz publication, a #7 ranking on Jazz Week’s Top 50, and a #30 spot on Jazz Weeks top one-hundred albums. Jones is also a 2023 recipient of the Jazz Journalists Association’s Jazz Hero award for her efforts intersecting jazz performance events with community service.

Rating her recording Black Lace Blue Tears 3.5 out of 4 stars, DownBeat called the singer “impressive.” At the same time, legendary Blue Note Records artist Joe Chambers describes Jones as “an excellent singer, with a voice, style, and range that encompasses multiple idioms.”

Jones brings an authentic and electric presence to the stage, packaged within a uniquely exquisite voice. Accompanying her performance is an a-list line-up of New York musicians, including Lafayette Harris/p, Lonnie Plaxico/b, and Dwayne Broadnax. This concert will feature reimagined jazz classics, soulful jazz originals, and a taste of soul classics by Nina Simone, Anita Baker, James Brown & more!

More Posts: ,,,,,,,

CARNIVAL: THE SOUND OF A PEOPLE

Organized by trumpeter, percussionist, and composer Etienne Charles, this high-energy spectacle brings the street energy of Trinbagonian Carnival to the stage. Mixing multimedia and traditional carnival characters live with band Creole Soul, Charles’ original compositions are brought to life with ritualistic imagery, grooves, and dances.

Following the performance, meet us on the waterfront terrace as dancers from Miami Carnival join us in the after-performance celebrations and we dance to Caribbean sounds and beats with a live set by Akia Dorsainvil aka DJ Pressure Point.

Miami Carnival has a long-standing tradition of providing a kaleidoscope of Caribbean cultures under one umbrella. This medley of ingredients includes color, energy, pageantry, music, and excitement rooted in Caribbean culture. The Parade of Bands features the colorful costumes of over 20,000 masqueraders and revelers parading and competing for bragging rights.

More Posts: ,,,,,,,,,,,

LESLIE CARTAYA

Join MOCA for an unforgettable evening of Jazz at MOCA, featuring Cuban-born, singer-songwriter Leslie Cartaya. Her unique sound – a dynamic blend of Caribbean, Afro-American, Afro-Latin and Latin American rhythms – first found voice in her debut album “No Pares,” and further evolved in her sophomore work “Llevame Contigo.”

Not just a solo artist, Cartaya also brings her unique energy to the Afro-Cuban Funk band “Palo” and leads an all-female ensemble, Sexta Clave. With a new record and live concert on the horizon, Cartaya’s musical journey is one to watch.

More Posts: ,,,,,,,,,,,

JULIE DEXTER

Julie Dexter is a world-renowned, award-winning British singer-songwriter and producer. She has shared the spotlight with a host of cutting-edge artists, including Mint Condition, Caron Wheeler, Jill Scott, Lalah Hathaway, Omar, Ledisi, Doug Carn, Third World, and Maxi Priest, to name a few. Influenced by such legends as Nancy Wilson, Abbey Lincoln, and Bob Marley, as well as popular icons Omar and Sade, Dexter takes classic soul to the heart of her artistry.

In 1999, Dexter moved to Atlanta, where she now resides. She launched her label, Ketch A Vibe Records, and in 2000 released her critically acclaimed EP Peace of Mind, followed by Dexterity (2002), Conscious (2005), and New Again (2011). She released Moon Bossa, a collaboration with Khari Simmons, in 2007. Her single “Ketch A Vibe” was featured in national radio ads for President Obama’s election campaign. She has also sung for five Atlanta mayors, including mayor Andre Dickens.

Dexter was honored at the Black Women in Jazz Awards with the Afro Caribbean Soul of Jazz Award in 2017. Her music transcends genres, and fans and critics across the globe have followed her journey through the circles of jazz, broken-beat, bossa nova, reggae, Afro-beat, and soul. Her latest album, Déjà Vu (2019), takes listeners on a journey from bossa to reggae. She is an audaciously independent artist with an undeniable connection to her audience.

More Posts: ,,,,,,,,,,,

OJEDA PENN

Ojeda Penn is an accomplished Jazz artist from Montgomery, Alabama. Since moving to Atlanta, Georgia in 1967 he has become a well~known and respected figure in the city’s Jazz scene for over 40 years.

Joe’s Jazz Joint is a Joseph Jennings Production and held in the Paul Roberson Theater | Sundays through November 2022

More Posts: ,,,,,,,,,,,

TONY HIGHTOWER

In conjunction with for a treat with a concert featuring vocalist, Tony Hightower in the Hammonds House Special Place in the back Garden, admission also grants access to Joe Barry Carroll’s “My View From Seven Feet” exhibition.

More Posts: ,,,,,,,,,,,

       
© Notorious Jazz 2026