In a span of two decades, 11 recordings, and countless stage performances, vocalist René Marie has cemented her reputation as not only a singer but also a composer, arranger, theatrical performer, and teacher. Guided and tempered by powerful life lessons and rooted in jazz traditions laid down by Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, and other leading […]
Johnathan Blake, one of the most accomplished drummers of his generation, has also proven himself a complete and endlessly versatile musician. Blake’s gift for composition and band leading reflects years of live and studio experience across the aesthetic spectrum. Heralded by NPR Music as “the ultimate modernist,” he has collaborated with Pharoah Sanders, Ravi Coltrane, […]
Monty Alexander ~ piano, Luke Sellick ~ bass, Jason Brown ~ drums Monty Alexander will help us celebrate the swinging musical memories of the iconic Baltimore jazz venue, the left bank jazz society! The Left Bank Jazz Society was a Baltimore, Maryland-based organization and music venue. It formed in 1964, hosting a series of concerts featuring nationally acclaimed […]
Award-winning pianist Kris Davis is one of the most remarkable young musicians in the current New York Modern Jazz scene. Enjoy an evening of ambitious, inviting music from her newest project Diatom Ribbons—a breakthrough record incorporating elements of Hip Hop, rock, and groove featuring drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, DJ Val Jeanty, and bassist Trevor Dunn. Davis the recipient […]
Chuck Israels is a composer/arranger/bassist who has worked with Billie Holiday, Benny Goodman, Coleman Hawkins, Stan Getz, Herbie Hancock, J.J. Johnson, John Coltrane, and many others. He is best known for his work with the Bill Evans Trio from 1961 through 1966 and for his pioneering accomplishments in Jazz Repertory as Director of the National […]
Aaron Lessard is a Nashville Jazz/Fusion guitarist. His show brings a barrage of melodic and high flying guitar along with a stunning trio to back him. A product of the Berklee College of Music, Lessard’s influences range from greats like Pat Metheny, Mike Stern, John Scofield, and Robben Ford. His mix of original compositions and […]
By some measures, Kevin Bales was a latecomer to jazz, already 17 when he encountered the sounds and structures and became captivated by the freedom and corresponding challenges of the music. But if late to the party, he wasted no time in immersing himself in the celebration, declaring total commitment to what would be his […]
Jammin' at the Gem is back by popular demand, we are thrilled to present a full season of national Grammy-award winning headliners. This is a special year, as we celebrate the 25th Anniversary since the American Jazz Museum opened its doors. Let's celebrate and empower the community that helps keep jazz alive at 18th & […]
Itamar Borochov, Trumpet/Effects/Vocals Rob Clearfield, Piano/Effects Sam Weber, Bass Jay Sawyer, Drums Raised in the cosmopolitan port city of Jaffa, now a significant presence on the international jazz scene, Borochov is creating a new musical hybrid - bringing the sacred sounds of his upbringing to a jazz quartet setting. His third release Blue Nights (Laborie […]
Lezlie Harrison – vocals Antoine Drye – trumpet John DiMartino – piano Yoshi Waki – bass Russell Carter – drums Vocalist Lezlie Harrison, whose burnished, soulful alto strikingly illuminates a distinctive blend of standards, classic 70s soul, and her original music, leads a quintet with trumpeter Antoine Drye, pianist John DiMartino, bassist Yoshi Waki, and drummer Russell Carter. Drawing her diverse repertoire from foundational sources like the soul […]
All That Jazz Naples Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra with special guest Vanessa Rubin Revered as a torchbearer and storyteller, jazz vocalist Vanessa Rubin lends her voice to the Naples Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra as the ensemble performs popular selections from the jazz repertoire. Rubin possesses a voice hailed for crystalline clarity, hearth-like warmth and playful sass, with influences […]
Rebecca Kilgore, Vocals | Randy Porter, Piano | Tom Wakeling, Bass
"Back Home In Kansas City" Record Release Bobby Watson – alto saxophone Wallace Roney Jr – trumpet Cyrus Chestnut – piano Curtis Lundy – bass Victor Jones – drums Alto saxophonist Bobby Watson, one of the most acclaimed and beloved artists of the last 40+ years, returns to New York City and Smoke to celebrate […]
It's the return of Brazilian vocalist and guitarist in The Appel Room since her sold-out performance in 2016. Rosa Passos with Kenny Barron and Ron Carter brings the iconic Brazilian vocalist and guitarist to the Appel Room for the first time since her sold-out 2016 appearance with NEA Jazz Master pianist Kenny Barron. Their spellbinding […]
Mary Stallings is a classic example of how it takes time, musical seasoning and living a full life to mature as a vocalist and to address a lyric properly. While youthful instrumentalists may have something to say, Stallings brings a lifetime of emotional intelligence that enables her to truly inhabit a lyric. “Mary Stallings is […]
Harlem born, New York City raised, Bobby Broom has been heralded as “one of the most musical guitarists of our time” by jazz historian and author, Ted Gioia. Playing Carnegie Hall with Sonny Rollins and Donald Byrd at age 16, Broom recorded his debut as a leader, “Clean Sweep,” for GRP Records at age 20. […]
“Ms. Sutton is a pure jazz spirit who respects a song. Even when going out on an improvisatory limb, she never lets its essence slip away.” — The New York Times An 9-time Grammy nominee, Tierney Sutton has received 8 Nominations for “Best Jazz Vocal Album” as well as a 9th for arranging. Known for her impeccable […]
Multi-instrumentalist and Portland native Machado Mijiga wears many hats, both literally and metaphorically. Classically-trained, jazz-weathered, and eclectically inclined, Mijiga left the proverbial creative "box" at a very early age, with access to many instruments and a diverse musical background brought about by an intercultural heritage. Mijiga is a musical polymath; composer, producer, bandleader, educator, gear […]
Jeff Jenkins – Piano | Darryl White – Trumpet, Flugelhorn | Dale Black – Acoustic Bass | Jeffrey Johnson – Drums Omaha-based jazz pianist, composer, and educator Jeff Jenkins was recently a professor of music in the Thompson Jazz Studies Program at the University of Colorado at Boulder.Grounded in a wide range of jazz styles, he […]
Chalis O'Neal is one of the best trumpet players in Kansas City and we are lucky to have his trio coming to perform. Make your reservation today before tables fill up!
Pianist Shedrick Mitchell leads a quartet in celebration of his new album. After releasing his debut recording in 1997, Mitchell began a history-making run supporting some of the biggest names in music including Maxwell, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Jay-Z, Whitney Houston, Christian McBride, and Dianne Reeves. After a 25-year hiatus of recording as a leader, […]
The Harlem Jazz Session is a weekly concert & jam session hosted by 3x Grammy and Latin Grammy winning saxophonist/composer, Peter Brainin, featuring the hottest and most innovative musicians from around the world and around the corner! Weekly roster includes all star musicians: Paul Bollenback, Cecilia Coleman, Gary Versace, Mike Karn, Anthony Pinciotti and MORE! […]
Herschel McWilliams is a life long resident of the Kansas City area. Born and raised in Kansas City, KS, growing up the son of musicians (father who is a drummer & mother is pianist) he was introduced to many musical influences at an early age. He started learning piano at 8 years old and alto […]
George Cables – piano Craig Handy – tenor saxophone Essiet Essiet – bass Jerome Jennings – drums One of the essential artists of piano, George Cables (aka “Mr. Beautiful”) is known for his impeccable sound, sensitive accompaniment, and original playing. A trusted collaborator over the past 50 years for artists like Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, […]