BENNY GREEN

Benny Green – Solo Piano

Benny Green is one of the most exciting, hard-swinging pianists to emerge from the legacy of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. Born in New York and raised in Berkeley, California, Green began classical piano studies at age seven, drawn to jazz through his father’s record collection of Monk and Bird, and his early talent led to a weekly trio gig at Yoshi’s while still in high school.

After moving to New York, Green studied with veteran pianist Walter Bishop Jr., who encouraged him to explore the full scope of jazz piano history to find his own voice. He went on to work with Betty Carter from 1983 to 1987, then realized a lifelong dream by joining Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, remaining a member until Blakey’s passing in 1990. He went on to join Freddie Hubbard’s quintet, and in 1993 became the first recipient of the City of Toronto’s Glenn Gould International Protégé Prize in Music, selected personally by Oscar Peterson. That same year he joined Ray Brown’s trio, remaining until 1997.

Green has been hailed as the bearer of a torch handed down to him personally by his mentors, Betty Carter, Art Blakey, Freddie Hubbard, and Ray Brown, a living link to one of the great lineages of jazz piano. With a recording career spanning over one hundred sessions as both leader and sideman, and decades of touring as a soloist and bandleader, Green brings the full weight of that tradition to The Side Door for two nights of solo piano, an intimate format that allows his extraordinary touch, harmonic depth, and hard-swinging spirit to take center stage.

The Side Door Jazz Club is a dedicated jazz listening room located inside the historic Old Lyme Inn, 85 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT. Tickets are reserved seating. Guests dining at the Old Lyme Inn prior to the show receive 10% off their dinner bill.

Cover: $27.98

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

MIKE STERN BAND

Mike Stern is one of the true guitar greats of his generation. There, he plays with remarkable facility, and his searing lines draw mainly on bebop and the blues. Additionally, he carries a rock-tinged intensity. He uniquely combines the finesse and lyricism of Jim Hall, the driving swing of Wes Montgomery and the turbulent, overdriven attack of Jimi Hendrix.

Stern made his mark with Miles Davis in the early ‘80s before launching his solo career in 1985. Since then, he has released seventeen recordings as a leader, six of which received Grammy nominations. Moreover, his latest recording, 2024’s Echoes and Other Songs, features an all-star cast.

Musicians, critics and fans hail drummer Dennis Chambers for his technique and speed. Furthermore, they particularly praise his ability to play “in the pocket”. Thus, he has worked with John Scofield, George Duke, Brecker Brothers, Steely Dan, Santana, Parliament/Funkadelic, John McLaughlin, and more.

Bassist Noam Tanzer moves among a diverse world of styles. There, these vary from improvised music to hardcore metal, from indie rock in Spanish to the music of Billy Strayhorn. Noam has worked with Paquito D’Rivera, Miguel Zenon, Julieta Rada and others.

Regarded as the First Lady of jazz guitar, Leni Stern has become a respected force on the global music scene. Also, she has led her own groups for over three decades. Additionally, Guitar Player once described her work as “a case study in the interactive properties of composition and improvisation.”

Saxophonist Bob Franceschini ranks among the most in-demand players in New York. There, he has worked with George Benson, Eddie Palmieri, Woody Shaw, Kenny Kirkland, Chris Botti, Chaka Khan and many others.

Cover: $41.95 ~ $47.10

More Posts: ,,,,,,,,

DOMINIQUE FILS-AIMÉ

Dominique Fils-Aimé has established herself as one of today’s leading voices in vocal jazz. Also, the Montreal singer-songwriter has won two Juno Awards. Her latest album, Our Roots Run Deep (2023), earned the 2024 JUNO Award for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year. Additionally, it received the 2024 Félix Award for Best Jazz Album at ADISQ. There, this affirms the importance of her artistic vision at the crossroads of jazz, soul, and blues.

In February 2026, she unveiled the second chapter of her sophomore trilogy with new album My World Is The Sun. With this project, Fils-Aimé continues her exploration of sonic, creative, and spiritual freedom.

On stage, she offers an immersive performance that invites audiences to delve into the roots of their soul. Moreover, she is guided by a profound quest for connection. She released her first live album Live at the Montreal International Jazz Festival in 2025. Here, it stands as a testament to the strength of her stage presence and her ability to forge an intimate bond with her audience.

In recent years, she has performed on many prestigious stages. For example, Blue Note New York, Blue Note Los Angeles, Monterey Jazz Festival and North Sea Jazz Festival. Additionally, she has opened for Melody Gardot, Diana Krall, and Jamie Cullum in many European theaters.

In 2026, Dominique Fils-Aimé will bring her new album to the stage on a world tour. Thus, she has announced concerts in Europe at La Maroquinerie (Paris) and Le Botanique (Brussels). Further, dates in Canada at the Montreal International Jazz Festival, and across the United States.

Cover: $47.10

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

TYREEK MCDOLE

Tyreek McDole is a multi-award-winning Haitian-American vocalist from Central Florida whose soulful baritone and deeply reflective artistry are making waves across the New York and international music scenes. Rooted in the belief that music is one of the highest forms of communication, McDole approaches performance as a space for healing, reflection, and collective dreaming — treating each concert as both offering and ritual.

He first gained national recognition at the 2018 Essentially Ellington Competition at Jazz at Lincoln Center, where he received the Outstanding Vocalist Award presented by Wynton Marsalis. In 2023, he won first place at the prestigious Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, becoming only the second male winner in the competition’s history and joining the ranks of standout vocalists such as Samara Joy.

Since then, McDole has shared the stage with Jeff Goldblum, Rodney Whitaker, Theo Croker, Maurice Brown, Joey Alexander, Terri Lyne Carrington, Nicholas Payton, and Nick Jonas, among many others, and has appeared at leading venues and festivals worldwide.

A graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, he developed his craft under the mentorship of master artists such as Gary Bartz, Sullivan Fortner and Weedie Braimah, grounding his sound in the lineage of Black American Music while pushing its language forward.

His critically acclaimed debut album, Open Up Your Senses, blends original compositions with freedom songs, spirituals, and works that speak to justice, unity, and ancestral memory. The record reached #1 on JazzWeek charts, earned four stars from DownBeat, and has been praised for its emotional depth and spiritual resonance.

With a voice steeped in warmth, gravity, and soul, McDole creates performances that are both intimate and expansive — honoring tradition while inviting listeners toward reflection, healing, and shared imagination.

Dinner & Show: $95.00
Cover Only: $50.00

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

XAVIER DAVIS QUARTET

Xavier Davis’ professional career as a Jazz pianist took off when the legendary vocalist Betty Carter spotted his outstanding talent at the 1994 International Association of Jazz Educators convention in Boston while he was performing with his college ensemble. It was her who brought Xavier to New York, hiring him exclusively as the pianist of her working trio.  Today, Xavier is one of the most accomplished Jazz pianists world wide.  Having led master classes and clinics all over the world and coming from a family of music educators, passing on knowledge and skills to young musicians is very important to Xavier. As such, he is proud to be Associate Professor of Jazz Piano at Michigan State University. Xavier was also member of the teaching staff in the Jazz department of the Juilliard School of Music in New York for six years prior to that.

His development as a musician has been greatly influenced by the inspiration and guidance he has received from Carl Allen, James Williams, and Billy Hart, whom he sees and respects as his great mentors.  In addition to Betty and Carl, Xavier has performed and recorded with many other world-famous Jazz artists like the legendary Freddie Hubbard, Tom Harrell, Christian McBride, Regina Carter, Stefon Harris, Abbey Lincoln, Wynton Marsalis, Don Byron, Nat Adderley, Nicholas Payton, Jon Faddis, Jimmy Greene, Steve Turre, Al Foster, and Jeremy Pelt among others. During the 1999 – 2000 season, Xavier worked with the Boy’s Choir of Harlem as their Musical Director. He also played keyboard for the television series “Cosby.” His talent has been featured on more than 50 albums.  Xavier is part of the Christian McBride Big Band and was featured on Christian’s album ‘The Good Feeling’, which won a Grammy award in 2012.

A

s a bandleader, Xavier has released two critically acclaimed albums – ‘Dance of Life’ and ‘The Innocence of Youth’. “The pianist [Xavier Davis] simply knows how to make every note on his instrument sing, and he invariably finds the richest area of the keyboard for voicing his chords.” says writer Bob Blumenthal. Jazz Times reviewer John Murph writes “…the music exudes a mature, nonchalant ease and cozy empathy that make this…a rewarding listen.” Down Beat gave the CD, “Dance of Life,” four stars, stating, “Davis steps out with an accomplished debut.”  Xavier is currently working on his long awaited follow-up to these albums.

In 2005, Xavier became the first person to receive the prestigious “New Works Grant” twice from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation under the auspices of Chamber Music America. He has won awards at several festivals as well as in Down Beat magazine.

Cover: $25.00

More Posts: ,,,,,,,,

« Older Posts       Newer Posts »
© Notorious Jazz 2026