HotSpots July 18

July 18, 2025

Big Chief Donald Harrison Quartet | Jul 18 - 20 | Birdland | NEA Jazz Master and cultural torchbearer, Harrison fuses modern jazz with the spiritual force of New Orleans Black Indian traditions. Lineup: Joe Dyson (drums), Dan Kaufman (piano), Nori Naraoka (bass) MORE INFO

Charles McPherson ft. Terell Stafford | Jul 18 - 20 | Dizzy’s Club | NEA Jazz Master and legendary alto saxophonist, McPherson embodies the bebop spirit with clarity and fire—joined by trumpet ace Terell Stafford. MORE INFO

Arturo Sandoval & John Pizzarelli Big Band – Dear Mr. Sinatra | Jul 19 | Tilles Jazz Fest | A powerhouse double bill: NEA Jazz Master & 10-time Grammy winner Arturo Sandoval joins forces with jazz guitar icon John Pizzarelli and his Big Band for Dear Mr. Sinatra—a lush, swinging tribute to Ol’ Blue Eyes. Expect blazing trumpet runs, velvet vocals, and a night of big band brilliance celebrating Sinatra’s enduring legacy through two modern masters. MORE INFO

Catherine Russell ft. Sean Mason Duo | Jul 18 | Emelin Theatre | Grammy-winning vocalist with deep roots in blues and swing, Russell honors tradition with soul, style, and rich vocal storytelling. MORE INFO

Hubert Laws | Jul 19 | Keystone Korner – Baltimore, MD | NEA Jazz Master and one of the greatest flutists in jazz history, Laws blends classical finesse with soul-stirring improvisation. Live Stream. MORE INFO

🎷 Boundary-Pushers | | Artists redefining jazz through innovation, experimentation, or bold cross-genre expression \ \

Knoel Scott | Jul 18 | Harlem Jazz Boxx @ Mount Morris Ascension | Arkestra veteran. Cosmic griot. Bop torchbearer. Knoel Scott—longtime saxophonist with Sun Ra’s Arkestra—delivers a soulful, high-energy set that fuses hard bop, spiritual jazz, and Afrofuturist showmanship. Expect a journey through time and space with theatrical flair, deep swing, and fearless improvisation—right in the heart of Harlem. MORE INFO 

The Bad Plus | Jul 18 - 20 | Blue Note NYC MORE INFO

Marcus Gilmore Sextet| Jul 18 | Jazz Gallery NYC Line up: David Virelles - piano, Emmanuel Michael - guitar, Rashaan Carter - bass, Joel Ross - vibraphone MORE INFO

(Check out our online calendar)

Tony Malaby Quartet | Jul 19 & 20 | Close Up NYC 

Keiko Matsui | Jul 18 & 19 | City Winery NYC

AAPI Jazz Collective | Jul 19 | Joe’s Pub NYC

🎙️ Voices of Resistance:  Jazz that speaks truth to power—from spirituals to spoken word, these artists carry the torch

 The Jazz Expressions: Tribute to Jimmy Scott | Jul 19 | Sista’s Place Brooklyn | Featuring Artists: The Jazz Expressions features T.K. Blue (Bandleader, Sax, Flute & Kalimba), Hill Greene (Bass & Musical Director), Alva Nelson (Piano), Dwayne Cook Broadnax (Drums), and Queen Ester (Featured Vocalist) MORE INFO

Alexis Cole | Jul 18 | Deer Head Inn PA MORE INFO

Tammy McCann | Jul 18 | 54 Below NYC Tammy McCann celebrates Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, and Billie Holiday. MORE INFO

Sounds of A & R | Jul 18 | Greater Hartford Jazz Festival

Sanny Alvez Brazilian Quartet | Jul 20 | Jazz Forum Arts - Westchester

Erli Perez | Jul 20 | Jazz Vespers @ Saint Peters Church NYC

🔥 Keepers of the Flame | | These artists uphold the core traditions of jazz — bebop, swing, Great American Songbook, and hard bop — with mastery and reverence \ \

Kevin Hays Trio | Jul 18 - 20 | Village Vanguard MORE INFO

John Fedchock’s NY Big Band | Jul 21 | Dizzy’s Club NYC MORE INFO

Jane Monheit | Jul 18 - 20 | Smoke Jazz Club | Featuring: Michael Kanan – piano, Neal Miner – bass, Joe Strasser – drums MORE INFO

David Janeway Trio | Jul 20 | Django NYC | Featuring: David Kingsnorth - Bass, Eliot Zigmund - Drums MORE INFO

Willie Martinez Trio | Jul 19 | 1803 NYC Tribeca MORE INFO

Peter Bernstein | Jul 18 & 19 | Jazz Forum Arts - Westchester

Mingus Dynasty | Jul 18 | Zinc Bar

Steve Davis Quintet | Jul 18 & 19 |Smalls Live NYC

George Gee Swing Orchestra | Jul 18 & 20 | Swing 46 NYC

Adam Birnbaum Trio | Jul 18 & 19 | Mezzrow

Mariel Bildsten Septet | Jul 18 | Django

Tessa Souter | Jul 19 | Deer Head Inn

Hot Club of Cowtown | Jul 18 - 20 | Birdland NYC

FESTIVALS

July 18-23, 2025 | Curated by Hot House Jazz Magazine

SUMMERSTAGE

NEWS

The 14th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition is open for registration as part of NJPAC’s TD James Moody Jazz Festival. Solo vocalists worldwide, aged 18+, and unsigned by major labels can apply by September 2, 2025, at SarahVaughanCompetition.com. Finalists will perform live at NJPAC on November 23, 2025, judged by jazz icons including Christian McBride and Nnenna Freelon, with prizes up to $5,000. Inspired by jazz legend Sarah Vaughan’s 1942 Apollo Theater win, The SASSY Awards spotlight tomorrow’s stars. Presented by NJPAC and TD Bank, it’s a premier platform for jazz excellence.

MISC

JAZZ ANECDOTES … Alan Broadbent told me an anecdote about the late pianist Frank Strazzeri, who was also a skilled piano tuner. Frank arrived for a gig and found an untuned piano awaiting him. Frank tuned the piano, played the gig, then detuned it afterwards.. (~ Ken Dryden)