HotSpots This Weekend

Last minute planning? Here are some shows that are sure to entertain...

Gary Bartz at Count Basie Center for the Arts (May 17)
NEA Jazz Master and saxophone giant Gary Bartz brings his decades-deep message music to Red Bank. Soulful and essential. MORE INFO

Bill Charlap Trio at ★ Dizzy’s Club (May 16–18)
A modern master of the Great American Songbook, Charlap delivers elegance, swing, and clarity with every trio set. Expect deep interplay and timeless tunes. MORE INFO

Gil Evans Project by Ryan Truesdell at ★ Birdland (May 16–17)
Visionary composer Ryan Truesdell brings back Gil Evans’ rare arrangements with a large ensemble of top-tier talent. For jazz orchestration lovers—this is a must. MORE INFO

John Pizzarelli Trio at Café Carlyle (May 16–17)
Guitarist and crooner John Pizzarelli brings charm and swing to the Carlyle with a program blending standards, tributes, and subtle wit. MORE INFO

Sylvia Cuenca Quintet at Smalls Jazz Club (May 16–17)
Cuenca—drummer to legends like Clark Terry and Joe Henderson—leads a hard-hitting, bop-rooted quintet with edge and depth. MORE INFO

Chris Dave, Jason Moran & Savion Glover at ★ Blue Note (May 16–18)
A genre-busting trio blending rhythm, tap, and piano like a syncopated ballet. Each night features a different permutation of Dave, Moran, and Glover. MORE INFO

Terrell Stafford Quintet at ★ Smoke Jazz Club (May 16–18)
One of today’s premier trumpeters, Stafford leads a dynamic group steeped in tradition and fire. A favorite among New York jazz heads. MORE INFO

Immanuel Wilkins Quartet at ★ Village Vanguard (May 16–18)
Alto saxophonist Wilkins delivers spiritual intensity, melodic phrasing, and commanding presence. His quartet is one of the most important working bands in jazz today. MORE INFO

Rene McLean at Sista’s Place, Brooklyn (May 17)
The son of Jackie McLean, Rene blends legacy with innovation, weaving African diasporic influences into a sound that honors and pushes boundaries. MORE INFO

Antoinette Montague at Untermyer Gardens (May 17)
A jazz vocalist with roots in blues and gospel, Montague brings warmth and uplift to Yonkers in a serene outdoor setting. MORE INFO

Carlos Jimenez Mambo Dulcet at Untermyer Gardens (May 18)
Puerto Rican flutist Carlos Jimenez mixes straight-ahead swing with Latin fire. Expect rhythms that move the crowd and keep the garden grooving. MORE INFO

April Varner at Bar Bastion (May 17)
A fast-rising vocalist with a velvet touch and bebop edge. She’s part Sarah Vaughan, part now-generation swing. MORE INFO

GOTHAM JAZZ FESTIVAL at ★3 West Club (May 18)
A marathon of hot jazz, vintage swing, and powerhouse performances. Featuring:
Bria Skonberg, Alphonso Horne & Gotham Kings, Eyal Vilner Big Band, Hot Sardines, Terry Waldo, Adrien Chevalier, Danny Jonokuchi Big Band, The Anderson Brothers, and more. A full-day immersion in rhythm, style, and brass. MORE INFO

MEMORIAL FOR ROY AYERS

Saint Peter's Church: 619 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10022 . http://www.saintpeters.org . 212-935-2200. Mon : May 19 - 6:30pm. MORE INFO CURRENTLY SOLD OUT

WEDNESDAY JAZZ HANG

May 21

'76 House (The): 110 Main St, Tappan, NY 10983 . www.76house.com . 845- 359-5476. Wed : May 21 - 7:00pm . Mark Sganga & Friends.

333 Lounge: 333 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217 . www.333lounge.com . 718- 399-8008. Wed : May 21 - 7:00pm . Lezlie Harrison ft. Wine & Jazz Trio.

Alianza Dominicana Cultural Center: 530 W 166th St, New York, NY 10032 . cccsny.org/services/alianza-dominicana-cultural-center . 888-744-7900. Wed : May 21 - 7:00pm . Jazz Power Jam.

American Folk Art Museum: 2 Lincoln Sq, New York, NY 10023 . www.folkartmuseum.org . 212-595-9533. Wed : May 21 - 1:00pm . Bill Wurtzel & Friends.

Bennett Park: W 183rd St and Fort Washington Ave, New York, NY 10033 . jazzwahi.org . . Wed : May 21 - 4:00pm . WaHi Jam.

Birdland: 315 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036 . www.birdlandjazz.com . 212-851- 3080. Wed : May 21 - 7:00pm . Delfeayo Marsalis & The Uptown Jazz Orchestra.

Black Eyed Sally's: 350 Asylum St, Hartford, CT 06103 . blackeyedsallys.com. 860-278-7427. Wed : May 21 - 7:00pm . Jazz Wednesdays feat. special guest.

Brvsh Cul7ur3: 482 Cedar Ln, Teaneck, NJ 07666 . brvshcul7ur3.com . Wed : May 21 - 7:00pm . Sanny Alves Brazilian Night.

Bryant Park: 6th Ave, New York, NY 10018 . www.bryantpark.org . 212-768- 4242. Wed : May 21 - 12:30pm . Yuka Aikawa.

Cafe Erzulie: 894 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11206 . www.cafeerzulie.com . 718- 450-3255. Wed : May 21 - 7:00pm . Kevin Oliver Jr.

Carnegie Hall: 881 7th Ave, New York, NY 10019 . www.carnegiehall.org . 212- 247-7800. Wed : May 21 - 7:30pm . Cécile McLorin Salvant.

Jazz Loft (The): 275 Christian Ave, Stony Brook, NY 11790 . www.thejazzloft.org . 631-751-1895. Wed : May 21 - 7:00pm . $5 - $10 excluding fees Jam Session.

Lucille's Harlem: 26 Macombs Pl, New York, NY 10039 . www.lucillesharlem.com . 646-370-4260. Wed : May 21 - 8:00pm . Zaven.

Motto by Hilton New York City Chelsea: 113 W 24th St, New York, NY 10001 . www.prohibitionproductions.com . 212-668-8624. Wed : May 21 - 5:00pm . Hot Toddies Jazz Band.

Parlour (The) At The Barclay: 111 E 48th St, New York, NY 10017 . www.icbarclay.com/the-parlour . 212-906-3129. Wed : May 21 - 5:00pm . The Café Society.

Robert: 2 Columbus Cir, 9th Fl, New York, NY 10019 . robertnyc.com . 212-299- 7730. Wed : May 21 - 6:00pm . Elizabeth Ames.

Rum House (The): 228 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036 . www.therumhousenyc.com . 646-490-6924. Wed : May 21 - 9:30pm . The Milkman & Sons.

Zinc Bar: 82 W 3rd St, New York, NY 10012 . www.zincjazz.com . 212-477-8337. Wed : May 21 - 7 & 8pm . Isaiah Collier.

JAZZ BRUNCH

Saturday & Sunday Brunch:

Peck Slip Social | Glenn Crytzer Qrt |  Sat 1pm

Tartina | Sat & Sun 12 noon | Jazz Brunch

Sunday Only:

449 LA | Brunch Not! Jazz Vocal Adventure | 1pm

Americana Kitchen & Bar | Jazz Brunch

Blue Note NYC | Brunch w/ Harlem Gospel Choir | 1:30pm $20

DiWine: Astoria, NY | Jazz Brunch 11am

The Ellington | Jazz Brunch| Jazz Series 12 noon - 3pm

Ginny’s Supper Club @ Red Rooster Harlem | Sunday Gospel Experience 11am

Grasso's | Wayne Sabella & Vanessa Trouble Trio 1pm

Hometown BBQ | Jazzy Sunday 3 - 6 pm

Jazz on Main | Brunch w/Ron Drotos| 12 noon $25 ( Mt Kisco, NY)

Millstream Tavern Woodstock, NY | Jazz Brunch 11am

Neir’s Tavern | 2pm (Queens)

North Square at Washington Square Hotel | Jazz Brunch 12:30 & 2:15pm w/ Ben Cassara

Otto's Full Service | Piano Brunch 12noon

Parlor Jazz: Home Cooked Tunes & BBQ Dinner | 2pm $50

Patrick’s Place - Harlem | 12noon $20 w/Boncellia Lewis

Pearl Moon - Woodstock | Jazz Brunch 11am

Red Rooster | Jazzy Brunch & Dinner w/Nat Lucas All-Stars 11am - 9pm

Robert NYC | 1pm - Scott Gordon & 3pm - Elizabeth Ames

Rustica Lounge - NJ | Alan Chaubert Trio 11am - 3pm

Tartina | Jazz Brunch | 12pm

Town Crier Cafe | Brunch w/East Coast Jazz 11:30am

Quattro’s Italian Restaurant | Dr. G’s Jazz Brunch 12 noon - 3pm Guilford, CT

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.