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Jazzmeia Horn stands at the crossroads of tradition and daring innovation. With a six-octave range and phrasing that recalls Betty Carter and Abbey Lincoln, she transforms every song into an act of fearless honesty. A Grammy-nominated vocalist, composer, and storyteller, Jazzmeia honors the jazz lineage while boldly reshaping it for today. Her latest album Messages strips back instrumentation, centering her voice in a striking mix of original compositions and reimagined standards. Infused with gospel fervor, bebop fire, and spoken-word cadences, her performances are experiences of empowerment and connection, leaving audiences both spellbound and uplifted. Beyond her artistry, she sees her role as a messenger: singing not just for herself but for those who need to feel seen, heard, and encouraged. As she headlines the Pittsburgh Jazz Festival this weekend, Jazzmeia reminds us that the future of jazz is fearless, authentic, and deeply human. [READ MORE]

🚀 Boundary-Pushers

Artists experimenting, innovating, and stretching jazz forward

This week’s Boundary-Pushing innovators stretch jazz into unexpected shapes and new languages. Kojo Roney thunders into the Blue Note with his Stoic Knight release, melding rock energy, acid-jazz edges, and a next-gen vision of rhythm. At the Village Vanguard, Miguel Zenón takes Puerto Rican folkloric traditions into daring harmonic territory, while Somi transforms Dizzy’s into The Mother Africa Salon, a space of Pan-African narrative and chamber-jazz nuance. Uptown at Jazz at Lincoln Center, the world premiere of Wynton Marsalis’ Afro! with Shenel Johns and Weedie Braimah launches the season, exploring the profound ties between jazz and African traditions through the sound of the JLCO, radiant gospel-jazz vocals, and diasporic drumming fireDowntown, Mehmet Ali Sanlikol and Ingrid Jensen cross Turkish roots with trumpet fire at Drom, while Adam Cruz explores new rhythmic dimensions alongside David Virelles and Marvin Sewell in Brooklyn. Jason Moran revisits Ellington in a deeply personal solo meditation at the Vermont Jazz Center in Burlington, VT and Terell Stafford pushes the hard-bop lineage forward at the Jazz Loft in Stony Brook. Elsewhere, Ricky Ford drives his quartet with raw momentum at The Falcon, AC Lincoln bends swing toward modern expression at the Roxy, and Savion Glover expands tap into a percussive redefinition of jazz at Aman. Out West, Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah creates trumpet-driven Afrofuturist soundscapes at Blue Note LA, while a powerhouse ensemble reignites Tony Williams’ revolutionary quintet at Sam First.

🎷 Keepers of the Flame

Masters and modern torchbearers carrying the jazz tradition forward

The heart of jazz beats steady this week with artists carrying its traditions forward. Monty Alexander returns to Birdland, channeling swing, bop, and Jamaican flair, while George Cables holds court at Smoke with his lyrical, modern quartet. Darrell Green brings crisp, straight-ahead drumming to Cellar Dog, and Curtis Nowasad anchors the Harlem Jazz Boxx’s Series with hard-driving post-bop. Senri Oe and Lauren Kinhan offer fresh takes on standards at Birdland Theater, while Chuchito Valdés continues the storied Cuban piano lineage at the Iridium. Mingus Dynasty keeps the bass master’s flame alive at Zinc, and trombonist Steve Davis delivers bop credentials at The Django. Veteran drummer Bill Goodwin leads at Mezzrow, trumpeter Valery Ponomarev maintains Blakey’s spirit at Smalls, and Philip Harper carries the Messenger tradition into today. Voices ring out, too: Samara Joy lifts standards at the Jazz Gallery, Allison Miller builds bridges at Rizzoli, Michelle Collier and Svetlana swing at Swing 46 and Arthur’s Tavern, and guitarist Mark Whitfield keeps the groove taut at The Django. From Harlem to downtown to Brooklyn, the keepers remind us that tradition, in the right hands, always breathes fresh air.

✊ Voices of Resistance

Artists channeling jazz’s spirit of resilience, protest, and community

This week also roars with the sound of testimony, protest, and resilience. Craig Harris and his Harlem Nightsongs Big Band ignite the Harlem Jazz Boxx Series with fiery brass and community spirit, while Alí Bello & the Charanga Syndicate turn the Bronx Music Hall into a hub of Afro-Caribbean resistance. At the National Jazz Museum, Rob Fulton keeps Harlem’s cultural flame lit. Tyreek McDole brings urgency to Dizzy’s, and Carrie Jackson leads her All Star Band at Tio’s Bistro with a voice steeped in the freedom-song tradition. Sean Jones & Tim Green channel spiritual power in sets at both South Jazz in Philadelphia and Keystone Korner Baltimore, while The Blackbyrds celebrate the 50th anniversary of Rock Creek Park, a protest-soul jazz landmark. At Sony Hall, We Call It Jazz journeys to the heart of New Orleans, spotlighting jazz as cultural memory and freedom music. In Brooklyn, Stephane Wrembel reframes gypsy swing as a story of endurance at Barbès. From Harlem to the Bronx, Baltimore to Philly, these voices affirm that jazz is more than music — it is witness, resistance, and survival.

FESTIVALS

🎪 Festival season rolls strong this week across the region. The 15th Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival took over the August Wilson Center with a powerful lineup including Branford Marsalis, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Bilal, Jazzmeia Horn, Robert Glasper, and more. In Manhattan, the Bryant Park Lunchtime Concerts keep the city’s heart swinging with Peter Yarin, Roy Eaton, and Sue Maskaleris, while the inGardens Festival at the Children’s Magical Garden offers avant-garde explorations with Rob Brown, Amirtha Kidambi, Miriam Parker, Alfredo Colón, Andrew Drury, Bahar Badietabar, and No Land/Oliver Ray. On Long Island, the Harbor Jazz Festival at the Jazz Loft highlights Winard Harper & Jeli Posse, Eric Alexander, Kelly Green, Anaïs Reno, and Mark Nikirk. Across the river, the West Orange Jazz Festival energizes OSPAC in New Jersey. Uptown Harlem hosts Jazz in the Park at Ralph Ellison Park, bringing music directly into the community. And Central Park closes out the Greenwich Jazz Festival on the Great Lawn with A Night of Brazilian Samba Jazz featuring Duduka Da Fonseca, Guilherme Monteiro, Bennie Wallace, Donald Vega, and Peter Washington. From major stars to grassroots innovators, this week’s festivals show how jazz thrives in the streets, parks, and green spaces where the music breathes free.

15th Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival – Aug. Wilson African American Cultural Center, Pittsburgh (Sep 18–21) Key lineup: Branford Marsalis Quartet, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Bilal, Eric Benét, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Jazzmeia Horn, Kandace Springs, Etienne Charles & Creole Soul, Tarbaby, Michael Mayo, Obed Calvaire–Haitian Project, Keith David, Dan Wilson & Jonathan Butler (Tribute to George Benson), Ella Bric, Be’la Dona, Ekep Nkwelle, Nathan-Paul & The Admirables, PIJF All Star Band led by Howie Alexander, T. Marie & Friends, Kenny Blake & the New Hip, Theron Brown, Selecta. MORE INFO

Bryant Park Lunchtime Concerts – Manhattan (Sep 17–23) Peter Yarin, Roy Eaton, Sue Maskaleris.

inGardens Festival – Children’s Magical Garden, LES (Sep 20–21) Featuring Rob Brown Trio, Amirtha Kidambi & Cooper-Moore, Miriam Parker, Alfredo Colón Trio, Andrew Drury/Ayumi Ishito, Bahar Badietabar/Antonin Fajt, No Land/Oliver Ray.

Harbor Jazz Festival – Jazz Loft/Stony Brook (Sep 20) Winard Harper & Jeli Posse, Mark Nikirk Quartet, Eric Alexander Trio, Kelly Green Trio, Anaïs Reno Quartet.

West Orange Jazz Festival – OSPAC, NJ (Sep 20) Key lineup: Stefon Harris & Blackout, Alicia Olatuja, Don Braden, Victor Provost, and Nat Adderley Jr.

Jazz in the Park – Ralph Ellison Park, Harlem (Sep 21)

Greenwich Jazz Festival Closing Night – Central Park Great Lawn (Sep 21) A Night of Brazilian Samba Jazz with Duduka Da Fonseca, Guilherme Monteiro, Bennie Wallace, Donald Vega, Peter Washington.

🌹 Special Event

Saint Peter’s Church (Sep 23, 12:30pm) – Jazz Memorial for Al Foster
A memorial service honoring Al Foster — one of jazz’s most revered drummers, whose career spanned more than five decades. Foster’s artistry bridged eras: from his defining work with Miles Davis in the 1970s and 80s, to collaborations with Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson, Sonny Rollins, and McCoy Tyner, and his own luminous bands. Known for his supple time feel, melodic approach to rhythm, and deep humanity on and off the bandstand, Foster leaves a legacy that resonates across generations of musicians. The service at Saint Peter’s — the historic “jazz church” in Manhattan — offers the community a chance to celebrate his life, music, and enduring influence. MORE INFO

🎯 MUST SEE NEXT WEEK

The final full week of September brings a mix of tributes, premieres, and standout voices. Birdland hosts the Coltrane Revisited 24th Anniversary (Sep 23), celebrating the saxophone giant’s eternal fire, while at Dizzy’s (Sep 22) the Michael Leonhart Orchestra paints bold soundscapes of brass and groove. At the Village Vanguard (Sep 23–28), John Zorn’s New Masada Quartet delivers relentless improvisational energy, fusing jazz, rock, and Jewish tradition. Vocal spotlights shine too: Elizabeth Bougerol of The Hot Sardines brings vintage jazz with modern flair to the Middlesex County Jazz Festival in Woodbridge (Sep 24), and Lezlie Harrison lights up the festival in New Brunswick (Sep 26) with her soulful blend of gospel, blues, and jazz. At Django (Sep 27), La Tanya Hall — heard with Steely Dan and Aretha Franklin — steps forward in her own right with pianist John di Martino’s quartet. Meanwhile, drummer Sylvia Cuenca leads a swinging trio at Cellar Dog (Sep 23), and the Fulton Champion Quintet fires up Americano Steakhouse in Bayonne (Sep 23). From avant-garde storms to vintage swing, the week ahead shows jazz’s endless versatility.. MORE SPOTLIGHTS

Michael Leonhart Orchestra – Dizzy’s Club (Sep 22) Trumpeter, composer, and arranger leads his adventurous big band blending brass fire, groove, and cinematic textures.

Coltrane Revisited 24th Anniversary – Birdland (Sep 23) A powerhouse ensemble honors John Coltrane’s eternal spirit with reimagined takes on his timeless music.

John Zorn’s New Masada Quartet – Village Vanguard (Sep 23–28) Saxophonist and composer John Zorn returns with his fierce Masada project, fusing jazz, rock, Jewish music, and free improvisation.

Sylvia Cuenca Trio – Cellar Dog (Sep 23) Drummer Sylvia Cuenca, longtime rhythm partner of Joe Henderson, leads a trio with crisp swing and modern drive.

Fulton Champion Quintet – Americano Steakhouse, Bayonne NJ (Sep 23) Straight-ahead energy and hard-swinging grooves light up the Bayonne jazz room.

Elizabeth Bougerol – Middlesex County Jazz Festival, Woodbridge NJ (Sep 24) Hot Sardines co-founder brings vintage jazz with modern flair to Parker Press Park.

Lezlie Harrison – Middlesex County Jazz Festival, New Brunswick NJ (Sep 26) WBGO host and Jazz Gallery co-founder sings gospel-infused jazz and soul, radiating warmth and presence.

La Tanya Hall – Django (Sep 27) Versatile vocalist, heard with Steely Dan, Aretha Franklin, and Diana Ross, steps forward with her own band led by pianist John di Martino.15 FRINGE).

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