🎹 Monk’s Birthday: A Citywide Tribute in Sound

All weekend long, the jazz world turns its spotlight to Thelonious Monk, and New York pulses with homage. At Smoke Jazz Club the Monk Festival continues (Oct 8–12) with a powerhouse quartet led by Orrin Evans, featuring Melissa Aldana, Robert Hurst, and Terri Lyne Carrington — each night diving deep into Monk’s playbook with fresh interpretation and reverence. smokejazz.com At Birdland, the Monk Birthday Celebration spans Oct 10–12, with multiple sets nightly (7:00 PM, 9:30 PM, etc.), offering rotating ensembles interpreting Monk’s repertoire in vibrant new shades.

These aren’t the only celebrations of Monk’s legacy this weekend. Across the region, you’re likely to find tribute sets, themed jams, and “Monk nights” in jazz clubs and festivals from New Jersey to Connecticut and even Boston. One such creative twist: Tokyo Record Bar NYC hosts a “Monk Night Birthday Celebration” with immersive listening sessions and cocktail pairings beginning Oct 8.

What to look for: through this weekend you’ll hear Monk’s classics — “’Round Midnight,” “Blue Monk,” “Straight, No Chaser” — but also daring reharmonizations, surprising tempo shifts, and nods to Monk’s habit of silence and space between notes. And across the rotations at Birdland and Smoke, part of the magic lies in comparing how different ensembles— from solo voices to full quartets — interpret the same compositions.

Monk’s birthday isn’t just an anniversary: it’s a living invitation to re-enter his world, and for this weekend, the city is the stage.

Ron Carter at Birdland all Month

October in New York belongs to Ron Carter. Dubbed “Rontober” by fans and fellow musicians, this annual Birdland residency is more than a concert series—it’s a month-long masterclass from the most recorded bassist in jazz history. Carter leads 32 performances across the month, each exploring a different facet of his musical universe. This week’s sets feature the Foursight Quartet with Jimmy Greene, Renee Rosnes, and Payton Crossley—a group known for elegance, swing, and telepathic interplay. In the coming weeks, he’ll shift from the conversational intimacy of his New Jazz Trio, to the expansive sweep of his Great Big Band, and finally to duo performances with pianist Bill Charlap that promise pure dialogue in sound. Whether in trio or big band form, Carter plays with the balance of a philosopher and the groove of a boxer—placing each note with purpose, patience, and poetry. Birdland calls him its “anchor and architect,” and for good reason: when Ron Carter takes the stage, the music doesn’t just swing—it listens back. MORE INFO

🚀 Boundary-Pushers

Artists experimenting, innovating, and stretching jazz forward

This weekend’s lineup pushes jazz far beyond its familiar borders. At the Blue Note (Oct 10–12), Robert Glasper continues to redefine the modern jazz vocabulary, fusing hip-hop, soul, and improvisation into a sound that’s both futuristic and deeply human. Uptown at Dizzy’s Club, Brazilian composer Gaia Wilmer leads her Large Ensemble in a lush exploration of color and orchestration, while downtown at The Stone @ New School (Oct 10–11), cellist Erik Friedlander expands the language of chamber jazz through texture and daring spontaneity. At the Village Vanguard (Oct 10–12), guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel and pianist Gerald Clayton trade harmonic alchemy in performances that stretch post-bop into new dimensions. Visionaries Pheeroan akLaff (Clement’s Place, Oct 11) and Chief Adjuah (Christian Scott) (Vermont Jazz Center, Oct 11) channel spiritual intensity and sonic innovation, each redefining what jazz freedom means in 2025. Closer to home, Vivian Sessoms (The Club Room @ Soho Grand, Oct 10) transforms social consciousness into vocal art, Ariel Posen (The Falcon, Oct 10) bridges blues grit with improvisational fire, and the InGardens Festival (East Village, Oct 11–13) gathers New York’s experimental community for an open-air celebration of sound without limits.

🎷 Keepers of the Flame

Masters and modern torchbearers carrying the jazz tradition forward

This weekend belongs to the masters—the artists who sustain jazz’s lineage with grace, swing, and unshakable authority. At Birdland, Rontober continues as Ron Carter leads his New Jazz Trio in week two of his month-long celebration, reminding us that mastery is a living dialogue. The spirit of Thelonious Monk burns brightly across town, with dual tributes at Smoke Jazz Club—featuring Orrin Evans, Melissa Aldana, and Terri Lyne Carrington—and at Birdland Theater, where rotating ensembles mark Monk’s birthday with joyful reverence. The rhythm section reigns supreme this weekend: Ben Wolfe and George Coleman keep Smalls steeped in hard bop grit, Bill Mays brings poetic swing to Mezzrow, and Cyrus Chestnut’s Trio fills Jazz Forum with gospel-fueled warmth. Across intimate rooms, the tradition echoes—Organ Monk grooves at Arthur’s Tavern, Mark Whitfield brings silky sophistication to The Jazz Club at Aman, Darrell Green’s drumming radiates intensity and drive, built on deep rhythmic awareness and contemporary edge at the Cellar Dog, The Modern Martinis reimagine timeless standards at The Pierre, and Wayne Tucker lights up The Roxy with urbane flair. Together, these performances form a living bridge between the roots of jazz and its ever-evolving heartbeat..

✊ Voices of Resistance

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

From Harlem to Long Island City, this weekend’s performances remind us that jazz has always been more than music—it’s testimony. The John Coltrane Festival at Marcus Garvey Park (Oct 10) gathers the community in an open-air celebration of spirit and sound, honoring a legacy built on courage and conviction. At Harlem Jazz Boxx Series @ Mount Morris Ascension Church, Adegoke Steve Colson transforms the piano into a vessel for renewal, his improvisations echoing the freedom and urgency of the AACM movement. In Purchase, Endea Owens & The Cookout channel activism through groove and joy, proving that protest can dance. Lezlie Harrison brings light and affirmation to the sanctuary at Mt. Vernon’s First Presbyterian Church, her voice equal parts love and liberation. At Culture Lab LIC, Kristina Koller expands jazz’s borders with inclusive vision and fearless artistry, while Kenny Davis at Mignolo Arts Center in New Jersey (Oct 11) bridges generations through mentorship and mastery. Together, these artists affirm that resistance doesn’t always roar—it also swings, sings, and heals.

FESTIVALS

🎪 This weekend pulses with festival energy. Over in Harlem, the Harlem Jazz Club Revival (Oct 10–19) sweeps across more than 15 historic venues, with over 200 musicians converging in late-night jams, ambassador concerts, and communal performances that reawaken the neighborhood’s sonic heartbeat. Harlem One Stop +1 Meanwhile, inGardens Festival (Oct 11–13) transforms East Village’s First Street Green Park into a living laboratory of sound, gathering experimental improvisers, cross-genre collaborations, and downtown voices in one open-air ecstasy. And for a more intimate Sunday experience, Jazz in the Park at Ralph Ellison Plaza holds its October edition on Oct 12, 2:00–5:00 PM, featuring local vocalists and jazz artists in a free performance by Riverside Park / Berta Indeed.

🎷 Jazz Festival & Special Event Listings (This Weekend)

J. Hood Wright Park W. 173 St – W. 178 St, New York, NY 10033 Oct 11 | 2:00pm Annette A. Aguilar & StringBeans Vibrant Latin jazz percussion ensemble bringing Afro-Caribbean swing and community energy to Washington Heights.

Ralph Ellison Park Riverside Dr. & W. 150th St, New York, NY 10031 Oct 12 | 2:00pm Jazz in the Park at Ralph Ellison Free Harlem community concert celebrating the neighborhood’s jazz legacy with local artists. More info: nycgovparks.org

First Street Green Cultural Park (inGardens Festival) 33 E. 1st St, New York, NY 10003 Oct 11–13 | 2:00pm daily Presented by Arts for Art. A three-day outdoor series of experimental and improvisational performances.

• Oct 11 Patrick Brennan | s0nic 0penings Charles Downs Trio Nebula / Crystal Good Tswami

• Oct 12 Chris Williams & Nate Wooley Davalois Fearon & Mike McGinnis Luke Stewart Mixashawn Rozie

• Oct 13 Devin Waldman Trio Gabby Fluke-Mogul & Doyeon Kim Randall Horton & Haleh Liza Gafori William Parker’s Pocketwatch Big Band

🌹 SPECIAL EVENT

Jazz Memorial for Ronny Whyte Saint Peter’s Church – 619 Lexington Ave at 54th St, New York, NY 10022 Tuesday, Oct 14 | 5:30pm A celebration of the life and music of pianist, vocalist, and songwriter Ronny Whyte, whose elegance and wit defined New York’s cabaret and jazz piano scene for decades. Friends, colleagues, and admirers will gather at Saint Peter’s Church—the “Jazz Church”—to honor his artistry, generosity, and enduring influence on the city’s musical community.

🎯 MUST SEE NEXT WEEK

Bill Wurtzel – American Folk Art Museum 2 Lincoln Square, New York, NY 10023 Wed, Oct 15 | 1:00 PM Midday guitar set combining wit, swing, and a painter’s sense of color inside one of the city’s most intimate art spaces.

Verena McBee Trio – Flûte Midtown 205 W 54th St, New York, NY 10019 Wed, Oct 15 | 7:00 PM Warm vocals and subtle trio interplay bring contemporary storytelling and classic standards to Midtown’s elegant lounge.

Reggie Workman – “New Stars on the Horizon” – NAMA Harlem New Amsterdam Musical Association, 107 W 130th St, New York, NY 10027 Tues, Oct 14 | 7:00 PM An evening of mentorship and mastery as NEA Jazz Master Reggie Workman introduces a new generation of artists following his Jazz Tree lecture on lineage and legacy.

Briana Swann – The Jazz Club @ Aman The Crown Building, 730 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10019 Tues, Oct 14 | 8:00 PM A rising voice on the New York scene, blending modern soul with the intimacy of torch-song tradition.

William Hill III Trio – Zinc Bar 82 W 3rd St, New York, NY 10012 Wed, Oct 15 | 7:00 PM Piano-driven trio offering dynamic swing and crisp arrangements in one of the Village’s enduring jazz rooms.

Amy London – Pangea 178 Second Ave, New York, NY 10003 Wed, Oct 15 | 7:00 PM The acclaimed vocalist interprets jazz standards and Broadway gems with signature warmth and precision in Pangea’s cabaret setting. MORE SPOTLIGHTS

DIRECTORY OF JAZZ BRUNCHES AROUND TOWN

🎺 Opportunity in Jazz Journalism

The Jazz Journalists Association (JJA) is seeking a new Executive Director to guide its programs, including the annual Jazz Awards, educational initiatives, and community engagement. This leadership role is a rare chance to shape the future of jazz journalism and advocacy.

👉 Learn more and apply at jazzjournalists.org

📢 Join the Hot House Team

Hot House Jazz is expanding its voice across North America — and we’re looking for writers, content producers, and social media creatives to cover the jazz, spoken word, and arts scenes in:

• Boston / Northeast

• Chicago

• Detroit

• Los Angeles

• New Orleans

• New York

• Toronto

If you’ve got a voice for storytelling or a vision for digital content, we’d love to hear from you.

📩 Send inquiries to [email protected]