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HotSpots - This Weekend
Weekend Jazz Hang (Curated by Hot House Jazz Magazine)

🚀 Boundary-Pushers
Artists experimenting, innovating, and stretching jazz forward
This week’s Boundary Pushers spotlight spans the full spectrum of innovation, from Afro-Cuban visionaries to fearless trumpet experimenters. At Dizzy’s, Omar Sosa brings global color and spiritual fire to Jazz at Lincoln Center, while the MFM Unity Ensemble at the Cutting Room unites Joe Lovano’s saxophone mastery with Arturo O’Farrill’s Afro-Latin brilliance. Eric Person takes the Django stage with his inventive quartet, and in Brooklyn, Jerome Sabbagh pairs with Peter Washington and Otis Brown III for a modern straight-ahead twist. Up in Boston, Arturo Sandoval continues to push the trumpet’s limits at Scullers, while Culture Lab LIC hosts drummer Brian Woodruff’s sextet in a community setting. Meanwhile, the Festival of New Trumpet Music unfolds across the Jazz Gallery, Nublu, and Bryant Park, spotlighting bold voices like Dave Douglas, Alexandra Ridout, and Steven Bernstein. Together, these shows remind us that jazz’s future is as daring as its past is rich.
Omar Sosa (Dizzy’s, Sept 4–7) – Pianist and composer Omar Sosa fuses Afro-Cuban tradition with avant-garde fire, creating music that’s as spiritual as it is rhythmically daring. His residency at Dizzy’s is a chance to hear one of jazz’s most cosmopolitan innovators in an intimate setting overlooking Central Park. MORE INFO |
Joe Lovano & Arturo O’Farrill – MFM Unity Ensemble (Cutting Room, Sept 5) – When two giants collide, sparks fly: Lovano’s searching saxophone meets O’Farrill’s Afro-Latin piano in a collaboration that’s equal parts groove, exploration, and resistance. Presented by Musicians for Musicians, this is jazz as community and activism. MORE INFO |
Eric Person Quartet (Django, Sept 6) – Saxophonist Eric Person blends modern jazz vocabulary with a soulful, adventurous edge. His quartet at the Django promises a high-energy, forward-looking set in one of downtown’s most atmospheric venues. MORE INFO |
Jerome Sabbagh w/ Peter Washington & Otis Brown III (Bar Bayeux, Sept 5) – A Brooklyn gem: tenorist Jerome Sabbagh teams with bassist Peter Washington and drummer Otis Brown III for a night of muscular swing and open-ended exploration. Expect tradition, groove, and surprise in equal measure. MORE INFO |
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Culture Lab LIC – Brian Woodruff Sextet (Sep 5) Jazz Gallery – Festival of New Trumpet Music: Dave Douglas Alloy, Dave Adewumi’s Altus, Alexandra Ridout Quartet, Grace Fox Big Band (Sep 5–7) Nublu 151 – Festival of New Trumpet Music: 3 Valves & The Truth + Steven Bernstein’s ResoNation Trio (Sep 8) Bryant Park – Kuni Mikami (Sep 4–5), Bertha Hope (Sep 8) |
🎷 Keepers of the Flame
Masters and modern torchbearers carrying the jazz tradition forward
This weekend’s Keepers of the Flame lineup honors the artists who embody swing, bebop, and classic jazz at its finest. The hallowed rooms are alive: Bill Charlap Trio at the Village Vanguard delivers timeless piano mastery, while the rare pairing of Christian McBride & Brad Mehldau at the Blue Note brings two Grammy winners together in intimate dialogue. At Smoke, drummer Joe Farnsworth and pianist Emmet Cohen drive the quintet with straight-ahead fire. Catherine Russell, a Grammy winner celebrated for her dazzling command of the Great American Songbook, fills Birdland with the soulful echoes of jazz history. Beyond Manhattan, traditions carry forward with Nat Adderley Jr. Trio in New Jersey — heir to one of jazz’s most storied families and a celebrated arranger in his own right — and Peter Bernstein Quartet at the Side Door in Connecticut, keeping guitar tradition alive. Festival stages also light up, with Terell Stafford Sextet leading the Greenwich Jazz Festival at Central Park’s Great Lawn. Across the clubs, churches, and parks, the artistry this weekend proves the flame of classic jazz is not only alive but burning brighter than ever.
Nat Adderley Jr. Trio (South Brunswick Arts Commission, Sept 5) – Son of cornetist Nat Adderley and nephew of Cannonball, pianist Nat Adderley Jr. bridges jazz tradition with soul and R&B. A Juilliard-trained arranger and longtime music director for Luther Vandross, he penned and shaped classics like Superstar and Stop to Love. Beyond his family legacy, Adderley’s deep ties to peers like Marcus Miller and Bernard Wright make him a singular voice at the intersection of swing, groove, and sophistication — a living link between past and present. MORE INFO |
Catherine Russell (Birdland, Sept 5–6) – A Grammy Award–winning vocalist, Russell is one of the great interpreters of American song. Daughter of Louis Armstrong’s longtime bandleader Luis Russell, she embodies jazz history in every phrase, bringing blues, swing, and elegance together with a voice that feels both timeless and utterly alive. MORE INFO |
Christian McBride & Brad Mehldau (Blue Note - Sept 5-7): Two giants of modern jazz join forces, blending virtuosic bass lines with piano brilliance in an intimate club setting. MORE INFO |
Bill Charlap Trio (Village Vanguard - Sept 5-7): A torchbearer of New York piano tradition, Charlap keeps the Vanguard’s hallowed stage swinging with elegance and depth. MORE INFO |
Joe Farnsworth Quintet ft. Emmet Cohen (Smoke): A drummer’s drummer with a dream lineup, Farnsworth drives straight-ahead firepower with youthful spark. MORE INFO |
Terell Stafford Sextet (Great Lawn, Central Park): The celebrated trumpeter leads a hard-swinging ensemble under the open sky — jazz tradition meets summer celebration. MORE INFO |
Birdland – Caelan Cardello Trio (Sep 6) Side Door (CT) – Peter Bernstein Quartet (Sep 5–6) Arthur’s Tavern – Yuichi Hirakawa Jazz Group (Sep 5–6), Richard Cortez (Sep 8) Jazz Forum (Tarrytown) – Brian Charette Trio (Sep 5), Mike LeDonne Groover Quartet (Sep 6), David Janeway Trio (Sep 7), Leonieke Scheuble Quartet (Sep 7) Swing 46 – Swingadelic Combo (Sep 6) Saint Peter’s Church – Jazz Vespers w/ Gerard Carelli Trio (Sep 7, Free) SOPAC (NJ) – Stella Cole (Sep 5) South Brunswick Arts Commission (NJ) – Nat Adderley Jr. Trio (Sep 5) Starving Artist Café (Bronx) – City Island Jazz Quartet (Sep 7) Cork Wine Bar – Mark Whitfield Duo (Sep 7) Rum House – Ricky Alexander Trio (Sep 7) Ralph Ellison Park – Jazz in the Park (Sep 7) Great Lawn, Central Park – Terell Stafford Sextet @ Greenwich Jazz Festival (Sep 7) |
✊ Voices of Resistance
Artists channeling jazz’s spirit of resilience, protest, and community
This week’s Voices of Resistance programs channel the power of jazz as community, commentary, and spiritual force. In Harlem, the Jazz Series at Mt. Morris Ascension spotlights trombonist Steve Swell’s uncompromising artistry, while the inGardens Festival at Children’s Magical Garden gathers William Hooker, Ahmed Abdullah, Anne Waldman, and more for two days of radical improvisation and poetry in a grassroots setting. Beyond New York, the Yellowjackets bring their decades of fusion-driven resilience to Keystone Korner Baltimore, a reminder of the band’s ability to evolve with the times. At the intimate level, saxophonist Luther Allison leads his quintet at Close Up, vocalist Nadine Simmons brings soulful presence to Madame George, and guitarist Dave Stryker’s quartet at Smalls grounds modern jazz in blues-drenched urgency. Rounding out the week, Will Terrill and Willerm Delisfort light up Cellar Dog with rhythm-forward sets that speak directly to perseverance and renewal.
Steve Swell – Harlem Jazz Series @ Mt. Morris Ascension (Sept 5) Trombonist Steve Swell brings his unflinching avant-garde fire to Harlem’s sacred church space, turning brass into a call for freedom and resilience. His performance anchors the Harlem Jazz Series with urgency and spiritual force. MORE INFO |
Yellowjackets – Keystone Korner Baltimore (Sept 6–7) For decades, the Yellowjackets have fused jazz, funk, and fusion with a spirit of adaptability and endurance. At Keystone Korner, their set is both a celebration of longevity and a reminder that resilience is built into the jazz DNA. MORE INFO |
Luther Allison Quintet – Close Up (Sept 5) Jazz pianist Luther S. Allison is carving a distinct path as both performer and composer, with credits alongside Etienne Charles, Rodney Whitaker, and Christian McBride. Allison leads from the piano with purpose, blending swing, reflection, and urgency in equal measure. MORE INFO |
Dave Stryker Quartet – Smalls (Sept 5–6) A guitarist whose deep blues roots color every line, Dave Stryker makes straight-ahead jazz feel urgent and accessible. At Smalls, his quartet balances soul, swing, and resistance in a way that speaks directly to the times. MORE INFO |
FESTIVALS
This weekend offers a vibrant mix of festival stages across the region, where jazz spills from parks, gardens, and outdoor lawns into the heart of the community. Harlem’s Jazz in the Park at Ralph Ellison Park celebrates local legacy with a free family concert, while the Festival of New Trumpet Music stretches from Bryant Park to Jazz Gallery and Nublu, spotlighting bold new brass voices curated by Dave Douglas. The inGardens Festival transforms a Lower East Side community garden into a haven of improvisation and poetry, and the Greenwich Jazz Festival brings trumpeter Terell Stafford’s sextet to Central Park’s Great Lawn. In Queens, Culture Lab LIC continues its free Sunset Jazz series, and in Tarrytown, Jazz Forum’s Hammond Organ Weekend fires up the B-3 with Brian Charette, Mike LeDonne, and more. Brooklyn hosts the return of the Fort Greene Park Jazz Festival, while Westchester welcomes the Montebello Jazz Festival, featuring The Klezmatics, Bill O’Connell Quartet with Craig Handy, and 3D Rhythm of Life. Together, these festivals capture jazz’s communal spirit—rooted in neighborhoods, but resonating far beyond.
🌳 Jazz in the Park – Ralph Ellison Park
Sep 7 – Harlem A community celebration of Harlem’s jazz legacy in the park named after literary giant Ralph Ellison. Free and family-friendly, this afternoon concert keeps the music rooted in the neighborhood.
🎺 Festival of New Trumpet Music (FONT)
Sep 4–8 – Bryant Park, Jazz Gallery, Nublu Founded by Dave Douglas, FONT puts the trumpet at the center of the conversation. From lunchtime Bryant Park sets to adventurous nights at Jazz Gallery and Nublu, the festival showcases both masters and emerging voices redefining brass.
🌱 inGardens Festival (Arts for Art)
Sep 6–7 – Children’s Magical Garden, Lower East Side Avant-garde fire in a grassroots setting: William Hooker, Steve Swell, Ahmed Abdullah, Anne Waldman, and more gather for two days of improvisation, poetry, and resistance. A free-jazz happening blooming in the garden.
🎶 Greenwich Jazz Festival
Sep 7 – Great Lawn, Central Park The centerpiece is trumpeter Terell Stafford Sextet, bringing hard bop energy to one of the city’s most iconic outdoor stages. A rare chance to hear world-class jazz in the heart of Central Park under open skies.
🌇 Sunset Jazz – Culture Lab LIC
Sep 5 – Long Island City Culture Lab’s outdoor jazz series continues with drummer Brian Woodruff Sextet, offering free community concerts at the intersection of neighborhood gathering and top-tier artistry.
🎹 Hammond Organ Weekend – Jazz Forum Arts
Sep 5–7 – Tarrytown, NY A weekend-long groove-fest spotlighting the mighty Hammond B-3. Brian Charette, Mike LeDonne, Leonieke Scheuble, and more bring blues-drenched soul-jazz to one of the region’s most intimate clubs.
🥁 Fort Greene Park Jazz Festival
Sep 6 – Brooklyn A Brooklyn tradition returns: free jazz in the park featuring neighborhood talent and seasoned pros. A relaxed, family-friendly celebration of community and sound.
🎵 Montebello Jazz Festival
Sep 7 – Westchester County, NY This free suburban festival packs a punch: The Klezmatics, Bill O’Connell Quartet (w/ Craig Handy), and 3D Rhythm of Life bring diverse sounds to Village Hall. A gem for jazz lovers just north of the city.

📅 Coming Soon
Montclair Jazz Festival (Grand Finale Block Party) – Sept 14 – NJ’s premier jazz celebration, shutting down Bloomfield Ave with multiple stages, food, and community energy. MORE INFO
White Plains Jazz Fest – Sept 10–14 – Multi-day festival with local and international talent, ending in a free outdoor stage on Mamaroneck Ave. MORE INFO
Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival – Sept 19–21 – A powerhouse weekend with Dianne Reeves, Gregory Porter, and jazz-meets-R&B fusions in the heart of Pittsburgh. MORE INFO
🎯 MUST SEE NEXT WEEK
Next week the spotlight shifts to a rich mix of master musicians, rising stars, and festival stages that demand attention. Roberta Gambarini (Sept 11–14, Dizzy’s) brings her Grammy-nominated voice and all-star trio to Jazz at Lincoln Center, while David Berkman (Sept 12–13, Mezzrow) offers inventive, bop-rooted piano with his trio. At Smalls, drummer Jonathan Barber & Vision Ahead (Sept 12–13) blend gospel, funk, and swing with a modern edge. Festival season also peaks: the White Plains Jazz Fest features Kurt Elling (Sept 12) with Joey Calderazzo and Kenny Barron (Sept 13) with his stellar trio, while Chembo Corniel closes the festival Sept 14 with his Latin Jazz Quintet. Across the river, the Montclair Jazz Festival (Sept 13) heats up with alto sax firebrand Lakecia Benjamin, Venezuelan percussion master Luisito Quintero and the dazzling vocalist Jazzmeia Horn bring star power and urgency to New Jersey’s biggest block party. While in Baltimore, Nicole Henry (Sept 13, Keystone Korner Baltimore) delivers her award-winning vocals with a world-class band. For those craving the unexpected, trumpeter Seiki Yukimoto’s Soulbleed (Sept 13, Nublu) reunites with an East-meets-West ensemble for a genre-defying, Don Cherry-inspired set. Together, these shows promise a week where classic tradition, cutting-edge innovation, and festival celebration all converge. MORE SPOTLIGHTS

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