HotSpots - This Weekend

Weekend Jazz Hang (Curated by Hot House Jazz Magazine)

November 21, 2025

🚀 Boundary-Pushers

Artists experimenting, innovating, and stretching jazz forward

This week’s Boundary-Pushers spotlight the innovators stretching jazz into new emotional, cultural, and sonic terrain. Mary Stallings’ residency at Dizzy’s explores the modern vocal lineage through Aaron Goldberg’s harmonic imagination, while Arooj Aftab transforms the Blue Note into a space of ambient ritual and cross-border resonance. Miguel Zenón’s 30th Anniversary Big Band at The Jazz Gallery stands as a masterclass in contemporary composition, and Marianne Solivan’s set at Aman adds vocal intimacy to the avant-luxe aesthetic. Downtown, Bill O’Connell and Richard Cortez bring fresh angularity to Mezzrow, Papuna Sharikadze’s quartet brings Georgian fire to DROM, and Helio Alves lights up the Roxy with his unmistakable Brazilian modernism. From Mariel Bildsten’s brassy adrenaline at The Django to John Scofield’s fearless trio at SOPAC, this is the week where the edge of the music becomes the center of gravity.

Journey Through Jazz: The Mighty Negro Spirituals (Marcus Printup) — Jazz at Lincoln Center (Nov 21–22) 10 Columbus Cir 5th Fl New York NY • Marcus Printup’s Mighty Negro Spirituals brings together members of the historic Abyssinian Baptist Church and the JLCO to honor the spirituals that shaped American music. Rooted in Printup’s gospel upbringing, the program moves through classics like “Wade in the Water” and “This Little Light of Mine” with deep reverence and power. It’s a stirring blend of voice, history, and ensemble fire. MORE INFO

Shenel Johns ft. Aaron Goldberg Trio — Dizzy’s Club (Nov 20–23) 10 Columbus Cir 5th Fl New York NY • Shenel Johns joins the Aaron Goldberg Trio for a luminous evening of Great American Songbook classics, infusing each melody with soulful warmth and impeccable phrasing. Fresh from her appearance in Wynton Marsalis’ season-opening premiere Afro! and soon to be featured in Big Band Holidays, Johns’ radiant voice shines alongside Goldberg, Reuben Rogers, and Willie Jones III. Together, the ensemble delivers swing, intimacy, and timeless artistry. MORE INFO

N’Kenge — Club Room at the Soho Grand Hotel (Nov 21) 310 W Broadway New York NY • N’Kenge is a commanding, genre-spanning vocalist whose brilliance extends from Broadway to opera houses and concert stages worldwide. A Juilliard and Manhattan School of Music alumna, she moves effortlessly through classical, jazz, gospel, pop, and soul with both virtuosity and emotional fire. Known for standout roles in Motown: The Musical and Caroline, or Change, she brings extraordinary range and magnetic presence to every performance. MORE INFO

Arooj Aftab — Blue Note Jazz Club (Nov 20–23) 131 W 3rd St New York NY • Arooj Aftab is a visionary artist at the forefront of global, genre-defying music, celebrated for her luminous sound and fearless experimentation. With Grammy-recognized albums like Night Reign and Vulture Prince, she continues to captivate worldwide audiences through performances that are both haunting and deeply innovative. MORE INFO

Marianne Solivan — The Jazz Club at Aman (Nov 21, 6:30pm) 9 W 56th St New York NY • thejazzclub.com;

Bill O’Connell Trio — Mezzrow (Nov 21–22) 163 W 10th St New York NY • smallslive.com;

Richard Cortez Trio — Mezzrow (Nov 23) 163 W 10th St New York NY • smallslive.com;

Papuna Sharikadze Quartet — DROM (Nov 23, 4:30pm) 85 Avenue A New York NY • dromnyc.com;

Madeline Dalton — Club Room at the Soho Grand Hotel (Nov 22) 310 W Broadway New York NY • clubroomnyc.com;

David Janeway Trio — The Django (Nov 23) 2 Avenue of the Americas New York NY • thedjangonyc.com;

Miguel Zenón Big Band — The Jazz Gallery (Nov 21–22) 1160 Broadway New York NY • jazzgallery.org;

Helio Alves Trio — Roxy Hotel (Nov 23) 2 6th Ave New York NY • roxyhotelnyc.com;

John Scofield Trio ft. Archer & Stewart — SOPAC (Nov 21) One SOPAC Way South Orange NJ • sopacnow.org;

🎷 Keepers of the Flame 

Masters and modern torchbearers carrying the jazz tradition forward

This week’s Keepers of the Flame spotlight the artists carrying forward the core traditions of jazz with clarity, swing, and deep musical roots. Bill Charlap’s solo piano sets at Smoke offer a rare, intimate look at his mastery of the Songbook, while Eliane Elias brings her signature blend of Brazilian lyricism and straight-ahead sophistication to Birdland. Tatiana Eva-Marie adds her vintage-tinged charm at Birdland Theater, and veteran ensembles like Dave Stryker’s group and the Library Jazz Band continue the lineage through classic repertoire and warm ensemble interplay. From Benny Benack’s modern swing at Fasano and Five Spot Jazz to Sarah Hayes’ big-band energy at Swing 46, these performances honor the craft, history, and timeless spirit of this music.

Michelle Collier Swingtet — Swing 46 (Nov 21, 9pm) 349 W 46th St New York NY • Michelle Collier Swingtet brings a warm, classic swing feel to the night, led by Collier’s smooth vocals and elegant phrasing. The band keeps the groove lively and timeless, offering a stylish take on swing-era tradition. swing46.nyc

Bill Charlap Solo — Smoke Jazz Club (Nov 20–23, 7pm) 2751 Broadway New York NY • Bill Charlap offers a masterclass in solo piano at Smoke, revealing the depth and nuance of the Great American Songbook through his unmatched touch and harmonic clarity. Each set is intimate, lyrical, and deeply rooted in the timeless traditions he embodies. smokejazz.com

Daddy Rabbit ft. Khailah Johnson — Daddy Rabbit NYC at LouLou (Nov 21, 8pm) 176 8th Ave New York NY • Daddy Rabbit is an immersive live session at LouLou’s speakeasy, mixing jazz, soul, funk, and R&B with a rotating cast of singers and instrumentalists. Featuring Khailah Johnson, the show keeps its in-the-round setup where audiences can stand right alongside the band. daddyrabbitnyc.com;

Eliane Elias — Birdland (Nov 20–22, 9:30pm) 315 W 44th St New York NY • birdlandjazz.com;

Tatiana Eva-Marie — Birdland Theater (Nov 21–23, 5:30pm) 315 W 44th St New York NY • birdlandjazz.com;

Benny Benack — Fasano Baretto (Nov 21, 8pm) 60 E 49th St New York NY • fasanorestaurantny.com;

Misha Piatigorsky Trio ft. Khailah Johnson — Fasano Baretto (Nov 22, 8pm) 60 E 49th St New York NY • fasanorestaurantny.com;

Benny Benack III & Friends + Jam — Five Spot Jazz (Nov 23, 5:30pm) 231 E 9th St New York NY • fivespotjazz.com;

Reed Miller Trio — Red Room at KGB (Nov 22, 10pm) 85 E 4th St New York NY • redroomnyc.com;

Dave Stryker Group — Jazz Forum (Nov 21–22, 7pm) 1 Dixon Ln Tarrytown NY • jazzforumarts.org;

Library Jazz Band — Yonkers Public Library (Nov 23, 2pm) 1500 Central Park Ave Yonkers NY • ypl.org;

✊ Voices of Resistance 

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

This week’s Voices of Resistance highlights artists and ensembles who carry forward the music’s social, spiritual, and communal dimensions. Jason Marshall brings the Harlem Jazz Series to sacred space at Mount Morris Ascension, while Smalls and the Vanguard host musicians whose work speaks to lineage, struggle, and collective expression. Mingus Dynasty at Zinc Bar channels the fire and urgency of Mingus’ legacy, and Reginald Chapman’s Chaphouse at Barbès adds a modern edge to that tradition. Across the region, from Ahmed Abdullah’s Diaspora at Sista’s Place to Carrie Jackson’s set at Shanghai Jazz and Zakiyyah’s performance at Bethel AME, these gatherings reflect the power of jazz—and its sister artforms—to honor history, amplify community voices, and keep resistance in motion.

Jason Marshall — Harlem Jazz Series, Mount Morris Ascension Church (Nov 21, 7pm) 12 Mt Morris Park W New York NY • Baritone saxophonist Jason Marshall brings his deep, full-bodied sound to the Harlem Jazz Series, leading a set rooted in groove, blues, and community tradition. His performance highlights the power of the baritone voice in modern jazz while honoring the spirit of Harlem’s sacred music lineage. harlemjazzboxx.com

Joe Lovano & Dave Douglas — Village Vanguard (Nov 20–23, 10pm) 178 7th Ave S New York NY • Joe Lovano and Dave Douglas bring their Sound Prints quintet to the Village Vanguard, exploring bold original compositions with a lineup that includes Lawrence Fields, Matt Penman, and Andrew Cyrille. Together, the group delivers sharp interplay, deep improvisational focus, and the unmistakable chemistry that defines their long-running collaboration. villagevanguard.com

Ahmed Abdullah’s Diaspora — Sista’s Place (Nov 22, 8pm) 456 Nostrand Ave Brooklyn NY • Ahmed Abdullah’s Diaspora returns to Sistas’ Place with a powerful ensemble featuring Monique Ngozi Nri, Ras Moshe Burnett, Don Chapman, D.D. Jackson, Norbert Marius, and Warren “Trae” Cudrup. The group blends poetry, improvisation, and deep-rooted Black musical traditions in a set that reflects the spirit and community legacy of Sistas’ Place. sistasplace.org

Miki Yamanaka Quartet — Smalls Jazz Club (Nov 21–22, 6pm) 183 W 10th St New York NY • smallsjazzclub.com;

Philip Harper Quintet — Smalls Jazz Club (Nov 23, 6pm) 183 W 10th St New York NY • smallsjazzclub.com;

Mingus Dynasty — Zinc Bar (Nov 21, 8pm) 82 W 3rd St New York NY • zincbar.com;

The White Hot by Quiara Alegría Hudes w/ Elio Villafranca — Joe’s Pub (Nov 24, 7pm) 425 Lafayette St New York NY • joespub.com;

Fred Hersch w/ Miguel Zenón — Trinity Church Wall Street (Nov 23, 4pm) 209 Broadway New York NY • trinitywallstreet.org;

Reginald Chapman’s Chaphouse — Barbès (Nov 23, 10pm) 376 9th St Brooklyn NY • barbesbrooklyn.com;

Carrie Jackson Trio — Shanghai Jazz (Nov 23, 6pm) 24 Main St Madison NJ • shanghaijazz.com;

Eliane Elias — William Paterson University (Nov 23, 3pm) 300 Pompton Rd Wayne NJ • wp-presents.org;

Houston Person & The David Leonhardt Trio — Deer Head Inn (Nov 23, 7pm) 5 Main St Delaware Water Gap PA • deerheadinn.com;

Zakiyyah: African Import — Bethel AME Church (Nov 22, 3pm) 215 Forest Hills St Boston MA;

Nasar Abadey & SUPERNOVA — Blues Alley DC (Nov 25, 7pm) 1073 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington DC • bluesalley.com;

Marcus Gilmore: Journey To The New — Sam First (Nov 21–22, 7:30pm) 6171 W Century Blvd #180 Los Angeles CA • samfirstbar.com;

Eric Revis — The World Stage (Nov 21, 8:30pm) 4321 Degnan Blvd Los Angeles CA • theworldstage.org;

🎵 More Shows/ Events

Napoleon Murphy Brock Quintet ft. Ed Palermo — Iridium (Nov 23–24, 8:30pm) 1650 Broadway New York NY • theiridium.com; Marius Van Den Brink — Klavierhaus, NYC Jazz Piano Festival (Nov 21, 7pm) 790 11th Ave New York NY • nycjazzpianofestival.com; Jazz Vespers ft. Ben Cassara — Saint Peter’s Church (Nov 23, 5pm) 619 Lexington Ave New York NY • saintpeters.org; Frank London — The Stone at The New School (Nov 20–22, 8:30pm) 55 W 13th St 5th Fl New York NY • newschool.edu/jazz

🎉 FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS

This week’s festivals and special programs span the region with a mix of jazz, community gatherings, and multidisciplinary performances. NJPAC’s James Moody International Jazz Festival anchors the calendar with Jazz Jams, Represent! Hip Hop & Poetry, Christian McBride’s Big Band, Stanley Jordan’s Hendrix tribute, and the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. Around the tri-state area, seasonal highlights include the Fall of Freedom Rally in Sag Harbor, Backcountry Jazz’s Fall Benefit Concert in Greenwich, Isaiah J. Thompson at The Side Door in Old Lyme, and the Bridge Arts Jazz Concert at The Falcon. Additional series programming features Abe Speller’s set in Camden County and Jean-Efflam Bavouzet’s recital as part of Eastman’s Kilbourn Piano Series, rounding out a diverse week of performances across the northeast.

James Moody International Jazz Festival — NJPAC Address: 1 Center St, Newark NJ • njpac.org

  • Nov 20, 7:30pm — Jazz Jams

  • Nov 20, 7:30pm — Represent! Hip Hop & Poetry ft. Chuck D, Rakim & more

  • Nov 21, 7:30pm — Christian McBride Big Band ft. Andra Day, José James & more

  • Nov 21, 7:30pm — Carlos Varela ft. Diana Fuentes

  • Nov 22, 7:30pm — Stanley Jordan Plays Jimi

  • Nov 23, 11am — Nat Adderley Jr. Quartet (Dorthaan’s Place Jazz Brunch)

  • Nov 23, 7:30pm — Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition

  • Fall of Freedom Rally — Masonic Music Series

Location: Sag Harbor NY • masonicmusicseries.com • Nov 21 — Time varies Featuring writers, musicians & performers including Ruby Jackson, Adelaide Mestre, Inda Eaton, Loudon Wainwright III, Andrea Cote, Liz Joyce, Ur Mom, Spitnkitn, Candace Hill Montgomery, Scott Bluedorn, Judy D’Mello & more Admission: A can of non-perishable food

Backcountry Jazz — Fall Benefit Concert Location: Round Hill Community House, Greenwich CT • Nov 21, 6:30pm — Backcountry Jazz Fall Benefit Concert

The Side Door Jazz Club — Old Lyme CT • Nov 21, 8pm — Isaiah J. Thompson Quartet

The Falcon — Marlboro NY • Nov 23, 7pm — Bridge Arts Jazz Concert

Fall Music Series — South County Regional Branch Library (Atco, NJ) • Nov 21, 2–3pm — Abe Speller Trio

Eastman School of Music — Kilbourn Piano Series (Rochester NY) • Nov 20, 7:30pm — Jean-Efflam Bavouzet

Hot Five Centennial Celebration — Louis Armstrong Center (Nov 22, 3–4pm, $25) 34-56 107th St Queens NY • blackbaudhosting.com/tickets;

José Alberto “El Canario” 50th Anniversary Celebration — Lehman Center (Nov 22, 8pm) 250 Bedford Park Blvd W Bronx NY • lehmancenter.org;

Global Mashup: Seffarine & Garifuna Jazz Ensemble — Flushing Town Hall (Nov 21, 7pm) 137-35 Northern Blvd Flushing NY • flushingtownhall.org;

🔔 Must See Next Week (Nov 24 – 30)

Next week brings a powerful lineup of masters and rising voices across major stages. Ken Peplowski leads a swinging quartet at Birdland, while Blue Note NYC hosts the John Scofield Trio for an extended run featuring Vicente Archer and Bill Stewart. Jason Moran & The Bandwagon return to the Village Vanguard for their annual Thanksgiving-week performances, and Herlin Riley brings his New Orleans–driven ensemble to Jazz at Lincoln Center for a three-night engagement. Smoke Jazz Club follows with NEA Jazz Master Billy Hart’s quartet at the end of the week, and Dizzy’s presents the Future of Jazz Orchestra alongside sets from David Amram and Herlin Riley’s band. Additional highlights include AC Lincoln and Emily Braden at Aman, James Francies x Joel Ross x Blaque Dynamite in Los Angeles, Dani Cortaza’s Buena Vista Social Club tribute at Blues Alley, and Lezlie Harrison’s appearance at 333 Lounge.

Ken Peplowski Quartet — Birdland (Nov 25–26, 9:30pm) 315 W 44th St New York NY • birdlandjazz.com;

Future of Jazz Orchestra — Dizzy’s Club (Nov 24, 7pm) 10 Columbus Cir 5th Fl New York NY • jazz.org/dizzys;

David Amram — Dizzy’s Club (Nov 25, 7pm) 10 Columbus Cir 5th Fl New York NY • jazz.org/dizzys;

Herlin Riley & Friends — Dizzy’s Club (Nov 26, 7pm) 10 Columbus Cir 5th Fl New York NY • jazz.org/dizzys;

AC Lincoln — The Jazz Club at Aman (Nov 25, 6:30pm) 9 W 56th St New York NY • thejazzclub.com;

Emily Braden — The Jazz Club at Aman (Nov 25, 6:30pm) 9 W 56th St New York NY • thejazzclub.com;

John Scofield Trio ft. Vicente Archer & Bill Stewart — Blue Note NYC (Nov 25–29, 8pm) 131 W 3rd St New York NY • bluenotejazz.com;

Jason Moran & The Bandwagon — Village Vanguard (Nov 25–30, 10pm) 178 7th Ave S New York NY • villagevanguard.com;

Billy Hart Quartet — Smoke Jazz Club (Nov 28–30, 7pm) 2751 Broadway New York NY • smokejazz.com;

Herlin Riley — Jazz at Lincoln Center (Nov 28–30, times vary) 10 Columbus Cir 5th Fl New York NY • jazz.org;

Ryo Sasaki Trio — Saint Tuesday (Nov 26, 9:30pm) 77 Walker St New York NY • sainttuesdaynyc.com;

Craig Harris & The Harlem Nightsongs Big Band — Mount Morris Ascension Church (Nov 20, 7pm) 12 Mt Morris Park W New York NY • harlemjazzboxx.com;

Dani Cortaza: “Tribute to the Buena Vista Social Club” — Blues Alley DC (Nov 26, 7pm) 1073 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington DC • bluesalley.com;

Lezlie Harrison + Wine & Jazz Trio — 333 Lounge (Nov 26, 7pm) 333 Flatbush Ave Brooklyn NY • 333lounge.com;

James Francies × Joel Ross × Blaque Dynamite — Blue Note LA (Nov 24, 7pm) 6372 W Sunset Blvd Los Angeles CA • bluenotejazz.com/la;