Bill Frisell Four unites four master storytellers of modern music—guitarist Bill Frisell, saxophonist Greg Tardy, pianist Gerald Clayton, and drummer Johnathan Blake—for an unforgettable run at the Village Vanguard. Frisell’s artistry is a rare blend of lyricism, experimentation, and heart; he can spin a tender ballad into a tapestry of emotion and complexity, then dive into distortion and feedback without ever losing the melodic thread. With Tardy’s soulful horn, Clayton’s luminous touch, and Blake’s inventive swing, the quartet moves seamlessly from playful grooves to moments of quiet intimacy. Expect music that feels both expansive and personal, a soundscape where jazz, folk, and Americana intertwine into a singular narrative only Frisell can tell. MORE INFO

UPCOMING

🔥 Keepers of the Flame | | These artists uphold the core traditions of jazz — bebop, swing, Great American Songbook, and hard bop — with mastery and reverence \ \

From August 15–17, Smoke Jazz hosts the Eric Alexander & Vincent Herring Quintet, where two of today’s great saxophone voices engage in hard-swinging, post-bop conversation. Over at Mezzrow on August 15–16, clarinet master Ken Peplowski brings warmth, wit, and swing in an intimate trio setting, while pianist Victor Gould leads his quartet through lush harmonies and modern lyricism. At Smalls, bassist Lonnie Plaxico delivers deep grooves and a hard-bop edge with his group. August 15 at Zinc Bar, the Mingus Dynasty keeps the firebrand spirit of Charles Mingus alive, while Birdland Theater celebrates Oscar Peterson’s centennial with Brandi Disterheft, Jim Doxas, and Robi Botos. That same night, trombonist Mariel Bildsten swings with youthful fire at Cellar Dog, and pianist Kelly Green blends bop and modern phrasing at the Flatiron Room - Nomad.

🎷 Boundary-Pushers | | Artists redefining jazz through innovation, experimentation, or bold cross-genre expression \ \

From Aug 15–18, guitarist Bill Frisell brings his singular mix of Americana, ambient textures, and jazz to the Village Vanguard. Pianist Brian Marsella turns to John Zorn’s adventurous compositions Aug 15–16 at The Stone, while trumpeter Theo Croker blends jazz roots with cosmic funk and hip-hop Aug 15–17 at the Blue Note. Aug 15, pianist Micah Thomas appears at CloseUp with harmonically daring originals, and on Aug 16, The Modern Martinis channel retro-lounge at The Pierre, joined the same night by Josh Johnson’s genre-fluid saxophone at Aman New York and the bluesy swing of the Nick Hempton Band at the Django. Aug 17 features the Roberta Piket Quartet’s lyrical post-bop at the Django and the Willis Edmunson Trio’s contemporary edge at The Penrose.

🎙️ Voices of Resistance:  Jazz that speaks truth to power—from spirituals to spoken word, these artists carry the torch

Aug 15 at Marcus Garvey Park, Terri Lyne Carrington revisits Max Roach’s landmark protest work We Insist with vocalist Christie Dashiell, while nearby at Harlem Jazz Boxx, Milton Suggs brings his baritone voice and gospel-blues grounding to an intimate set. The next evening, The Soapbox Presents stages Run It Back in Marcus Garvey Park, a live exploration of sampling as cultural heritage and community storytelling. Aug 16–17 at Dizzy’s, vocalist Ekep Nkwelle leads a quartet with a focus on narrative-driven, resonant performances, and on Aug 16 at Madame George, Nadine Simmons offers a blend of gospel spirit, soul, and Motown influence.

FESTIVALS

🎪 Festival Picks Lively, community-driven, and open-air — these shows are part of summer’s biggest cultural gatherings.

From Aug 15 on, the festival calendar picks up with plenty to choose from. At Bryant Park, pianist Pete Malinverni closes his midday run on the 15th before Joel Forrester takes over Aug 18–19. Aug 16 is stacked: the Ferrario Elmira Jazz Festival in Horseheads, NY, starts early; Poughkeepsie’s Jazz in the Valley offers Craig Harris’ Breathe on the 16th and Jazzmeia Horn with Echoes of an Era on the 17th; Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival packs in Dani G, The Jazz Ambassadors, Blues People, and Samantha Fish; and Central Park’s Rumsey Playfield hosts the Blacktronika Festival with King Britt and more. That same weekend brings emerging talent at Montclair’s Wellmont Arts Plaza and the Central Jersey Jazz Festival in Flemington, with Maucha Adnet and Akiko Tsuruga on the 16th, Joe Locke, Cynthia Scott, and Alvester Garnett on the 17th. Closing out on Aug 19, Sleepy Hollow’s Horans Landing features the Jazz Forum All-Stars in a Brasil celebration.

August 15 - 17, 2025 | Curated by Hot House Jazz Magazine