BLU Jazz+

08/25/2026

Tickets are selling fast— grab yours before they sell out!

Saturday, September 5th (9/5): The Dan Wilson Community Band

Doors: 7:00pm
Show: 8:00pm
Tickets: General Admission ($30 in advance, $40 at the door)
🎟️ https://blu-jazz.turntabletickets.com/shows/12638/2026-09-05

Featuring:
Nathan Paul - Saxophone
Chris Coles - Saxophone
Brad Wagner - Saxophone
Chris Anderson - Trombone
George Delancy - Bass
Patrick Graney - percussion
Weedie Braimah - percussion

Growing up in Akron, Ohio, Dan Wilson spent the majority of his youth within the church community, where his musical path began.

Traces of his major guitar influences – including Wes Montgomery, Charlie Christian, Joe Pass, and George Benson to name a few – can be discerned through his playing, but his musical identity has been shaped by everything from gospel and blues to traditional jazz, hip-hop and horn players like Sonny Rollins and Joe Henderson.

After graduating from Hiram College, Wilson made his recording debut with pianist Joe McBride and performed to worldwide acclaim with Joey DeFrancesco and Christian McBride’s Tip City, eventually recording his debut as a leader To Whom It May Concern.

Wilson has had the honor of sharing the stage with jazz greats including Eric Marienthal, Russell Malone, Les McCann, René Marie, Jeff Hamilton, David Sanborn and Dave Stryker. He also teaches jazz guitar and music theory through private lessons.

Wilson’s career took him on an exploratory journey into foundations laid down by the guitar/organ tradition, eventually leading to an invitation to perform with jazz great Joey DeFrancesco’s trio quartet, with which Wilson went on to earn a GRAMMY® Award nomination with for DeFrancesco’s Project Freedom album (Mack Avenue Records, 2017).

This collaboration allowed the guitarist to insert his own dialect into the musical prowess and respect that DeFrancesco had earned throughout his journey.

Wilson had been playing with DeFrancesco for a few years when he met bassist, composer, arranger, Christian McBride. From there, Wilson went on to tour with McBride’s trio Tip City, eventually leading McBride to serve as producer on "Vessels of Wood and Earth" and release the album on his newly formed imprint Brother Mister Productions through Mack Avenue Music Group.

📍Location:
BLU Jazz
47 E. Market St.
Akron, OH 44308

World-renowned jazz guitarist and Akron native, Dan Wilson, returns to BLU Jazz with his all-star "community band' on Saturday, September 5th! Featuring: Nathan Paul - Saxophone Chris Coles…

08/24/2026

The Dave Banks Big Band will be back at Blujazz with some of their own great arrangements, along with vocalist Scott Brotherton as we highlight the songs of Dean Martin and Neil Diamond in a fun evening of jazz, rock, laughs, and great music!

08/24/2026

08/24/2026

THIS SATURDAY, 8/29: Jennifer James "VGM" Quartet

Akron pianist Jennifer James brings her new VGM Quartet to Blu Jazz+ for an exciting and unique night of video game music, performing arrangements of iconic tracks from games like Animal Crossing, The Sims, Mario Kart, and more. From classics to modern gems, this will be a night featuring the best of video game soundtracks that you won't want to miss!

Featuring:
Jennifer James (piano)
Christopher Coles (sax)
Holbrook Riles III (drums)
Taylor Arbogast (bass)

Doors: 7:00pm
Show: 8:00pm
Tickets: General Admission ($20 in advance, $25 day of show)
🎟️ https://blu-jazz.turntabletickets.com/shows/12420/2026-08-29

📍Location:
BLU Jazz
47 E. Market St.
Akron, OH 44308

08/19/2026

Friday, September 4th (9/4): Prism "Classic Jazz - Strings Attached"

What do you get when you combine saxophone, piano, bass and drums with violin and cello? Prism, a jazz sextet that provides a unique and interesting jazz experience. Featuring John Klayman (woodwinds), Anthony Fuoco (piano), Aidan Plank (bass), Carrie Singler (violin), Jeffrey Singler (cello), and Sunceray Tabler (drums and percussion).

Doors: 7:00pm
Show: 8:00pm
Tickets: $20 General Admission
🎟️ https://blu-jazz.turntabletickets.com/shows/12841/2026-09-04

Prism was created by saxophonist John Klayman in 2019. Klayman, a 35-year charter member of the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, wanted to create a small jazz group that included strings and the very best young jazz musicians in N.E. Ohio. Prism recreates many jazz classics including works by Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Billy Strayhorn, Chick Corea and Freddie Hubbard. In addition, the group presents newer compositions by Michael Brecker, Donny McCaslin, John Abercrombie and Bill Stewart.

Musicians include prominent members of the Northeast Ohio jazz and classical music communities. Prism frequently performs in jazz clubs and concert venues in Northeast Ohio. Its members are very active as performers, educators, adjudicators, and guest artists.