BLU Jazz+

03/27/2023

Thank you all for another fantastic week! Let’s look at head to the final days of March with a jam packed week at BLU Jazz+!

Tuesday, March 28th, 8:00pm:
BLUesday Tuesday *FREE*

Wednesday, March 29th, 7:00pm:
Brookside High School "Jazz Education Series"

Thursday, March 30th, 8:00pm:
Wayne Shorter Tribute Night

Friday, March 31st, 8:00pm:
Tommy Lehman & The Uplift Quartet

Saturday, April 1st, 8:00pm:
Abstract Sounds ft. Jevaughn Bogard

Visit our TicketLeap link to grab your 🎟️🎶
https://blujazzakron.ticketleap.com

See you here!

03/23/2023

Reminder:

We are closed tonight as we are attending the Michelle Lordi Music Quartet Ft. Orrin Evans at the Highland Universal Gathering (formerly Temple Israel)!

Join us at 7:00pm for this amazing Quartet in this reimagined space!

03/21/2023

BLUesday Tuesday TONIGHTnight! Will we see you there, there?! 😏🎸

Doors at 7:30pm, music at 8:00pm, entry is FREE and the jams are supplied by YOU so come sign up and get to playin’!

See you here!

03/21/2023

This is in two days! Join us just up the street from our doors for new doors open to ALL!

Michelle Lordi Music is conducting a masterclass that will will involve students learning the process of creating, performing, and touring as a musician, and will be followed by questions at the end. Our educational outreach through masterclasses are meant to help prepare students for a career in the Arts, helping students of all ages understand the Creative Process that can lead to a most rewarding career. Located at the newly reopened space, formerly the Temple Israel, Highland Üniversal Gathering.

Masterclass begins at 4:00pm, followed by a performance by Michelle Lordi Quartet Featuring Orrin Evans at 7:00pm.

ADDRESS TO HÜG:
133 Merriman Rd
Akron, OH 44303

PARKING:
Directly across the street

TICKETS:
Three price tiered options for which row is seating, which all include the performance after the 4pm Masterclass. Link below👇👇

https://creative-arts-collaborative-center.ticketleap.com/michelle-lordi-quartet/dates/Mar-23-2023_at_0400PM

03/19/2023

We’re slowly approaching April and have another fantastic week of music to make your nights better! Here is what we have for this week:

Tuesday, March 21st, 8:00pm:
BLUesday Tuesday *FREE*

Wednesday, March 22nd, 8:00pm:
Jazz Education Initiative: Ellet High School Jazz Band

Friday, March 24th, 8:00pm:
Caleb Smith Quintet & Gabe Jones B-Day Celebration

Saturday, March 25th, 8:00pm:
Mike Wade & The Nasty Nati Brass Band

Visit our TicketLeap link to grab your 🎟️🎶
https://blujazzakron.ticketleap.com

See you here!

03/18/2023

THURSDAY, April 13th (4/13) 8:00pm: Keith LaMar is a WRONGFULLY-CONVICTED Black man who faces state-sanctioned murder in just under a year for crimes he can now prove he did not commit—his ex*****on date has been set for November 16, 2023.

Freedom First began as a concert series in the summer of 2020 on the streets of Brooklyn and Manhattan shortly after the murder of George Floyd, and at a time the country was shut down due to Covid. The aim of these beautiful shows has been to raise public awareness of yet another grave injustice being done in our names, and to seek support for the Campaign for Justice for Keith LaMar while we still can...

Keith is still breathing. Let's not wait for him to become a hashtag.

We only have 80 seats available, so buy here to reserve your ticket early!

Visit our TicketLeap link to grab your 🎟️🎶
https://blujazzakron.ticketleap.com

See you here!

03/18/2023

All refunds for tonight’s cancellation have been sent. Thank you ALL for your understanding and patience. We look forward to seeing you next week!

The Bobby Selvaggio show tomorrow night is CANCELLED due to illness. We hope you all understand.

Refunds are being issued. We appreciate your understanding.

03/17/2023

The Bobby Selvaggio show tomorrow night is CANCELLED due to illness. We hope you all understand.

Refunds are being issued. We appreciate your understanding.

03/17/2023

HUBB's GROOVE RETURNS TO BLU JAZZ! SPECIAL TRIBUTE NIGHT TO STEVIE WONDER, SATURDAY, April 8th (4/8) 8:00pm.

Hubb's Groove plays jazz, soul, gospel, classical and R&B music. The band was founded in 1995 under the name Moment's Notice. The founding band members are Rodney Hubbard, Cliff Coleson, David Heman, Eddie Baccus Jr. and I, Robert Hubbard Jr. As band members went out on tour, we added new members, such as Robert White, Andrew Braxton, Keith Mckelly, Jermaine Lockhart, Tony Pulizzi and Walter Barnes Jr. The band changed it's name to Straight to the Point in 2000, Change on Five in 2004, then Hubb's Groove in 2006. The band has performed with, Angela Bofill, Roger Smith, Marcus Johnson, Walter & Tramaine Hawkins, Vesta Williams, Gerald Levert and many more. The band has opened up for Earth, Wind & Fire,Yellow Jackets, Randy Crawford, Marian Meadows, Pieces of a Dream, Wayman Tisdel, Roy Ayers & many more....

Visit our TicketLeap link to grab your 🎟️🎶
https://blujazzakron.ticketleap.com

See you here!

03/16/2023

Jazz Education Iniative Series:

Brookside High School will be performing at Blu Jazz on Wednesday, March 29th, starting at 7:00pm! Come support our local young talent!

All ticket proceeds donated to Brookside High School music program.

Visit our TicketLeap link to grab your 🎟️🎶
https://blujazzakron.ticketleap.com

See you here!

03/16/2023

FRIDAY, March 24th (3/24) 8:00pm: 

Performer and composer Caleb A. Smith is a multi-faceted artist who hopes to use his art to present relevant, relatable, and thought-provoking narratives to his audience. Caleb received his Bachelor’s in Jazz Performance from Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where he was able to attend on a full-tuition scholarship. Currently, Caleb is pursuing his Master’s Degree from Boston’s New England Conservatory of Music. He has been fortunate enough to study with musicians such as trombonist Robin Eubanks, as well as with performer composers like Jason Moran, Vijay Iyer, Gary Bartz, and Billy Hart. 

CALEB SMITH QUINTET

Featuring:
Nathan Davis - Saxophone
Jonah Ferguson - Guitar
Gabe Jones - Drums
Ahmed McLemore - Bass
Caleb Smith - Trombone

Caleb firmly believes that teaching is an integral part of any society and is very passionate about spreading the knowledge he has obtained to other people on their journey.

Visit our TicketLeap link to grab your 🎟️🎶
https://blujazzakron.ticketleap.com

03/15/2023

Just a week away from the Highland Universal Gathering Masterclass and Concert featuring the Michelle Lordi Quartet!

The Highland Universal Gathering space now occupies the former Temple Israel building located at

133 Merriman Road
Akron, OH 44303

If you have yet to visit this space, this event is an fantastic first time.

Grab your tickets below!

https://creative-arts-collaborative-center.ticketleap.com/michelle-lordi-quartet/?fbclid=PAAaZ8V2JlE6m8yCGLqyxx_koaGZTbFaoelr1tl8hE42qhigW3DxyRkfNtN-E

Come join the Akron Arts community at C3, the Creative Arts Collaborative Center, located inside the HÜG Event Center in Highland Square, for the first ever masterclass and concert performance. We will welcome internationally renowned Jazz Vocalist, Michelle Lordi, featuring Jazz Piano Master, Orrin Evans. This one night only event will start with a one-hour masterclass at 4PM, and followed by a 90-minute concert performance starting at 7PM. This masterclass will involve students learning the process of creating, performing, and touring as a musician, and will be followed by questions at the end. Our educational outreach through masterclasses are meant to help prepare students for a career in the Arts, helping students of all ages understand the Creative Process that can lead to a most rewarding career. Join us in this uplifting series starting Thursday, March 23rd, 2023. Parking will be held in the lot across the street.

03/15/2023

Join us, as we welcome local saxophonist and jazz educator, Bobby Selvaggio, to Blu Jazz!

The Project:

Gabe Jones - Drums
Ian Kinnaman - Bass
Joey Skoch - Piano
Bobby Selvaggio - Alto Sax

03/15/2023

The RETURN of Akron legend TOMMY LEHMAN and his crew to UPLIFT our spirits for the beginning of Spring.

*UPDATES COMING* - stay tuned for some MYSTERY GUESTS joining this amazing group!

March 31st (3/31), 8:00pm: Join us for the local legends performing the music of Mr. Lehman. Check the lineup below!

Tommy Lehman - Trumpet
SmokeFace - Bass
Gabe Jones - Drums
Andru Dennis - Keys

Visit our TicketLeap link to grab your 🎟️🎶
https://blujazzakron.ticketleap.com

See you here!

03/14/2023

Who’s joining us for BLUesday Tuesday Tonight?!

Join us for a rockin’ good time where the good times are to be had in Downtown Akron🎸🎶

03/14/2023

& Blu Jazz Speakeasy Swing Session this Thursday. Bring your love and let’s dance? 💃🕺

See you here at 8pm!

03/13/2023

Camila Meza

hits the stage THIS FRIDAY at 8:00pm. Let’s give Camila the BLU Jazz welcome to Akron! guitarist, Camila Meza, at Blu Jazz!

Meza is musically inspired by jazz guitarists like George Benson and Pat Metheny as well as being influenced by South American music and folk, she first studied with Jorge Vidal and Jorge Díaz. Increasingly oriented to Claudia Acuña from the mid-2000s she worked on the jazz scene of her hometown, where her first recording Giovanni Cultrera, Espinoza y Cia (Navidad en Jazz) was released in 2005. In 2007 she presented her debut album Skylark(Stateside).

Visit our TicketLeap link to grab your 🎟️🎶
https://blujazzakron.ticketleap.com

Join us for the special debut of Chilean guitarist, Camila Meza, at Blu Jazz! Meza is musically inspired by jazz guitarists like George Benson and Pat Metheny as well as being influenced by South American music and folk, she first studied with Jorge Vidal and Jorge Díaz. Increasingly oriented to Cl...

03/12/2023

Have you joined us yet this year?! 2023 is FLYIN’ by and we have an exciting schedule next week to tickle your fancy. Check out what is coming up next!

Tuesday, March 14th, 8:00pm:
BLUesday Tuesday *FREE*

Thursday, March 16th, 8:00:
BLU Jazz Speakeasy Swing Sessions ft. Joey Skoch Trio w/ Ava Preston

Friday, March 17th, 8:00:
Camila Meza

Saturday, March 18th, 8:00:
Bobby Selvaggio Project

Visit our TicketLeap link to grab your 🎟️🎶
https://blujazzakron.ticketleap.com

See you here!

03/09/2023

Get ready for an OCTET of epic proportions! SATURDAY, April 29th, 8:00pm (4/29), we welcome The Stephen Philip Harvey Octet (SPH8)!

The Stephen Philip Harvey Octet (SPH8) is a collective of eight musicians from the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest of the United States, playing the original compositions and arrangements of Stephen Philip Harvey.

The octet features Harvey on tenor saxophone, Chris Coles on alto saxophone, Tommy Lehman on trumpet, Reggie Watkins on trombone, Dan Bruce on guitar, Theron Brown on piano, Jordan McBride on bass, and Dustin May on drums.

The ensemble was revived post-pandemic with new compositions and this new line-up of musicians. Boasting their own individual touring histories, the ensemble assembles their combined musical talents to bring a dynamic voice to Harvey’s writing.

Visit our TicketLeap link to grab your 🎟️🎶
https://blujazzakron.ticketleap.com

03/08/2023

March is in full swing at BLU. When will we see you?

03/07/2023

Full artist roster ANNOUNCED!!!

03/07/2023

Wayne Shorter had an undeniable affect on the Jazz music scene that will transcend his passing. His legacy will pass through the instruments of those who follow him for some time to come.

JOIN US for a special TRIBUTE the music of Wayne Shorter. *This is a ticketed event*

We will be welcoming Bobby Selvaggio, Chris Coles and John Petrucelli on saxophones, Theron Brown on the keys and Zaire Darden on drums to pay their tribute to the great WAYNE SHORTER🎷🎶

Visit our TicketLeap link to grab your 🎟️🎶

https://blujazzakron.ticketleap.com/wayne-shorter-tribute-night/dates/Mar-30-2023_at_0800PM

03/06/2023

Come join the Akron Arts community at C3, the Creative Arts Collaborative Center, located inside the HÜG Event Center in Highland Square, for the first ever masterclass and concert performance. We will welcome internationally renowned Jazz Vocalist, Michelle Lordi, featuring Jazz Piano Master, Orrin Evans. This one night only event will start with a one-hour masterclass at 4PM, and followed by a 90-minute concert performance starting at 7PM. This masterclass will involve students learning the process of creating, performing, and touring as a musician, and will be followed by questions at the end. Our educational outreach through masterclasses are meant to help prepare students for a career in the Arts, helping students of all ages understand the Creative Process that can lead to a most rewarding career. Join us in this uplifting series starting Thursday, March 23rd, 2023. Parking will be held in the lot across the street.

03/05/2023

Another weekend with AMAZING weather in Akron, Ohio… right??? Thank you to those who brave the elements in the name of MUSIC. Here is what we have next week!

Tuesday, March 7th, 8:00pm:
BLUesday Tuesday *FREE*

Wednesday, March 8th, 7:00pm:
Boardman Highschool & Kent State Jazz Orchestra

Thursday, March 9th, 8:00pm:
Charlie Ballantine Trio

Friday, March 10th, 8:00pm:
Celebrating Gigi Gryce

Saturday, March 11th, 8:00pm:
Max Johnson Trio

BLU Jazz
47 E. Market Street, Akron, Ohio

See you there!

03/04/2023

Alexia Bomtempo, as described by the Washington Post, the “top-shelf Brazilian jazz musician” is bringing her music to BLU Jazz on THURSDAY, May 11th (5/11), 8:00pm. You won’t want to miss this!

Alexia Bomtempo brings her trademark sultry Brazilian sounds to fans with a stunning new album called DOCE CARNAVAL released August 5 on Ropeadope Records. Highlighted on NPR MUSIC’s All Songs Considered as one of the best releases of the week, the nine-track album is a love letter to the timeless soundtrack of Brazilian Carnaval, with Bomtempo reimagining classic Carnaval songs and infusing them with her own intoxicating vocals and “doce” (sweet) musical flourishes.

Visit our TicketLeap link to grab your 🎟️🎶
https://blujazzakron.ticketleap.com

03/01/2023

Let’s give these NYC folks a warm BLU JAZZ welcome THIS FRIDAY🎹✨

Simona Premazzi and Kyle Nasser have played together for nearly a decade, but in late 2021, they hatched the idea to start a collaborative group, each doing half the writing. The group has played frequently around NYC at venues such as Smalls, Lunatico, Bar Bayeux, and Cellar Dog for over a year and have honed a book of music that has diverse influences yet a consistent aesthetic - modern jazz with historical awareness, copious counterpoint, strong melodies, and groove. They are excited to bring frequent collaborators Martin Nevin on bass and Jay Sawyer on drums. 

Visit our TicketLeap link to grab your 🎟️🎶
https://blujazzakron.ticketleap.com

03/01/2023

SATURDAY, March 11th (3/11), 8:00pm

Join us for the Max Johnson Trio, at Blu Jazz!

Fresh off the release of their 2022 album “Orbit of Sound” and their tour across Europe, virtuoso double bassist and composer Max Johnson presents his trio with Anna Webber (saxophone, flute), and Michael Sarin (drumset). Between the three of them, they have worked with artists such as Anthony Braxton, Mary Halvorson, John Zorn, Dave Douglass, Jen Shyu, William Parker, and this project highlights the individual sounds and experiences of these three unique voices, traversing tightly knit grooving composed music to patient sprawling improvised textures, blending their unique sounds to create something truly special. 

Visit our TicketLeap link to grab your 🎟️🎶

https://blujazzakron.ticketleap.com

03/01/2023

Celebrating Gigi Gryce - FRIDAY, March 10th (3/10), 8:00pm - Performed by a collection of BLU JAZZ SUPERSTARS✨

Join us for a special night at Blu Jazz, as we celebrate the works of Gigi Gryce!

Line-up:
Tony DePaolis: Bass
Thomas Wendt: Drums
Jeff Bush: Trombone
Chris Coles: Alto Sax
Theron Brown: Piano

Visit our TicketLeap link to grab your 🎟️🎶

https://blujazzakron.ticketleap.com

02/28/2023

Who wants to come jam some blues with us tonight?!

BLUesday Tuesday starts at 8:00pm. Free entry and a signup sheet to hop on stage with your axe and jam with us!

See you there!

02/28/2023

Next Wednesday, March 8th (3/8) at 7:00pm, we welcome Boardman High School and Kent State Jazz Orchestra with our very own Bobby Selvaggio!

Join us for this Jazz Education Iniative Series: Featuring student performance from Boardman High School and Kent State Jazz Orchestra.

Visit our TicketLeap link to grab your 🎟️🎶

https://blujazzakron.ticketleap.com

02/28/2023

This Thursday! Come jam with us! Led by Bobby Selvaggio🎷🎷🎷

02/26/2023

Thank you all for joining us for such a stacked week! Check out what we have coming up for the next one!

Tuesday, February 28th, 8:00pm:
BLUesday Tuesday *FREE*

Thursday, March 2nd, 8:00pm:
BLU Jazz Jam Session

Friday, March 3rd, 8:00pm:
Kyle Nasser & Simona Premazzi Quartet

Saturday, March 4th, 8:00pm:
Jimmy Alexander Trio

Visit our TicketLeap link to grab your 🎟️🎶

https://blujazzakron.ticketleap.com