Join us for an uplifting Thursday night of Gospel Jazz, featuring the humble yet prestigious powerhouse vocalist and keyboardist, Doobie Powell! Doors: 6:00pm Show: 7:00pm-10:00pm General Admission: $30 VIP Experience: $150 - Available for purchase at door. Ticket includes access to concert, merch and meet and greet. As a performer, Doobie's live shows have become legendary, combining powerful vocals with an electrifying stage presence that transforms venues into sanctuaries of soul. His performances, marked by dynamic live arrangements and unexpected musical turns, seamlessly blend gospel, jazz, R&B, and contemporary soul, consistently drawing diverse audiences seeking authentic musical experiences. 

Meet "Aaron Smith & RDAA," a dynamic band founded by drummer, Aaron Smith, driven by a passion for original jazz, fusion, and soul music. Hailing from the Midwest, with roots in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Kentucky, the band has captivated audiences in cities like Cleveland, Akron, Indianapolis, and Nashville. Their unique and inspiring sound, crafted by each member's distinct style, has garnered a growing fan base, with overwhelming love from audiences at every show! Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: $25 General Admission About: Aaron Smith is an independent artist who had a passion for music at a very early age. Born in Muncie Indiana he started playing by the age of two. Learning very quickly the concept of drumming he was soon playing drums consistently at church by age 6. By the time he was 10, Aaron was recording professionally. That gave him a platform to learn more and stretch his musical abilities. At 18 Aaron was traveling nationally playing for various gospel groups, touring and eventually was given the opportunity to teach drum clinics all over the U.S. Aaron transferred from Berklee College Of Music to Indiana University to finish his college degree in music. It was in that transition where his social media presence began to grow phenomenally and he started to teach what he knew on an international scale. He has played and recorded for a number of well-known groups and artists including Scott Guynn and Weapons, Brian Reeves & Heart After God, Doobie Powell, the widely popular Williams Singers, Funkyardx and The Franchize Band. Currently he is producing his first EP which will feature numerous independent artists to pay tribute to his hometown. He is looking forward to working with more national artists and using his social media influence to give back to the musical community by hosting drum clinics on a global scale. 

Join us Thursday, August, 21st, as we welcome Howard Howell, keyboard legend from Youngstown, OH! The evening will be ladies night themed with drink and food specials! Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: $20 General Admission 

Esto Jazz featuring saxophonist, Robert Esterle, brings their variety of contemporary jazz, pop, standards and original compositions back to BLU! Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: $20 General Admission About: Esterle has performed in a wide variety of musical groups from symphony orchestras to jazz big bands throughout the Midwest. He has backed up such popular artists as Bobby Caldwell, Olivia Newton-John, Sandy Duncan, Ray Charles, The Four Tops, The Temptations, Frankie Avalon, Martha Reeves, The Platters, The Fifth Dimension, The Four Lads, Rich Little, Joan Rivers, Guy Lombardo, Hal Linden and Red Skelton. He has also performed for Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. 

Join us, August 23rd, as Hubb's Groove returns to BLU for a special groove and soul tribute to Roberta Flack and Angie Stone! Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: $30 General Admission About: Meet Robert Hubbard, the extraordinary drummer and founder of the celebrated All-Star band, Hubb’s Groove. Based in Northeast, Ohio, Robert has cultivated a unique musical experience that seamlessly blends Soul, Jazz, R&B, and a touch of Gospel. With a commitment to heartfelt performances, Hubb’s Groove delivers a smooth yet high-energy sound that resonates deeply with audiences, proving that music played from the heart truly reaches the heart. Founded in 1996 in Cleveland, Ohio, originally under the name “Moments Notice,” Robert rebranded the band as “Hubb’s Groove” in 2006, setting the stage for a dynamic musical journey. Over the years, the band has had the honor of sharing the stage with renowned artists such as Kirk Whalum, Jonathan Butler, Earth Wind & Fire, Wayman Tisdale, TONY TONE TONI, Will Downing, Randy Crawford, and Pieces of a Dream, showcasing their versatility and talent. Hubb’s Groove has also collaborated with other notable musicians, including Alex Bugnon, Angela Bofill, Eric Roberson, Marcus Johnson, Mike Phillips, and Sean Jones, solidifying their reputation as a sought-after ensemble in the music scene. The band has caught the attention of media personalities, with FOX 8 News anchor Wayne Dawson declaring them his favorite band. Their accolades speak volumes, including the prestigious Cleveland Best Band award in 2019 and the honor of performing at Mayor Bibb’s inaugural ball. Additionally, Hubb’s Groove has been recognized as the Best Jazz Band at The Cleveland Music Awards for three consecutive years – 2022, 2023, and 2024. Mr. Hubbard was also recognized as a 2024 Jazzfest legend at Tri-C. The talented members of Hubb’s Groove include James Blaque on bass, Matthew Horwich and Roger Maple on saxophone, George Granville and Gerrond Masson on keyboards, Robert Hubbard Jr. on drums, and vocalists Adrianna Miller and Mazhorell Johnson. Together, they create a rich tapestry of sound that captivates audiences whenever they perform. 

Join us for our continued bi-weekly Tuesday night blues jam session tradition, hosted by NE Ohio all-star blues musicians John Markovic, Ryan Neuman, & Erik Diaz! Bring your axe or horn & wail the blues as part of this ongoing musical series at BLU! The “BLUesday Tuesday” Blues Jam band carries 60+ years of combined experience in and around the Greater Akron Blues scene. They enjoy blending their deep roots & varied influences to bring hot, stylish electric blues to the stage – always listening, always feeding off each other’s energy and always laying down soulful, groove-laden blues with feeling. Doors: 6:00pm Show: 7:00pm *Free Admission* Under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. 

Join us on the last thursday of every month for an unforgettable night of powerful poetry and evocative spoken word performances! Experience raw emotion, compelling stories, and thought-provoking words as local and emerging artists take the stage to share their voices. Whether you’re a longtime poetry lover or new to the world of spoken word, this event promises to ignite your imagination and stir your soul. Doors: 6:00pm Show: 7:00pm Tickets: $10 General Admission (proceeds support our artists) 

Join us Friday, August 29th, for local composer and trombone star, Andrew Wegierski and his jazz quartet! Featuring Jennifer James (piano), Jeremy Poparad (bass), and Frank Margida (drums)! Doors: 7:00pm Shows: 8:00pm Tickets: $20 General Admission 

Join us August 30th, as we welcome heavy hitters, Tony Grey (bass), David Throckmorton (drums), and Matthew Charles Heulitt (guitar), to the Rubber City by way of the Steel City! Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: $25 General Admission "Grey-Throckmorton-Heulitt is a Pittsburgh-based jazz fusion trio with world-class players. Longtime Pittsburgh veteran David Throckmorton on drums (Maynard Ferguson, Dan Wilson, David Fiuczynski, Reb Beach), Matthew Charles Heulitt on guitar (Narada Michael Walden, Carlos Santana, Zigaboo Modeliste), and Tony Grey on bass (Hiromi, John McLaughlin, Herbie Hancock). This trio merges high-level playing with intimate improvisational dialogues and genre-crossing melodies full of depth and emotion." 

Join us for our continued bi-weekly Tuesday night blues jam session tradition, hosted by NE Ohio all-star blues musicians John Markovic, Ryan Neuman, & Erik Diaz! Bring your axe or horn & wail the blues as part of this ongoing musical series at BLU! The “BLUesday Tuesday” Blues Jam band carries 60+ years of combined experience in and around the Greater Akron Blues scene. They enjoy blending their deep roots & varied influences to bring hot, stylish electric blues to the stage – always listening, always feeding off each other’s energy and always laying down soulful, groove-laden blues with feeling. Doors: 6:00pm Show: 7:00pm *Free Admission* Under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. 

Billboard chart-topping bassist, producer & contemporary jazz recording artist grooves his way back from Kansas City to the Rubber City for a very special one-night-only BLU return! A dynamic lead bass player from Kansas City, bassist Julian Vaughn is rapidly becoming a major player in the contemporary jazz genre. Vaughn has made a name for himself as bassist in the smooth jazz genre which is dominated by saxophone players. Doors: 7:00pm First Performance: 8:00pm-9:30pm Second Performance: 10:00pm-11:30pm Tickets: $50 General Admission