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 

Join us for an epic celebration of Frank Sinatra's first live album "Sinatra at the Sands", featuring performances by Hayden Grove & The Moonlight Serenaders. Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: $30 General Admission The Moonlight Serenaders, led by Trombonist Scott Marsh, focus on keeping the traditions of the classic Big Band Era alive, playing songs from the late 1930's up to the mid 1960's...from Glenn Miller, Woody Herman, and Artie Shaw to Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Buddy Rich. The band features vocal and instrumental soloists, and plays clubs, public concerts, and private events throughout Northeast Ohio. 

The DBBB will present it's popular Latin Heat show, featuring big band latin jazz! We will feature a special tribute to Chuck Mangione! There will be compositions by Dave Banks, Don Turoso, Chas Baker, Arturo Sandoval, Maynard Ferguson and more! Vocalist Shannon Eller, and percussionist Sammy DeLeon join the fun! Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: $30 General Admission The Dave Banks Big Band is a powerhouse 17 piece swinging big band based out of Akron, Ohio and is led by Ohio native and 20 year Las Vegas veteran trumpet artist, Dave Banks. The band boasts of having the very top players in the Northeast Ohio area. Dave fronts the band with his soaring trumpet – reminding you of Doc Severinson, Harry James and Maynard Ferguson. Their repertoire ranges from original compositions to standard big band favorites. Featured vocalists have included Michael Sonata, Stan Davis, Mery White, Shannon Eller, Britni Tozzi, Helen Welch, Don Dasco, John Morton, Frederick Davis and Paul Hoffman. Their library of big band music includes hit songs arranged by the best writers in the business. They have played to packed houses at Akron’s BLU Jazz+, the Cleveland Bop Stop, the Packard Music Hall, Carousel Dinner Theatre, The Tangier Ballroom and The Kent Stage. 

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. 

Sensational pop/R&B/jazz saxophonist & member of New Power Generation (the backing band of music icon, Prince) returns to the Rubber City with his high-energy band for one night only! Join us at BLU for one of our biggest concerts featuring this world-renowned artist. Get your tickets today! Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: $45 General Admission (purchased in advance), $55 General Admission (day of show) Pop/R&B and jazz sensation, Marcus Anderson, is fast becoming one to watch. Hailing from South Carolina, Marcus Anderson has performed for audiences all over the world as one of Prince’s saxophonists in New Power Generation. As part of New Power Generation, Anderson has played and been showcased in such iconic festivals such as the Essence Music Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival and the Curacao North Sea Jazz Festival. Watching Marcus Anderson perform is akin to no other live experience. The tremendous musicianship Anderson displays in-person is matched only by his energetic, charismatic and passionate showmanship. Heavily influenced by artists such as Michael Jackson, James Brown and Prince, Anderson’s magnetic stage persona and tremendous enjoyment of performing is undeniable. Anderson makes the stage his musical playground and the stage becomes the setting for where “style meets substance.” “Touring with Prince has been rewarding in so many different ways; I feel as if I’m in grad school, business classes, and etiquette school all wrapped into one. Thank you Paisley University!” - Marcus Anderson Join us at BLU for one of the summer biggest concerts featuring this world-renowned artist, get your tickets today! 

Join us as trumpeter Tim Coyne brings his quartet to BLU featuring, Pete Reimer on piano, David Spondike on bass, and Scott Velardo on drums. Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: General Admission ($15 in advance, $20 day of show) The Tim Coyne Jazztet performs original music and classic standards. This Akron-based ensemble formed in the mid-1990s, and the group has performed extensively across northeast Ohio over the last 30 years. 

Detroit Jazz and Soul Artist, Kathy Kosins, will be performing on Friday, October 3rd! Doors: 6:00pm Show: 7:00pm Tickets: General Admission ($20 in advance, $25 day of show) Kosins, along with Joe Lehman (piano), Ray Parker (bass) and Scott Kretzer (drums),  will be performing the repertoire  from Kosins’ many recordings, with the emphasis on her modern exploration of The West Coast Cool Movement from her critically acclaimed album 'To The Ladies Of Cool', a celebration of the artistry of Anita O’Day, Chris Connor, Julie London and June Christy, while also weaving in her jazz infused soul originals, from her, critically acclaimed album, 'Uncovered Soul’ . With 6 albums and 12 singles released worldwide and having performed at jazz festivals and prestigious clubs globally, Kosins is thrilled to present this sophisticated material at BluJazz. Catering To both Jazz and Soul aficionados, Kosins  wows audiences with her impeccable, flawless phrasing and a deep-rooted passion for telling the story. Her eclectic musical palette delves deep into the rich history of both Jazz And Soul. Kosins has recorded, performed and/or shared the stage with many well known Jazz and R&B artists including Gregory Porter, Kevin Mahogany, Terence Blanchard, Gerald Clayton, Cyrus Chestnut, Terrell Stafford, Randy Brecker, Don Was, Michael Henderson, Peobo Bryson, Red Holloway, James Moody, to name a few. 

Hovan/Jensen/Mirth Northeast Ohio drummer Chris Hovan joins forces with bassist Art Jensen (Monika Chapman, Don Goodman, Waterloo Jazz Jam) and guitarist Tim Mirth (Night Terrors, Mark Russo, Chris Hovan Organic Trio) for an evening of electric, eclectic sounds where groove and adventurous improvisation take center stage. Expect a wide-ranging set with something for everyone—from the timeless “Wichita Lineman” to Ornette Coleman’s “Tears Inside.” Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: General Admission ($20 in advance, $25 day of show) 

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. 

The BLU Jazz Jam is for musicians and music lovers alike! Come hang and experience this exciting forum for musical expression. Bring your “axe” and play through tunes, pick up licks, trade 4’s, and enjoy the camaraderie of having a gathering place for the area’s finest professional jazz musicians (as well as the up-and-comers)! Hosted by University of Akron alumni! *** FREE ADMISSION *** Doors: 6:00pm Show: 7:00-10:00pm 

Tim Mirth Quartet featuring AJ Kluth (sax), Jeremey Poparad (bass), and Tony Kazel (drums). Playing a mix of originals and rearrangements of standards taking a unique approach to the new jazz scene. We are excited to return to Blu with an added element of saxophone to the group with the amazing AJ Kluth. Inspired by the likes of Kurt Rosenwinkel, Keith Jarrett, John McLaughlin, Classical music, Indian music and even bands like Radiohead and Tori Amos, we will be bringing beauty and energy. Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: General Admission ($20 in advance), ($25 day of show) 

Join us for an unforgettable Thursday night, featuring the return of Jonathan Scales Fourchestra to BLU Jazz! Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: General Admission ($25 in advance), ($35 day of show) Jonathan Scales is one of the most innovative steel pannists on the planet, and is redefining and challenging traditional expectations of his signature instrument. In his hands, the sonic palette of an instrument often associated with cruise ships and tropical resorts is radically expanded to mimic the role of horns, piano, vibraphone or marimba due to his stunning, virtuosic technique. Scales’ mesmerizing compositions have captivated listeners and elevated him to the status of a true composer, forging new territory in the medium of instrumental music. From club and festival stages across North America and Europe, and tours of Africa, Southeast and Central Asia as a Cultural Ambassador for the US Department of State, to their NPR Tiny Desk Concert featuring Béla Fleck, the Fourchestra’s live shows make even the most jaded listeners forget where they are… even if just for a precious moment. This may seem an odd thing to say, but on the verge of releasing their eighth studio recording, Jonathan Scales Fourchestra is only now truly embracing their identity as a group. For many years, Jonathan’s live band was a fluid lineup of top-notch musicians, and even included an “all-star” version with bassist MonoNeon (Prince, Nas), drummer Sput Searight (Snarky Puppy, Snoop Dogg) and percussionist Weedie Braimah (Trombone Shorty, Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah), as well as a number of other marquee players. Now, however, the Fourchestra is a decidedly indivisible band, and Jonathan is writing for the trio, not just the pans. “…joyously inventive…” -JazzTimes “To say I am impressed would be a gross understatement! Wow, Jonathan!” -Béla Fleck “At the end of the day Scales is going to be a major player in rewriting the books on steelpan music outside the box.” -When Steel Talks “Jonathan Scales brings new vitality to the traditional Caribbean instrument, picking up where Othello Molineaux left off 20 years ago with Jaco Pastorius.” -JazzTimes