Join us as we welcome the Cats back to BLU for an explosive two-night run! Come say farewell and help us send off Cameron as he makes his move out East! Featuring: Justin Tibbs - Sax Michael Vincent - Guitar Smokeface - Bass Cameron Bickley - Drums Randy Nicholas - Bass Tommy Lehman - Trumpet Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: General Admission ($20 in advance, $25 at the door) 

Join us as we welcome the Cats back to BLU for an explosive two-night run! Come say farewell and help us send off Cameron as he makes his move out East! Featuring: Justin Tibbs - Sax Michael Vincent - Guitar Smokeface - Bass Cameron Bickley - Drums Randy Nicholas - Bass Tommy Lehman - Trumpet Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: General Admission ($20 in advance, $25 at the door) 

Join us Friday night for the official Acid Cat's after party at our upstairs bar and lounge, The Circle of Fifths! Show: 11:00pm-1:00am FREE ADMISSION Resolve is an up and coming young jazz-fusion and R&B band from Akron, Ohio, that delivers fresh sound and original music inspired by our city. Led by saxophonist and BLU Jazz sound technician, Donovan Shaeffer, along with Richard Orr II, Jason Johnson, and Gregory Camp Jr. 

Join us as we celebrate the legendary tunes of Steely Dan, with The FM Project! Doors: 7:00 Show: 8:00pm Tickets: General Admission ($20 in advance, $25 day of show) 

World class jazz guitarist and Akron native, Dan Wilson, returns with the legendary vocalist/keyboardist, Nigel Hall, for a very special Sunday evening at BLU Jazz+! Featuring: Dan Wilson - guitar Nigel Hall - vocals David Throckmorton - drums Cliff Barnes - piano Kip Reed - bass Doors: 6:00pm Show:7:00pm Tickets: General Admission ($30 in advance, $40 at the door) About: GRAMMY-winning Soul provider Nigel Hall is an artist who needs no introduction. Throughout his career, he’s built a mighty foundation of funk, onstage and in the studio, proving himself to be a true student of the music. His unique sound, built upon pages torn out of the golden-ages of R&B, funk and soul, have made him the musician he is today; an accomplished vocalist, keyboardist, studio musician, and member of the GRAMMY-nominated funk-jazz-soul-hip-hop-psychedelic-jam-experimental titans Lettuce. Legions of fans are already well in the know about Hall’s copious keyboard chops and powerful vocal style. 

Wolves for Walls ———- Pre-Thanksgiving eve plans? We are cooking up a feast of fun at Blu Jazz and doing things a little differently. This is not a jazz show, this is a Rock show featuring some of Akron’s most exciting new bands.  Join us November 26th for Wolves for walls with special guests Empty Coats + more. Doors - 7p Show - 8p Tickets: General Admission ($10 in advance, $15 at door) Dinner or drinks before the show? Co5 opens at 5! 

Cleveland contemporary jazz sensations bring their high-energy funk, rock, reggae & pop in a highly-anticipated return to the Rubber City! Featuring Lem Adams (Vibes), Riley Richard (Sax), Kevin Byous (Guitar), Gary Stevenson (Bass), Alphonso McDuffie (Keys), and John Turner (Drums). Join us at BLU for the return of this hard-hitting group, get your tickets now! Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: General Admission ($45 in advance, $50 day of show) 

Together for the first time this November! Hubb’s Groove and the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra join forces for a night of genre bending mix of funk, blues, and jazz at BLU Jazz+! Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: General Admission ($30 in advance, $35 at door) About: The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra has been Northeast Ohio’s premier jazz voice since 1985. Led by award-winning composer and trombonist Paul Ferguson, the CJO promotes jazz in its historical and contemporary forms, through concerts featuring a stellar line-up of jazz luminaries, arrangers, composers, and educators. At a CJO concert, you will enjoy “the best jazz you’ve ever heard and the best jazz you’ve never heard.” Through inventive, original music and effective, innovative Educational Outreach, the CJO shepherds young and up-and-coming musicians and provides our region with unique and important cultural experiences. 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, they 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…. 

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. 

“Reed rush is a natural, abrasive material used by woodwind players to gently adjust the playing characteristics of their reeds.” ReedRush, is a jazz quintet and considerably less abrasive. ReedRush is centered around the inspiring rush of two reed instrumentalists performing together. This new Northeast Ohio jazz group, led by saxophonist John Klayman, will feature an accomplished guest saxophonist performing beside him in a rush of improvisational conversations. There will be a different guest saxophonist at each new performance. Repertoire will include jazz standards and arrangements for this unique group. The top-tier members of ReedRush are Jordan McBride, bass; Sunceray Tabler, drums; Bob Ferrazza, guitar and John Klayman, saxophones & flute. As a member of the jazz saxophone community of Northeast Ohio for over 45 years, John Klayman created this accomplished group to feature the many talented saxophonists throughout the area. Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: General Admission ($20 in advance, $25 at the door) 

Join us for a night of Bossa Nova, as Moises Borges warms up the evening with his song and story from Brazil! Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: General Admission ($20 in advance, $25 at door) About: Based in Cleveland, Ohio for over two decades, Moises Borges is a gifted guitarist and vocalist born in Bahia, Brazil, He grew up experimenting with rhythms such as Bolero, Baião, Xote, Afoxé, Frevo, Forró, especially Samba and Bossa Nova which are basic to his performances, his soothing voice and charm make for a wonderful evening of entertainment for all lovers of Brazilian Jazz. Performing either solo or with his band, Borges is a wonderful storyteller, and a vivid, funny performer who plays mostly in the Samba and Bossa Nova traditions, interpreting his original songs and soulfully delivering classics by Jobim, Gilberto, Bosco and many others. "Far away from his native Brazil, the music of his homeland is very much alive when he is on stage." 

Olivia Van Goor is an award winning jazz vocalist based in Detroit with a long history in NE Ohio. Growing up in Hudson, she had her first experiences singing with the jazz band including a school appearance at Blu Jazz +. A decade later, she returns with a stellar band to debut her holiday album: Waiting For Santa. The crew will swing tunes from the record and many other holiday favorites sure to get you in the holiday spirit! Door: 6:00pm Show: 7:00pm Tickets: General Admission ($20 in advance, $25 day of show) Andrew Wegierski - Trombone Joe Leaman - Piano Ian Kinneman - Bass Brad Billmaier - Drums About: Olivia Van Goor is a Detroit-based jazz vocalist, band leader, arranger, and composer. She has built a reputation for not only being an excellent vocalist, but a creative force to be reckoned with. Her hard work has yielded two EPs, first “When the Shadows Fall” in 2021 and the second being “Don’t Be Mad At Me” in August of 2023. These recordings have taken her to tour in surrounding major cities such as Ann Arbor, Toledo, Cleveland, Columbus, Southbend, Chicago, and Pittsburgh. Additionally, she received “Best Vocalist” for the Preservation of Jazz Excellence Award in Detroit, nominations by the Detroit Music Awards and recognition by many Michigan-based publications. Beyond recording, she has produced the show “Duets” with vocalist/bassist Reuben Stump exploring the history of vocal jazz duets and some of her own arrangements as well as an “Anita O’Day Tribute” in which she pays tribute to the legendary vocalist Anita O’Day. She has worked with musicians like Detroit pianist Scott Gwinnell, 2-time JUNO award winning vocalist Caity Gyorgy, and prolific Ann Arbor string bassist Paul Keller. Olivia continues to collaborate with many Michigan leaders in jazz in addition to surrounding midwest musicians to spread musical joy. 

Jennifer James brings her trio to BLU for a special night celebrating Vince Guaraldi's timeless classic "A Charlie Brown Christmas". Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: $20 General Admission Featuring: Jennifer James - Piano Brian Randall - Drums Chris Mezzolesta- Bass 

The Pickle Mafia is a dynamic trio from New York, garnering nationwide attention through their groundbreaking, unique brand of Arena Jazz Fusion! Featuring Charlie Lindner (keyboardist/composer), Ben Chilbert (bass), and Marco Cirigliano (drums/percussion). Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: $20 General Admission The band performs original cutting edge jazz tunes and arrangements of popular artists from Nirvana to Chick Corea and electronic danceable originals! Performances can vary from intimate grand piano sit down shows to straight up dance parties! Just in a short time the group has played 80+ shows across NYC, Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse, Southern tier, ADK, Vermont, and more. 

Coming straight from her debut show in New York City, join Kate DeL and her Christmas Quintet for an evening of jazz to celebrate the release of her new vinyl "Cheers to Christmas". Guests can look forward to classic holiday tunes interpreted with a contemporary, yet classic approach featuring original arrangements. This cozy event offers a blend of sophisticated music and seasonal warmth, making it a perfect way to embrace the holidays. Don’t miss this fantastic album release show! Vocals: Kate DeL Keys: Andru Dennis Sax: Tim Harker Bass: Vinny Vivacqua Drums: Zaire Darden. 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. 

Join us for an epic big band celebration of holiday classics, featuring Maria Jacobs on vocals, backed by The Moonlight Serenaders! UPDATED SHOW TIME: Doors: 6:00pm Show: 7:00pm Tickets: General Admission ($25 in advance, $30 day of show) 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. 

Ring in the holiday season with Barbara Rosene, performing Christmas classics at BLU Jazz! Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: General Admission ($25 in advance, $30 day of show) Line-up: Baraba Rosene - Vocals Glenn Davis - Drums Rock Wehrmann - Piano Bryan Thomas - Bass Tommy Lehman - Trumpet About: An Ohio native, now living in New York City, Barbara Rosene has built an unequalled reputation for interpreting the great music of the 1920s through the 50s. She has shared stages with jazz icons, making music with The Harry James Orchestra, with the late Les Paul at New York’s Iridium Jazz Club, with Vince Giordano and The Nighthawks, and The Woody Allen Jazz Band, as well as directing her own New Yorkers. Barbara has performed as a guest artist with orchestras and in festivals world wide. She has played such venues as Dizzy’s, Lincoln Center's Rose Hall, Birdland, Blues Alley, The Jazz Corner, The Montreal Jazz Festival and Jazz Amarinois. Barbara has been featured on Judy Carmichael's NPR program, "Jazz Inspired", and on NPR's "Hot Jazz Saturday Night."with Rob Bamberger. She has been recognized by Backstage Magazine (Bistro Award), "Jazz Improv Magazine", and is featured in Scott Yanow’s “Great Jazz Singers.”