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)!  This session will feature local jazz players and educators Nick Paparone (guitar), Zaire Darden (drums), and Jordan McBride (bass). Doors: 6:00pm Show: 7:00pm Tickets: $10 General Admission (proceeds to musicians) *Free for students and participating musicians* Under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. 

Saxophonist, Bobby Selvaggio and his jazz quartet reimagine and improvise two-sets of pop music favorites at Blu Jazz! Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: $20 General Admission Bobby Selvaggio – alto sax and pedals Zakk Jones - guitar Zaire Darden – drums Kip Reed – bass Bobby Selvaggio is one of the leading alto saxophone voices on today's jazz scene. In the words of pianist Kenny Werner, “Bobby is among the best of players out there,” and legendary saxophonist Joe Lovano praises Bobby by calling him “one of the few young saxophonists on the scene today that captures you with his strong presence, focus, and sound.” 

Cleveland's Blue Lunch returns to BLU to celebrate the sounds of the 1940's & 1950's! Join us for this special blast from the past! Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: $25 General Admission About: From Cleveland, OH eight virtuoso musicians perform on guitar, piano, upright bass, drums, harp, saxophones, trumpet, and trombone. In addition to their instrumental work, Blue Lunch also boasts five vocalists and includes do-wop style and gospel harmonies in their repertoire. Blue Lunch has released eight cds, Recorded Live at Wilberts, Eyes Wide Open, Not Live at the Copa, Big Sound Blues, Sideswiped, Saxophone Shootout II , Blue Lunch Special, and their newest and most recent release, Above the Fold, for Rip Cat Records of Los Angeles. Featuring Billy Seward (guitar & vocals), Pete London (harmonica & vocals), Chris Burge (tenor saxophone), Mike Sands (piano), Ray DeForest (bass), Scott Flowers (drums), Mike Rubin (trumpet), and Bob Michael (trombone). 

Join us, parents and friends, as we welcome West Branch High School's "Warrior Jazz Ensemble" to the stage at Blu Jazz! This event is part of our "Kent State Jazz Studies: High School Jazz Nights at Blu". Doors: 6:30pm Show: 7:00pm Tickets: $10 General Admission Thank you for supporting West Branch High School! 

Thursday, May 1st, Join us 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, as Texas based drummer, Bobby Falk, returns to BLU Jazz with his jazz group! Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: $25 General Admission Line-up: Bobby Falk (drums/percussion) Chris Borin (trumpet) Aaron Irwinksky (woodwinds) Gannon Phillips (bass) Jeff Furgo (piano) About: The Bobby Falk group is a contemporary jazz group based in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, performing original music and contemporary jazz. Bobby Falk is the drummer/leader since 2006, upon starting the group in Louisville, KY, and relocating to Dallas, TX in the summer of 2015. The group primarily focuses on material blending modern and traditional jazz, with fusion influences ranging from Pat Metheny, Kenny Garrett, Rick Margitza, Michael Brecker and Steps Ahead. In addition to Bobby’s acclaimed original music, the group features writing from the other band members on a consistent basis. 

Musical mayhem comes to BLU Jazz+ and the Music Box! Bach’s hilarious cantata about the generation gap goes zany in the hands of Apollo’s Fire and director Jeannette Sorrell. A Leipzig coffeehouse is the scene of a family drama as a precocious teenage girl keeps showing up against her father’s orders. The audience becomes the coffeehouse clientele as the comedy unfolds amongst the tables. Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: $25 General Admission (open seating) Bring the whole family! Suitable for ages 11* to 91. 

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, parents and friends, as we welcome students from Jackson High School to the stage at Blu Jazz! Doors: 6:30pm Show: 7:00pm Tickets: $10 General Admission Thank you for supporting Jackson High School Jazz Ensemble! 

Lyrics & Laughs is back at Blu Jazz in downtown Akron on Friday, May 9, 2025—and this is one event you do not want to miss! Prepare yourself for an evening of soulful vibes and side-splitting laughter. Your night kicks off with comedy sets that keep it real and raw, featuring the electric Marcus Martin, whose high-energy performances and no-holds-barred storytelling have made him one of Ohio’s most exciting comedians. Also bringing the laughs is the hilarious "Ohio Funny Chic", Megan Hill, ready to keep the good times rolling. Between the laughter, melt into the sultry, R&B sultry sounds of Tyrone G. From R&B to Soul and more, he brings a fire to the stage that is absolutely undeniable. Doors: 6:30 PM Show: 7:30 PM (sharp) Tickets: $20 in advance, available from Blu Jazz, Will Blake, or Jerome Moss. This isn’t just a show—it’s an experience. Bring your crew, grab your tickets, and make it a night to remember. Come for the Lyrics. Stay for the Laughs. Experience the Vibe. Seats are limited, so don’t wait—secure your spot now! 

Join us Saturday, May 10th, as we celebrate the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra's 40th anniversary at BLU Jazz! To celebrate the C.J.O will be looking back and forward at the same time. Honoring the legacy of Roland Paolucci, Jack Schantz, Sean Jones and others! Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: $35 General Admission About: In our 40th Season, the CJO is celebrating by sharing some of the many amazing internationally recognized talents that have been nurtured by the CJO through growing and maturing its own performers and through its ever impactful Educational Outreach. All season long, the CJO has highlighted the impact of its annual cultural offerings to Northeast Ohio and the generational impact that so many of CJO's teachers have had on important jazz musicians here in our region and on the jazz culture internationally. In this final concert of our 40th season, the CJO will celebrate what has made the band such a NEO cultural institution for four decades-great, original music performed by our region's best jazz performers. Some CJO alumnae will join in, some new sounds will be featured as well as the uniquely swinging 18 piece CJO. 

The Kate DeL Quintet is shaking off the winter blues and bringing fresh spring vibes to BLU Jazz+ in Akron with an upcoming show on May 16th. Last seen at Blu for the release of Kate's debut Christmas Album, the group is trading in sleigh bells for swinging rhythms and breezy melodies, celebrating the season with their signature style. The show will feature their brand-new single, “Tell Her About It,” a jazz take on Billy Joel's classic tune, and maybe a few sneak peaks of some upcoming tunes to be released this year. It’s the perfect soundtrack for the season, and a night Akron you won’t want to miss! BAND: Kate DeL - vox Tim Harker - sax Andru Dennis - keys Vinny Vivacqua - bass Ziare Darden - drums Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: $20 General Admission 

Celebrate the release of Morning Glories, the deeply personal new album from jazz singer, songwriter, and composer Ellie Martin. With a sound that blends rich storytelling and lyrical warmth, Martin explores themes of motherhood, transformation, and resilience. A student of jazz legends Jon Hendricks and Geri Allen, and a collaborator with members of the New York Voices, Martin brings over 20 years of artistry to the stage. Join us for an unforgettable evening of original music and heartfelt performance in the intimate, state-of-the-art setting of Blu Jazz+ Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: $20 General Admission 

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. 

Dave and the gang return to Blujazz in Akron. This time it will be ROCKIN'! The DBBB will put their big band stamp on some of your (and our) favorite rock classics! Jerry Shoenfeld returns on vocals! This will be an energy filled, awesome experience, so don't miss it! 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. 

Professional bassist and producer, SmokeFace, brings his heavy in-the pocket grooves to BLU Jazz with his band! Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Ticket: $15 (advance), $20 (day of show) - GENERAL ADMISSION