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: $20 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. 

Renown saxophonist, composer, and educator, Bobby Selvaggio, hits the stage with his local all star quintet! Featuring Tommy Lehman (trumpet), George Delancey (bass), Zaire Darden (drums), & Zach Jones (guitar). Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: $20 General Admission About: 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.” Bobby, who grew up in the Cleveland area, earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Performance from Kent State University. He eventually moved to New York City and earned a master’s degree in jazz performance from the Manhattan School of Music. While in New York, Bobby studied with Joe Lovano, Bobby Watson, Dick Oatts, and Maria Schneider. After living in New York City and gigging around town at places like the Vanguard, Smalls, and Birdland for four years, Bobby decided to move back to Cleveland with his family. Northeast Ohio has become his home base of operations where Bobby has toured extensively throughout the US and Canada with various working ensembles and musicians. He has dedicated himself to keeping jazz alive in Cleveland and his passion for jazz education has led him to serve as Director of Jazz Studies at Kent State University. 

Join us as we continue our 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! This week's “BLU-esday 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 needs to 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)!  This session will feature local saxophonist, composer, and instructor, Bobby Selvaggio with Nick Paparone (guitar), Zaire Dardin (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. 

Billboard chart-topping vocalist, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist brings his acclaimed showmanship, unique talent and enthusiastic energy to the Rubber City for a very special one-night-only return to BLU! Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: $45 General Admission About: The passion and essence of Nathan’s music has penned him in the hearts of musical innovators, listeners, and lovers all over the world. This top 30 Billboard vocalist, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist is known best for his showmanship, unique talent, enthusiastic energy, and funk as a collaborator with many of smooth jazz top GRAMMY winning, nominated, and Billboard artists. He has crisscrossed the globe, touring with luminaries of the smooth jazz/ RnB industry like Nick Colionne, Lin Rountree, Paul Brown, Dawn Robinson (En Vogue/ Lucy Pearl), Irene Cara, Stokley (Mint Condition), and many more premier industry artists. In 2018 Nathan released his debut album SMOOTH GROOVE, in which, 2 of his songs accomplished great success on mainstream media – “Inspiration” which made the top 30 on the Smooth Jazz Billboard charts at #22 and “Smooth Groove at #20. Currently, Nathan has completed his new album entitled, “SoulMate” which made its debut on September 4, 2019. The success of this project has already been deemed to be great with the acceptance of his new single hitting mainstream media (SIRIUS XM, iHEART Radio, etc…) entitled “Swing City” featuring the 2019 NAACP Image Award Winner – Jazmin Ghent. Swing City is currently making great achievements as a top 10 hit on the Billboard charts and Smooth Jazz Network Charts with his first #1 on the Mediabase charts. 

The Jazz Heritage Orchestra is incredibly proud to present a concert focused on the works of Dr. Wendell Logan in recognition of his lifelong dedication to music & community, and in celebration of his legacy of service continuing well into the future at the Dr. Wendell Logan Center For Arts & Healing in Kenmore, OH. Dr. Wendell Morris Logan (1940-2010) was a distinguished composer, educator, and visionary in the field of jazz studies. As a tenured professor at Oberlin College, he served as the founding director of the Jazz Studies Department at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, shaping the program into one of the most respected in the country. Dr. Logan was also a driving force behind the founding of the Jazz Heritage Orchestra in 1998. We will be featuring his writing for big band accompanied by originals and arrangements written by our members. This will be an exciting night of big band music which you won't hear anywhere else! The JHO appears courtesy of OpenTone Music and Helping To Overcome Systems, LLC Personnel: Saxophones Jim Pisano - Lead Alto Don Turoso - Alto Eddie Bayard - Tenor 1 Tony Spicer - Tenor 2 Max Schlenk - Bari Trumpets Dennis Reynolds - Lead Trumpet, JHO Music Director Scott McKee Garrett Folger Tommy Lehman Trombones Jimmy Redmond - Lead Chris Anderson Zack Warren Aaron Thornberry - Bass Trombone Rhythm Phillip K. Jones II - Piano Glenn Holmes - Bass Bobby Ferraza - Guitar Jerome Jennings - Drums About: The Jazz Heritage Orchestra was formed in 1998 in residence with the Cleveland State University Black Studies department. Under the artistic direction of Dennis Bradley Reynolds, the mission of the JHO was to preserve and perpetuate the heritage of the great African American jazz masters through educational programming coupled with elite performance. This mission carries on today through a new partnership with OpenTone Music. From our new home base in Akron, The JHO visits public and private schools to hold open rehearsals, master classes as well as jazz history lectures and performs throughout the Northeast Ohio community. The JHO has performed with many local, national and international artists such as Clark Terry, Benny Golson, Nancy Wilson, John Morton, Evelyn Wright and Vanessa Rubin. "In a thoroughly contemporary twist on the classic jazz lore tradition of the territory band, the Jazz Heritage Orchestra reflects the contributions of an impressive range of musicians from several points on the midwestern map." Willard Jenkins, Journalist (Jazz Times, Downbeat, BET on Jazz, WPFW) 

The Drew Hoschar Band is a group of like-minded musicians based in New York City. Featuring Drew Hoschar on drums and cymbals, Henry Berberi on alto saxophone, Jackson Hanks on vibraphone, Zander Knodt on piano, and Lorenzo Wolczko on bass. The band will perform original music composed by each member, as well as songs from rock and alternative music repertoire adapted for this band. Doors: 6:00pm Show: 7:00pm Tickets: $15 General Admission Drew Hoschar, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, is a percussionist and composer currently residing and pursuing studies in New York City. Under the guidance of esteemed members of the Northeast Ohio music scene, including drummers Mark Gonder and Anthony Taddeo, Hoschar has honed his craft and is now a student of Kendrick Scott at the Manhattan School of Music. In June 2024, Hoschar showcased his project "adhoc" at the Tri-C Jazzfest in Cleveland. This ensemble comprises fellow students from the Manhattan School of Music. On June 24th and 25th of the same year, the band recorded its debut LP, featuring original compositions. The record is anticipated to be released in the first half of 2025. While drawing from the jazz tradition, the band incorporates influences from alternative, rock, and free-improvised music genres. 

From the Steel City to the Rubber City, The Bill Henry Band is coming in hot for a night of smooth R&B. Join us for their debut at BLU Jazz! Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: $45 General Admission The Bill Henry Band, formed in 2016, is one of Pittsburgh's preeminent R&B acts. BHB regularly sells out performances, with a loyal fan base that eagerly attends their regular outings at Rivers Casino and Savoy, and follows the band to any other venues. BHB's stylings effortlessly segway through R&B, soul, funk and hip hop. 

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) in May of 2019. 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. 

Join us for an epic celebration of big band tunes, featuring performances by The Moonlight Serenaders and The Akron Big Band! 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 Akron Big Band, under the direction of Trumpeter Jim Fry, has been performing for over 50 years. The band plays popular music from just about every decade from the 1940's to today. Utilizing arrangements written for the instrumentation of the traditional Big Band, they play a wide variety of styles with the addition of vocal and instrumental soloists. 

With five highly acclaimed albums, 50+ live dates per year, a #1 Billboard hit single and multiple Billboard charting songs over the past thirty years, New York guitarist JJ Sansaverino has reached millions touring the world with his “Benson meets Santana” musical style. Join us as we welcome JJ back to BLU Jazz! This performance will feature the soulful vocals of the illustrious Vivian Sessoms! Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: $40 General Admission About: An innovative and extraordinary composer and performer, JJ has a "take no prisoners" performance attitude, gracing the stage night after night touring, bringing his vibe of Smooth Jazz, Traditional Jazz, Blues, R&B and Reggae. A Berklee School of Music graduate and award winner, he has shared the stage with the likes of Maceo Parker, Shaggy, Sean Paul, Maxi Priest, George Clinton, Gerald Albright, Randy Brecker, Victor Bailey, the Marley Family, and even performed for Sir Paul McCartney's wedding in 2002. 

The Candyman meets the Acrobat of Scat! The Dave Banks Big Band pays homage to two of the greatest singers of our time, Sammy Davis Jr., and Al Jarreau! Both could handle every style from jazz to pop and did it in their own unique way. The DBBB features our very own Stanley Davis as he delivers songs from the libraries of both these iconic performers. Don't miss this exceptional show! Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: General Admission $30 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.