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 

Led by founder Kevin Robert Martinez, Reclamation Band is modern jazz with an open rural backdrop. Its unique combination of composed and improvised elements evoke an array of moods and styles, resulting in an engaging and immersive live Jazz experience. Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: $20 General Admission Personnel: Kevin Robert Martinez - Bass Daniel Bruce - Guitar Tony Spicer - Bass Clarinet Chris Coles - Alto Saxophone Tim McDonald - Tenor Saxophone Jeremy McCabe - Drums 

Join us Friday, June 6th, with the fabulous Barbara Rosene and her jazz quartet! Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: $20 General Admission Line-up: Baraba Rosene - Vocals Tommy Lehman - Trumpet Bryan Thomas - Bass Rock Wehrmann - Piano 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.” 

When Ava Preston and Moises Borges are on stage together you are transported to another place and time. Ava and Moises’ voices alternate, balance and blend smoothly taking us on the scenic route of this South American musical journey. These forever classic Brazilian tunes, and Moises’ seemingly timeless originals, tap into a feeling so many of us long for, a musical vacation, rejuvenation, relaxation, entertainment, enjoyment, fun, nostalgia. Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: $20 General Admission About: Moises Borges 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." Ava Preston Ava is a vocalist and songwriter who enjoys writing and performing jazz, blues, pop/rock and indie songs as a solo artist and as a featured guest with various combos and bands throughout the Cleveland and Akron area. Ava is a 2023 YoungArts Finalist and Silver Award Winner for Jazz Voice and is an 11x Downbeat SMA winner, 6x for Vocal Jazz Soloist and 5x for Blues/Pop/Rock Soloist. She performed at the 2023 Monterey Jazz Festival as the vocalist for the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra. 

EMP is back at Blu, this time with the largest version of the group to date! With each member of the band pulling from their own unique backgrounds and styles, this night is guaranteed to include the greatest musical diversity heard from the band to date. Bebop, standards, fusion, rock, latin, soul, originals, and all things in between can be expected from this incredibly rare orchestration of the EMP Group. Featuring: Geoff Schneider - Alto saxophone Bill McRae - Tenor/Soprano saxophone Jeremey Poparad - Guitar Tumaini Sango - Keys Thomas Johnston - Bass Evan Michael Palermo - Drums Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: $20 General Admission