BLU Jazz+'s Upcoming Shows

Join us in welcoming world class alto saxophonist, Jim Snidero, to BLU for his first performance in Akron, OH, on Saturday, November 14th!

Grammy award-winning alto saxophonist, composer and author Jim Snidero has been hailed as an “alto sax virtuoso” (Downbeat) with “mind-boggling” improvisation skills (The Guardian), amassing over 20 million streams on Spotify and Apple. In 2024 he reached the pinnacle of the jazz world, placing top 5 alto saxophone in the preeminent Downbeat Magazine International Critics Poll.

Doors: 7:00pm

Show: 8:00pm

Tickets: General Admission ($25 in advance, $30 at the door)

About:

Originally from Maryland, Snidero moved to New York in 1981 and began sideman stints with Brother Jack McDuff, Frank Sinatra (recording Duets 2), the Mingus Big Band, Eddie Palmieri, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Sting and Brian Lynch, appearing as a featured soloist on Lynch’s Grammy-winning The Omni-American Book Club. His 27 leader albums include 1989’s Blue Afternoon, later included in The Penguin Jazz Guide: The History of the Music in the 1001 Best Albums; the 2003 self-composed and arranged orchestral Strings on Milestone Records, hailed as a “masterpiece” by the San Francisco Guardian; the Korean-inspired Project-K; and Live at the Deer Head Inn.

Recent years have brought some of the strongest recognition of Snidero’s career. Live at the Deer Head Inn received a five-star 2020 best-of-year “masterpiece” review from DownBeat, while 2024’s chordless trio album For All We Know earned 41⁄2 stars from AllMusic and further acclaim from DownBeat and Stereophile. Snidero’s quartet is a regular on tour circuits throughout Europe and the US. Jim Snidero’s performance at Jazz Blue will feature original music from his new release “House of Trane”, inspired by a visit to John Coltrane’s house on Long Island.

Press Quotes-

“Alto Saxophone Virtuoso”- Downbeat Magazine

“Snidero had let his influences reveal something special”- The Times

“ An alto saxophone sound that is one of the richest and purest on the planet”-

Stereophile Magazine

"Mind-boggling, and, at the same time hugely enjoyable (improvisation)”- The Guardian

“Genuinely significant figure in jazz composition”- Penguin Guide to Jazz

Featuring the Dave Banks Big Band and vocalist Sandra Montevideo, this must see show presents the music of dynamic female vocalists throughout the history of the American Songbook. You will hear songs by Ella Fitzgerald, Keely Smith, Vickie Carr, Shirley Bassey, Peggy Lee, Liza Minnelli, Ann Margret and Linda Ronstadt! The show will also feature music by the powerhouse, 17 piece Dave Banks Big Band.

Doors: 7:00pm

Show: 8:00pm

Tickets: $30 General Admission

The Dave Banks Big Band is a powerhouse, 17-piece big band based in the Midwest, now in its 25th year of making music. The band includes the region’s top musicians and is led by Ohio native and 20-year Las Vegas veteran trumpet artist, Dave Banks. Dave’s desire is to bring some of that Las Vegas excitement to his audiences! They have performed in major theatres and clubs across five states. Their vast library of music ranges from swing and contemporary big band, Sinatra, rock, soul and pop. Dave fronts the band with his soaring trumpet, reminding audiences of the sounds of Doc Severinsen, Maynard Ferguson and Harry James and they utilize some of the most talented frontline singers and tribute artists in the region along with musical arrangers that are among the best in the business. They have backed entertainers such as Las Vegas Rat Pack Shows, The Temptations, Four Tops, Sal Valentinetti, and more, and frequently present their themed shows for theatres, casinos, and corporate events. The band’s ongoing mission is to provide their audience with exciting and uplifting musical entertainment that all ages can enjoy!

Sandra Montevideo is the darling of the Northeast Ohio musical theatre community; she has starred in countless regional Broadway musicals over her illustrious career at venues like Porthouse Theatre, Cain Park and Weathervane Theatre. Sandra is the featured vocalist for several of the theme shows that the DBBB produces. She also fronts her own pop band, Ovation.

World-renowned jazz guitarist and Akron native, Dan Wilson, returns to BLU Jazz with his all-star "community band' on Saturday, November 21st!

Featuring:

Theron Brown - keys

Dave Throckmorton- drums

George Delancey-bass,

Nathan Paul- sax

Brad Wagner- sax

Chris Coles- sax

Chris Anderson- trombone

Doors: 7:00pm

Show: 8:00pm

Tickets: General Admission ($30 in advance, $40 at the door)

About:

Growing up in Akron, Ohio, Dan Wilson spent the majority of his youth within the church community, where his musical path began.

Traces of his major guitar influences – including Wes Montgomery, Charlie Christian, Joe Pass, and George Benson to name a few – can be discerned through his playing, but his musical identity has been shaped by everything from gospel and blues to traditional jazz, hip-hop and horn players like Sonny Rollins and Joe Henderson.

After graduating from Hiram College, Wilson made his recording debut with pianist Joe McBride and performed to worldwide acclaim with Joey DeFrancesco and Christian McBride’s Tip City, eventually recording his debut as a leader To Whom It May Concern.

Wilson has had the honor of sharing the stage with jazz greats including Eric Marienthal, Russell Malone, Les McCann, René Marie, Jeff Hamilton, David Sanborn and Dave Stryker. He also teaches jazz guitar and music theory through private lessons.

Wilson’s career took him on an exploratory journey into foundations laid down by the guitar/organ tradition, eventually leading to an invitation to perform with jazz great Joey DeFrancesco’s trio quartet, with which Wilson went on to earn a GRAMMY® Award nomination with for DeFrancesco’s Project Freedom album (Mack Avenue Records, 2017).

This collaboration allowed the guitarist to insert his own dialect into the musical prowess and respect that DeFrancesco had earned throughout his journey.

Wilson had been playing with DeFrancesco for a few years when he met bassist, composer, arranger, Christian McBride. From there, Wilson went on to tour with McBride’s trio Tip City, eventually leading McBride to serve as producer on "Vessels of Wood and Earth" and release the album on his newly formed imprint Brother Mister Productions through Mack Avenue Music Group.

Local bassist and producer, SmokeFace, brings his jam session to the stage at BLU! Bring your axe, share your sound, and be apart of creating original music real time. All ages welcome! This jam session will be EVERY OTHER TUESDAY!

Doors: 7:00pm

Show: 8:00pm-10:30pm

Tickets: FREE ADMISSION

Under 18 needs to be accompanied by legal guardian.

SmokeFace is a professional bassist, guitarist, and recording artist from Akron, Ohio, known for blending soulful grooves with modern, genre-bending sound. Having toured both nationally and internationally with major artists as well as leading his own projects, SmokeFace brings a high-level musical experience to every stage.

RESOLVE is bringing everyone home to BLU for the holiday season, for this special night before Thanksgiving rager! Expect smooth grooves, high-energy fusion, and a live experience that moves between soulful melodies and modern jazz expression.

Doors: 6:00PM

Show: 7:00 PM

Tickets: General Admission ($15 in advance, $20 at door)

Donovan Shaeffer- Saxophone

Jason Johnson Jr.- Piano

Richard Orr II- Drums

Derrick Baum- Trumpet

SmokeFace- Bass

With other guest artists!!!