Thursday, February 19th, alto-saxophonist, Thomas Schinabeck, will be bringing his quartet to back BLU! Featuring Chris Coles (saxophone), Andru Dennis (piano), Jordan McBride (bass), and Zaire Darden (drums) Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: $20 General Admission Thomas Schinabeck is a saxophonist and composer from Cleveland, Ohio. He currently attends the Peabody Conservatory where he studies privately with Tim Green. He has had the opportunity to share the stage with Warren Wolf, Terence Blanchard, Sean Jones, Fran Vielma, Dominick Farinacci, Patrick Bartley, and others. Thomas hopes to create music that is uplifting and helps people feel better. 

Soulful & funky Cleveland native saxophonist, Eddie Baccus Jr., returns to BLU Jazz for a night of smooth jazz! Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: General Admission ($40 purchased in advance, $50 at door) About: As a touring member of Pieces of a Dream for a decade and a half, Baccus Jr had the opportunity to perform with and alongside a virtual who’s who in the traditional jazz, urban jazz and R&B words: Luther Vandross, Jeffrey Osborne, George Duke, War, Candy Dulfer, Rick Braun, Grover Washington Jr, Bobby Watson, Greg Abate, Lester Bowie, EWF(Earth, Wind and Fire), Regina Carter, Dianne Reeves, Vesta Williams, Norman Conners, India Arie, George Benson, Miki Howard, Jean Carne, David Sanborn, Brian McKnight, Will Downing, Phil Perry, Najee, Gerald Albright, Kirk Whalum, Marcus Belgrave, Benny Golson, Russell Ferrante, Bobby Lyle, Jeff Lorber, Ricky Lawson, Aaron Graves (Piano “Little Jimmy Scott”), Lenny Castro, Rachelle Ferrelle, Lil’ John Roberts, Phil Davis, Chris Coleman, Andre Gouche’, Giovanni Hildago, Eric Marienthal, James Carter, Curtis Fuller, Regina Belle, Miki Howard, Allyson Williams, Norman Connors, Atlantic Starr, Ronny Jordan, Rhonda Smith (Prince’s Bass Player), Gerald Veasley, Average White Band, Stevie Wonder, Peter White, Walter Beasley and more recently Four80East, Brian Simpson, Lindsey Webster, Cameo, Brother 2 Brother, Glenn Jones, Cabo Frio, Groove Frequencies, Christian De Mesones, Bene Music, Utopian Dreams and Joe Lovano. 

Join the Akron Urban League Young Professionals (AULYP) for a night where sound, style, and community come together at Blu Jazz in downtown Akron on Saturday, February 21, 2026. This special edition of Signature Sounds features a captivating live performance by Esther Fitz—an award-winning vocalist whose voice moves effortlessly between soulful R&B, jazz, and contemporary vibes. From the first note to the last, Esther sets the tone for an evening designed for those who appreciate great music, meaningful connections, and elevated energy. This is more than a concert. It’s a grown, intentional night out—where you can network with purpose, vibe with your people, and enjoy a soundtrack worthy of the moment. Whether you’re celebrating a win, expanding your circle, or just looking for the perfect Saturday night experience, Signature Sounds is where you need to be. Doors open at 7PM | Show begins at 8PM 🎟️ Tickets are limited—secure yours early and be part of a night that sounds as good as it feels. 

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. 

Friday, February 27th, Cleveland saxophonist, Jevaughn Bogard, brings his trio back to BLU Jazz! Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: General Admission ($20 in advance, $25 at door) About: Jevaughn has been blessed to share the stage with artist like, Aretha Franklin, Tye Tribbett, Kim Burrell , Big Daddy Kane, Benny Golson, Deitrick Haddon, Chick Corea and many more. If you're fans of the  music by artist like Micheal Jackson, Stevie Wonder, The Beeges, Jill Scott, Snarky Puppy, Herbie Hancock this concert is definitely for you! 

Resolve takes the stage for their biggest show yet at Blu Jazz, blending original music with re-imagined R&B and jazz favorites. Expect smooth grooves, high-energy fusion, and a live experience that moves between soulful melodies and modern jazz expression. Doors: 7:00PM Show: 8:00 PM Tickets: General Admission ($20 in advance, $25 at door) Donovan Shaeffer- Saxophone Jason Johnson Jr.- Piano Richard Orr II- Drums Andru Dennis- keyboards Smokeface- Bass With other guest artists!!! 

Power trio of jazz heavy hitters, Darren Frate (bass), Tony Kazel (drums), and Steve Kortyka (saxophone), join forces on Friday, March 6th at BLU Jazz! Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: General Admission ($20 in advance, $25 day of show) 

Esto Jazz, led by saxophonist, Robert Esterle, brings their variety of contemporary jazz, pop, standards and original compositions back to BLU! Featuring: Dominic Reto - piano/keyboards Billy Joe Wiseman - Guitar James "J.R." Richley - Drums Robert Esterle - Saxophone Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: General Admission ($20 in advance, $25 day of show) About: Esto Jazz-is an instrumental quartet that performs a variety of contemporary jazz, pop, standards and original compositions. The group is led by saxophonist, Bob Esterle, who has performed with such popular artists as Bob James, Bobby Caldwell, Olivia Newton-John, Sandy Duncan, Ray Charles, The Four Tops, The Temptations, Frankie Avalon, Martha Reeves, The Platters, The Fifth Dimension, The Four Lads, Rich Little, Joan Rivers, Guy Lombardo, The Rat Pack and Dean Lives (from Las Vegas), Elvis Tribute Artist Spectacular, Michael Cavanaugh (from the Broadway Musical “Movin’ Out”), Hal Linden and Red Skelton. 

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: 6:00pm Show: 7:00pm 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 Preston is a jazz vocalist and indie singer-songwriter who enjoys performing jazz, blues, pop/rock and her original songs as a solo artist and as a featured guest with various combos and bands throughout Cleveland and New York. Ava was voted Best Female Vocalist at the 2024 Cleveland Music Awards. She is a YoungArts Finalist and Silver Award Winner for Jazz Voice, and is a 12x Downbeat SMA winner, 6x for Vocal Jazz and 6x for Blues/Pop/Rock. She performed at the 2023 Monterey Jazz Festival as the vocalist for the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra. Ava is currently pursuing a Masters of Music in Jazz Voice at the Juilliard School. 

Canadian award-winning trumpeter, singer, and songwriter, Bria Skonberg, returns to BLU Jazz for a very special Thursday night performance! Join us, as Bria brings her band through Akron, celebrating the release of her newest album "Brass" on March 13th. This show is presented and organized by the Midwest Jazz Collective. Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: General Admission ($25 in advance, $30 at the door) About: Bria Skonberg is a Juno-award winning artist, 10x Downbeat Rising Star, recipient of the Legend Award by the Society for the Preservation of the Great American Songbook and a 2025 nominee for the prestigious "Academie du Jazz" awards. The trumpeter, vocalist, and songwriter has been called the “shining hope of hot jazz”(NY Times) and is considered “one of the most versatile and imposing musicians of her generation”(WSJ) She has been a featured artist at hundreds of festivals and stages the world over, including New Orleans Jazz Heritage, Kobe, Monterey, Breda, Newport and Montreal Jazz Festivals and recently at Carnegie Hall. Her debut LP on Sony Masterworks reached #5 on the Billboard Jazz charts. Her most recent studio album What it Means was recorded in New Orleans during Mardi Gras featuring top local musicians and released on Cellar Live. Her music has been streamed over 20 million times. The daughter of teachers, Bria was introduced to jazz by a spirited public school band program and local festival in her hometown of Chilliwack, British Columbia Canada. A professional band leader since her teens, she moved to Vancouver and obtained her degree in Trumpet Performance from Capilano University. Since arriving in New York in 2010 she has been at the forefront of a revival of classic American music as both a performer and educator, programming concerts and workshops for students of all ages on behalf of Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Louis Armstrong House Museum, Jazz House Kids and more. She is a co-producer of the NY Hot Jazz Camp now in its 10th year. Bria is an active member of the Women in Jazz Organization, the International Trumpet Guild, a Bach Conn-Selmer artist, and became a mother in 2020.v This appearance of Bach Trumpet Artist Bria Skonberg has been made possible in part through an Educational Grant from Bach Trumpets. Bria Skonberg performs exclusively on Bach Trumpets.This appearance of Bach Trumpet Artist Bria Skonberg has been made possible in part through an Educational Grant from Bach Trumpets. Bria Skonberg performs exclusively on Bach Trumpets. 

Native NE Ohio fusion saxophonist Matthew Alec and his high-octane, 7-piece jazz-pop supergroup The Soul Electric make their return to BLU, on Friday, March 20th! Featuring: Matthew Alec – tenor saxophone Greg Banaszak – alto saxophone Brian Woods – piano/vocals Corey Conway – guitar/vocals Miguel Tarin Torres – bass Drew Parent – percussion The Franchise – drums Minus the Alien – vocals Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: General Admission ($20 in advance, $25 day of show) About: Explosive fusion supergroup Matthew Alec and The Soul Electric bring old school swagger to their fresh, exciting, and innovative blend of jazz, pop, and funk. With three full-length albums under their belt and two more underway, the talented and diverse six-piece collective led by acclaimed saxophonist Matthew Alec are blazing new paths in modern jazz fusion.