BLU Jazz+'s Upcoming Shows
Tue, Aug 04
Starting this upcoming Tuesday, June 23rd, 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.
Wed, Aug 05
Join us every Wednesday for the Jazz Heritage Orchestra! This is a FREE event!
Under the musical direction of Dennis Reynolds, the JHO will assemble every Wednesday in August for a reading band format where we'll perform a series of new and exciting tunes throughout the summer. You'll also see some new faces on the bandstand as we'll be welcoming in some talented young musicians who will be sharpening their large ensemble skills alongside us. Bring your friends and enjoy some big band tunes at BLU!
Doors: 7:00pm
Show: 8:00pm
Tickets: FREE ADMISSION!!!
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)
Fri, Aug 07
Join us Friday, August 7th, as we welcome tenor and soprano saxophonist, Bill McRae to BLU! The night will feature Jennifer James (keyboards), Chris Hovan (percussion), Art Jensen (bass), and Tommy Lehman (trumpet)!
Doors: 7:00pm
Show: 8:00pm
Tickets: General Admission ($20 in advance, $25 day of show)
About:
Bill McRae is a United States Military Academy graduate, and retired Army Colonel, who never lost his love of music. A Music Settlement student at a young age, he’s performed with, and found fellowship with musicians from Nashville, to Savannah, to South Korea. He’s honored to have played with Bassist Ben Tucker, Pianist Doug Carn, and myriad Army musicians who’ve embraced him even though music wasn’t his “day job.” Bill is honored to join some of N.E. Ohio’s finest musicians to present evocative works by Marcus Miller, Don Grolnick, Bob Reynolds, Hal Galper, Michael Brecker, Mike Stern, Steps Ahead, and David Sanborn.
Tue, Aug 11
Wed, Aug 12
Join us every Wednesday for the Jazz Heritage Orchestra! This is a FREE event!
Under the musical direction of Dennis Reynolds, the JHO will assemble every Wednesday in August for a reading band format where we'll perform a series of new and exciting tunes throughout the summer. You'll also see some new faces on the bandstand as we'll be welcoming in some talented young musicians who will be sharpening their large ensemble skills alongside us. Bring your friends and enjoy some big band tunes at BLU!
Doors: 7:00pm
Show: 8:00pm
Tickets: FREE ADMISSION!!!
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)
Fri, Aug 14
Cleveland drummer and band leader, Nehemiah Baker, brings his jazz quintet to BLU on Friday, August 14th!
Doors: 7:00pm
Show: 8:00pm
Tickets: General Admission ($20 in advance, $25 at door)
The Stix Quintet, led by Nehemiah (Stix) Baker, combines elements of neo soul, funk and R&B into a sound tapestry that brings out infectious grooves and danceable rhythms to get you up out your seat.