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. 

Award winning Singer- Songwriter- Actress, Matelyn Alicia returns for the first time ever as a jazz performer, to perform the music she loves in the place she calls HOME.  With her much-anticipated debut jazz project, “Birthright”, set for release this Spring. The project is a lush, soulful journey through original compositions, blending smoky vocals with elegant arrangements that nod to the golden era of jazz while offering a fresh, modern perspective. Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: General Admission ($20 in advance, $25 day of show) About:   A seasoned performer, Matelyn can be seen on stages across New York City with residencies at some of the city’s most coveted venues.  She continues curating work not only for herself, but other artists as well and has quickly become one of the city’s OWN.    Currently preparing once again to take her signature Summer event to stages across France and beyond, for her “Vineyard Concert Series” jazz tour.  What started out as concerts in various vineyards along Southwest France 4 years ago, has become a European Summer tour -  and this year’s tour kicks off with her very first festival appearance, as she takes the stage for Périgord’s iconic Jazz Pourpre (Purple Jazz) Festival in Bergerac France.   Matelyn Alicia continues to define for herself and her audience, what it means to be a true artist—authentic, fearless, and unforgettable. 

Join us for a special performance at Blu Jazz, featuring the music of local jazz educator, composer, and saxophonist, Chris Coles and his group, Gleam! Featuring: Theron Brown - Piano / Keys Patrick Duke Graney - Percussion Zaire Darden - Drums Jordan McBride - Bass Dan Bruce - Guitar Tommy Lehman - Trumpet Chris Coles - Saxophone Ft. Floco Torres - Vocals Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: General Admission ($20 in advance, $25 at door) Bio: Christopher J. Coles is a graduate of Cleveland South High School (2004). In 2009 Chris received his bachelor’s degree in Saxophone Performance from Youngstown State University. It was here that he studied with world-renowned saxophonist and educator Dr. James C. Umble, jazz saxophonist Dr. Kent Englehardt, and jazz bassist and composer Dr. David Morgan. In 2012, Chris received his master’s degree in Saxophone Performance from the University of Akron. Chris has performed with many local and international jazz musicians such as, Eddie Baccus Sr., Melvin Burks, Kenny Davis, Glenn Holmes, Bill Ransom, and Cecil Rucker, Grammy Award winner Slide Hampton, Ralph Lalama, Sean Jones, Dominick Farinacci, Maria Schneider (guest conductor for The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra) and Allen Vizzutti. Coles recently was accepted to perform in Italy with the Ohio Youth Jazz Orchestra. It was here that Coles performed with Wessell Anderson, former lead alto saxophonist for the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Chris also played at the North American Saxophone Alliance Regional Festival in West Virginia with the Dana Saxophone quartet, performing at the International Saxophone Symposium in Washington D.C., and premiering a commissioned work by John Hollenbeck at the Whitney Art Museum Composers Workshop. Coles also recorded this work on John Hollenbeck’s album Rainbow Jimmies released in 2009. Some of Chris’s recent accomplishments include being a participant at The Banff Workshop for Jazz and Creative music in Alberta, Canada. It was there that Chris had the distinct honor of studying with some of the great pioneers in jazz today such as Vijay Iyer, Mark Turner, Imani Izuri, Tia Fuller, Billy Hart, Ingrid Jensen, Zakir Hussain, Somi, Yosvany Terry, and Miles Okazaki to name a few. In 2017 Chris was an awardee of the Knight Arts Challenge in Akron, Ohio and in 2018 Chris won grants from GAR Foundation as well as the Cleveland foundation for his multimedia work Nine Lives. This 40-minute work will be preimered in 2019. Chris is currently based out of Akron, Ohio and is on faculty at Oberlin Conservatory, The University of Akron, and The Tri-C Creative Arts Jazzfest Academy. Chris is a Yamaha Performing Artist 

BLU Jazz+ & DJ Maxafari present a night of One Love and Positive Vibrations to celebrate and pay tribute to the King of Reggae Music, Bob Marley. Let's get together and feel alright! Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: General Admission ($10 in advance, $15 at the door) Marley Acoustic opening set by Carlos Jones, Binghi Neal and Maxafari: 8pm-9pm DJ Maxafari - Marley Only Dance Party: 9pm-11pm 

Join us, Saturday, February 7th, as we welcome Cleveland singer and songwriter, Jeffrey Cruz, and his quartet to BLU Jazz+! Jeffrey draws inspiration from artists such as Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Anderson .Paak. By using fun grooves and story telling lyrics; he aspires to write music that motivates, resonates, and empathizes with whoever the listener may be. Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: General Admission ($20 in advance, $25 day of show) Line-up: Ronell Regis - Alto Sax Gregby Camp Jr. - Electric Bass Gabe Jones - Drums Jeffrey Cruz - Vocals/Keyboard 

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. 

Join us, Thursday, February 12th, as we heat up for Valentines weekend with a soul warming evening of music with Tommy Lehman & Friends. Featuring: Zaire Darden - Drums Timo Mok - Piano Denzel Chismar-Oliver - Bass Tommy Lehman - Trumpet Door: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: General Admission ($20 in advance, $25 day of show) 

Cleveland saxophonist, Jevaughn Bogard, brings his group Abstract Sounds back to Akron, for a special valentines celebration featuring vocalist Esther Fitz! Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: General Admission ($25 in advance, $30 at the door) About: Abstract Sounds is a 6pc Jazz fusion / Funk band from Cleveland, OH started by saxophonist Jevaughn Bogard. The band is a horn section driven by an amazing rhythm section that will keep you out of your seat. The goal for Abstract Sounds is to bring the dance element back to jazz and Abstract Sounds does that with their funky grooves and dance club sounds blended with rich and extended harmony that consumes you. 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 and with a nice selection of original music written by Jevaughn this concert was curated to touch the soul. 

Recently nominated for Best Jazz in the Cleveland Music Awards, EMP continues their momentum with a special Valentine's Day show at Blu! Being joined by local vocalist Kara Scott, the group will feature vocals for the first time. Prepare for a special evening with your loved one as EMP serenades Blu with a mix of standards,The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Vulfpeck, and more. Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: General Admission ($20 in advance, $25 at the door) About: EMP is a dynamic jazz group based out of northern Ohio. Since forming at Bowling Green State University, the group has devoted its time into pursuing a mastery of the jazz tradition while keeping true to their own modern influences. EMP has recently been nominated for Best Jazz in the 2026 Cleveland Music Awards and continues to perform in the NE Ohio area regularly. Traditional standards, arrangements from modern artists, and originals are all on the table with EMP! Evan Michael Palermo is a Cleveland native who is currently a 4th year student at Bowling Green State University. Through the music, Evan has been heard in major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Cleveland, Toledo, Detroit, Paris, Berlin, and more. Evan has also had the opportunity to study, create, and perform with some of the best in the craft such as Marvin "Smitty" Smith, John Riley, Ulysses Owens Jr, Stephan Crump, Jacques Lesure, Steve Kortyka, David Bixler, Dan Piccolo, Gene Parker, Ray Parker, Harrison Roth and many more. Through his 4 years of being a professional musician, Evan has worked freelance for major establishments such as Cedar Point, while continuing to be deeply rooted in the Cleveland and Toledo music scene. Evan can be heard regularly through his projects in the Cleveland theatre scene as a freelance percussionist, the Cleveland rock scene through Rellick, and the Ohio jazz scene through EMP. 

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.