Zach Ritz is a jazz pianist, composer, arranger, singer-songwriter, and music producer based in northeast Ohio and is pursuing a Jazz studies major with a Spanish minor at Kent State University. Doors: 6:30pm Show: 7:00pm FREE ADMISSION 

Soul jazz saxophone player and multi-instrumentalist from Buffalo, NY., Ellen Pieroni, brings her group The Soul Encyclopedia to BLU Jazz! Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: $25 General Admission About: Pieroni’s smooth-infused soul jazz band Ellen Pieroni & the Encyclopedia of Soul, or EoS, was recently featured on NPR’s All Things Considered as one of three “jazz stand outs” for the 2024 Tiny Desk Contest, where Felix Contreras said that “soul jazz is alive and well with…Ellen Pieroni & the Encyclopedia of Soul.” Although the group is inspired by artists such as Grover Washington Jr., King Curtis, and the Crusaders, EoS puts an emphasis on new original music. The sound is driven by Pieroni’s captivating and soulful melodies, supported by thoughtful improvisation from all members over deep pocket grooves. Sparked by a mutual love of the band Stuff, The Encyclopedia of Soul was founded in 2022. The band’s first recording, I Know That’s Right (Live at The Beat Barn), featured local legend Darryl Washington (brother of Grover Washington, Jr.) on drums. On recordings and on stage, the band features a rotating cast of talented collaborators, including Adam Bronstein (guitar), Isaiah Gethers (drums), Dom Missana (bass), James Benders (bass), Jacob Nicholson (keys), Tyler James (keys), and Marvin Cj Smith (keys). Pieroni has released two albums with EoS: The Encyclopedia of Soul, Vol. I (2023) and Soul Vacation (2024). The band has played the GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance, the Rochester Lilac Festival, and the Erie Jazz and Blues Festival. EoS has shared the stage with Bernard Purdie, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, BoomBox, and Sophistafunk; and Ellen recently had a reel of hers shared by Vulfpeck with the caption "800 grit sandpaper... smooth.” In addition to her music career, Pieroni is a music educator, teaching full time for 9+ years in the Buffalo Public School district, 8+ years as jazz band director at Bristol Hills Music Camp, and 3+ years at the Community Music School. She is also a promoter of local music with her company, Lavender Haze Collective. “When [Ellen] takes her solo, it really warms my heart because I hear the same soulfulness of Cannonball, or any of the sax players who played with Ray Charles back in the 50s, or the more contemporary alto saxophonist David Sanborn.” - Felix Contreras, NPR’s All Things Considered 

17-time Billboard #1 artist and producer, Adam Hawley brings his smooth jazz group back to BLU, April 19th! Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: $45 General Admission About: Guitarist and Producer Dr. Adam Hawley has burst on to the scene as a celebrated and innovative artist, composer and band leader. Handpicked by Maurice White (founder of Earth, Wind, & Fire) he first debuted on the legend's label Kalimba Music. Now helming his own label MBF Entertainment, Adam’s six albums and work as a producer has spawned an incredible 17 Billboard #1 Hits. Additional accolades include Mediabase artist of the year in 2024, Billboard song of year in 2022 and 2020, and a #1 album in sales as per Nielsen in 2020. Coupling this with a robust touring schedule throughout the world, the best is yet to come! 

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, parents and friends, as we welcome students from OHS Jazz Band to the stage at Blu Jazz! This event is part of our "Kent State Jazz Studies: High School Jazz Nights at Blu". Doors: 6:30pm Show: 7:00pm Tickets: $10 General Admission Thank you for supporting Orange High School Jazz Band! 

The BLU Jazz Jam is for musicians and music lovers alike! Come hang and experience this exciting forum for musical expression. Bring your “axe” and play through tunes, pick up licks, trade 4’s, and enjoy the camaraderie of having a gathering place for the area’s finest professional jazz musicians (as well as the up-and-comers)!  This session will feature local jazz players and educators Nick Paparone (guitar), Zaire Darden (drums), and Jordan McBride (bass). Doors: 6:00pm Show: 7:00pm Tickets: $10 General Admission (proceeds to musicians) *Free for students and participating musicians* Under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. 

Saxophonist, Bobby Selvaggio and his jazz quartet reimagine and improvise two-sets of pop music favorites at Blu Jazz! Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: $20 General Admission Bobby Selvaggio – alto sax and pedals Zakk Jones - guitar Zaire Darden – drums Kip Reed – bass Bobby Selvaggio is one of the leading alto saxophone voices on today's jazz scene. In the words of pianist Kenny Werner, “Bobby is among the best of players out there,” and legendary saxophonist Joe Lovano praises Bobby by calling him “one of the few young saxophonists on the scene today that captures you with his strong presence, focus, and sound.” 

Cleveland's Blue Lunch returns to BLU to celebrate the sounds of the 1940's & 1950's! Join us for this special blast from the past! Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: $25 General Admission About: From Cleveland, OH eight virtuoso musicians perform on guitar, piano, upright bass, drums, harp, saxophones, trumpet, and trombone. In addition to their instrumental work, Blue Lunch also boasts five vocalists and includes do-wop style and gospel harmonies in their repertoire. Blue Lunch has released eight cds, Recorded Live at Wilberts, Eyes Wide Open, Not Live at the Copa, Big Sound Blues, Sideswiped, Saxophone Shootout II , Blue Lunch Special, and their newest and most recent release, Above the Fold, for Rip Cat Records of Los Angeles. Featuring Billy Seward (guitar & vocals), Pete London (harmonica & vocals), Chris Burge (tenor saxophone), Mike Sands (piano), Ray DeForest (bass), Scott Flowers (drums), Mike Rubin (trumpet), and Bob Michael (trombone). 

Join us, parents and friends, as we welcome West Branch High School's "Warrior Jazz Ensemble" to the stage at Blu Jazz! This event is part of our "Kent State Jazz Studies: High School Jazz Nights at Blu". Doors: 6:30pm Show: 7:00pm Tickets: $10 General Admission Thank you for supporting West Branch High School! 

Thursday, March 20th, Join us for an unforgettable night of powerful poetry and evocative spoken word performances! The night will feature a special performance by Joey Pompignano. Experience raw emotion, compelling stories, and thought-provoking words as local and emerging artists take the stage to share their voices. Whether you’re a longtime poetry lover or new to the world of spoken word, this event promises to ignite your imagination and stir your soul. Doors: 6:00pm Show: 7:00pm Tickets: $10 General Admission (proceeds support our artists) 

Join us, as Texas based drummer, Bobby Falk, returns to BLU Jazz with his jazz group! Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: $25 General Admission Line-up: Bobby Falk (drums/percussion) Chris Borin (trumpet) Aaron Irwinksky (woodwinds) Gannon Phillips (bass) Jeff Furgo (piano) About: The Bobby Falk group is a contemporary jazz group based in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, performing original music and contemporary jazz. Bobby Falk is the drummer/leader since 2006, upon starting the group in Louisville, KY, and relocating to Dallas, TX in the summer of 2015. The group primarily focuses on material blending modern and traditional jazz, with fusion influences ranging from Pat Metheny, Kenny Garrett, Rick Margitza, Michael Brecker and Steps Ahead. In addition to Bobby’s acclaimed original music, the group features writing from the other band members on a consistent basis. 

Musical mayhem comes to BLU Jazz+ and the Music Box! Bach’s hilarious cantata about the generation gap goes zany in the hands of Apollo’s Fire and director Jeannette Sorrell. A Leipzig coffeehouse is the scene of a family drama as a precocious teenage girl keeps showing up against her father’s orders. The audience becomes the coffeehouse clientele as the comedy unfolds amongst the tables. Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: $25 General Admission (open seating) Bring the whole family! Suitable for ages 11* to 91. 

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. 

Lyrics & Laughs is back at Blu Jazz in downtown Akron on Friday, May 9, 2025—and this is one event you do not want to miss! Prepare yourself for an evening of soulful vibes and side-splitting laughter. Your night kicks off with comedy sets that keep it real and raw, featuring the electric Marcus Martin, whose high-energy performances and no-holds-barred storytelling have made him one of Ohio’s most exciting comedians. Also bringing the laughs is the hilarious "Ohio Funny Chic", Megan Hill, ready to keep the good times rolling. Between the laughter, melt into the sultry, R&B sultry sounds of Tyrone G. From R&B to Soul and more, he brings a fire to the stage that is absolutely undeniable. Doors: 6:30 PM Show: 7:30 PM (sharp) Tickets: $20 in advance, available from Blu Jazz, Will Blake, or Jerome Moss. This isn’t just a show—it’s an experience. Bring your crew, grab your tickets, and make it a night to remember. Come for the Lyrics. Stay for the Laughs. Experience the Vibe. Seats are limited, so don’t wait—secure your spot now! 

Join us Saturday, May 10th, as we celebrate the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra's 40th anniversary at BLU Jazz! To celebrate the C.J.O will be looking back and forward at the same time. Honoring the legacy of Roland Paolucci, Jack Schantz, Sean Jones and others! Doors: 7:00pm Show: 8:00pm Tickets: $35 General Admission About: In our 40th Season, the CJO is celebrating by sharing some of the many amazing internationally recognized talents that have been nurtured by the CJO through growing and maturing its own performers and through its ever impactful Educational Outreach. All season long, the CJO has highlighted the impact of its annual cultural offerings to Northeast Ohio and the generational impact that so many of CJO's teachers have had on important jazz musicians here in our region and on the jazz culture internationally. In this final concert of our 40th season, the CJO will celebrate what has made the band such a NEO cultural institution for four decades-great, original music performed by our region's best jazz performers. Some CJO alumnae will join in, some new sounds will be featured as well as the uniquely swinging 18 piece CJO. 

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