Mar 30, 2026 10:30 PM
Flea Finds His Jazz Thing
In the relatively small pantheon of certifiable rock stars venturing into the intersection of pop music and jazz, the…
Al Jarreau is among the headliners for the 2016 Blue Note Jazz Festival, which takes place June 1–30 (Photo: Marina Chavez)
(Photo: )The 2016 Blue Note Jazz Festival will take place June 1–30, and will feature over 100 events in 10 venues throughout New York City.
Highlights for the sixth edition of the annual festival include saxophonist Kamasi Washington (co-presented with City Parks Foundation at Central Park SummerStage); vocal legend Al Jarreau, who will make a rare New York City theater performance at The Town Hall and salsa artist Gilberto Santa Rosa, whose performance marks his return to Carnegie Hall.
Fleshing out the bill will be numerous collaboration projects, some by long-established ensembles, and others by newly formed units. Keyboardist Robert Glasper will appear in three settings: with his trio (featuring bassist Vicente Archer and drummer Damion Reid), as a duo with pianist Jason Moran and as a duo with vocalist Taylor McFerrin. A trio featuring guitarist John Scofield, pianist Brad Mehldau and drummer Mark Giuliana is also scheduled to perform. Sangam, a trio consisting of saxophonist Charles Lloyd, percussionist Zakir Hussain and drummer Eric Harland will also appear at the month-long festival.
Showcasing the depth of the festival’s musical diversity, working jazz groups such as the Joshua Redman Quartet, Christian McBride Quartet and Avishai Cohen Trio will join a roster that also features prolific hip-hop artist Talib Kweli, the New Orleans-based Rebirth Brass Band, the Cuban jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval and the Brazilian singer/guitarist Rosa Passos.
A special Central Park SummerStage show will feature three distinctive groups led by jazz legends: pianist McCoy Tyner, bassist Ron Carter and drummer Roy Haynes.
“Cerebral and academic thought is a different way to approach music,” Flea says of his continuing dive into jazz. “I’ve always relied on emotion and intuition and physicality.”
Mar 30, 2026 10:30 PM
In the relatively small pantheon of certifiable rock stars venturing into the intersection of pop music and jazz, the…
“These days, with curated news, where people only get half the story, people can’t even speak to family members anymore,” Schneider laments.
Mar 10, 2026 1:43 PM
Maria Schneider is doing her part to try to fix what ails America. Which got her thinking about crows, specifically,…
Each of the 25 JAMs has delivered a poster featuring a jazz legend that is sent out to schools across the nation. This year’s poster features Tony Bennett.
Mar 30, 2026 10:20 PM
Every April for the past quarter century, something remarkable has happened across the United States and far beyond.…
Cécile McLorin Salvant busts out Jelly Roll Morton’s “The Murder Ballad” at Big Ears, here with pianist Sullivan Fortner.
Apr 7, 2026 1:21 PM
There’s pluralism, then there’s PLURALISM! — and then there’s Big Ears. Thurston Moore, who participated in…
“We thought it’s important that Ronin has a new statement,” said Nik Bärtsch of his band’s latest album, Spin. “The sound is differently produced, so it reflects more of who we are.”
Apr 21, 2026 10:00 AM
Nik Bärtsch cuts an imposing figure on stage. He’s unmistakable with his soul patch, shaven head and black attire.…
