Younger people often ask what Harlem was like back in the day. Damn, that dates me, but time tells all while boasting its history. Harlem was so hip, Roy Haynes said, “musicians would rather go to Harlem than heaven”! Back when Count Basie’s was jumping; organ trios at Showmans; Lenox Lounge; and organist Seleno Clark was burning up American Legion Post # 398. Without a real jazz club thriving in Harlem, with the exception of Bill’s Place (open weekends only), we keep swinging in other venues.
The Harlem Jazz Boxx has presented music in the Harlem community for the last 15 years. Weekly evening jazz concerts take place every Thursday and Fridays, 7 p.m. at Mount Morris Ascension Presbyterian Church; and Saturday mornings gospel concerts at 10 a.m.–11 a.m., at the same venue; all concerts curated by world-renowned trombonist, arranger, composer, and music activist Craig Harris. “Our mission is to continue presenting music in this iconic neighborhood. It is always about preserving the culture of our communities. It’s in our fabric, our DNA; everything we breathe is to continue the culture,” Harris said. “We present a mix of emerging, established, and elder artists at affordable admission prices.”
The series that began in April 2026 runs through January 2027. On May 29, the series presents drummer/composer Ronnie Burrage & Holographic Principle. Bandmembers include pianist Benito Gonzalez, guitarist Yulo Kanazawa, and bassist Lonnie Plaxico. Burrage’s melodic inventiveness is displayed every time he hits the stage or releases a new recording. He has played with such path explorers as the World Saxophone Quartet, Billy Bang, Andrew Hill, and Gunther Schuller, with extensive recordings with Sonny Fortune and Hamiet Bluiett.
Holographic Principle has been working together for some time now. They can erupt like a volcano, groove on sweet nightingale harmonies, or go straight ahead. They play together like an intuitive locomotive improvising through twists and turns. “I’m always honored to be a performing participant in Craig Harris’s Harlem Jazz Boxx. I support his work to keep the music and musicians alive,” said Burrage.
The June schedule will include June 5, high-powered multi-instrumentalist Lee Odom blending funk, jazz fusion, and classical music into one hot pot; June 12, trumpeter Franz Hackl; June 19, trombonist and composer Dick Griffin, an early member of Sun Ra Arkestra; June 26, percussionist Khalil Kwame Bell, whose resumé includes from Abbey Lincoln to Prince, Branford Marsalis, and James Carter.
For more information, visit harlemjazzboxx.com.
Jazz Genius (151Essex Street) presents pianist, composer, and author Ethan Iverson Piano Trio on May 28–30. Iverson is best known for his work in the jazz trio the Bad Plus with bassist Reid Anderson and drummer Dave King. When not leading his own band, he is a constant member of drummer Billy Hart’s quartet. Iverson plays out of an enthralling jazz spectrum, igniting rhythms from a variety of genres.
Two shows each night at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Visit tickettailor.com/events/jazzgenius.
Blues doesn’t have to be sad but it must be emotionally stimulating! On June 2, Dizzy’s (10 Columbus Circle) presents BLUESDAY: Piedmont Bluz. Step into an emotional story-telling space as Valerie and Benedict Turner bring the sound and spirit of early country blues to life. They are cultural historians, on a mission to celebrate the profound contributions of early African American artists through intricate fingerpicking, rhythmic grooves, and vivid anecdotes that transport you to the 1920s and ’30s. Valerie on vocals and guitar, Benedict on washboard — that age-old handwashing tool turned instrument — and percussion. One show only at 7 p.m.
The second set at 9 p.m. features vocalist Charenee Wade, who comes out of the Abbey Lincoln/Nina Simone school of fiery song with the soul grit of Bessie Smith. In 2015, she dared to record “The Offering: The Music of Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson” (Motéma Music). Scott-Heron and Jackson both blues, R&B, soul men. The album received rave reviews and the Brooklyn native earned street cred for once again forging her own creative path — making music, taking musical risks, not following trends. She recorded the album with such outstanding artists as Lonnie Plaxico, Marcus Miller, Stefon Harris, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, and Christian McBride (spoken word).
Backed by a stellar band, she will deliver inspired interpretations sprouted from the roots of blues and jazz while embracing the moments of now.
For reservations for both shows, visit jazz.org.
Sometimes going to a jazz club is more exciting when the performer may not be on your radar. Such is usually the case at that percolating little spot the Jazz Gallery, bringing artists who blow your mind after just one set. On June 5, the Gallery welcomes guitarist, songwriter, and producer Matthew Stevens. With his self-titled new album on Candid Records, he delivers a definitive midcareer mission statement.
The album features a multigenerational cast of musicians, including mentors like Terri Lyne Carrington, personal guitar heroes like Jeff Parker, and emerging innovators such as vibraphonist Joel Ross and vocalists Anna B Savage and Corey King.
Stevens has built an elite reputation in music, touring and recording with a distinguished roster of modern legends, including Esperanza Spalding, Christian Scott Atunde Adjuah, Harvey Mason, and Walter Smith III. For this live performance, he will be joined by steel guitarist Rich Hinman, vibraphonist Simon Moullier, saxophone, EWI, and keyboards Morgan Guerin, electric bassist Kyle Miles, and drummer Eric Doob.
On June 6, the Gallery presents pianist, keyboardist, and composer Jonathan Paik. He is the founder and leader of the hard-hittin’ quartet FUGITIVE. He plays to honor his lineages, both his Korean American heritage and the great tradition of Black American piano masters, and to unconditionally lift up the music and people around him. Paik has been named a Jazz Gallery Residency Commission Artist for 2026.
For tickets for both dates, visit jazzgallery.org.
Sly Stone “Stand” ”There’s a giant beside you about to fall/ Stand for the things you know are right/ Stand they will try to make you crawl.”
