Blue Note Jazz Festival


The Blue Note Jazz Festival is an annual jazz festival that takes place in June in various venues across New York City. Hosted by the Blue Note Jazz Club, the festival features performances by renowned jazz artists who have been integral to the Blue Note Jazz Club or to jazz music in general. The inaugural festival took place in June 2011 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City. In the course of one month, the festival featured over 80 performances in 15 different venues.

The Venues

The Blue Note Jazz Festival is held in some of the most prominent music venues in New York City. The festival is primarily held in the venues operated by the Blue Note Entertainment Group: the Blue Note Jazz Club, B. B. King's Blues Club, and the Highline Ballroom. However, performances are also held in other notable establishments including Le Poisson Rouge, Mercury Lounge, 92Y Tribeca, the Katonah Museum of Art, the Beacon Theatre, the Town Hall, Terminal 5, Subrosa, and the Central Park Summer Stage.

The Performers

As in the jazz club’s history, the Blue Note Jazz Festival offers an undeniably comprehensive look into the "who’s who" of jazz culture. A list of noteworthy performers is provided below.

2011

, McCoy Tyner, Dave Brubeck, Brian Wilson, Bobby McFerrin, Chaka Khan, Lee Konitz, Bill Frisell, Dave Holland, Chris Potter, Gary Peacock.

2012

, Charles Tolliver, Lou Donaldson, Arturo Sandoval, Béla Fleck, Cassandra Wilson, Jerry Douglas, the James Carter Organ Trio, Michel Camilo, Stanley Clarke, and George Duke.

2013

Buffy Sainte-Marie, Chris Rob, The Hot Sardines, Dave Liebman, The Manhattan Transfer

2015

Buika, Natalie Cole, Buddy Guy, Abdullah Ibrahim