BLU Jazz+

10/20/2026

Friday, November 20th (11/20): Dave Banks Big Band presents "First Ladies of Song" From Ella to Ronstadt!

Featuring the Dave Banks Big Band and vocalist Sandra Montevideo, this must see show presents the music of dynamic female vocalists throughout the history of the American Songbook. You will hear songs by Ella Fitzgerald, Keely Smith, Vickie Carr, Shirley Bassey, Peggy Lee, Liza Minnelli, Ann Margret and Linda Ronstadt! The show will also feature music by the powerhouse, 17 piece Dave Banks Big Band.

Doors: 7:00pm
Show: 8:00pm
Tickets: $30 General Admission
🎟️ https://blu-jazz.turntabletickets.com/shows/13569/2026-11-20

The Dave Banks Big Band is a powerhouse, 17-piece big band based in the Midwest, now in its 25th year of making music. The band includes the region’s top musicians and is led by Ohio native and 20-year Las Vegas veteran trumpet artist, Dave Banks. Dave’s desire is to bring some of that Las Vegas excitement to his audiences! They have performed in major theatres and clubs across five states. Their vast library of music ranges from swing and contemporary big band, Sinatra, rock, soul and pop. Dave fronts the band with his soaring trumpet, reminding audiences of the sounds of Doc Severinsen, Maynard Ferguson and Harry James and they utilize some of the most talented frontline singers and tribute artists in the region along with musical arrangers that are among the best in the business. They have backed entertainers such as Las Vegas Rat Pack Shows, The Temptations, Four Tops, Sal Valentinetti, and more, and frequently present their themed shows for theatres, casinos, and corporate events. The band’s ongoing mission is to provide their audience with exciting and uplifting musical entertainment that all ages can enjoy! Sandra Montevideo is the darling of the Northeast Ohio musical theatre community; she has starred in countless regional Broadway musicals over her illustrious career at venues like Porthouse Theatre, Cain Park and Weathervane Theatre. Sandra is the featured vocalist for several of the theme shows that the DBBB produces. She also fronts her own pop band, Ovation.

10/18/2026

Saturday, November 21st (11/21): The Dan Wilson Community Band

World-renowned jazz guitarist and Akron native, Dan Wilson, returns to BLU Jazz with his all-star "community band' on Saturday, November 21st!

Featuring:

Theron Brown - keys
Dave Throckmorton- drums
George Delancey-bass,
Nathan Paul- sax
Brad Wagner- sax
Chris Coles- sax
Chris Anderson- trombone

Doors: 7:00pm
Show: 8:00pm
Tickets: General Admission ($30 in advance, $40 at the door)
🎟️ https://blu-jazz.turntabletickets.com/shows/12638/2026-11-21

his youth within the church community, where his musical path began.

Traces of his major guitar influences – including Wes Montgomery, Charlie Christian, Joe Pass, and George Benson to name a few – can be discerned through his playing, but his musical identity has been shaped by everything from gospel and blues to traditional jazz, hip-hop and horn players like Sonny Rollins and Joe Henderson.

After graduating from Hiram College, Wilson made his recording debut with pianist Joe McBride and performed to worldwide acclaim with Joey DeFrancesco and Christian McBride’s Tip City, eventually recording his debut as a leader To Whom It May Concern.

Wilson has had the honor of sharing the stage with jazz greats including Eric Marienthal, Russell Malone, Les McCann, René Marie, Jeff Hamilton, David Sanborn and Dave Stryker. He also teaches jazz guitar and music theory through private lessons.

Wilson’s career took him on an exploratory journey into foundations laid down by the guitar/organ tradition, eventually leading to an invitation to perform with jazz great Joey DeFrancesco’s trio quartet, with which Wilson went on to earn a GRAMMY® Award nomination with for DeFrancesco’s Project Freedom album (Mack Avenue Records, 2017).

10/18/2026

Saturday, November 14th (11/14): Jim Snidero

Join us in welcoming world class alto saxophonist, Jim Snidero, to BLU for this first performance in Akron, OH, on Saturday, November 14th!

Grammy award-winning alto saxophonist, composer and author Jim Snidero has been hailed as an “alto sax virtuoso” (Downbeat) with “mind-boggling” improvisation skills (The Guardian), amassing over 20 million streams on Spotify and Apple. In 2024 he reached the pinnacle of the jazz world, placing top 5 alto saxophone in the preeminent Downbeat Magazine International Critics Poll.

Doors: 7:00pm
Show: 8:00pm
Tickets: General Admission ($25 in advance, $30 at the door)
🎟️ https://blu-jazz.turntabletickets.com/shows/13474/2026-11-14

10/11/2026

Friday, November 13th (11/13): Sam Blakeslee Large Group "New Blood" Album Release

Trombonist and composer, Sam Blakeslee, is back home to Akron via NYC to celebrate the release of his latest album "New Blood". Catch his explosive large group play Sam's latest album in its entirety with a special two-show event at BLU on Friday, November 13th.

*Each performance is ticketed separately*

Doors: 6:00pm
First Show: 7:00pm
Second Show: 9:00pm
Tickets: $30 General Admission (ticket is only valid for either 7pm or 9pm performance)
🎟️ https://blu-jazz.turntabletickets.com/shows/13472/2026-11-13

Featuring...

Woodwinds:

Bobby Selvaggio
Nathan-Paul Davis
Max Schlenk
Steve Kortyka
Bettyjeane Quimby

Trumpets:
Scott McKee
Garrett Folger
Theresa May
Ephraim Miller

Trombones:
Mark Mauldin
Chris Anderson
Zach Warren
Amber Forrer

Rhythm Section:
Dan Bruce - guitar
Timo Jin-En Mok - piano
Kip Reed - bass
Zaire Darden - drums

10/11/2026

Saturday, November 7th (11/7): The Stix Trio

Quickly established drummer on the NE Ohio jazz scene, Nehemiah (Stix) Baker, returns to BLU with his hard grooving trio, on Friday, Saturday, November 7th.

Doors: 7:00pm
Show: 8:00pm
Tickets: General Admission ($15 in advance, $20 at door)
🎟️ https://blu-jazz.turntabletickets.com/shows/13493/2026-11-07

The Stix Trio, led by Nehemiah (Stix) Baker, combines elements of neo soul, funk and R&B into a sound tapestry that brings out infectious grooves and danceable rhythms to get you up out your seat.

10/08/2026

Friday, October 30th (10/30): Nathan Paul & The Ridiculous Club Society

Join us on Friday, October 30th as Nathan Paul rings in Halloween weekend with a Single release party, I BE SCREAMIN, in anticipation of his forthcoming album NATHAN-PAUL & THE RIDICULOUS CLUB!

Set for release Spring 2027.

The single release at BLU Jazz+ will feat. Zaire Darden (drums), Denzel Chismar-Oliver (Bass), Noah Denton (Bass), feat. AJ Tyus (Guitar) and other special guests.

Doors: 7:00pm
Show:
DJ Drum Duo (Jonathan Fields+Gabe Jones) 8:00pm-8:30pm

Nathan Paul & The R.C. 9:00pm-10:30pm

DJ Drum Duo (Jonathan Fields+Gabe Jones) 10:30pm-11:00pm

Tickets: General Admission ($25 in advance, $30 at the door)
🎟️ https://blu-jazz.turntabletickets.com/shows/13378/2026-10-30

📍Location:
BLU Jazz
47 E. Market St.
Akron, OH 44308

Join us on Friday, October 30th as Nathan Paul rings in Halloween weekend with a Single release party, I BE SCREAMIN, in anticipation of his forthcoming album NATHAN-PAUL & THE RIDICULOUS CLUB! Set…

10/07/2026

Saturday, October 31st (10/31): HALLOWEEN AT BLU - Chris Coles Gleam ft. Floco Torres

Join us for a special Halloween performance at BLU, featuring the music of UA jazz educator, composer, and saxophonist, Chris Coles and his group, Gleam! The night will feature an opening set by ReSolve, and a costume competition during set-break (see details below!)

This is a true Halloween party. Best costume wins $200! (must purchase ticket in advance to quality for contest and prize)

GLEAM IS:
Theron Brown
Zaire Darden
Steve Kortyka
Chris Coles
Zakk Jones
Joe Leaman
Noa Denton
Patrick Graney

Ft. Floco Torres

Doors: 7:00pm
ReSolve: 7:30pm
GLEAM: 8:00pm
Tickets: General Admission ($20 in advance, $25 at door)
🎟️ https://blu-jazz.turntabletickets.com