BLU Jazz+

06/19/2026

06/19/2026

Saturday, June 27th (6/27): DC & The Love

Saturday, June 27th, Akron native, Joey Skoch returns to his hometown via Chicago with DC & The Love!

Doors: 7:00pm
Show: 8:00pm
Tickets: General Admission ($20 in advance, $25 at the door)
🎟️ https://blu-jazz.turntabletickets.com/shows/11540/?date=2026-06-27

A Chicago-based band led by songwriter and legendary bass player Dennis Carroll, DC & The Love brings together a group of premier musicians celebrated for their superb musicianship and originality. Featuring Dennis Carroll’s genre-defying music, ear-catching melodies and poignant lyrics, DC & The Love has evolved into one of the most exciting and cutting-edge bands in the country, headlining last summer's Chicago Jazz Fest, San Francisco's Black Cat, and the Rootabaga Jazz Festival, all while recording their first EP titled “Go Up.” It’s music. It’s love. DC & The Love.

06/14/2026

Friday, June 26th (6/26): Ellen Pieroni & the Encyclopedia of Soul

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: General Admission ($20 in advance, $30 at the door)
🎟️ https://blu-jazz.turntabletickets.com/shows/6569/?date=2026-06-26

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.”

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

06/11/2026

Thursday, June 25th (6/25): Tommy Lehman & The Common Thread

Thursday, June 25th, trumpeter and local jazz hero, Tommy Lehman, assembles the cats for a night of original music via The Common Thread!

Featuring:
Johnny Cochran- tenor/soprano sax
Andru Dennis - Piano
Kip Reed - Bass
Zaire Darden - Drums
Tommy Lehman - Trumpet/Flugelhorn

Doors: 7:00pm
Show: 8:00pm
Tickets: $20 General Admission
🎟️ https://blu-jazz.turntabletickets.com/shows/11848/?date=2026-06-25

Tommy Lehman is a trumpeter, vocalist, composer/arranger, bandleader, and educator based in Northeast Ohio. Coming from a musical family with a lineage that includes lifelong music educators, professional musicians, and music curators, Lehman was immersed in the arts from a young age, whether at church, school, or home. Lehman holds an associate degree from the Jazz Studies Department at Cuyahoga Community College, a bachelor’s degree from the Hartt School of Music, and a master’s degree from Cleveland State University. Since completing his education, Lehman has released two studio albums, Faith > Fear and Uplift, which feature a wide array of musicians from the Northeast Ohio area.

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

06/04/2026

Friday, June 12th (6/12): Dan Bruce Trio "OHM"

Dan Bruce (guitar), Jordan McBride (bass), and Gabe Jones (drums) are OHM! The trio features high energy original improvised music and unique arrangements of their favorite tunes, all set to forceful and distinctive grooves.

Doors: 7:00pm
Show: 8:00pm
Tickets: $25 General Admission
🎟️ https://blu-jazz.turntabletickets.com/shows/6454/?date=2026-06-12

By embracing the influence of his heroes from the jazz tradition and retaining his own musical personality, guitarist Daniel Bruce has developed a unique and impressive musical voice. A recent transplant to Ohio after spending a decade as an important member of Chicago’s vibrant jazz scene, he is active throughout the Midwest and nationally as a performer, recording artist, composer and educator. Bruce moved to Chicago in 2007 after completing his master’s degree in jazz studies at the University of North Texas. He was quickly performing at a number of the city’s finest jazz venues including Andy’s, The Green Mill, The Jazz Showcase, and Harris Theatre in Millennium Park.

As a jazz performer and recording artist, Bruce has had the opportunity to work with a number of eminent musicians including Seamus Blake, Ali Jackson, Lynn Seaton, Dan Wall, The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, Marvin Stamm, Dave Restivo, and Rose Colella. He has been a featured composer in Fingerstyle Guitar Magazine, and remains a regular contributor. Daniel released A Single Thread, his first album as a leader, in 2008 on NohJoh records. His second release is due out in the summer of 2017.

06/01/2026

Saturday, June 13th (6/13): Esto Jazz

Esto Jazz, led by saxophonist, Robert Esterle, brings their variety of contemporary jazz, pop, standards and original compositions back to BLU!

Featuring:
Dominic Reto - piano/keyboards
Billy Joe Wiseman - Guitar
James "J.R." Richley - Drums
Robert Esterle - Saxophone

Doors: 7:00pm
Show: 8:00pm
Tickets: General Admission ($20 in advance, $25 day of show)
🎟️ https://blu-jazz.turntabletickets.com/shows/4862/?date=2026-06-13

Esto Jazz-is an instrumental quartet that performs a variety of contemporary jazz, pop, standards and original compositions. The group is led by saxophonist, Bob Esterle, who has performed with such popular artists as Bob James, Bobby Caldwell, Olivia Newton-John, Sandy Duncan, Ray Charles, The Four Tops, The Temptations, Frankie Avalon, Martha Reeves, The Platters, The Fifth Dimension, The Four Lads, Rich Little, Joan Rivers, Guy Lombardo, The Rat Pack and Dean Lives (from Las Vegas), Elvis Tribute Artist Spectacular, Michael Cavanaugh (from the Broadway Musical “Movin’ Out”), Hal Linden and Red Skelton.

06/01/2026