Arts Agenda: Jazz and blues

Each week, ArtsATL delivers a critic’s short list of the shows, exhibitions, concerts and events we recommend for the coming weeks within one discipline or venue type in the kaleidoscope of Atlanta arts and culture. Every week, we’ll present a different art form.

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In addition to the shows listed below, Atlanta boasts several venues where you can hear jazz and blues regularly, many of them hosting weekly jam sessions. Among those venues are Fat Matt’s Rib Shack, The Velvet Note, Blind Willie’s, St. James Live and Northside Tavern. At Napoleon’s in Decatur, Blue Velvet Atlanta leads an open jam every second and fourth Thursday from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Read our recent profile of Blue Velvet Atlanta.

October 8

Saxophonist Christopher McBride is coming to Eddie’s Attic to celebrate the October 3 release of his third project, The Hang, The Hustle, The Path. The show starts at 9:15 p.m. October 8.

October 9

Jazz pianist and Atlanta native Joe Alterman is also the executive director of Neranenah, the Atlanta-based concert series that celebrates Jewish contributions to music and the arts. He’ll perform at Eddie’s Attic at 7 p.m. on October 9. Read more about Alterman in our collaborative series, Everyday Heroes, and about his memories of his friend and mentor Les McCann.

October 12

Smooth jazz saxman Kirk Whalum, also a Grammy winner for Best Gospel Song, will perform two shows at City Winery Atlanta at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. on October 12.

October 17

Enjoy a cultural double feature at the High Museum of Art’s Friday Jazz series, where you’ll experience live music and explore the museum’s galleries. On October 17, Friday Jazz features bassist Khari Cabral Simmons. Coming up next is Joe Alterman on November 21.

Jazz on the Lawn at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center is celebrating 26 years in 2025, and it will welcome Joe Gransden with his big band and special guest singer Karla Harris at 7:30 p.m. on October 17.

October 19

The Atlanta Blues Society’s next Gathering & Jam happens from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, October 19, at Napoleon’s in Decatur. The host band will be the Crossfire Blues Band.

October 26

Acoustic country folk blues guitarist Brandon Reeves, recently profiled by ArtsATL, has been perfecting his craft for more than 30 years. He has a long list of gigs coming up this fall, including several appearances at Blind Willie’s, with the first coming up at 6:30 p.m. on October 26.

November 5

The Jazz Legacy Project will present a Tribute to Cole Porter at Eddie Owen Presents at the Red Clay Music Foundry in downtown Duluth. The show features Nicole Chillemi and begins at 7 p.m. on November 5. They’ll perform Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite on December 3.

November 6

Grammy-winning jazz saxophonist Gerald Albright will take the stage at St. James Live for two shows at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. on November 6.

November 14

Jazz at All Saints’ continues its second season with a performance by nine-time Grammy nominee and jazz vocalist Nnenna Freelon at All Saints Episcopal Church at 7 p.m. on November 14

November 15

The Branford Marsalis Quartet comes to Spivey Hall on the campus of Clayton State University in Morrow at 7:30 p.m. on November 15.

November 28

Dave Koz and Friends return to Cobb Energy Centre for the 28th-anniversary edition of the longest-running jazz-based Christmas tour. Koz will bring along guitarist/singer Jonathan Butler and will feature special guests Haley Reinhart, Casey Abrams and Kayla Waters. The show starts at 8 p.m. on November 28.