Arts Agenda: Jazz and blues

In addition to the shows listed below, Atlanta boasts several venues where you can regularly hear jazz and blues, many of which host 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 fourth Thursday from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Read our profile of Blue Velvet Atlanta.

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October 25

Through his 54-year career, three-time Grammy Award winner John Scofield has occasionally detoured from the traditions of straight-ahead jazz, exploring a blend of funk and jazz that has led to some of his most popular projects. With these shows, Scofield looks back at many of his now-classic fusion groove compositions with Electrospective, featuring Adam Deitch, Larry Goldings and legendary bassist Oteil Burbridge. Shows are at 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on October 25 at City Winery.

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. The next installment of Alterman’s Toast & Jam Jazz Brunch series at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center welcomes jazz vocalist Jonathan Karrant, with performances at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on October 25. Read more about Alterman in his 11 Good Things and about his memories of his friend and mentor Les McCann.

October 30

International jazz vocalist and educator Lori Williams will perform at The Velvet Note at 7:30 p.m. on October 30. Her career has taken her from celebrated jazz rooms and festivals across the United States to stages throughout Europe, Japan and the Caribbean. 

November 6

Self-taught guitarist, singer, multi-instrumentalist and bandleader Skyler Saufley is dedicated to preserving the excitement and authenticity of classic American rhythm and blues. The Alabama Blues Hall of Fame inductee will perform at Blind Willie’s on November 6. He also plays the club’s weekly Industry Night on Tuesdays.

Award-winning trumpeter, composer, and producer Rick Braun is one of contemporary jazz’s most celebrated artists. He’ll be joined by Peachtree City-based 17-piece big band Peachtree Jazz Edition for a performance at Trilith Live at 7 p.m. on November 6.

November 7

Formed in 2004 by Maurice Nazzaro and Danny Vinson, the Cazanovas have been touring and performing original blues music on the club circuit and festival stages for more than 20 years. The Cazanovas were the house band for the now-defunct Darwin’s Blues Club for 10 years. See them at Blind Willie’s at 9 p.m. on November 7.

November 8

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 November 8.

November 13

Jazz at All Saints’ continues its third season on November 13 with a concert featuring Atlanta resident and dynamic jazz pianist Kenny Banks Jr.

November 11

Tab Benoit is a Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and guitarist who has built a remarkable 30+ year career on the foundation of his gritty and soulful Delta swamp blues. He’l play Variety Playhouse at 8 p.m. on November 11, with Jesse Dayton opening the show.

November 15

Blues guitarist Christone “Kingfish” Ingram has captured the imaginations of blues enthusiasts as one of the most exciting next-generation performers. Ingram, 22 years old, released his first album in 2019 on Alligator Records (home to Atlanta bluesman Tinsley Ellis), which caught the attention of performers ranging from Buddy Guy to Jason Isbell to Sir Elton John. He’ll play Variety Playhouse at 8 p.m. on November 15

November 17

Elijah Fox Trio is led by multi-instrumentalist, singer and producer Fox, who is based in Los Angeles and grew up in Durham, North Carolina. He was mentored by Yusuf Salim, a pianist who had played with Charlie Parker. The trio plays two shows, which also include Kenny Banks Jr., at 7 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. on November 17.

November 18

Los Angeles-based North African vocalist and composer Ami Taf Ra joins Grammy-winning saxophonist and producer Kamasi Washington for a rare live presentation of Ami’s debut album, The Prophet and the Madman, a project Washington produced and released through Brainfeeder. There will be two shows at City Winery Atlanta: at 6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on November 18.

November 19

Longtime Atlanta favorite Ken Ford celebrates his birthday with an electrifying evening of music that showcases his dynamic stage presence and genre-defying sound, blending jazz, R&B, soul, funk and contemporary grooves. He’ll be at City Winery Atlanta at 8 p.m. on November 19.

December 11

Picking up his first guitar at the age of 6, Eddie 9V surfed his way through the worlds of metal and indie-rock before having his musical mind rewired when he stumbled across a YouTube clip of Howlin’ Wolf playing the Newport Folk Festival in 1966. He’s celebrating the release of a new album, Down Here (to be released on November 6), with a show at Variety Playhouse at 8 p.m. on December 11.