The lineup of musicians coming through Jazz Alley over the next several months is looking pretty tight. Notable jazz icons like Bob James & Dave Koz, Madeleine Peyroux, and Spyro Gyra are set to swing by with their signature sounds. The schedule is also dotted with perennial favorites including Tower of Power and Blood Sweat & Tears. 

More than two dozen artists will grace Jazz Alley‘s stage through May. And while the music will be rooted in the rich heritage of jazz, there will also be plenty of opportunity to hear from pioneers who are challenging and evolving the genre’s traditional boundaries.

Emerging Talent 

No stranger to Jazz Alley, nine-time GRAMMY winner Christian McBride returns with his latest project, Ursa Major, an ensemble that showcases some of jazz’s rising stars and leans into that evolving spirit. The group features Michael King on keys, Nicole Glover on saxophone, Ely Perlman on guitar, and Savannah Harris on drums.

They may be young, but they come with some impressive creds. King, a Chicagoan educated at Oberlin Conservatory, has toured internationally with legends like DeeDee Bridgewater. New York-based Harris has performed with jazz luminaries Geri Allen and Jason Moran. Glover continues making waves with her recent album “Strange Lands” and performances alongside Wynton Marsalis. And Perlman, a third-year student at Berklee, has performed with artists such as Shai Maestro and Ben Wendel, and emerges as both guitarist and singer-songwriter.

Revolutionary Sound

Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 will be in town delivering their distinctive sound of Afrobeats at Jazz Alley. As Fela Kuti’s youngest son, Seun has dedicated his career to carrying on his father’s revolutionary musical and political legacy. Their forthcoming album “Heavier Yet (Lays The Crownless Head)” features collaborations with Damian Marley and Sampa The Great, with executive production by Lenny Kravitz. We recently saw Kuti perform at the Cork Jazz Festival and it was nothing short of a celebration.

Pushing Boundaries

Robert Glasper is returning to Seattle, this time with his Original Piano Trio to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their debut album “Canvas.” The five-time GRAMMY winner, who we caught during his sold-out performance at Nectar Lounge last year, continues pushing jazz’s boundaries by blending jazz with hip-hop and R&B. His recent work “Code Derivation” is made up of songs that feature two versions of the same track. One track played by Glasper and his band with the other track “flipped” by various producers – including a track remixed by Glasper’s son, Riley.

From McBride’s mentorship of emerging talent to Kuti’s continuation of a revolutionary sound to Glasper’s genre-defying compositions, Jazz Alley continues to be a source of jazz in all of its forms as the music continues to evolve in new directions.

You can check out the full Jazz Alley schedule here.