Grace Jones to Headline 2025 Blue Note Jazz Fest Series in New York
Written by djfrosty on April 1, 2025
The Blue Note Entertainment Group announced the participating artists in its 14th annual Blue Note Jazz Festival New York on Tuesday morning (April 1). Among the dozens of top name artists participating are: Grace Jones & Janelle Monaé, Branford Marsalis & Charles Lloyd, Emily King, Joshua Redman Quartet, Kenny Garrett, The Soul Rebels, Spyro Gyra, Marcus Miller, Tank and the Bangas, Santigold and many more.
“This is one of our strongest lineups to date and Im so proud of the series we have curated this year,” says Alex Kurland, director of programming and talent buying for Blue Note. “These artists represent some of the best in jazz, soul and contemporary music and their participation this year speaks to the strength of the Blue Note brand.”
Kicking off May 27 with a concert honoring saxophonist James Moody’s 100th Birthday Celebration at Sony Hall, the festival includes stops at a number of popular venues all over the city, including the Blue Note Jazz Club in the West Village, Town Hall near Times Square, SummerStage in Central Park, Sony Hall on W 46th Street, Celebrate Brooklyn Prospect Park and more. Tickets and more information can be found here.
“We look beyond genre to curate this festival and strive to create outstanding musical experiences,” Kurland tells Billboard. “We’re excited to present artists this year who are singular and innovative. Artists who have their own unique individuality and voice, and that are truly one of a kind.”
Blue Note has a busy schedule for 2024, including two concerts slated for the Quarry Amphitheater on the campus of UC Santa Cruz in Northern California. Blue Note is also bringing back The Black Radio Experience with Robert Glasper in Napa, opening a new Blue Note Los Angeles in Hollywood and curating and producing the newly renamed Blue Note Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl in June.
Blue Note recently wrapped up The Roots’ iconic celebration of their major label debut album, Do You Want More?!!!??!, at Blue Note, the annual month-long Robtober residency curated by Robert Glasper and critically acclaimed residencies with artists including Esperanza Spalding, Chris Botti and others.
Dates for the 2025 Blue Note Jazz Festival are below. More information here.
- May 27 — James Moody 100th Birthday Celebration @ Sony Hall
- May 29 — Kenny Garrett @ Blue Note
- May 30 — Kenny Garrett @ Blue Note
- May 31 — Kenny Garrett @ Blue Note
- June 1 — Kenny Garrett @ Blue Note
- June 1 — Harlem Gospel Choir [BRUNCH] @ Blue Note
- June 1 — Chuck Prophet & Cumbia Shoes @ Sony Hall
- June 2 — Infinity Song @ Blue Note
- June 3 — Infinity Song @ Blue Note
- June 6 — Emily King @ Blue Note
- June 7 — “Forever Ray” [BRUNCH] @ Blue Note
- June 7 — Emily King @ Blue Note
- June 7 — Louie Vega & The Elements Of Life @ Sony Hall
- June 8 — Harlem Gospel Choir [BRUNCH] @ Blue Note
- June 8 — Emily King @ Blue Note
- June 9 — Brandee Younger @ Blue Note
- June 9 — Grace Jones & Janelle Monaé @ Celebrate Brooklyn Prospect Park
- June 10 — THE REVERENCE PROJECT: John Patitucci, Darryl Jones, Nate Smith & James Francies @ Blue Note
- June 11 — THE REVERENCE PROJECT: John Patitucci, Darryl Jones, Nate Smith & James Francies @ Blue Note
- June 11 — Santigold @ Sony Hall
- June 12 — THE REVERENCE PROJECT: John Patitucci, Darryl Jones, Nate Smith & James Francies @ Blue Note
- June 13 — THE REVERENCE PROJECT: John Patitucci, Darryl Jones, Nate Smith & James Francies @ Blue Note
- June 13 — Spyro Gyra @ Sony Hall
- June 14 — Strictly Sinatra [BRUNCH] @ Blue Note
- June 14 — THE REVERENCE PROJECT: John Patitucci, Darryl Jones, Nate Smith & James Francies @ Blue Note
- June 14 — Rebirth Brass Brand @ Sony Hall
- June 15 — Harlem Gospel Choir [BRUNCH] @ Blue Note
- June 15 — THE REVERENCE PROJECT: John Patitucci, Darryl Jones, Nate Smith & James Francies @ Blue Note
- June 15 — Gallant @ Sony Hall
- June 16 — Warren G with Chris Rob & Live Band @ Blue Note
- June 16 — Harlem Gospel Motown @ Sony Hall
- June 17 — The Baylor Project @ Blue Note
- June 18 — SABA @ Sony Hall
- June 18 — The Baylor Project @ Blue Note
- June 18 — Gino Vannelli @ Sony Hall
- June 19 — The Baylor Project @ Blue Note
- June 20 — Joshua Redman @ Blue Note
- June 20 — Bas @ Sony Hall
- June 20 — Babehoven @ National Sawdust
- June 21 — A Tribute To The Golden Age Of Cuba – The Music Of The Buena Vista Social Club [BRUNCH] @ Blue Note
- June 21 — Joshua Redman @ Blue Note
- June 22 — Harlem Gospel Choir [BRUNCH] @ Blue Note
- June 22 — Joshua Redman @ Blue Note
- June 23 — Julius Rodriguez @ Blue Note
- June 24 — Julius Rodriguez @ Blue Note
- June 25 — Willie Nile @ Sony Hall
- June 25 — Julius Rodriguez @ Blue Note
- June 25 — Vopli Vidoplyasova @ Sony Hall
- June 26 — Julius Rodriguez @ Blue Note
- June 26 — Moses Yoofee Trio @ Blue Note
- June 26 — Jesus Molina @ Sony Hall
- June 27 — Savion Glover featuring PROjECt.9 @ Blue Note
- June 27 — Baby Rose @ Sony Hall
- June 28 — Savion Glover featuring PROjECt.9 @ Blue Note
- June 28 — Branford Marsalis / Charles Lloyd Co-Bill @ Town Hall
- June 29 — BALTHVS @ Sony Hall
- June 29 — Harlem Gospel Choir [BRUNCH] @ Blue Note
- June 29 — Savion Glover featuring PROjECt.9 @ Blue Note
- June 29 — Azymuth @ Sony Hall
- June 30 — Sungazer @ Blue Note
- June 30 — Rickie Lee Jones @ Sony Hall
- July 1 — Sungazer Plus @ Blue Note
- July 2 — Sungazer Plus @ Blue Note
- July 2 — Dora Morelenbaum @ Sony Hall