SPECIAL 30th ANNIVERSARY CONCERTS
SCHEDULED THROUGHOUT 2025!
2025 KICKOFF
We kicked off the 30th year of TJG with some special guests including Councilwoman Carlina Rivera. We recognized and celebrated the past recipients of our Residency and Fellowship Commissions!
In addition, our 2024 Commissioners, Emmanuel Michael, Nicola Caminiti, Patricia Brennan and Dayna Stephens performed for guests!
We also announced our 2025 Commissioners:
Yuhan Su - Residency Commission
Miki Yamanaka - Residency Commission
Dabin Ryu - Residency Commission
Harish Raghavan - Fellowship Commission
BEN WENDEL’S BaRcoDe
Ben Wendel revisited his 2023 Commission piece, BaRcoDe to help us kick off our 30th Anniversary Special Concert Series!
Barron, Carter & Watts
Kenny Barron, Maestro Ron Carter and Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts came together on February 7th and 8th for a once-in-a-lifetime show in honor of our 30th Anniversary. Long time patrons and newcomers alike filled the house for all four sets and helped us raise funds to keep the music playing!
30TH ANNIVERSARY PRESS
“Sakairi…. has given major artists an early boost, including Gretchen Parlato, Linda May Han Oh, Gerald Clayton, Lizz Wright, Vijay Iyer, Ambrose Akinmusire, Joel Ross, Miguel Zenón, Kris Davis and Robert Glasper. “Absolutely my first real show as a leader” was at the Gallery, [Robert] Glasper said via email, adding that the venue “was always open to me exploring what was in my mind and working it out live in front of an audience.” — Robert Glasper (for New York Times)
In an email, Iyer wrote, “The Jazz Gallery’s reputation speaks for itself. It’s evolved over the decades into a pivotal New York institution. There aren’t many nonprofit organizations in the U.S. dedicated to the year-round presentation of creative music. There are a few bigger institutions out there, but The Jazz Gallery is the city’s hidden jewel, a true hub for the musicians’ community and for our audiences. Dale, Lezlie and Roy understood the crucial importance of a space like this to the health of the New York scene, and Rio has always had the curatorial vision, openness and integrity to keep things current without ever sacrificing quality. This music is not a museum piece: It’s a living art. We are blessed to have The Jazz Gallery here in the heart of New York, as an incubator of emerging artists and as a home for music-makers across generations and aesthetics.” —Vijay Iyer (for JazzTimes)
In honor of our 30th Anniversary, the New York Times wrote a stellar feature on our Artistic Director, Rio Sakairi. Rio has been the heart of TJG since its beginnings and we are thrilled that she has received such well-deserved recognition.
Hear from some longtime friends of The Jazz Gallery in this feature by JazzTimes!
TJG Founder, Lezlie Harrison covered our fundraising show with Kenny Barron, Maestro Ron Carter and Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts!