New York, NY’s famed Blue Note Jazz Club is embracing the stylistic tangents of its core genre with a series of funk- and jam-oriented concert residencies in 2023.
The initial lineup for the Blue Note’s 2023 funk and jam series, due to begin in late January and stretch through the summer, features a number of acts that have long straddled the lines between genres including DJ Logic, Soulive, Lettuce, Galactic, Antibalas, Karl Denson, Ghost-Note, Butcher Brown, and more. Additional Blue Note New York funk and jam residencies are due to be announced in January.
“The power of jazz has impacted and influenced many musical genres, and has its fingerprint deep within jam band culture and funk,” explains Blue Note director of programming Alex Kurland of the thought process behind the series. “Blue Note greatly celebrates this legacy and presents a broad range of artistry. We feel it’s important for us to embrace jam band culture, funk, progressive and soulful music, all of which have been influenced by jazz.”
The series will kick off in January with a guest-filled four-night stint by renowned turntablist DJ Logic, who has been widely credited with introducing both jazz and jam artists to the realm of hip-hop. He will be joined by a rotating cast of special guests including James Carter, James Genus, Robert “Sput” Searight, and Neal Evans (January 19th and 20th); James Genus, Robert “Sput” Searight, Neal Evans, and Casey Benjamin (January 21st); and John Popper, Paul Shaffer, James Genus, Robert “Sput” Searight, and Casey Benjamin (January 22nd).
The following week, New Orleans funk-jam institution Galactic will set up shop at the Blue Note with an eclectic crew of friends including James Carter (January 25th), Robert Randolph (January 26th, 27th), Matisyahu (January 28th), and Nicholas Payton (January 29th). In February the Blue Note will welcome Karl Denson Project, led by the revered Rolling Stones saxophonist/Tiny Universe frontman. The band for Denson’s four-night run, set for February 23rd–26th, will include contemporary jazz and funk staples Keyon Harrold, James Francies, Burniss Travis, and Blaque Dynamite.
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In March, decorated guitarist Eric Krasno and Galactic drummer Stanton Moore will bring their new Krasno/Moore Project to the iconic jazz club for a four-night stretch featuring organist Eric Finland (March 16th–19th). In May, the Blue Note will host a three-night run by fast-rising Richmond, VA jazz-funk fusion outfit Butcher Brown featuring as yet unannounced special guests (May 8th–10th) as well as a four-night stand by Brooklyn-native, Fela Kuti-inspired Afrobeat ensemble Antibalas (May 18th–21st).
The series will continue into the summer months with a trio of funk-fusion outfits with long histories in the jam world: Ghost-Note, Lettuce, and Soulive. From June 1st through 4th, Ghost-Note, the ever-evolving group led by Snarky Puppy percussion veterans Robert “Sput” Searight and Nate Werth, will take over the Blue Note with its groove-oriented stylings. From June 8th–11th, Grammy-nominated future-funk sextet Lettuce will return to the Greenwich Village jazz club for four nights of sonic exploration. Finally, Soulive, the beloved instrumental trio featuring Eric Krasno, Neal Evans, and Alan Evans, will serve up two long weekends of intrepid live music on the Blue Note stage (June 15th–18th, June 29th–July 2nd).
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“Jazz and improvisation lives and breathes within progressive funk and jam band artistry,” adds Kurland of the jam-packed series. “As a legendary jazz institution, it’s Blue Note’s responsibility to continue presenting innovative and soulful artists with musical integrity influenced by its exposure to jazz and improvised music.”
Keep an eye out for additional announcements of jam and funk residencies at the Blue Note in early 2023. For ticketing details and a full calendar of upcoming shows at Blue Note New York, head here.