May was a busy month for musicians that brought about the end of the college year which resulted in lots of exciting end of the year shows among other awesome displays of creativity and craftsmanship. June, like any other month in this city is certainly no different. I once again apologize for not going into extensive detail, but I thought this month it’d be fun to pick 10 fantastic shows I’m super excited for.

6/5 – Bassist, composer, colleague, and friend Nick Dunston debuts a new group at Bar Lunatico in BK. The band features an incredible roster including Flautist Louna Dekker-Vargas who has an incredibly special voice on the instrument, Ledah Finck on violin and viola, complete virtuoso Tal Yahalom on guitar, and Stephen Boegehold on drums!

6/6 – Retumbra Trio returns on BND! I wrote about them/heard them play a few months ago and I want to reiterate how special they sound. Blending Giuffre-esque influences with a more contemporary flavor (oof excuse my pretentiousness) they have a super unique vibe that holds much to be appreciated!

6/7 – Clarinet legend and pioneer of the Contra-Alto clarinet Ben Goldberg brings his quintet to the jazz gallery. To be honest and perhaps someone unfair, I haven’t been this excited about a show in a very long time. In addition to being a master, Ben is an incredibly kind person who has quickly become an inspiration to me. His band looks incredible including Ellery Eskelin on Tenor, Mary Halvorson on Guitar, Mike Formanek on Bass, and Tomas Fujiwara on Drums. Sets 7:30 and 9:30.

6/8 – Vibrophonist/Composer/Perhaps my oldest friend in NYC Jake Chapman is bringing a trio to Kismat Indian Restaurant Uptown. I went to middle school with Jake and even back then we played in the jazz band together. Joining him are two incredible players, Dayeon Seok on drums and Chris Palmer on bass.

6/11 – Allright cats, we’ve reached that time of the post where I plug the always exciting band Secret Mall! These cats have been playing regularly in NYC a ton this year and every time I see them it’s better. Meme filled & shredtastic, this band is perhaps one of the best products of internet culture and talent in this so called “millennial” generation. They’re playing this time at Rockwood music hall stage 2 and it’s FWEEE.

6/14 – Theo Walentiny brings his group back to the Jazz Gallery to play more music + showcase the always exciting combination of creative personalities he seems to round up. I’m excited to be a part of the mix alongside Adam O’Farrill on Trumpet, Kalia Vandever on Trombone, Lee Meadvin on Guitar, Nick Dunston on Bass, and Mareike Wiening on Drums.

6/18 – Unified Field Orchestra (UFO) double bills with a band called Dry Hands at shapeshifter lab. I got to hear and sit in with UFO at rockwood at the beginning of may and it was extremely fun. UFO blends quirky lyrics, instrumental virtuosity and dense electronic textures, with lively energy that’s both accessible and interesting. If you’re willing to make the trek to the SS lab, it’ll be well worth your time.

6/19 – Bassist Adi Meyerson brings an EPIC (and I don’t use that word lightly) assortment of cats to Cornelia street café to play some music! The band consists of some of my closest friends and more; Lex Korten on piano, JK Kim on drums, Alden Helmuth & Morgan Guerrin on saxes.

6/21 – The aforementioned Lex Korten debuts his quartet at the Jazz Gallery. This is not only the band debut but Lex’s Jazz Gallery debut as a leader. I’ve been excited about this one for months and I’m devastated that I won’t be in town to witness it ☹. Please go to make up for my absence. Lex is an incredible human being who destroys the piano, synth, melodica and just about any instrument (and sometimes videogame) he touches in the best way possible!

Much Love & Happy Listening

-J