Performances are conducted by Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble with weekly featured guests.

Friday Night Jazz concerts take place indoors. Seating will be provided by the Museum. Food and drink are not permitted in the galleries.

September 25 | Listen with your Eyes: Charlie Parker 

Celebrate the groundbreaking music of alto saxophonist Charlie “Bird” Parker in a performance honoring artist Moe Brooker, an avid admirer of Parker and bebop. Emerging in the 1940s, bebop transformed jazz through its bold improvisation, rhythmic complexity, and revolutionary spirit. Saxophonist Michael Clay brings Parker’s music to life with classics such as “Now’s the Time,” “Confirmation,” and more. 

October 2 | Conversations: Motown Jazz Cafe 

Vocalists Warren Cooper and Kim Payton come together for an engaging musical dialogue inspired by the sounds of Motown. Through timeless songs, expressive harmonies, and playful exchanges, the two artists explore how music can create connection, spark conversation, and tell the story of the ups and downs of a relationship. 

October 9 | Miles Davis: Intention and Improvisation 

Trumpeter Miles Davis was driven by a lifelong desire to create music that felt spontaneous, honest, and new. Trumpeter Dan Spearman channels Davis’s restless creative spirit through selections from his vast repertoire, including “So What,” “Milestones,” and “Tutu.” 

October 16 | Thelonious Monk: Straight, No Chaser 

Thelonious Monk’s unmistakable sound embodies jazz in its rawest and most original form. Often described as a pianist who played with the rhythmic force of a drummer, Monk transformed unexpected notes and silences into unforgettable music. This program features signature compositions such as “Straight, No Chaser,” “Blue Monk,” and “‘Round Midnight.” 

October 23 | Future Moments: The Music of Ornette Coleman 

Ornette Coleman boldly moved beyond the conventions of his time, helping to reshape the future of jazz. His innovative approach opened new possibilities for improvisation, expression, and musical freedom. Experience landmark compositions such as “Lonely Woman” and “The Shape of Jazz to Come.” 

October 30 | The Measure of Every Part: The Music of Billie Holiday 

Billie Holiday brought extraordinary honesty and emotional depth to every song she performed. Vocalist Mi’cal Beckham honors Holiday’s singular artistry with moving interpretations of classics such as “God Bless the Child,” “Good Morning Heartache,” and “My Man.” 

November 6 | Completely Yes: The Music of Stevie Wonder 

Stevie Wonder’s music invites us to feel, reflect, celebrate, and hope. Vocalist Roy Richardson brings Wonder’s joyful and enduring songbook to life with favorites such as “You Are the Sunshine of My Life,” “Ribbon in the Sky,” and “Superstition.” 

November 13 | I Come to Dance My Joy: Afrocentric Jazz 

Explore the African roots of jazz and the many rhythms, sounds, and traditions that have shaped the music across continents and generations. Ghanaian vocalist Elle Gyandoh leads a journey through the African diaspora, celebrating artists such as King Sunny Adé, Hugh Masekela, Fela Kuti, and Miriam Makeba through songs including “Grazing in the Grass” and “The Click Song.” 

November 20 | Everything Is on Its Way to Somehow: Avant-Garde Jazz 

Often called “the New Thing,” avant-garde jazz challenged expectations and expanded the possibilities of musical expression. Artists including Albert Ayler, Anthony Braxton, and the Sun Ra Arkestra created sounds that were daring, complex, and far ahead of their time. Woodmere welcomes Noel Scott, a key member of the Sun Ra Arkestra, performing with the Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble for an evening of adventurous music. 

December 4 | Substance of Things Hoped For: The Music of Marvin Gaye 

Vocalist Roy Richardson takes audiences on a journey through the music of Marvin Gaye, whose songs gave powerful voice to love, hope, struggle, and social change. The program features favorites such as “What’s Going On,” “Inner City Blues,” and “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology).” 

December 11 | Gift of the Spirit: David Winslow Gospel Singers 

Experience an uplifting evening with the David Winslow Gospel Singers. Through soaring vocals, rich harmonies, and the joyful spirit of gospel music, the ensemble offers a moving celebration of faith, community, and the transformative power of song. 

December 18 | I Can’t Keep from Singing: The Music of Nina Simone 

Few artists could tell a story through music with the power and conviction of Nina Simone. Her interpretations of classic songs, along with her own unforgettable compositions, gave voice to love, resilience, injustice, and liberation. Vocalist Suzanne Burgess honors Simone’s extraordinary legacy with selections including “Four Women,” “Mississippi Goddam,” and “Feeling Good.”