With her sophisticated style and deep contralto that Jazz Times called “smooth and dark as the richest espresso,” Alexis Cole is equally comfortable singing in hard bop settings as tackling Disney or Paul Simon’s material. For two decades, through 11 albums, she’s inhabited standards, especially blues and ballads, in the manner of Sarah Vaughan and Anita O’Day. An old friend of the Jazz Forum, Alexis remains an international attraction. Come see why.

New York’s music scene has it all so it’s natural that Brooklyn-born drummer-composer-arranger-vocalist Willie Martinez has played the city’s varied major stages for three decades, from CBGB’s to Carnegie Hall. One of the most sought-after drummers in Latin Jazz, he’s performed with legends like bandleader Chico O’Farrill and pianist George Cables besides fronting La Famillia Sextet. His own quartet gigs are always some of the hottest dates in town.

Willie Martinez will be performing with pianist NIcki Denner, bassist Bernie Minoso and reedman/flutist Anton Denner!

Among his generation’s top jazz guitarists, Roni Ben-Hur’s gorgeous tone and fluidity graces both straight ahead jazz and Brazilian styles with subtle brilliance. Grammy Winning guitarist Russell Malone says that, “Everything Roni does is beautiful. He has the magic touch,” and Roni comes to Tarrytown with a suitably superior ensemble, including saxophonist Steven Wilson, bassman Harvie S., pianist Donald Vega and drummer Sylvia Cuenca. Be witness to their magic.

Originally from Brasilia, bassist/guitarist Eduardo Belo’s mastery of Brazilian music, Gypsy jazz and modern jazz reached full flower in New York where he’s become a first-call accompanist for top musicians like Brad Mehldau, Bebel Gilberto, Claudio Roditi and Hendrik Meurkens in performance and recording studio. In recent years, he’s begun leading his own group and the acclaimed magical flutist Hadar Noiberg, a frequent collaborator, will be joining him for this gig.

This gig marks a return engagement at The Jazz Forum for this fireball of a band, a super-group of master musicians. Individually, Tim, Gary, John and Al are all recipients of high honors, have all played with legendary names and performed at the most prestigious venues. When together, they produce fresh, exciting and challenging sounds worthy of their collective talents. This engagement comes on the eve of the quartet gearing up for its first recording.

Livio Almeida can play it all, from bebop to Afro-Cuban jazz, but his big tenor sax tones fit perfectly when he wraps them around the sounds of his native Brazil. An energetic live performer, he has been a standout when performing and recording with his own quartet, his Brazilian big band or with the legendary O’Farrill Brothers groups for his ability to infuse groove and funk into tropical compositions.