bluesCindy Cashdollar
Three of the most electrifying women in blues and Americana converge at Cincinnati's legendary Live at the Ludlow Garage for a once-in-a-generation evening of raw, soulful guitar mastery. On Thursday, May 14, 2026, Sue Foley, Rory Block, and Cindy Cashdollar take the stage together — three living legends whose combined decades of artistry have reshaped the landscape of American roots music. Expect the unexpected as slide guitars wail, fingerpicking dazzles, and voices carry the deep tradition of the blues into something utterly alive.
Cindy Cashdollar is a virtuoso whose steel and slide guitar work has graced recordings with Bob Dylan, Ryan Adams, and countless others, earning her multiple Austin Music Awards and a devoted worldwide following. Alongside the fiery Texas-influenced Sue Foley and the incomparable acoustic blues icon Rory Block, this triple-bill promises an evening of breathtaking musicianship, spontaneous interplay, and storytelling through strings. Each artist brings her own chapter of blues history, and together they write something entirely new.
The Ludlow Garage in Cincinnati's Clifton neighborhood is the perfect cathedral for this kind of music — an intimate, storied rock and blues venue with a warm, unpretentious atmosphere that puts you close to the action. Whether you're a lifelong blues devotee or a newcomer to the genre, this is the kind of rare night that reminds you why live music matters. Don't miss your chance to witness these three titans share a stage.
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jazzChristian Sands
Step into the hallowed halls of Birdland Jazz Club in the heart of Manhattan for an extraordinary multi-night engagement with one of jazz's most celebrated pianists, Christian Sands. A Grammy-nominated artist and former protégé of the legendary Clark Terry, Sands brings his extraordinary technical command and deeply soulful expression to one of New York City's most iconic jazz venues, delivering an experience that resonates long after the last note fades.
The Christian Sands Quartet takes the Birdland stage for a remarkable run of performances spanning June 30 through the Fourth of July weekend in 2026. Each night offers a unique journey through original compositions, reimagined standards, and genre-bending explorations that showcase Sands' fearless artistic vision. The quartet format allows for intimate interplay between world-class musicians, creating spontaneous moments of brilliance that make every show a one-of-a-kind event.
Birdland itself is synonymous with jazz greatness — a basement treasure on West 44th Street where the music breathes with the weight of history and the electricity of the present. With its intimate seating, superb acoustics, and impeccable cocktail service, the venue perfectly frames Sands' dynamic performances. Whether you are a devoted jazz aficionado or discovering the genre for the first time, an evening with the Christian Sands Quartet at Birdland is an unmissable New York City experience.
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jazzChristian McBride
Christian McBride, one of the most celebrated and virtuosic bassists in the history of jazz, brings his extraordinary talent to stages across North America in a sweeping 2026 tour. A nine-time Grammy Award winner whose career spans collaborations with legends from Herbie Hancock to Pat Metheny, McBride commands the stage with effortless authority, bridging the gap between jazz tradition and bold contemporary expression. Whether fronting a band or stepping into the spotlight solo, every performance is a masterclass in musicianship and spontaneity.
The tour features a remarkable range of venues, from the intimate warmth of Blue Note in New York City and Garcia's to the grand acoustics of Detroit Symphony Hall and the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts. Several dates showcase McBride alongside his dynamic ensemble Ursa Major, a powerhouse group that pushes the boundaries of modern jazz with groove, sophistication, and fire. The Vancouver stop at The Centre for Performing Arts and the Sandler Center in Virginia Beach promise nights of unforgettable artistry in world-class settings.
Whether you are a lifelong jazz devotee or discovering McBride for the first time, these performances offer something rare — a chance to witness a living legend in his element. Expect deep grooves, breathtaking improvisations, and an undeniable warmth that fills every room he plays in. Secure your seats early, as Christian McBride's performances consistently sell out wherever he performs.
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acousticChris Thile
Experience one of the most extraordinary musical talents of his generation as Chris Thile takes the stage at Minneapolis's iconic Orchestra Hall for three unforgettable nights. A MacArthur 'Genius Grant' Fellow and Grammy Award-winning artist, Thile transcends genre boundaries with breathtaking virtuosity on the mandolin — weaving together threads of bluegrass, classical, folk, and jazz into something entirely his own. His performances are renowned for their spontaneity, warmth, and jaw-dropping technical brilliance.
Join Chris Thile on August 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, 2026, as he transforms Orchestra Hall's world-class acoustics into a vessel for music that defies expectation. Whether he's reimagining Bach partitas, delivering original compositions with poetic depth, or engaging the audience with his trademark wit and charm, no two shows are ever alike. Each evening promises a singular, intimate connection between artist and audience in one of the Twin Cities' most celebrated concert venues.
Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis offers one of the finest listening environments in the Midwest, making it the perfect setting for Thile's nuanced and dynamic artistry. With only three performances available, demand will be high — secure your seats for a weekend of live music that will linger in your memory long after the final note fades.
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jazzChris Standring
Experience an intimate evening of world-class smooth jazz as the acclaimed British guitarist Chris Standring takes the stage at Live at the Ludlow Garage in Cincinnati. Known for his sophisticated blend of jazz, funk, and soul, Standring has built a devoted global following through his silky guitar work and richly layered compositions that feel equally at home in a chic cocktail lounge or a concert hall. This is an evening where every note is felt as much as heard.
Live at the Ludlow Garage is one of Cincinnati's most beloved and storied live music venues, offering an up-close and personal atmosphere that transforms a concert into a true shared experience. On Saturday, September 12, 2026, the room will come alive with the warm tones of Standring's guitar as he delivers a set drawn from his celebrated discography — music that blends melodic sophistication with undeniable groove. The venue's intimate layout means there's not a bad seat in the house.
Whether you're a lifelong jazz devotee or simply someone who appreciates exceptional live musicianship, this night promises something special. Chris Standring's performances are renowned for their elegance, spontaneity, and emotional depth, making each show a unique and unforgettable experience. Grab your tickets early — evenings like this don't stay available for long.
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bluesChris Smither
Few artists carry the weight and wisdom of the blues quite like Chris Smither. A revered figure in the acoustic blues and folk tradition for over five decades, Smither brings his signature fingerpicking style, gravelly voice, and sharp poetic wit to Austin's 04 Center on Sunday, October 11, 2026. This is an evening for those who appreciate music stripped to its essence — raw, honest, and deeply human.
Smither's performances are renowned for their intimacy and depth. Drawing from a rich catalog that spans Americana, Delta blues, and introspective folk, he weaves storytelling and guitar mastery into an experience that feels both timeless and wholly personal. His foot-tapping rhythmic style and philosophical lyrics have earned him devoted fans across generations and comparisons to the greats of American roots music.
The 04 Center in Austin provides the perfect backdrop for this kind of soulful evening — an intimate setting that allows every note and lyric to land with full impact. Austin, long celebrated as the Live Music Capital of the World, is an ideal home for an artist of Smither's caliber. Whether you're a longtime devotee or discovering his music for the first time, this night promises to be one of those rare, unforgettable concert experiences.
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jazzChris Mitchell
Experience the raw, emotional power of Chris Mitchell live as he brings his signature jazz and blues sound to some of America's most celebrated stages. From the storied House of Blues venues in Dallas and Houston to the intimate grit of Emo's East and the grandeur of the Howard Theatre in Washington DC, each night promises a deeply personal musical journey that speaks to the soul. This is live music at its most authentic — no filters, no fuss, just pure artistry.
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bluesChris Duarte
Get ready for an electrifying experience as Texas blues virtuoso Chris Duarte brings his scorching guitar work and soulful intensity to intimate venues across the country. Known for his lightning-fast fretwork, deep blues roots, and improvisational brilliance, Chris Duarte delivers the kind of raw, authentic performance that reminds you why the blues moves people to their core. His shows are immersive, spontaneous, and emotionally charged — no two nights are ever alike.
This spring and early summer tour takes Chris Duarte to some of the most beloved independent music venues in America. Catch him at The Winchester Music Tavern on May 10, Sportsmen's Tavern with the full Chris Duarte Group on May 13, Cafe 11 on June 3, and closing out the run at New Orleans' own Gasa Gasa on June 7. Each stop promises an up-close encounter with one of the most underrated guitarists in modern blues, in the kind of intimate rooms where the music hits hardest.
Whether you're a lifelong blues devotee or discovering the genre for the first time, a Chris Duarte show is a masterclass in feel, tone, and storytelling through music. The Gasa Gasa performance in New Orleans — a city synonymous with the blues tradition — promises to be a particularly special evening, where Duarte's Texas-tinged style meets the spiritual home of American roots music. Grab your spot early; these rooms fill fast.
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jazzChris Botti
Experience the hauntingly beautiful sound of Chris Botti, America's best-selling instrumental artist and one of the most celebrated trumpet players of his generation. Known for blending jazz, classical, and pop influences into a signature sound that transcends genre, Botti delivers evenings of pure musical magic that leave audiences breathless. His tone — warm, lyrical, and deeply emotive — has earned him Grammy Awards and sold-out venues around the world.
Chris Botti's 2026 tour brings his extraordinary talent to some of the most prestigious and intimate performance spaces across the country, including The Wilbur in Boston, the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, and the legendary Blue Note Los Angeles. Whether performing lush ballads or swinging jazz standards, Botti creates an atmosphere of sophisticated elegance and raw emotional power that resonates long after the final note fades.
This is not merely a concert — it is an experience. From the moment Botti raises his trumpet, the room transforms into something cinematic and intimate all at once. Perfect for devoted jazz fans and first-time listeners alike, an evening with Chris Botti is a reminder of the profound beauty live music can conjure. Secure your seats and prepare to be moved.
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jazzChief Adjuah
Chief Adjuah — the artist formerly known as Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah — is one of the most boundary-defying voices in contemporary jazz. A New Orleans-born trumpeter, composer, and sonic architect, Adjuah blends ancestral African rhythms, blues, hip-hop, and post-modern jazz into a genre he calls 'Stretch Music,' creating an experience that is as spiritually resonant as it is musically electrifying. Seeing him live is not simply a concert — it is an immersive ceremony of sound and culture.
Chief Adjuah brings his singular artistry to some of the most storied intimate venues in the country, including the legendary Blue Note in New York City for a remarkable run of performances across June 5–7, 2026. These multi-night engagements offer rare opportunities to witness a master at work in close quarters, where every note, every breath, and every improvised moment feels immediate and deeply personal. With a series of shows spanning weekends, fans have the chance to experience how each performance takes on its own life.
At venues like Yoshi's in Oakland — a jewel of the West Coast jazz scene — and the iconic Blue Note in New York, the atmosphere is warm, intimate, and alive with the energy of true believers in the art form. Whether you are a lifelong jazz devotee or a curious newcomer, a Chief Adjuah performance promises to expand your understanding of what music can be and leave you profoundly moved.
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bluesCharlie Musselwhite
One of the most celebrated figures in American blues, Charlie Musselwhite brings his soulful, raw harmonica mastery to stages across the country in 2026. With a career spanning six decades and collaborations with legends like B.B. King and John Lee Hooker, Musselwhite delivers performances that are equal parts history lesson and transcendent musical experience. His deep, Chicago-rooted sound resonates with veterans and newcomers alike, making every show a rare communion with the living tradition of the blues.
Catch Charlie in an intimate setting at Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club in Portsmouth on September 24, 2026 — a venue perfectly suited to his powerful yet nuanced style. For those craving a full weekend of discovery, Charlie also headlines the 2026 Live Oak Music Festival at El Chorro Regional Park, sharing the bill with Jackie Venson, Neal Francis, The Brothers Comatose, Marty O'Reilly, and more across a stunning outdoor California setting from June 18–21. A solo club date at the legendary Belly Up Tavern on June 17 rounds out an exceptional stretch of performances.
Whether you're settling into a velvet-lit club chair or swaying under the open sky at a summer festival, a Charlie Musselwhite show is a reminder of why the blues endures. His harmonica cuts through with an emotional clarity that few musicians alive can match — urgent, mournful, joyful, and always deeply human. Don't miss your chance to witness a true American master at work.
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speaker seriesCharles Bolden
Experience an extraordinary evening with Charles F. Bolden Jr., former NASA Administrator and decorated astronaut, as he takes the stage at the magnificent Boston Symphony Hall for two special nights in February 2027. A four-time space shuttle mission veteran and retired Marine Major General, Bolden brings a lifetime of groundbreaking achievement to this intimate speaker series, offering audiences a rare window into the worlds of space exploration, leadership, and public service.
Join us on February 10th and 11th, 2027, as Bolden shares the stories behind historic milestones — including his role in deploying the Hubble Space Telescope and his tenure leading NASA through the Orion and Commercial Crew programs. Set within the awe-inspiring acoustics and grandeur of Boston Symphony Hall, this event transforms a lecture into something truly cinematic — an experience as vast and inspiring as the cosmos itself.
Whether you're a lifelong space enthusiast, a student dreaming of the stars, or simply drawn to exceptional human achievement, this Boston Speaker Series event promises to move, motivate, and expand your sense of what is possible. Seats are limited, and demand is expected to be high — secure your place for one of Boston's most anticipated speaking events of 2027.
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