Friday Night Jazz on the Rooftop,  in partnership with WBGO 88.3, New York’s premier jazz station. Enjoy live performances from top jazz talent as you take in the city mood, savor light bites and shareable plates from our rooftop menu.
It’s more than a night out, it’s a celebration of jazz and New York energy.

We are Proud to Present the Summer Jazz Schedule:

Jun 20: Matt Chertkoff – Guitar: 
Guitarist Matt Chertkoff has made a name for himself playing at jazz clubs, concerts and festivals all over the world having performed in 9 countries. He has performed with legends such as Jimmy Cobb, Houston Person, Freddy Cole, Grady Tate and many others. Matt has performed on international tv including The Nippon Network, Telemundo and German tv. He has appeared on numerous jazz cd’s, pop recordings and movie scores. Matt is known for his sophisticated harmonies, melodic improvisations, and command of the jazz guitar tradition.

July 11: Jerry Weldon – Tenor Sax:
A veteran tenor saxophonist, Jerry Weldon has been a formidable force on the jazz scene for over three decades. After joining the legendary Lionel Hampton Orchestra in 1981, he went on to perform and record with a who’s who of jazz, including organist Jack McDuff and as a charter member of Harry Connick Jr.’s big band. Hailed by our partners at WBGO as a true ‘bar-walkin” tenor legend, Weldon’s powerful and swinging style is an authentic New York jazz experience..

July 18: Vanessa Parea – Vocal:
A captivating NYC-based vocalist and recording artist, Vanessa Parea has graced the stages of the city’s most respected jazz clubs, including Dizzy’s Club, Smalls, Mezzrow, and The Django. With a strong, soulful voice that honors the tradition of the masters, she has performed with world-renowned musicians and headlined at Jazz At Lincoln Center, Shanghai with her group, The Ladybugs. Parea’s performances are known for their swinging feel and the poised confidence of a seasoned artist.

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Previous 2025 Jazz Performers, this Summer:

May 2: Lezlie Harrison – Vocal:
Lezlie is a dynamic vocalist, curator, and radio personality whose soulful blend of jazz, blues, and gospel has captivated audiences worldwide. A key figure in the New York City jazz scene, she is not only a celebrated performer but also a longtime host on WBGO. As a founding member of The Jazz Gallery, Lezlie has played a vital role in fostering the next generation of jazz talent. Whether on stage or on the air, her rich, expressive voice and deep musical sensibility make her an undeniable force in contemporary jazz.

May 16: Brian Cherette – Organ:
New York City organist and pianist, Brian has established himself as a leading voice in modern jazz. He is currently #2 on the Downbeat Critic’s Poll, and the winner of the 2014 Downbeat Critics’ Poll Rising Star. Brian lives in the village and is a staple of the downtown NYC scene working with virtually everyone who plays with an organist (such as Joni Mitchell, Chaka Khan, Paul Simon, Cyndi Lauper, Oz Noy, Vinnie Colaiuta, John Patitucci, and many more).

May 30: Craig Handy – Tenor Sax:
Craig Handy is an accomplished musician on saxophones, flute, bandleader, composer, arranger, actor, and teacher. Inspired by Dexter Gordon, he graduated from the acclaimed Berkeley High School Jazz Program and then studied at North Texas State University with a Charlie Parker Scholarship. A strong player in the New York jazz scene since 1986, Handy has been notable in the front line of bands led by Herbie Hancock, Roy Haynes, Betty Carter, Eddie Palmieri, Hilton Ruiz, Orlando “Maraca” Valle, Abudullah Ibrahim, Elvin Jones and many others. While his artistry is shaped in part by his pervasive interest in world music including music forms from Latin and Caribbean cultures, his passion for the roots of jazz fuels his continued creative exploration of its New Orleans origins.

Jun 6: Benny Benack III – Trumpet:
By age 33, Emmy-nominated trumpeter and singer Benny Benack III has proven to be that rarest of talents: not only a fiery trumpet player with a stirring command of the postbop trumpet vernacular in the vein of Kenny Dorham and Freddie Hubbard, but also a singer with a sly, mature, naturally expressive delivery in the post-Sinatra mold, performing standards and his own astute songs with a thrilling sense of showmanship. This duel-threat ability was recognized by the 2025 Downbeat Readers Poll where he won the category of Rising Star Male Vocalist, and placed #8 as a Rising Star Trumpeter as well. His superb intonation and bracing virtuosity enable him to handle astounding feats of originally composed vocalese (complex solos with written lyrics). On top of it all, he’s a highly capable pianist as well.

We hope to see you soon on our Rooftop for a fantastic Friday night of jazz,
brought to you in partnership with WBGO 88.3am! Premier jazz in midtown.