Flushing Town Hall Features Ten Outstanding Jazz Musicians at 5th Annual Jazz Jam All-Stars Concert

On Wednesday, July 9 at 7:00 PM, Flushing Town Hall, a Smithsonian affiliate, will host its fifth annual Jazz Jam All-Stars Concert and honor the musicians who regularly perform at its monthly Jazz Jams.

The stellar lineup of musicians to perform at the July 9 concert includes Angela Arthur (vocals), Frank Bergamini (soprano sax/vocals), Mimi Block (vocals/violin), Richard Braithwaite (tenor sax), Tony Campo (piano), Wajdi Cherif (piano), Gary Davis (guitar, vocals), Ken Meyer (guitar), Keeley Mitchell (vocals), Gerald Thomas (bass/piano/sax). These All-Stars will be performing alongside the amazing FTH house band led by Carol Sudhalter, the Master of Ceremonies who also plays sax and flute. The house band includes Joe Vincent Tranchina on piano, Scott Neumann on drums, and Eric Lemon on bass.

“For 14 years, our Louis Armstrong Legacy Monthly Jazz Jams have been a cornerstone for building community through music. Our jams create a ‘third space’ where musicians and audience members socialize, network, mingle, and enjoy great music,” says FTH Director of Education & Public Programs Gabrielle M. Hamilton. “This year marks our fifth annual All-Stars concert as we celebrate the next generation of passionate, exceptionally talented jazz musicians in the very borough that the wonderful Louis Armstrong once called home.”

The wildly popular Louis Armstrong Legacy Monthly Jazz Jam, which was established 14 years ago, began in collaboration with the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College as an educational program to provide a platform for young jazz musicians to play together. The monthly jam later opened to amateur and professional musicians and public audiences under Queens Jazz OverGround, a collective of Queens-based jazz musicians.

Long-time big band leader Carol Sudhalter, took over the Jazz Jam as leader of Flushing Town Hall’s house band in 2016. Under her creative guidance, the program has paid homage to the great Louis Armstrong every month since—including 17 months of virtual jams during the pandemic. These virtual performances attracted more than 7,000 viewers and 200 musicians Zooming in from more than a dozen countries worldwide, including New Zealand, Italy, and South Africa. Since the monthly Jazz Jam returned to in-person performances in 2022, it has attracted dozens of musicians who welcomed the warm, inviting, and collaborative atmosphere as an opportunity to perform in front of audiences and jazz lovers.

Unlike the regular Monthly Jazz Jams, where any musician is welcome to participate and play, the Jazz Jam All-Stars concert features only selected invited musicians.

“The annual Jazz Jam All-Stars concert is the highlight of the year. It’s our chance to shine a spotlight on the musicians who show up month after month, year after year, sharing their remarkable talent and unwavering dedication,” says Flushing Town Hall Jazz Jam Band leader Carol Sudhalter. “Choosing just 10 All-Stars this year was no easy feat—we had so many devoted, eligible musicians who’ve truly earned the spotlight. That’s a testament to the strength and heart of this incredible jazz community.”

The concert will begin with a tune played by the jazz house band. After that, each All-Star will perform two tunes with the band.

In-person tickets for the concert on Wednesday, July 9th, at 7:00 PM ET. are $25, $20 for FTH members, and $15 for students with ID. Ticket sales help keep our monthly Jazz Jams free for musicians and members!