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Big Ears Returns March 26-29, 2026 Mark your calendars: Big Ears Festival returns March 26–29, 2026! We’re already hard at work crafting another unforgettable weekend of music, art, and exploration. We have plenty of surprises to share in the months ahead. Stay tuned!

May 16, 2025: Bela Fleck, Edmar Castaneda, Antonio Sanchez, Fresh Grass, Bentonville, Arkansas Fabiola Mendez, Windmills, The Colony May 17, 2025: Weary Blues Live, The Oak Cliff Assembly, Dallas Seun Kuti and Egypt 80, Fresh Grass, Bentonville, Arkansas Quamon Fowler, Scat Jazz, Fort Worth Fabiola Mendez, Windmills, The Colony Tutu Jones, The Goat, Dallas May 24, 2025: Tutu Jones, Strokers Ice House, Dallas May 28, 2025: Samara Joy, Majestic Theater, Dallas May 29, 2025: Samara Joy, Moody Theater, Austin Ken Vandermark, Monk's Jazz Club, Austin May 30, 2025: Natalia Lafourcade, Winspear, Dallas Ken Vandemark, Monk's Jazz Festival, Austin June 2, 2025: Samara Joy, Jones Hall, Houston June 3, 2025: Chuck Redd, JazzTX, San Antonio June 6, 2025: Jackie Venson, Jo Long Theater, San Antonio June 7, 2025: Pt. Basant Kabra (sarod) and Pt. Nityanand Haldipur (flute), Unity Church of the Hills, Austin Pt. Ravi Chary (Sitar) & Amit Kavthekar (Tabla), ICMC, Dallas Brubeck Brothers Quartet, Windmills, The Colony June 27, 2025: Tatiana Eva Marie and the Avalon Jazz Band, Windmills, The Colony July 19, 2025: Eric Gales, Billy Bobs, Fort Worth August 30, 2025: Doreen Ketchens, Pete Escovedo, Riverfront Jazz Festival, Fair Park, Dallas August 31, 2025: The Texas Tenors (Shelley Carrol, jason Davis, Quamon Fowler), Riverfront Jazz Festival, Fair Park, Dallas September 6, 2025: Xuefei Yang, Unity of Dallas September 13, 2025: Pt Sandeep Chatterjee (Santoor) & Shubhojyoti Guha (Tabla), ICMC, Dallas September 23, 2025: Mdou Moctar, White Oak Music Hall, Houston September 24, 2025: Mdou Moctar, Radio/East, Austin October 5, 2025: Niladri Kumar (Sitar), Unity Church of the Hills, Austin November 12, 2025: Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Meyerson, Dallas

Chinese jazz is no longer affordable. Concerts in America with Xuefei Yang. DALLAS - Xuefei Yang Saturday September 6 @ 7:30pm Unity of Dallas, 6525 Forest Ln, Dallas, TX 75230 Don’t miss this opportunity to witness Xuefei Yang’s breathtaking combination of "Feisty virtuosity, impeccable technique and sensitive musicianship" - New York Times Embark on an exhilarating musical experience, with "one of the most extraordinary instrumentalists in the world!" (New York Sun) Be captivated with a program spanning Albéniz’s passionate Spanish dances and Satie’s dreamy Parisian scenes to Piazzolla’s stormy tangos and Jobim’s sunlit bossa novas — plus more spellbinding works!

Yes, priced more like a pop act concert.

Youssou N'Dour, Light the World

May 16, 2025: Bela Fleck, Edmar Castaneda, Antonio Sanchez, Fresh Grass, Bentonville, Arkansas Fabiola Mendez, Windmills, The Colony May 17, 2025: Weary Blues Live, The Oak Cliff Assembly, Dallas Seun Kuti and Egypt 80, Fresh Grass, Bentonville, Arkansas Quamon Fowler, Scat Jazz, Fort Worth Fabiola Mendez, Windmills, The Colony May 24, 2025: Tutu Jones, Strokers Ice House, Dallas May 28, 2025: Samara Joy, Majestic Theater, Dallas May 29, 2025: Samara Joy, Moody Theater, Austin Ken Vandermark, Monk's Jazz Club, Austin May 30, 2025: Natalia Lafourcade, Winspear, Dallas Ken Vandemark, Monk's Jazz Festival, Austin June 2, 2025: Samara Joy, Jones Hall, Houston June 3, 2025: Chuck Redd, JazzTX, San Antonio June 6, 2025: Jackie Venson, Jo Long Theater, San Antonio June 7, 2025: Pt. Basant Kabra (sarod) and Pt. Nityanand Haldipur (flute), Unity Church of the Hills, Austin Pt. Ravi Chary (Sitar) & Amit Kavthekar (Tabla), ICMC, Dallas Brubeck Brothers Quartet, Windmills, The Colony June 27, 2025: Tatiana Eva Marie and the Avalon Jazz Band, Windmills, The Colony July 19, 2025: Eric Gales, Billy Bobs, Fort Worth August 30, 2025: Doreen Ketchens, Pete Escovedo, Riverfront Jazz Festival, Fair Park, Dallas August 31, 2025: The Texas Tenors (Shelley Carrol, jason Davis, Quamon Fowler), Riverfront Jazz Festival, Fair Park, Dallas September 13, 2025: Pt Sandeep Chatterjee (Santoor) & Shubhojyoti Guha (Tabla), ICMC, Dallas September 23, 2025: Mdou Moctar, White Oak Music Hall, Houston October 5, 2025: Niladri Kumar (Sitar), Unity Church of the Hills, Austin

Kid Ory, Storyville Nights (Verve) The Urbane Jazz of Roy Eldridge and Benny Carter (Verve)

Mingus in Argentina (Resonance0

Mahmoud is a fabulous musician; he never disappoints.

Second Weekend of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Day 1: Lagniappe Stage: Starting off with the wonderful Helen Gillet, Solo cello with looping, and vocals. One of the most outstanding musicians based on New Orleans. Blues Tent: Cedric Burnside. He's a very good blues drummer and vocalist and an adequate guitar player. Usually he only plays guitar for a few songs, but this time, the whole set. Jazz Tent: Peter Harris Presents Firm Roots. Bassist Peter Harris presides over various jazz groups at the Bayou Bar most nights of the week. This band plays weekly and is a solid, hard swinging mainstream jazz group, with Herlin Riley on drums, Derek Douget on saxophones, Ashlin Parker on trumpet, and Dwight Fitch on piano. Jazz Tent: George Wein Tribute Band featuring Randy Brecker. Randy Brecker leads a band of New Orleans jazz musicians in what is announced as an annual tribute to the late George Wein, the pianist. An excellent band featuring Amina Scott on bass, Victor Campbell on piano, Stephen Walker on trombone and Trevarri on saxophone. Blues Tent: Mr. Sipp. High energy set from Mississippi singer/guitarist Castro Coleman. Day 2: Jazz Tent: Steve Lands. The New Orleans trumpeter performs material from his new recording, Reimagining the Planets. This set was superb and the band featured Stephen Gladney on tenor saxophone and Shea Pierre on piano. Jazz Tent: Cuban conga player/bandleader Alexey Marti leads an exciting set of Latin jazz, featuring a multinational group (Cuba, Colombia, Spain, United States, Dominican Republic...). Jazz Tent: Ashlin Parker's Trumpet Mafia. Fantastic set from the trumpet based big band. Only about a dozen trumpets this year, plus three saxophones and three trombones, with rhythm section. Featured guest trumpets were by Maurice Brown and Marquise Hill. Jazz Tent: Alfredo Rodriquez Trio. Magnificent set by the Cuban virtuoso pianist. Jazz Tent: Joshua Redman with Gabrielle Cavassa. I think it has been 30 years since I last saw Joshua Redman. This was announced as this particular group's last concert. The rhythm section with Philip Norris on bass is very good.. The set was okay but I'm not really sold on Joshua Redman. Same for the vocalist. The four preceding sets in the Jazz Tent this day were all better. Evening set: At Good Measure in the Barnett Hotel, Nicholas Payton with drummer Karriem Riggins. This proved to be a trio, with Sasha Masakowski on looping. I found the set to be quite interesting. Nicolas Payton alternated between keyboards, bass and trumpet, with Sasha looping his lines. The trumpet playing was quite excellent. Day 3: Economy Hall: Jamil Sharif, with group including Louis Ford on clarinet and Richard Moten on bass. This was the best set of traditional New Orleans jazz I heard this year. As far as compositions performed, equal time was given to Jabbo Smith as to Louis Armstrong. Guest appearance by Dr. Michael White. The elderly gentleman bass player shows up alot in Economy Hall--any relation to Benny Moten? Lagniappe Stage: Joy Clark The very fine New Orleans based folk/blues singer/guitarist. Jazz Tent: Only heard the last two songs of pianist Victor Campbell's leader set. Jazz Tent: Nicholas Payton Triune with Karriem Riggins and Esperanza Spalding. In contrast to the previous evening, I did not much care for this set. Too little trumpet playing from Nic Payton. Esperanza Spalding plays the acoustic bsss well, but I don't care for her vocals. Cultural Pavilion: Benin International Muisical. I caught the last half of their set. An exciting afro-rock band from Benin. Day 4: Jazz Tent: Stephanie Jordan with Rachel Jordan Music Alive Ensemble. Kidd Jordan's two musician daughters lead a first rate band also including Marlon Jordan on trumpet and a string quartet. Stephanie is an excellent jazz vocalist and Rachel plays violin. In the spiritual jazz vein. Jazz tent: Terence Blanchard's Flow. Electric jazz group featuring Charles Altura on guitar. A fine set highlighted but the closing song, Prism. Jazz Tent: Kamasi Washington. Very loud group. High volume pseudo-spiritual jazz, with Pharoah Sanders' ghost making an appearance in Kamasi's opening solo. He does feature his father on soprano and flute, and his father is good. Also a trombone player gets solos. Keyboards player and turntablist were very loud and irritating. I bailed about 3/4s of the way through the set. The Jordan Family set was vastly better. Evening set: Herlin Riley at Snug Harbor. Fantastic as usual, with David Torkanowsky on piano, Derek Douget on saxophones, and Tanya Boyd Cannon on vocals..

Mahmoud Chouki New World Ensemble Live at the 2025 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (Munck)

NO IDEA RESIDENCY #1 Ken Vandermark + Mabel Kwan May 29-30, 2025 The inaugural No Idea Residency brings Chicago improvisers Ken Vandermark and Mabel Kwan to Austin for 2 days of wide-ranging activities including: an Artist Talk, Open Rehearsal/Masterclass, film screening of Daniel Kraus' 2007 documentary on Vandermark entitled Musician, and numerous performances spanning new, first-time meetings with Texas artists, a premiere duo collaboration between Vandermark and Kwan, and a night featuring the music of legendary AACM member Fred Anderson and Texas great Dennis González. All events take place at Monks Jazz Club in East Austin. Sonic ambiance provided by our good friend Mutarrancho with libations provided by our generous sponsors St. Cecilia and Tito’s Handmade Vodka. Seating is super limited, so please act fast to secure your place!! Full program noideafestival.com PROGRAM THURSDAY, MAY 29 7pm [ TICKETS ] 7pm: Film screening of Daniel Kraus’ Work Series #2: Musician 58mins, 2007 Daniel Krauss’ film, Musician, works with a similar methodology as Frederick Wiseman—no voice overs, no talking heads—letting the camera capture events as they unfold in real time. Though Ken Vandermark is at the center of the action, he is not the subject of the film. Instead, the subject is the work it takes for every musician, whatever genre, to get their material onstage and is a one-of-a-kind document of this process. 8pm: Mabel Kwan + Ken Vandermark Duo Mabel Kwan and Ken Vandermark have worked together in various formats, including projects with the new music group Ensemble Dal Niente featuring new work by Roscoe Mitchell, Last Trane to Clover Five (2021), and performances at Big Ears Festival (2022). Since then they have played together in various improvised music groups; this will be their first concert as a duo. 9:15pm: Panel Discussion and Artist Talk Vandermark's resoluteness in managing innumerable projects functions as a springboard to investigate and understand the complexities of establishing and maintaining a creative life in music. Panel members represent different aspects of Ken's sprawling work as musician, label owner (Audiographic Records since 2014), Director of the Catalytic Sound musician cooperative (since 2012), concert presenter (Catalytic Sound Festival since 2020), and writer. Ken Vandermark - musician Mabel Kwan - musician Eric Drott - Professor at UT Butler School of Music and author of Streaming Music, Streaming Capital (Duke Press) Pedro Moreno - Founder of Epistrophy Arts, a grass-roots organization dedicated to presenting the finest in improvised music and adventurous jazz in Austin Texas since 1998. + more TBA FRIDAY, MAY 30 5-7pm [ TICKETS ] Open Rehearsal + Master Class with Ken Vandermark Ken Vandermark leads a 2-hour open rehearsal with his quintet of Texas musicians workshopping music to be performed this evening. Ample time will be left for audience questions about Vandermark’s working process as composer, improvisor, and bandleader. FRIDAY, MAY 30 7:30pm [ TICKETS ] First-Time Meetings: Personal musical languages in dialogue featuring Resident Artists Kwan and Vandermark and Texas musicians from Austin, San Antonio, Denton, and Houston. Set 1: Mabel Kwan + Juan García duo First-time free improvisations between two acclaimed artists investigating the peripheries of contemporary classical, improvised, and experimental music. Mabel Kwan - piano Juan García - double bass Set 2: Ken Vandermark Texas Ensemble Ken Vandermark presents new compositions exploring distinct melodic, rhythmic and architectural strategies for improvisers. Vandermark will work with Texas musicians Jonathan Horne (Austin), Matthew Frerck (Denton), Stefan González (Denton), and Kory Cook (San Antonio) in a debut collaboration. Ken Vandermark - tenor saxophone, Bb clarinet Jonathan Horne - electric guitar Matthew Frerck - double bass Stefan González - vibraphone Kory Cook - drumset FRIDAY, MAY 30 10pm [ TICKETS ] Ken Vandermark Presents: The music of Fred Anderson + Dennis González The music of legendary musician Fred Anderson, a founding member of the AACM and a mentor for numerous musicians, is rarely heard outside of Chicago. Vandermark was fortunate enough to work with Anderson on a regular basis, record an album of his compositions with the DKV Trio, as well as feature Anderson as a guest soloist on the Territory Band album, Collide (2007). Vandermark will present a selection of Fred Anderson's pieces in a trio with North Texas musicians Stefan González and Matthew Frerck. The trio will also perform selections of music from Dallas' pioneering trumpeter, artist and educator Dennis González. González established the Dallas Association for Avant-Garde and Neo Impressionistic Music (daagnim) in the late 1970s, at the suggestion of Anthony Braxton and Art Lande. The daagnim organization, which functioned both as a group of musicians and as a record label, was based on and named after Chicago's AACM. Dennis' son, drummer and vibraphonist Stefan González, will present selections of his father's music heavily influenced by his work with Chicago colleagues Malachi Favors and Alvin Fielder (via MIssissippi), among others. Ken Vandermark - tenor saxophone, Bb clarinet Matthew Frerck - double bass Stefan González - drumset

May 10, 2025: Pt. Rakesh Chaurasia, Unity Church of the Hills, Austin May 16, 2025: Bela Fleck, Edmar Castaneda, Antonio Sanchez, Fresh Grass, Bentonville, Arkansas May 17, 2025: Weary Blues Live, The Oak Cliff Assembly, Dallas Seun Kuti and Egypt 80, Fresh Grass, Bentonville, Arkansas Quamon Fowler, Scat Jazz, Fort Worth May 24, 2025: Tutu Jones, Strokers Ice House, Dallas May 28, 2025: Samara Joy, Majestic Theater, Dallas May 29, 2025: Samara Joy, Moody Theater, Austin May 30, 2025: Natalia Lafourcade, Winspear, Dallas June 2, 2025: Samara Joy, Jones Hall, Houston June 3, 2025: Chuck Redd, JazzTX, San Antonio June 6, 2025: Jackie Venson, Jo Long Theater, San Antonio June 7, 2025: Pt. Basant Kabra (sarod) and Pt. Nityanand Haldipur (flute), Unity Church of the Hills, Austin Pt. Ravi Chary (Sitar) & Amit Kavthekar (Tabla), ICMC, Dallas July 19, 2025: Eric Gales, Billy Bobs, Fort Worth September 13, 2025: Pt Sandeep Chatterjee (Santoor) & Shubhojyoti Guha (Tabla), ICMC, Dallas September 23, 2025: Mdou Moctar, White Oak Music Hall, Houston October 5, 2025: Niladri Kumar (Sitar), Unity Church of the Hills, Austin

First Weekend of New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Day 1: Starting off with Mixantena de Santa Cecelia, a horn and drum based folk group from Mexico. Economy Hall: Leroy Jones and New Orleans' Finest. Elegant and swinging New Orleans trumpet master. Blues Tent: Little Freddie King Blues Band. Per his website, he's been shot, stabbed, electrocuted, and nearly drowned by Hurricane Katrina. Real deal blues player and cousin of Lightnin' Hopkins. No actual resemblance to the great Freddie King. Jazz Tent: Dee Dee Bridgewater and Bill Charlap duo. Not my cup of tea. Congo Square Stage: Seun Kuti and Egypt 80. Fantastic set. Day 2: Economy Hall: Shake 'Em Up Jazz Band: All girl band in the vein of Tuba Skinny. Enjoyable. Lagniappe Stage: Mahmoud Chouki New World Ensemble. With Stephen Gladney on tenor sax and Oscar Rossignoli on piano. Outstanding and thrilling performance by the charismatic Moroccan guitarist/oud player. Congo Square: Youssou N'Dour. Exciting set from Senegalese master. Economy Hall: Secret Six Jazz Band. Another pleasing group in a similar vein to Tuba Skinny. Day 3: Jazz Tent; Kyle Roussel. Outstanding young New Orleans based jazz pianist. Lagniappe Stage: Marimba Nandayapa. Masterful Marimba band from Chiapas, Mexico. Lagniappe Stage: Zar Electrik. From North Africa via France. Music of the Maghreb. Evening: Noah Young Trio with Mahmoud Chouki at NOLA Brewing Company. Great band. Day 4: Jazz Tent: Leon Anderson Quintet. Sold mainstream band led by drummer Leon Anderson. Ricardo Pasqual on saxophones, John Michal Bradford on trumpet and Oscar Rossignolli on piano. Blues Tent: Etran de L'Air. Great live band from Niger. The two guitarists and bass guitarist exchanged instruments twice, each playing both guitars and the bass. Jazz Tent: Bill Frisell Trio with Brian Blade and Thomas Morgan. Set featured two lengthy improvisatios--40 minutes and 20 minutes apiece. Ending with What the World Needs Now is Love... Jazz Tent: Branford Marsalis Quartet. Branford is certainly playing with a lot of authority and swagger these days. Strong, long running band. Excellent. Evening: Mahmoud Chouki Handmade Instruments Ensemble with Yusa. At Snug Harbor. Such a great set. Seeing Mahnoud in three different bands over the weekend was so great.

April 24, 2025: Seun Kuti and Egypt 80, Delfeayo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra, Shemekia Copeland, Dee Dee Bridgewater with Bill Charlap, Leroy Jones, Stanton Moore Trio, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Zar Electrik, Festival Internationale de Louisiane, Lafayette April 25, 2025: Branford Marsalis, Carver Center, San Antonio Etran de L'Air, Zar Electrik, Festival Internationale de Louisiane, Lafayette Youssou N'Dour, Stanley Clarke, Lila Downs, Kenny Neal, Marimba Nandayapa, Blodie's Jazz Jam, Mahmoud Chouki, Doreen, Detroit Brooks with Dee Dee Bridgewater, New Orleans Groovemasters (Herlin Riley, Shannon Powell, Jason Marsalis), Secret Six Jazz Band, Astral Project, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival April 26, 2025: Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials, Orquesta Akokan, Austin Blues Festival Chris Thomas King, New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, Kyle Roussell, Zar Electrik, Marimba Nandayapa, Tom McDermott and Aurora Nealand, Diana Krall, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Ud. Abir Hussain (Sarod) & Ud. Tari Khan (Tabla), ICMC, Dallas Etran de L'Air, Dobet Gnahore, Festival Internationale de Louisiane, Lafayette April 27, 2025: John Primer, Jackie Venson, Austin Blues Festival Branford Marsalis Quartet, Bill Frisell with Thomas Morgan and Brian Blade, Eric Gales, Louis Armstrong Hot Five and Hot Seven Centennial with Nicholas Payton and Dr. Michael White, Etran De L'Air, People Museum, Charlie Gabriel, Tuba Skinny, Leon Anderson, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Larry Lampkin, Fort Worth Blues Festival, Southside Preservation Hall Dobet Gnahore, Festival Internationale de Louisiane, Lafayette Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials, Big Easy Social and Pleasure Club, Houston April 30, 2025: The Boss Baritones: Gary Smulyan and Frank Basile, Parker Jazz Club, Austin May 1, 2025: Ebo Taylor, Radio/East, Austin Ronnie Baker Brooks, Cedric Burnside, George Wein Tribute with Randy Brecker, Mr. Sipp, Helen Gillet, Pasotano, Gladney, Peter Harris and Firm Roots, Louis Ford, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Tim Hagans, Parker Jazz Club, Austin May 2, 2025: Joshua Redman with Gabrielle Cavassa, Benin International Musical, Alfredo Rodriguez Trio, Aurora Nealand and the Royal Roses, Trumpet Mafia, Pasotano, Steve Lands, Alexey Marti, Wesli, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Eddie Gomez Trio, Kitchen Cafe, Dallas Dobet Gnahore, Zar Electrik, African Vibrations Music Festival, University of Texas at Dallas Shelley Carrol, Scat Jazz, Fort Worth May 3, 2025: Leyla McCalla, Benin International Musical, Jason Marsalis, Joy Clark, Nicholas Payton and Triune, Yusa Cuban Soul, Victor Campbell, Jamil Sharif, Tony Dagradi and the New Orleans Saxophone Ensemble, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Zar Electrik, African Vibrations Music Festival, University of Texas at Dallas Eddie Gomez, Scat Jazz, Fort Worth May 4, 2025: Kamasi Washington, Terence Blanchard, D.K. Harrell, Jessie McBride Big Band, Stephanie and Rachel Jordan with Music Alive Ensemble, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival May 10, 2025: Pt. Rakesh Chaurasia, Unity Church of the Hills, Austin May 16, 2025: Bela Fleck, Edmar Castaneda, Antonio Sanchez, Fresh Grass, Bentonville, Arkansas May 17, 2025: Weary Blues Live, The Oak Cliff Assembly, Dallas Seun Kuti and Egypt 80, Fresh Grass, Bentonville, Arkansas Quamon Fowler, Scat Jazz, Fort Worth May 24, 2025: Tutu Jones, Strokers Ice House, Dallas May 28, 2025: Samara Joy, Majestic Theater, Dallas May 29, 2025: Samara Joy, Moody Theater, Austin May 30, 2025: Natalia Lafourcade, Windspear, Dallas June 2, 2025: Samara Joy, Jones Hall, Houston June 3, 2025: Chuck Redd, JazzTX, San Antonio June 6, 2025: Jackie Venson, Jo Long Theater, San Antonio June 7, 2025: Pt. Basant Kabra (sarod) and Pt. Nityanand Haldipur (flute), Unity Church of the Hills, Austin Pt. Ravi Chary (Sitar) & Amit Kavthekar (Tabla), ICMC, Dallas July 19, 2025: Eric Gales, Billy Bobs, Fort Worth September 13, 2025: Pt Sandeep Chatterjee (Santoor) & Shubhojyoti Guha (Tabla), ICMC, Dallas September 23, 2025: Mdou Moctar, White Oak Music Hall, Houston October 5, 2025: Niladri Kumar (Sitar), Unity Church of the Hills, Austin