This performance used with permission from Andru Dennis.

Every jazz scene, large or small, has a performer who serves as the glue that holds groups together. They're not necessarily the person that leads but they're almost always the person who helps others shine. In Northeast Ohio in general, and Akron specifically, Andru Dennis is that performer.

Andru's name is almost never on the marquee, but if you're passing through the Bop Stop here in Cleveland or a bot more often at Blu Jazz in Akron , Andru is the keyboardist and piano player you want to round out your sound.

All that said, Andru takes a turn up front in this performance which was part of our Trio Tussle series and he does not disappoint. Featuring Andru on Keys, Smokeface on Bass and Gabe Jones on Drums it's the Andru Dennis Trio and from a November 17th, 2024 performance – it's the Andru Dennis Trio – Live at the Bop Stop.

This performance used with permission from Dan Bruce.

Ohm! is the latest project from Cleveland based guitarist Dan Bruce. Dan cut his teeth in the jazz scenes in Chicago and Dallas before returning home to Northeast Ohio to continue his career as a performer and educator.

You've heard the trio on the program before with a duo of performers from Pittsburgh, but this configuration features Cleveland area performers Jordan McBride on Bass and Gabe Jones on Drums. This performance captures the trio in their last dress rehearsal before going into the studio to record their debut album The Architects which is now available.

This performance used with permission from the artist.

Ari Hoenig is a jazz drummer, composer and educator known for his unusual and intense approach to drumming emphasizing complex rhythms in direct harmony with other group members. Ari is widely noted particularly for his drumming not being relegated to just keeping tempo, or being a side issue to the music he plays in, but rather for elevating drumming as an indispensable part of the performance.

Ari pays a return visit to the program to, among other things, help work out the kinks for tracks in support of his latest release Tea for Three. Featuring Ben Tibiero on bass, Ghadi Lahavi on piano and Ari Hoenig on drums, its the Ari Hoenig Trio " Live at the Bop Stop.

Performance used with permission from the artist.

Chicago based Gabi Allemana is a Brazilian-American vocalist who studies and performs with notable musicians like La Tanya Hall, Gerald Cannon, and Eddie Henderson.

Raised with a jazz foundation and Brazilian heritage, Allemana's early career included performances with Uniting Voices Chicago and collaborations with icons such as Yo-Yo Ma and Bobby McFerrin.

She won the YoungArts Silver Award for Jazz Voice in 2022 and has performed at Carnegie Hall and for the United Nations Council.

This performance features a mix of originals and standards, and features Tim Picard on Guitar, Ahmed McLemore on Bass, Aaron Yanda on Drums and Gabi Allemana on Vocals. From October 6th, 2024 it's the Gabi Allemana Quartet – Live at the Bop Stop.

Performance used by permission of the artist.

Thriving jazz communities offer performers at all skill levels not only stages to play on but places to compose and perform original works.

Northeast Ohio is no different, and the Third Law Collective is the Music Settlement's initiative with this goal in mind. Periodically musicians from throughout the area meet up and share original works with each other and audiences. This week, we feature one of those performances. Led by Bop Stop Director Bryan Kinnard on flute and from a September 26th, 2024 performance – it's the Third Law Collective – Live at the Bop Stop.

Performance used with permission from the artist.

Washington DC based Sea Change was when bassist Stephen Arnold was asked to lead a band at the Göethe-Institut's Jazz in the Basement series. Featuring a rotating set of band members, the groups most recent release Until Now is a nine-song suite that documents the end of the pandemic and beginning of the romantic relationship between longtime friends and collaborators.

This performance features selections from that release, along with selections from their 2020 album. Featuring Stephen Arnold on Bass, Tyler Cassidy on Saxophone, Drew Kid on Piano, and Jo Palmer on Drums, and from a November 8th, 2023 performance, it's Stephen Arnold and Sea Change…Live at the Bop Stop.

Performance used with permission from the artist.

Since 2014, contemporary jazz band Spin Cycle has been bringing their original music to clubs and concert halls across the US and Canada. Co-lead by Drummer Scott Neumann and Saxophonist Tom Christensen, the band highlights their flexibility, reach and capacity to surprise audiences. On any given song, you might encounter the modal influence of John Coltrane, the second-line funk of New Orleans, or the edgy experimentation of free jazz.

The group features guitarist Pete McCann and bassist Dave Ambrosio, both bandleaders and well-respected artists in their own right and this performance is in support of their most recent release Spin Cycle III. From a November 10th, 2024 performance it's Spin Cycle – Live at the Bop Stop.

Performance used with permission from the artist.

Born and raised in Madrid, Spain, pianist and composer Marta Sánchez is actively working in the contemporary creative music scene in New York City and around the globe. Charting a significant path through her innovative and original music, she has reached an international audience, gaining significant global recognition.

When not playing and recording with the David Murray Quartet, Oscar Noriega Quartet and the Maria Grand Duo, Marta performs with her Trio, as she does here in support of her 2024 release Perpetual Void.

Featuring Eliza Salem on Drums, Tyron Allen on Bass and Marta Sanchez on Piano, and from an October 26th, 2024 performance, it's the Marta Sanchez Trio – Live at the Bop Stop.