This performance used with permission from Bryan Kennard and The Music Settlement.

The Bop Stop celebrated its 10th year under the auspices of The Music Settlement in 2024 by commissioning ten original Big Band pieces from ten different Ohio composers. We then took those pieces and rounded up 17 performers to form the All Star Bop Stop Big Band and put on a show to celebrate our birthday.

Featuring compositions from, among others, Bobby Selvaggio, Stephen Phillip Harvey and Brad Wagner, heres the second set of the sold out October 19th, 2024 Bop Stop 10th Anniversary Show " Live at the Bop Stop.

This performance used by permission from Bryan Kennard and The Music Settlement.

The Bop Stop celebrated its 10th year under the auspices of The Music Settlement in 2024 by commissioning ten original Big Band pieces from ten different Ohio composers. We then took those pieces and rounded up 17 performers to form the All Star Bop Stop Big Band and put on a show to celebrate our birthday.

Featuring compositions from, among others, Chas Baker, Dave Morgan and Chandler Carpenter, here's the first set of the sold out October 19th, 2024 Bop Stop 10th Anniversary Show " Live at the Bop Stop.

This performance used with permission from Eli Leder.

Northeast Ohio's educational organizations are committed to identifying and developing young talent, and were proud to feature an emerging trio of young musicians on this weeks program. All three performers in the Eli Leder Trio emerged from the Tri-C JazzFest Academy and perform in the Spirit of the Groove under the tutelage of Dominic Farinacci.

Eli Leder leads the trio this performance and matriculates at William Patterson University. Liam Speaks sits in on piano and keyboards and is working his way through Ohio University. Nehemiah Stix Baker is heard in this performance on Drums and lets his gospel influence shine through both on this performance and as a leader in his own quartet.

This performance will reassure you that musically, at least, the future is in good hands. From January 3rd, 2025 its the Eli Leder Trio " Live at the Bop Stop.

All performances used with artist permission.

2025 has come and gone and left a plethora of outstanding performances in its wake. We hope you've enjoyed the program this year and enjoy this episode as we look back at some of the best performances to grace our stage.

Jamey Haddad feturing John Shannon - Cardinal
Chris Burge - Land of Smiles
Eli Leder Trio - Poinciana
Gabi Alemana - Nice Work If You Can Get It
Reclamation Band - That Look
Reclamation Band - Night Market
Jose Luis Martins - Ya Tra La
PODCAST BONUS - Nate Yingling - Changes Fill My Time
David Janeway - Slow Motion
Reggie Watkins - Hide and Seek
Stix 5Tet - Obstacles
Stix Trio - Cherokee
Ben Tweedt Trio - Flow Out
Theron Brown Trio - Movement
Aidan Plank - Hard Eights

This performance used with permission from Nate Yingling

Youngstown native pianist and bassist Nate Yingling returns as part of our Trio Tussle series with a new set of electric tunes born of frequent collaborations with bassist Darren Frate. When he isn't touring with guitarist Vlad Cetkar, Nate is a composer and educator who also coordinates the Argonaut Rowing Club collective. Nate and Darren are joined for this November 17th, 2024 performance by drummer Zaire Darden. From November 17th, 2024 its the Nate Yingling Electric Trio " Live at the Bop Stop.

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.