Black Cat's Upcoming Shows

Tickets: $15.50 - $25.50 7:00 show: Doors @ 6:00 Midweek just got a whole lot deeper. JaZzLine INSTITUTE presents The Soul Sessions: an electrifying live music series bringing the Bay Area’s finest to the stage at Black Cat every Wednesday night, March through May. Experience world-class musicianship up close in an intimate setting where jazz, soul, gospel, funk, and R&B collide. Seats are limited. The vibe is undeniable. Make your reservations now while supplies last. The $10 cash tickets are available at the door based on availability. Meet this Quartet: Joe Warner is setting the Bay Area jazz scene on fire. A rising star with a captivating touch and electrifying stage presence, Warner serves as pianist and musical director for the legendary Miss Faye Carol while leading his own acclaimed Joe Warner Trio. He’s shared stages and studios with jazz icons including Houston Person, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Buster Williams, and Gary Bartz, and has crossed genre lines alongside cultural heavyweights like Mistah F.A.B., The California Honeydrops, and Robert Randolph. With deep groove, fearless versatility, and a modern sensibility rooted in tradition, Warner delivers fresh takes on jazz standards, blues, ballads, and adventurous swingin’ — proving he truly has the keys to the future. Distinguished drummer and founder of the Da Groove Collective Jazz Quartet, Dante “Taz” Roberson brings over two decades of live performance and touring experience to every stage he touches. Known for his powerful grooves and creative command of rhythm, Taz has performed with Eric Benet, Cameo, Joe, Kem, Alicia Keys, Najee, Tank, Tony! Toni! Toné!, and Howard Wiley. His dynamic style has captivated audiences at iconic venues like London’s Jazz Café and major festivals including San Jose and the Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festivals. Rooted in the rich musical culture of the Bay Area, his sound blends funk, jazz, and classic R&B into a collective vibe that feels both nostalgic and strikingly contemporary. A world-class bassist and background vocalist, Michael “Tiny” Lindsey has performed with some of the biggest names in music: John Legend, Alicia Keys, John Mayer, Boyz II Men, Common, Jay-Z, and more. His television appearances include The Tonight Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Rosie O’Donnell, Martha Stewart, and Last Call with Carson Daly. Born into a musical family, Lindsey was performing professionally in New York by age fifteen. His versatility across pop, R&B, rock, jazz, blues, funk, and gospel has taken him on global tours throughout the U.S., Europe, Japan, South America, and Africa. Beyond touring, he’s a respected writer, arranger, and producer, contributing to albums by Sunshine Anderson, Ryan Shaw, and Shawn Raiford. When Tiny locks in, the groove becomes undeniable. The Soul Sessions at Black Cat Where groove meets spirit. Where legends and rising stars share one stage. Where Wednesday nights feel like church for music lovers. Supported by a Culture Forward grant from The Svane Family Foundation Band Lineup: Joe Warner, piano Dante 'Taz' Roberson, drums Michael 'Tiny' Lindsey, bass Clark Sims, guitar 

Tickets: $20 , $30 , $40 , $50 (price includes $5.50 processing and ticketing fee) 7:00 show: Doors @ 6:00 9:15 show: Bar @ 6:00, Doors @ 8:30 VUP is returning to Black Cat and bringing a whole party! Known as an energetic and uplifting group of musicians, VUP's performances celebrate the joy of creating music and art together. VUP performs the timeless music of Stevie Wonder, Prince, Chaka Khan, D’Angelo, and more legendary artists, and the band hopes to make people dance, feel, and connect. The 7-piece band is based in New York City and has been bringing the funk to audiences around the country since 2022. If you're wondering, "What's VUP?" ... then come find out! They probably won't tell you, but they'll make sure you leave wanting more. Band Lineup: Ariana Kertsman, vocals Stephen Oduro, drums Jack Nissen, bass Rowan Tucker-Meyer, keys Adam Solomon, trumpet Darren Lee, saxophone Chili Corder, guitar 

Tickets: $20 , $40 , $50 , $60 (price includes $5.50 processing and ticketing fee) 7:00 show: Doors @ 6:00 9:30 show: Bar @ 6:00, Doors @ 8:45 Irwin Hall is a powerhouse jazz saxophonist, flutist, and bandleader delivering high impact performances that command the stage and draw audiences deeply into the music. A New Jersey native based in New York City, he has toured internationally with artists including Melody Gardot and Dee Dee Bridgewater, and appeared on major stages alongside Ms. Lauryn Hill, El DeBarge, and others. His current project, The World Within: The Global Sounds of John Coltrane, honors Coltrane’s centennial by exploring the international musical influences that shaped his work. Drawing from African, Brazilian, Indian, and flamenco traditions, the project traces how global sounds found their way into Coltrane’s music and reimagines them through a contemporary lens. The World Within is designed as a live, high energy performance that brings Coltrane’s music into the room in a way that feels immediate and alive. It is music meant to be heard up close, felt in the body, and shared in the moment, whether you know the music well or are hearing it for the first time. Band Lineup: Irwin Hall, sax, flute David Hawkins, drums Bar Filipowicz, bass Piano, 

Tickets: $20 , $40 , $50 , $60 (price includes $5.50 processing and ticketing fee) 7:00 show: Doors @ 6:00 9:30 show: Bar @ 6:00, Doors @ 8:45 Irwin Hall is a powerhouse jazz saxophonist, flutist, and bandleader delivering high impact performances that command the stage and draw audiences deeply into the music. A New Jersey native based in New York City, he has toured internationally with artists including Melody Gardot and Dee Dee Bridgewater, and appeared on major stages alongside Ms. Lauryn Hill, El DeBarge, and others. His current project, The World Within: The Global Sounds of John Coltrane, honors Coltrane’s centennial by exploring the international musical influences that shaped his work. Drawing from African, Brazilian, Indian, and flamenco traditions, the project traces how global sounds found their way into Coltrane’s music and reimagines them through a contemporary lens. The World Within is designed as a live, high energy performance that brings Coltrane’s music into the room in a way that feels immediate and alive. It is music meant to be heard up close, felt in the body, and shared in the moment, whether you know the music well or are hearing it for the first time. Band Lineup: Irwin Hall, sax, flute David Hawkins, drums Bar Filipowicz, bass Piano, 

Tickets: $20 , $30 , $40 , $50 (price includes $5.50 processing and ticketing fee) 7:00 show: Doors @ 6:00 9:15 show: Bar @ 6:00, Doors @ 8:30 Irwin Hall is a powerhouse jazz saxophonist, flutist, and bandleader delivering high impact performances that command the stage and draw audiences deeply into the music. A New Jersey native based in New York City, he has toured internationally with artists including Melody Gardot and Dee Dee Bridgewater, and appeared on major stages alongside Ms. Lauryn Hill, El DeBarge, and others. His current project, The World Within: The Global Sounds of John Coltrane, honors Coltrane’s centennial by exploring the international musical influences that shaped his work. Drawing from African, Brazilian, Indian, and flamenco traditions, the project traces how global sounds found their way into Coltrane’s music and reimagines them through a contemporary lens. The World Within is designed as a live, high energy performance that brings Coltrane’s music into the room in a way that feels immediate and alive. It is music meant to be heard up close, felt in the body, and shared in the moment, whether you know the music well or are hearing it for the first time. Band Lineup: Irwin Hall, sax, flute David Hawkins, drums Bar Filipowicz, bass Piano, 

Tickets: $15.50 - $25.50 7:00 show: Doors @ 6:00 Midweek just got a whole lot deeper. JaZzLine INSTITUTE presents The Soul Sessions: an electrifying live music series bringing the Bay Area’s finest to the stage at Black Cat every Wednesday night, March through May. Experience world-class musicianship up close in an intimate setting where jazz, soul, gospel, funk, and R&B collide. Seats are limited. The vibe is undeniable. Make your reservations now while supplies last. The $10 cash tickets are available at the door based on availability. Charles McNeal is one of the most sought-after saxophonists in the Bay Area and beyond. He has been a featured performer at many national and international festivals including Monterey Jazz Festival, San Jose Jazz Festival, San Francisco Jazz Festival, Playboy Jazz Festival, Telluride Jazz Festival, Umbria Jazz Festival, and Porretta Soul Festival. He has performed, recorded and/or toured with Lyle Lovett Large Band, The Headhunters w/Mike Clark and Bill Summers, Jimmy Scott, Charlie Mussellwhite, Keb Mo, John Faddis, Wynton Marsalis, James Carter, Steve Turre, Leslie Drayton, McCoy Tyner, Ray Obiedo, Dave Garabaldi, RAD, Steve Turre, James Carter, Brenda Boykin, Clairdee, Lavay Smith and the Red Hot Skillet Lickers, Barbara Morrison, Jackie Ryan, Take 6, Kirk Whalum, Faye Carol, Nneenna Freelon, Barbara Dennerlein, Junior Mance, Bruce Forman, Mark Elf, Roberta Flack, The Temptations, Ollie Woodson, Norman Conners, Jean Carne, and Boz Scaggs. In addition to being a world class saxophonist, his website “charlesmcneal.com” is the #1 source for jazz saxophone transcriptions and related educational resources on the web. Eddie M. is one of the top saxophonists to emerge from the Bay Area, known for his authentic funk roots, dynamic stage presence, and soulful delivery. He has recorded and performed with Prince & The Revolution, Sheila E., Jill Jones, Beyonce, Faye Carol, Paula Abdul, and Stevie Nicks, Yolanda Adams, Wayman Tisdale, and Acoustic Alchemy. He was a member of the house band on The Magic Hour. Eddie’s solo releases include Hold Me (1997), Ward Street (1998), and Eddie M. (2001), which features Eric Benet and Karyn White. The Soul Sessions at Black Cat Where groove meets spirit. Where legends and rising stars share one stage. Where Wednesday nights feel like church for music lovers. Supported by a Culture Forward grant from The Svane Family Foundation Band Lineup: Charles McNeal, saxophone Eddie M., saxophone Joe Warner, piano Dante 'Taz' Roberson, drums Michael 'Tiny' Lindsey, bass 

Tickets: $20 , $40 , $50 , $60 (price includes $5.50 processing and ticketing fee) 7:00 show: Doors @ 6:00 9:30 show: Bar @ 6:00, Doors @ 8:45 Caelan Cardello has played on stages from Dizzy’s Club to the Newport Jazz Festival and performed with Christian McBride, Joe Farnsworth, Jimmy Cobb and Cecile McLorin Salvant. One of five finalists in the 2023 American Pianists Association Jazz competition, Caelan graduated from William Paterson University with a bachelor’s in jazz performance just graduated with his master’s from the Juilliard School. He regularly plays in NYC, leading his own bands or as a sideman, and tours around the country. Band Lineup: Caelan Cardello, piano Joey Ranieri, bass Willie Bowman, drums 

Tickets: $20 , $40 , $50 , $60 (price includes $5.50 processing and ticketing fee) 7:00 show: Doors @ 6:00 9:30 show: Bar @ 6:00, Doors @ 8:45 Caelan Cardello has played on stages from Dizzy’s Club to the Newport Jazz Festival and performed with Christian McBride, Joe Farnsworth, Jimmy Cobb and Cecile McLorin Salvant. One of five finalists in the 2023 American Pianists Association Jazz competition, Caelan graduated from William Paterson University with a bachelor’s in jazz performance just graduated with his master’s from the Juilliard School. He regularly plays in NYC, leading his own bands or as a sideman, and tours around the country. Band Lineup: Caelan Cardello, piano Joey Ranieri, bass Willie Bowman, drums 

Tickets: $20 , $30 , $40 , $50 (price includes $5.50 processing and ticketing fee) 7:00 show: Doors @ 6:00 9:15 show: Bar @ 6:00, Doors @ 8:30 Caelan Cardello has played on stages from Dizzy’s Club to the Newport Jazz Festival and performed with Christian McBride, Joe Farnsworth, Jimmy Cobb and Cecile McLorin Salvant. One of five finalists in the 2023 American Pianists Association Jazz competition, Caelan graduated from William Paterson University with a bachelor’s in jazz performance just graduated with his master’s from the Juilliard School. He regularly plays in NYC, leading his own bands or as a sideman, and tours around the country. Band Lineup: Caelan Cardello, piano Joey Ranieri, bass Willie Bowman, drums 

Tickets: $15.50 - $25.50 7:00 show: Doors @ 6:00 Midweek just got a whole lot deeper. JaZzLine INSTITUTE presents The Soul Sessions: an electrifying live music series bringing the Bay Area’s finest to the stage at Black Cat every Wednesday night, March through May. Experience world-class musicianship up close in an intimate setting where jazz, soul, gospel, funk, and R&B collide. Seats are limited. The vibe is undeniable. Make your reservations now while supplies last. The $10 cash tickets are available at the door based on availability. The Soul Sessions at Black Cat Where groove meets spirit. Where legends and rising stars share one stage. Where Wednesday nights feel like church for music lovers. Supported by a Culture Forward grant from The Svane Family Foundation Band Lineup: Joe Warner, piano Dante 'Taz' Roberson, drums Michael 'Tiny' Lindsey Angelo Luster, saxophone 

Tickets: $20 , $30 , $40 , $50 (price includes $5.50 processing and ticketing fee) 7:00 show: Doors @ 6:00 9:15 show: Bar @ 6:00, Doors @ 8:30 Isaac Coyle is a bassist, composer, and educator born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. After beginning his journey studying with local greats such as Howard Wiley and Jeff Chambers, Isaac graduated from the Berklee College of music in 2023 and upon returning has become one of the top call bassists in the Bay Area jazz scene. In addition he has performed throughout the country as a part of Terri Lyne Carrington’s Grammy winning New Standards band. The Flame is a dynamic collective of some of the finest young musicians in the country. Based in New York City and led by alto saxophonist Morgan Faw, the band was mentored by the late great Ralph Peterson and strives to keep firm roots in the tradition of the music while reaching forward with original compositions and fiery passionate improvisation. The Flame has performed throughout the country - most recently selling out Dizzy’s Club in NYC two nights in a row - as well as the Century Room in Tucson and the Blue Room in Kansas City as headliners of the city’s annual Charlie Parker Festival. Band Lineup: Isaac Coyle, Bass Morgan Faw, Alto sax Anthony Hervey, Trumpet Miles Lennox, Piano Christian Napoleon, Drums 

Tickets: $20 , $40 , $50 , $60 (price includes $5.50 processing and ticketing fee) 7:00 show: Doors @ 6:00 9:30 show: Bar @ 6:00, Doors @ 8:45 Dida Pelled seems like she could steal your girlfriend in a New York minute. A Brooklyn-based jazz guitarist, singer and songwriter with a storyteller’s instinct and a mischievous sense of genre, Pelled has every audience in the palm of her hand. Whether delivering a jazz standard, a scorched blues, or an original that swerves somewhere unexpected, her gift is unmistakable. In 2026, the Year of the Fire Horse, in full leather chaps, Dida rolls out her blues-drenched album I Wish You Would. With this project, she sharpens the qualities that have always made her distinctive—expansive musicality, narrative bite, and a refusal to sand down the edges. This long-awaited album is Dida’s grand coming-out with her first love–the blues. Band Lineup: Dida Pelled, guitar and vocals Asaf Yuria, saxophone Will Gorman, organ Willie Bowman, drums 

Tickets: $20 , $40 , $50 , $60 (price includes $5.50 processing and ticketing fee) 7:00 show: Doors @ 6:00 9:30 show: Bar @ 6:00, Doors @ 8:45 Dida Pelled seems like she could steal your girlfriend in a New York minute. A Brooklyn-based jazz guitarist, singer and songwriter with a storyteller’s instinct and a mischievous sense of genre, Pelled has every audience in the palm of her hand. Whether delivering a jazz standard, a scorched blues, or an original that swerves somewhere unexpected, her gift is unmistakable. In 2026, the Year of the Fire Horse, in full leather chaps, Dida rolls out her blues-drenched album I Wish You Would. With this project, she sharpens the qualities that have always made her distinctive—expansive musicality, narrative bite, and a refusal to sand down the edges. This long-awaited album is Dida’s grand coming-out with her first love–the blues. Band Lineup: Dida Pelled, guitar and vocals Asaf Yuria, saxophone Will Gorman, organ Willie Bowman, drums 

Tickets: $20 , $30 , $40 , $50 (price includes $5.50 processing and ticketing fee) 7:00 show: Doors @ 6:00 9:15 show: Bar @ 6:00, Doors @ 8:30 Dida Pelled seems like she could steal your girlfriend in a New York minute. A Brooklyn-based jazz guitarist, singer and songwriter with a storyteller’s instinct and a mischievous sense of genre, Pelled has every audience in the palm of her hand. Whether delivering a jazz standard, a scorched blues, or an original that swerves somewhere unexpected, her gift is unmistakable. In 2026, the Year of the Fire Horse, in full leather chaps, Dida rolls out her blues-drenched album I Wish You Would. With this project, she sharpens the qualities that have always made her distinctive—expansive musicality, narrative bite, and a refusal to sand down the edges. This long-awaited album is Dida’s grand coming-out with her first love–the blues. Band Lineup: Dida Pelled, guitar and vocals Asaf Yuria, saxophone Will Gorman, organ Willie Bowman, drums 

Tickets: $15.50 - $25.50 7:00 show: Doors @ 6:00 Midweek just got a whole lot deeper. JaZzLine INSTITUTE presents The Soul Sessions: an electrifying live music series bringing the Bay Area’s finest to the stage at Black Cat every Wednesday night, March through May. Experience world-class musicianship up close in an intimate setting where jazz, soul, gospel, funk, and R&B collide. Seats are limited. The vibe is undeniable. Make your reservations now while supplies last. The $10 cash tickets are available at the door based on availability. Meet this Quartet: Joe Warner is setting the Bay Area jazz scene on fire. A rising star with a captivating touch and electrifying stage presence, Warner serves as pianist and musical director for the legendary Miss Faye Carol while leading his own acclaimed Joe Warner Trio. He’s shared stages and studios with jazz icons including Houston Person, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Buster Williams, and Gary Bartz, and has crossed genre lines alongside cultural heavyweights like Mistah F.A.B., The California Honeydrops, and Robert Randolph. With deep groove, fearless versatility, and a modern sensibility rooted in tradition, Warner delivers fresh takes on jazz standards, blues, ballads, and adventurous swingin’ — proving he truly has the keys to the future. Distinguished drummer and founder of the Da Groove Collective Jazz Quartet, Dante “Taz” Roberson brings over two decades of live performance and touring experience to every stage he touches. Known for his powerful grooves and creative command of rhythm, Taz has performed with Eric Benet, Cameo, Joe, Kem, Alicia Keys, Najee, Tank, Tony! Toni! Toné!, and Howard Wiley. His dynamic style has captivated audiences at iconic venues like London’s Jazz Café and major festivals including San Jose and the Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festivals. Rooted in the rich musical culture of the Bay Area, his sound blends funk, jazz, and classic R&B into a collective vibe that feels both nostalgic and strikingly contemporary. A world-class bassist and background vocalist, Michael “Tiny” Lindsey has performed with some of the biggest names in music: John Legend, Alicia Keys, John Mayer, Boyz II Men, Common, Jay-Z, and more. His television appearances include The Tonight Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Rosie O’Donnell, Martha Stewart, and Last Call with Carson Daly. Born into a musical family, Lindsey was performing professionally in New York by age fifteen. His versatility across pop, R&B, rock, jazz, blues, funk, and gospel has taken him on global tours throughout the U.S., Europe, Japan, South America, and Africa. Beyond touring, he’s a respected writer, arranger, and producer, contributing to albums by Sunshine Anderson, Ryan Shaw, and Shawn Raiford. When Tiny locks in, the groove becomes undeniable. Described as “a rose sprung from a rock,” Oakland native Angelo Luster is a saxophonist whose rich, soulful tone carries listeners on a spiritual journey. His sound is born from the union of contemporary gospel and West Coast jazz — powerful, prayerful, and deeply expressive. A scholarship student of UC Berkeley’s Young Musicians Program at age twelve, Luster trained extensively in jazz and classical music before going on to perform at festivals throughout the U.S. and Europe. He has shared stages with Boyz II Men, Rosemary Clooney, Mercer Ellington, Maynard Ferguson, Diane Schurr, Billy Taylor, Joe Williams, and more. An award-winning artist and Best Male Jazz Artist recipient, Luster’s recordings — including Face 2 Face and his latest EP Sunday Mornin’ — reflect his mission to inspire through music that feeds both soul and spirit. The Soul Sessions at Black Cat Where groove meets spirit. Where legends and rising stars share one stage. Where Wednesday nights feel like church for music lovers. Supported by a Culture Forward grant from The Svane Family Foundation Band Lineup: Joe Warner, piano Dante 'Taz' Roberson, drums Michael 'Tiny' Lindsey, bass Angelo Luster, saxophone 

Tickets: $20 , $30 , $40 , $50 (price includes $5.50 processing and ticketing fee) 7:00 show: Doors @ 6:00 9:15 show: Bar @ 6:00, Doors @ 8:30 Sundra Manning Pianist, Keyboardist, Hammond B3 Organ player, Composer and Producer. Respected for her wide-range musical versatility, She brings a funky, fresh and gritty approach to her playing that is unique and special. Sundra has recorded, written, and performed around the world with artist such as Larry Graham featuring Prince, Lalah Hathaway, Raphael Saadiq, Peter Tork of the Monkeys, Bobby Womack, Ledisi, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Pete Escovedo, MC Hammer, Peabo Bryson, EnVogue, Avery Sunshine, Miko Marks, Black Women Rock among others. Sundra has produced and/or written songs for HBO films, Sony Pictures, Bose Corp., Warner Brothers Films, Potter Barn, Kohl’s. She is an active educator working with Living Jazz, JazzCamp West, Jam Camp West, 510akland, Jazz & Democracy, SFJazz and most recently a Blues Piano Instructor the Ryan Coogler / Warner Brothers 2025 Oscar nominated film Sinners. She performs concerts with her Hammond B3 Organ Jazz Quartet, produces, records music and is available for solo performances, Mighty Wurlitzer Pipe Organ Theatre Shows, Master Classes, accompaniment, private and corporate events, touring, songwriting collaborations, film scoring, studio recording and music production. Band Lineup: TBA 

Tickets: $20 , $40 , $50 , $60 (price includes $5.50 processing and ticketing fee) 7:00 show: Doors @ 6:00 9:30 show: Bar @ 6:00, Doors @ 8:45 The NYC-based “Alex Weitz Group” are known for their strong group dynamic, exciting interpretations of standards, and captivating memorable original compositions blending straight ahead jazz with modern, classical, and contemporary influences. Across the span of over a decade they have recorded five albums, including their recent release “Rule of Thirds” on Outside in Music as well as “Live at the Black Cat”. For this residency they will be focusing on new music from their upcoming album due in late 2026. Bandleader Alex Weitz won second place in the Michael Brecker International Saxophone Competition, has won two ASCAP Herb Alpert Composer Awards, and was a recent finalist in the DCJazzPrix. Alex has performed at esteemed venues and jazz festivals around the world including Dizzy's Club, Tucson Jazz Festival, Red Sea Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, Smalls Jazz Club, Birdland Jazz Club, Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, Jazz Standard, South Beach Jazz Festival, Telluride Jazz Festival, and the Jazz Showcase. “It is impossible not to be knocked out by the sheer creative firepower of Alex Weitz.” - The Jazz Word Band Lineup: Alex Weitz - tenor saxophone Tal Cohen - piano Ben Tiberio - bass Michael Piolet - drums 

Tickets: $20 , $40 , $50 , $60 (price includes $5.50 processing and ticketing fee) 7:00 show: Doors @ 6:00 9:30 show: Bar @ 6:00, Doors @ 8:45 The NYC-based “Alex Weitz Group” are known for their strong group dynamic, exciting interpretations of standards, and captivating memorable original compositions blending straight ahead jazz with modern, classical, and contemporary influences. Across the span of over a decade they have recorded five albums, including their recent release “Rule of Thirds” on Outside in Music as well as “Live at the Black Cat”. For this residency they will be focusing on new music from their upcoming album due in late 2026. Bandleader Alex Weitz won second place in the Michael Brecker International Saxophone Competition, has won two ASCAP Herb Alpert Composer Awards, and was a recent finalist in the DCJazzPrix. Alex has performed at esteemed venues and jazz festivals around the world including Dizzy's Club, Tucson Jazz Festival, Red Sea Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, Smalls Jazz Club, Birdland Jazz Club, Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, Jazz Standard, South Beach Jazz Festival, Telluride Jazz Festival, and the Jazz Showcase. “It is impossible not to be knocked out by the sheer creative firepower of Alex Weitz.” - The Jazz Word Band Lineup: Alex Weitz - tenor saxophone Tal Cohen - piano Ben Tiberio - bass Michael Piolet - drums 

Tickets: $20 , $30 , $40 , $50 (price includes $5.50 processing and ticketing fee) 7:00 show: Doors @ 6:00 9:15 show: Bar @ 6:00, Doors @ 8:30 The NYC-based “Alex Weitz Group” are known for their strong group dynamic, exciting interpretations of standards, and captivating memorable original compositions blending straight ahead jazz with modern, classical, and contemporary influences. Across the span of over a decade they have recorded five albums, including their recent release “Rule of Thirds” on Outside in Music as well as “Live at the Black Cat”. For this residency they will be focusing on new music from their upcoming album due in late 2026. Bandleader Alex Weitz won second place in the Michael Brecker International Saxophone Competition, has won two ASCAP Herb Alpert Composer Awards, and was a recent finalist in the DCJazzPrix. Alex has performed at esteemed venues and jazz festivals around the world including Dizzy's Club, Tucson Jazz Festival, Red Sea Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, Smalls Jazz Club, Birdland Jazz Club, Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, Jazz Standard, South Beach Jazz Festival, Telluride Jazz Festival, and the Jazz Showcase. “It is impossible not to be knocked out by the sheer creative firepower of Alex Weitz.” - The Jazz Word Band Lineup: Alex Weitz - tenor saxophone Tal Cohen - piano Ben Tiberio - bass Michael Piolet - drums 

Tickets: $15.50 - $25.50 7:00 show: Doors @ 6:00 Midweek just got a whole lot deeper. JaZzLine INSTITUTE presents The Soul Sessions: an electrifying live music series bringing the Bay Area’s finest to the stage at Black Cat every Wednesday night, March through May. Experience world-class musicianship up close in an intimate setting where jazz, soul, gospel, funk, and R&B collide. Seats are limited. The vibe is undeniable. Make your reservations now while supplies last. The $10 cash tickets are available at the door based on availability. Tarus Mateen is one of the more sought-after acoustic and electric bassists on the jazz scene. He has also made his mark with a variety of R&B and hip-hop artists, as both a bassist and a producer. A graduate of Atlanta’s Morehouse College, Mateen worked for several years down South. Relocating to New York in 1988, he scored the dream gig of many young jazz musicians: a spot in Betty Carter’s band. He also worked with trumpeter/film composer Terence Blanchard on the score for the Spike Lee film Malcolm X, as well as the Malcolm X Jazz Suite. Mateen’s R&B and hip-hop credits include such notable acts as Monica, Outkast, Goodie Mob, the Roots, Fugees, De La Soul, and Fishbone. On the jazz side, he performs and records most regularly with pianist Jason Moran & The Bandwagon. He also works with vocalist Faye Carol, pianist Marc Cary, vibraphonist Stefon Harris, as well as the New Directions band, which includes Harris, Greg Osby, Jason Moran, and Mark Shim. The Soul Sessions at Black Cat Where groove meets spirit. Where legends and rising stars share one stage. Where Wednesday nights feel like church for music lovers. Supported by a Culture Forward grant from The Svane Family Foundation Band Lineup: Tarus Mateen, bass Marvin 'Smitty' Smith, drums Joe Warner, piano 

Tickets: $20 , $30 , $40 , $50 (price includes $5.50 processing and ticketing fee) 7:00 show: Doors @ 6:00 9:15 show: Bar @ 6:00, Doors @ 8:30 San Francisco-based bassist, trombonist, composer, and arranger Leela Paymai (ZHENIIA) grew up steeped in the sounds of Persian Pop music—Googoosh, Marjan, Dariush—before landing in the Bay Area and diving headfirst into the tangled, boundary-less world of modern jazz. What emerged is ZHENIIA: a genre-blurring, emotionally charged project that filters ancestral memory through a contemporary lens. ZHENIIA’s music is a collision of identities and histories, layered with microtonal scales, hip-hop rhythm, and psychedelic textures. Bass-driven and politically pointed, the songs reach across genre and geography, weaving oud melodies and Persian folk motifs through thick, improvisatory grooves. The band’s ever-shifting lineup reflects the fluidity of its sound—one show might feature electric violin, the next trombone—but there’s always a core of rhythm, synthesis, and soul. “I take a lot of inspiration from my grandparents and parents,” Paymai says, “who, despite surviving the Iranian revolution, always found time to make music. That spirit—of resilience, of beauty in chaos—fuels everything I do.” ZHENIIA premiered in February 2025 with a sold-out debut at San Jose Jazz’s New Works Festival, backed by a dynamic band of Bay Area collaborators including Chili Corder on oud, Julian Lopez on synths, and drummer Jaycie Grady. Press coverage quickly followed, with features in Mercury News, East Bay Times, and Mission Local. While no official releases have dropped yet, ZHENIIA is just beginning. These are songs for survival, movement, and deep feeling—music to grieve to, dream through, and rise with. Stay tuned. Band Lineup: Leela Paymai - bass Julian Lopez - piano Chili Corder - oud Allison Irvine - violin Rabiah Kabir - flute Jaycie Grady - drums 

Tickets: $20 , $40 , $50 , $60 (price includes $5.50 processing and ticketing fee) 7:00 show: Doors @ 6:00 9:30 show: Bar @ 6:00, Doors @ 8:45 Trumpeter, vocalist, and percussionist Pete Rodríguez, featured on three Grammy-winning records, commands the stage with fiery energy and masterful artistry. He’s collaborated with legends like Tito Puente, Branford Marsalis, and Eddie Palmieri. His original compositions highlight his incredible technique and sound. With a bold, modern jazz style, his work is narrative-driven and timeless. Rodriguez has family roots in Latin jazz, he played classical music with the symphony orchestra in Puerto Rico and pursued his DMA in Jazz Performance. "These varied experiences help explain music that is not only instrumentally ferocious, but texturally rich and at times, profoundly intimate." - Downbeat. Rodríguez’s latest release, I’m Pete Rodríguez, Volume 1, is a stunning showcase of heritage, rhythm, and innovation. Praised NYT "he takes to the trumpet like a conguero, belting out fierce, percussive patterns...", Rodríguez delivers a performance that’s passionate, profound, and unforgettable- not to be missed! Esteban Castro is a Brooklyn-based pianist and composer born in 2002. Esteban started playing piano at age 3, and quickly started improvising and composing at a young age. Esteban furthered their studies in both jazz and classical music privately with teachers including Fred Hersch and Phillip Kawin, and by participating in many high school programs such as the Manhattan School of Music Precollege and Jazz House Kids. In 2020, Esteban started studies at the Juilliard School on a full tuition scholarship, and graduated with their Bachelor of Music in 2024. Since moving to New York, Esteban Castro has performed nationally and internationally as a leader, and as a sideman for bands led by artists such as Ambrose Akinmusire, Billy Drummond, Francesco Cafi so, Peter Evans, Joe Farnsworth, Giveton Gelin, Russell Hall, Harish Raghavan, and Ben Solomon, among others. In 2016, Esteban was the youngest-ever fi rst prize winner of the Montreux Jazz Piano Solo Competition. Later, they were selected as a finalist for the 2023 American Piano Awards, and is a winner of the 2025 Gilmore Festival Bell Young Jazz Award. Quickly becoming a fixture in the New York Jazz scene, Jon Beshay has proven himself to be a skilled and versatile instrumentalist, performing with a variety of musicians such as jazz titans Ron Carter, Eric Reed and Christian McBride, ensembles such as the WDR Big Band in Cologne, Vanguard Jazz Orchestra and the Roy Hargrove Big Band and even with playwright Taylor Mac. Often featured on multiple instruments, his ability to transition between multiple instruments has added to his flexible nature as a performer. Originally from southeast Michigan, Beshay’s musical interest first manifested itself while hearing musicians from Detroit’s vibrant jazz scene. Detroit would go on to play a pivotal role in shaping his musical style during his early education as an artist. One can hear the driving hard bop style and blues that is quintessential to the Detroit jazz aesthetic. He has served as musical director for both Winard Harper and Philip Harper, providing arrangements and compositions to both bands that have become lasting contributions to each band’s repertoire. He also served as composer and musical head for the off-Broadway production, (a) Loft Modulation. Written by Jaymes Jorsling and directed by Christopher McElroen, the music added a “vital burst of inspiration” to the production. Currently residing in Brooklyn, Beshay leads his own band performing original works, with regular appearances as both a leader and sideman at NYC venues including Smalls, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Ornithology and Birdland. He is a graduate of Michigan State’s Jazz Studies program and holds a masters degree from Manhattan Schools of Music. Band Lineup: Pete Rodríguez, Trumpet/ Voice Esteban Castro, Piano Jon Beshay, Sax Nico Martinez, Bass Francisco Alcala, Drums