If jazz had a passport, it would be stamped with the unmistakable style of Blue Note. From the smoky rooms of New York City to the bustling jazz haunts of Tokyo, the Blue Note brand has become more than a record label — it’s a global institution. And this week, we’re taking you on a tour of what’s playing live across the Blue Note Jazz Clubs around the world — with a special invitation to hear it all come alive tonight on The Improv Café’s “Live at The Blue Note” radio show.
This isn’t your average radio experience. We’re the only station that plays live jazz, big band, and swing music exclusively — and tonight, we’re diving deep into the soul of Blue Note’s live sound. Every track on the air will be sourced from a live album recorded at a Blue Note venue or a professional live set captured inside one of these legendary clubs.
🌍 Where in the World is Blue Note Playing This Week?
Here’s a look at what’s swinging, grooving, and improvising at Blue Note locations worldwide this week:
🎷 Blue Note New York City (NYC, USA)
A cornerstone of the global jazz scene since 1981, NYC’s Blue Note is hosting a four-night residency by Kenny Garrett, bringing his fiery post-bop energy to a packed house. Expect a few surprise sit-ins — it’s New York, after all.
🎺 Blue Note Tokyo (Japan)
This week in Tokyo, it’s all about Esperanza Spalding, who’s combining avant-garde technique with soulful storytelling. The Tokyo crowd is famously reverent — but when Spalding hits a groove, you can feel the electricity crackle.
🎼 Blue Note Milan (Italy)
Italy’s fashion capital is turning up the romance with a tribute to Chet Baker, featuring Enrico Rava and special guests performing Baker’s Italian-era classics. A hauntingly beautiful set in a city that understands melody and mood.
🥁 Blue Note Beijing & Shanghai (China)
Both clubs are putting a spotlight on rising Chinese jazz talent this week — fusion quartets, electric pianos, and local flavors mixing with bebop standards. The future of jazz is global, and it’s on full display here.
🎤 Blue Note Rio de Janeiro & São Paulo (Brazil)
Brazil’s Blue Notes are showcasing bossa nova legends and contemporary Latin jazz artists in a weeklong festival titled “Blue Note Brasil: Jazz no Coração.” Think samba rhythms, sensual horns, and a packed dance floor.
🎶 Blue Note Waikiki (Hawaii)
With its island backdrop, Waikiki’s location is offering sunset sets by smooth jazz saxophonist Eric Darius, along with ukulele-infused jam sessions that blend swing with tropical cool. Jazz on the beach? Yes, please.
🎧 Blue Note Napa & Los Angeles (California)
Blue Note Napa is going intimate this week with small ensemble sets and wine pairings, while LA is bringing the heat with Terrace Martin and Friends, blending hip-hop grooves with classic jazz textures.
📻 Tune In Tonight: “Live at The Blue Note” on The Improv Café
Whether you’re thousands of miles from the club or just down the street, you can catch the vibe tonight on “Live at The Blue Note” — airing exclusively on The Improv Café, the only radio station dedicated to 100% live jazz, swing, and big band music.
Every song is taken from a Live at the Blue Note recording — either from the NYC flagship or one of its stunning international outposts. From Art Blakey’s volcanic 1980s sets to Norah Jones’ first steps on stage, from Chick Corea’s Tokyo experiments to Herbie Hancock’s legendary LA gigs, this is real jazz, caught in the moment, unrehearsed and unforgettable.