Joseph Arthur’s career has included a long list of solo LPs, often addressing his battles with drugs, alcohol, and PTSD. He plays on Jan. 2 at City Winery. 

Hear a new reimagined Messiah which works in the Epiphany story of the Three Kings at 3PM on Jan. 1 with the ARTEK Orchestra and Singers at St Ignatius of Antioch Church. 

Grammy-nominated vocalist Jazzmeia Horn sings jazz standards and pop tunes by Erykah Badu, Rachelle Ferrell and Stevie Wonder. She plays two sets on New Year's Eve at Smoke Jazz Club.

Singer, author, and guitarist Dar Williams creates songs that often deal with family, gender stereotypes, religion, and missed connections. She plays at Bell House on Dec. 30. 

New York-based band Innov Gnawa performs traditional healing music of Morocco, a trancey, rhythmic participatory music. They play on Dec 27 at The Owl Music Parlor.

Smoke Jazz Club continues the annual John Coltrane Festival and the sax player Vincent Herring's Quintet are acting as a kind of house band, with different guest soloists each night. 

Mamady Kouyate's Mandingo Ambassadors play on Dec. 24 at Barbès in Brooklyn.

The Masterwork Chorus, 120 voices strong, presents a cherished holiday tradition: a complete performance of Handel’s Messiah at Carnegie Hall on Dec. 23.

Sax player and composer Donny McCaslin strains against the boundaries of jazz and rock and electronic music. He and his band play new music from his 2025 Lullaby For The Lost, in-studio.