music
we recommend booking a reservation to guarantee a table for showtime
Jan Esbra & Olin Clark
Jan Esbra is a Colombian guitarist, composer, and improviser known for “[capturing] emotional warmth within layered textures” (ADSR Collective) while “blurring the lines between a wide range of musical influences” (All About Jazz).
Esbra’s musical world is centered around a playful orientation to improvisational practices; which he combines with elements from ambient, post-rock, shoegaze, and math-rock to create evocative and emotional pieces of music.
Olin Clark is a Guitarist and composer living in New York City. Hailing from Comstock Park, Michigan, Olin has performed Internationally at festivals and venues such at the Trinidad & Tobago Jazz Festival and the Blue Note NYC, and has played with artists such as Etienne Charles’ Creole Soul, Patrick Bartley’s J-MUSIC Pocket Band, and Randy Napoleon. Olin’s most recent album “Ephemera” was released on Lyon Hill records in July 2024. Outside of jazz, Olin has performed and toured with artists across many different genres including rock, funk, reggae, and hip-hop. He completed a Master’s in Jazz Performance at Michigan State University in 2017.
Surrender of Man: Book Release Party
Join us on Friday, April 18th, to celebrate the publication of my Naomi Falk’s new book entitled THE SURRENDER OF MAN, published by Inside the Castle. ꥟ With a reading by Sydnie Hyams, a conversation with Claire Donato, and music of wonder and darkness by Moment of Terror and Tek Nena. Hosted by the Queen of the Moon, Mina Hamedi. The festival of Ishtar is upon us! Come enjoy broody mezcal cocktails or a refreshing NA bev of your choice.
Nev Sings
Nev Sings is a local singer songwriter performing soul & jazz, both solo and with a larger ensemble.
420 Head Fest: Shakedown Citi, All Things Garcia
For 420, we're having a special daytime-into-evening music festival celebrating the holiday and the music of The Grateful Dead!
There will be 420-friendly vendors and artwork for sale, including Rare Dead Posters and more.
The afternoon will kick off with a collective drum circle, followed by an opening set from All Things Garcia.
Into the evening, there will be two high-octane sets of music from local favorites Shakedown Citi.
Heady vendors will include:
Katy Lynn (@crossstitchandpainless) – Knit hats and wristbands
Smoking Crater (@the_smoking_crater) – Glass and pipes
Devandresearch (@devandrsrch) – Shirts
Lilly from Philly (@diamond.lil.designs) – Design and paintings
Kyle Cochran (@kylecochran) – Shirts and sweatshirts
Dave Gem (@gratefulartists) – Grateful Dead-inspired jewelry
Terpin Terrapin (@the_terpin_terrapin) - 420 items
Community Drum Circle
3:00 PM
All Things Garcia
4:20 PM
Shakedown Citi
6:00 PM
Music Ends (Bar Still Open)
9:00 PM
Catbus Collective
Friday night Catbus Collective will be playing two sets! Catbus Collective is a seven piece jazz ensemble known for its unique fusion of Ghibli, anime, and City Pop soundtracks blending with jazz music. Founded by Jasper Dutz, the ensemble showcases the talent of NYC AAPI musicians who share a collective interest in Japanese pop, folk, anime and video game music.
And be sure to join us for a pre-concert friending Happy Hour event hosted by Anime Social Nexus involving anime-themed icebreakers and tier list/ranker boards.
Brunson
Brunson (he/him/we) is a Brooklyn-based multitalented creative. Passionate about the connections made possible only through shared vulnerability, Brunson leads with his humanness. Brunson is a vocalist, pianist, poet, and writer. He has written, recorded, and toured his debut EP with his indie R&B duo, Bluesoul, and is currently working on his first solo project as well as his debut writing publication.
Deep Listening
Deep Listening is a bi-monthly evening for experimental electronic performance that began in 2013 at the Parkside Lounge in the LES. Hosted by Kevin Kenkel, generally speaking the performances are not dance music - they are more along the lines of ambient experimentation - a lot of synthesizers involved!
TIGER
TIGER is an instrumental rock band based in Brooklyn featuring Dan Montgomery on bass, Olin Clark on guitar and Evan Hyde on drums. Their original music combines elements of metal, prog rock and jazz, blending heavy riffs with catchy melodies and high-energy improvisation.
Olli Hirvonen
Olli Hirvonen’s guitar sound has its roots in his origins in Finland, where he was able to soak up the Nordic flavors of jazz, progressive rock, and metal. After finishing his studies at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Hirvonen moved to New York City in 2011 to study at the Manhattan School of Music, where received his master’s degree. He since has made New York his home and has found opportunities as a freelance musician, but most notably as a member of Brian Krock’s bands, Big Heart Machine and Liddle.
Cole Stone-Frisina & DILLRD
We’ll have a set of electrifying jazz from our friend Cole Stone-Frisina and his band as part of their monthly residency at Umbra. Cole is a genre-bending and virtuosic saxophone player based in Brooklyn, New York. He originally hails from Atlanta, Georgia.
Montana raised, Brooklyn based producer and instrumentalist DILLRD creates music that intersects electronic soundscapes and jazz influenced improvisation, while drawing inspiration from the natural world. He seeks to expand upon electronica culture in a way that is compelling to listeners of improvised music, while not losing sight of the spirit and energy of electronic music.
Quartz Casino
Formed by Andrew Spaulding (Pill) and Oscar Allen Guinn (Rhinestone), Quartz Casino Band thrives in the Brooklyn soil: watered by whiskey, fertilized by lead paint flakes, and the J train’s lullaby. Where the train goes the track goes first; respect to those who sang before is the key to country. QCB touches on the music of Steve Earle, Eagles, Lee Hazlewood, and, of course, George Jones. The diversity of songwriting is apparent, no one song sounds the same as the last, but they’re all complimentary like a good plate of country cooking should be. Share a beer and a tear, have a party if it’s hearty, Quartz Casino Band will be there for both.
Amick Ambach Experiment
The Amick Ambach Experiment is the duo project of Felix Ambach and Noah Amick. Usually playing drums and bass together in other people’s projects, they use this duo as a chance to play improvised electronic music. Their sets are high energy and fully improvised, exploring sound design and groove.
It’s jam night, so bring your instrument and hop onstage!
Nathan Farrell
Nathan Farrell is a 25 year old rising star from the New York City metropolitan area.
An eclectic performer, he draws from an array of influences over decades of r&b, jazz, and pop music. He pulls in audiences with his prodigious vocal agility, stellar showmanship, sultry tone, and sharp ear for improvisation, while embodying a commitment to musicianship that is felt across every stage. He has quickly become an artist and musician in high demand for collaborations and performances across New York City and the United States.
Natalie Cressman & Ian Faquini
Trombonist and singer/songwriter Natalie Cressman and composer, guitarist, and singer Ian Faquini have created a uniquely intimate duo collaboration, drawing from impressionism, jazz, and the great Brazilian songwriting tradition. Their original material features songs in three different languages and encompasses a vast spectrum of musical ground. With the warm instrumentation of acoustic guitar and trombone and two-part vocal harmonies hugging the Brazilian-accented Portuguese, Cressman & Faquini weave their musical voices together to create a fully orchestrated sound befitting a much larger ensemble.
JP Schlegelmilch, Jonathan Goldberger, Jim Black
One of Rolling Stone's "20 Best Jazz Albums of 2018", JP Schlegelmilch (organ/keyboards), Jonathan Goldberger (guitar) and Jim Black (drums) present a 21st-century take on the organ trio in their debut album coming out on Skirl Records in September 2018.
“Visitors” charts a course between blurry shoegaze textures, frenetic avant-garde jazz, and drone-heavy psychedelic rock.
Strawberry Sun
Strawberry Sun is an NYC-based fusion group combining elements of jazz, funk and psychedelic rock. The band’s sound features heavily affected guitars and saxophone on top of a groove based rhythm section. Their live performances often take a jam band-style approach with a jazzy spin, taking their audience through a unique journey with each show.
Sunday Art Hang
Every 2nd Sunday of the month Natie hosts her Sunday Art Hang series, growing a space for creatives to practice being present through Creativity.
Expect some special guests/artists that will be showcased for this event, and be sure to bring your instrument to hop onstage!
Sofar Sounds *Secret Show*
Sofar Sounds is hosting a secret show in Umbra, featuring three musical guests whose identities will be revealed to ticket holders the day of the show.
The All's Eye Trio feat. Blahsum
A new super trio with a fresh, original sound that shifts between true soul funk & heady original Jams. All's Eye is a newly formed trio of musical equals. The band combinies the talents of guitarist Ari Joshua, drummer Ben Atkind (Elephantproof, formerly of Goose), and keyboardist Kris Yunker (Bearly Dead, formerly Goose).
Blahsum is a psychedelic rap jam band based out of Brooklyn, NY. In the early days it was just frontman Garbo, writing lyrics and cutting together beats in his Chinatown home studio. He began to develop a following from a series of releases called the Moon Tapes — new collections of songs that debuted every full moon. Over the years the live band has taken on a life of its own, stretching the songs further and further out with freewheeling arrangements and a no-two-shows-are-the-same ethos of exploration and improvisation.
The Waldo Experiment
The Waldo Experiment straddles the boundary between swinging jazz and contemporary, groove-oriented bangers. Drawing inspiration from artists like GoGo Penguin and Portico Quartet, they're crafting a sound that's intricate and technical without sacrificing their sense of fun. Catch them live and experience their distinctive sound!
It’s jam night, so bring your instrument and hop onstage!
Rugburn
Rugburn’s music is a high-energy blend of funk, rock, and jazz, characterized by adventurous improvisations and tight grooves. Beginning in the New Brunswick, NJ basement scene, they have been playing together for the past five years from New York City all the way to New Orleans.
Abomic Tom
Abomic Tom is a new 4-piece instrumental band based in Brooklyn. We play psychedelic soul/jazz — think 1960s spy film music meets D’Angelo meets Sergio Mendes!
Looi (EP Release Show), with aloe
Looi LOO-ee] is a singer, songwriter, producer, and guitarist based in New York who will be releasing her debut EP — an intergenerational exploration of her Chinese-Malaysian heritage, sonically rooted in indie with influences from alt-rock, electronic, neo-soul, and folk palettes.
Amick Ambach Experiment
The Amick Ambach Experiment is the duo project of Felix Ambach and Noah Amick. Usually playing drums and bass together in other people’s projects, they use this duo as a chance to play improvised electronic music. Their sets are high energy and fully improvised, exploring sound design and groove.
It’s jam night, so bring your instrument and hop onstage!
Swell: Readings, Art, and Music to Delight the Senses
A Swell Night at Umbra: Readings, Art, and Music to delight the senses!
Full lineup coming soon!
Brunson
Brunson (he/him/we) is a Brooklyn-based multitalented creative. Passionate about the connections made possible only through shared vulnerability, Brunson leads with his humanness. Brunson is a vocalist, pianist, poet, and writer. He has written, recorded, and toured his debut EP with his indie R&B duo, Bluesoul, and is currently working on his first solo project as well as his debut writing publication.
This is the start of Brunson’s 2025 monthly residency at Umbra!
Catbus Collective
Catbus Collective will be playing two sets! Catbus Collective is a seven piece jazz ensemble known for its unique fusion of Ghibli, anime, and City Pop soundtracks blending with jazz music. Founded by Jasper Dutz, the ensemble showcases the talent of NYC AAPI musicians who share a collective interest in Japanese pop, folk, anime and video game music.
Be sure to join us for a pre-concert friending Happy Hour event hosted by Anime Social Nexus involving anime-themed icebreakers and tier list/ranker boards.
Magic Dub
Magic Dub is a Brooklyn based Reggae-Jazz crossover group. This group features some real NYC reggae legends like Larry McDonald (Skatalites, Bob Marley, Gil Scott Heron, to name a few) and Gregory Jackson (Burning Spear, Amy Winehous, Eryka Badu, Lauren Hill, Many more) and as well as some rising stars in the NYC reggae scene with deep pedigrees.
This show will also be frontman Greg Lapine's birthday celebration!
Cole Stone-Frisina
We’ll have two sets of electrifying jazz from our friend Cole Stone-Frisina and his band as part of their monthly residency at Umbra. Cole is a genre-bending and virtuosic saxophone player based in Brooklyn, New York. He originally hails from Atlanta, Georgia.
David Najera Gonzalez Trio
David Nájera González is a Mexican drummer, composer and educator currently based in NYC. Since his childhood, a strong gravitation towards music has acted as a driving life force. At the age of 19 he moved to NYC and attended the New School for Jazz And Contemporary Music, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2021.
In 2021 he formed Patos, an octet ensemble for which he composed and arranged music up to 2022. He recorded five arranged compositions at Dimension 70 studios that were released on streaming platforms on February 9th, 2024.
Sunday Art Hang
Every 2nd Sunday of the month Natie hosts her Sunday Art Hang series, growing a space for creatives to practice being present through Creativity.
Expect some special guests/artists that will be showcased for this event, and be sure to bring your instrument to hop onstage!
Chris Anderson Quartet
Chris is a drummer, multi instrumentalist, songwriter, & producer based in Brooklyn NY. Born on July 15th, 1996, on Long Island, NY at 4:20 AM, Chris began playing drums at the age of 10 after his mom got him a drumset as a suprise. He began playing gigs around Long Island at 16 with local musicians. Chris attended Loyola University in New Orleans where he studied Jazz Performance and Composition for 2 years, until he dropped out to tour with his friend from home Mac Ayres. After living in LA for 2 year, Chris moved back to New York. He currently spends his time playing shows with his quartet, doing session work, and writing music at his studio in Bushwick, Brooklyn, NYC.
Ben Freidkin with Rotem Sivan & Dan Montgomery
New York based award-winning drummer and composer Ben Freidkin holds a Master of Music degree from the Aaron Copland School of Music (Queens College) and is the winner of the “2020 Freddie Gruber Drum Set Scholarship'' awarded by the Percussive Art Society as well as the “George Bann Award for Best Jazz Performer” (2019).
Rotem Sivan’s guitar skills are heralded across the globe. The New York Times has praised him as “more than a very good young guitar player.” Downbeat Magazine has called him “a remarkable talent."
Dan Montgomery is an upright/electric bassist, vocalist, composer and educator based in New York City. Most notably, he is a member of Remy Le Boeuf's Assembly of Shadows big band, and is featured on their latest album, "Heartland Radio."
Diet Zhuzh Serving Savings
Announcement from the folks at Diet Zhuzh:
We have heard from employees that apparently 10pm-4am is not the most sustainable werking hours. Therefore we are officially having all DZ meetings in the DAY; Effective immediately ~ until we say otherwise. 📆
There’s no better start to this new scheduale then Daylight Saving(s?) Time! ⏱️So, you better get to bed an hour early because “I lost an hour sleep” will NOT be a valid use for PTO! 😴
Meeting Agenda:
🖇️ Music Seminars by: ⭐️ AMBER VALENTINE ⭐️ With returning residents DJ DOM & WHO GIRL 📎 C.D. (Cross-Dressing) Shows by: BON BON (Toronto) & BABES 🖇️ Host: ANVA VOLZ 📎 LickedIn Headshots TINY TIGER 🖇️ Lighting Dept: PRISM 🏣 At our NEW OFFICE: UMBRA - 785 Hart st BK ⏰2-9pm! (Don’t be Late!)
☀️Our new office does have a full cocktail bar, food, courtyard and party favor favouring.
Best not hit snooze on this event because time is money! 💰 This new chapter of DIET ZHUZH will be sure to turn back the clock to the good ol’ days of Analog America...
Don’t waste any time! Buy your tix now
Red Note Revival
Everyone’s favorite music festival is back for ONE NITE ONLY!!!
Come enjoy a curated selection of local bands that have rehearsed at the legendary Red Note Studios In addition to the music will be a robust end-of-winter market with a variety of vexing vendors
Music (6-11pm) provided by
- Wifey
- Talsness
- Sean Spada
- Dirt
- Rocky Billop
- Sunset Goblins
Market (4-9pm) provided by
- @jesuschristvintage
- @hogtimevintage
- @firsthandthrifted
- @diskoleaf
- @schenkeltown & MORE TBA
Mess, Okra Juice
Daniel Rossi is drummer and composer. He writes and performs regularly as ‘Daniel Rossi’, as well as with his ever evolving group MESS and his solo project CHOP.
Rossi’s work spans across many different genres pushing each to its limit, both his drumming and composing praised for being extremely unique, yet approachable. This is likely because of his influences from the human voice and its interactions in rhythm and melody. His “big ears” make him a desired side person and allow his playing to function in a variety of different styles and situations.
Okra Juice is a new band that will be opening up the show. Fronted by trumpet player Ryan Easter, the trio also includes Mwanzi Harriott on bass and Dom Gervais on drums.
Imaginary Archery Club Book Launch Event
Bimbo Rhetoric presents a book launch party for Rob Hogan’s poetry collection, Imaginary Archery Club. Hogan will host the evening, which will feature DJ sets from Julia2 and Sex Week, readings from Elisha Henig, Julla Vassallo, and Asa Canty.
Doors will be at 7pm, with readings at 8pm and performances beginning at 8:30pm. Books will be for sale in the front, and the event is free to enter!
Honeytrap
Honeytrap is making their return to Umbra for another open jam! Honeytrap is a collective of NYC based musicians focusing on the performance, composition, and improvisation of creative music. They meld together hip-hop, soul, groove, jazz fusion, and many more styles into a sonic stew that is uniquely their own.
The band will start the night with a set of original music, and then open up the jam for people to hop onstage and join in.
Du'Bois A'Keen
Du’Bois A’Keen is a proud husband, father, and accomplished composer, recording artist, producer, singer/songwriter, choir director, and vocal arranger. As a multi-genre/multi-hyphenated artist, A’Keen’s work has been featured on OperaWire, NPR, the New York Times, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and Dance Magazine. Most Recently, he served as creative associate and music director for SACRED SONGS, choreographed by Matthew Rushing for Alvin Ailey American Theater New York City Center Season and The Whitney Museum’s Edges of Ailey Exhibition.
Previously, Du’Bois served as Associate Director of Music and Programming at the MAMA Foundation for the Arts and co-led the commercial choir Sing Harlem. In addition to headlining the Sunday Gospel Brunch in Ginny’s Supper Club and Hosting Monday Soul Session at Red Rooster Harlem With Sing Harlem, he directed the commercial choir and performed with Stars like Andra Day for the Clooney Foundation for Justice Albie Awards and the Glamour Awards tribute for Mary J. Blige. For the past 15 years, A’Keen has served multiple ministries across the nation as Music Director, Choir Director, Praise Team Leader, and Creative Consultant.
Habibi Gun
Habibi Gün showcases the works of revered Arab composers such as Riyad al Sunbati and Mohammed Fawzi alongside Western influences like Ennio Morricone, Link Wray, and that late, great Lebanese- American, Dick Dale. The resulting listening experience is sprawling, evocative, and unique—stark and contemplative one moment, abandoned and trance-inducing the next.
Andrew Pereira Quartet
Andrew Pereira is a saxophonist and composer currently residing in Brooklyn, NY. Andrew became steeped in the vibrant Philly music scene in his younger years, learning from the established musicians in town while developing his creative concept of the saxophone with the talent present on the scene. His skills at interpreting music of many eras led to big band engagements that featured artists such as Peter Erskine, while his versatile sound made him a valuable side-man on a wide range of recording projects. During this time, Andrew was also awarded 2nd place in the North American Saxophone Alliance 2016 jazz competition.
Since his move to NYC in 2018, Andrew has doubled down on honing his skills in composition, and received a Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies from The City College of New York. He continues to expend more of his time and energy into bandleading, taking on the ambitious task of performing all-original sets of music, and continues to expand his catalog of compositions ripe for recording. Andrew’s debut album, Lost In Plain Sight, was released in December of 2023 under the Fresh Sound New Talent label.
The Quarter lineup will feature:
Andrew Pereira - Alto Sax
Max Light - Guitar
Dan Pappalardo - Bass
Jonas Esser - Drums
The Amick Ambach Experiment
The Amick Ambach Experiment is the duo project of Felix Ambach and Noah Amick. Usually playing drums and bass together in other people’s projects, they use this duo as a chance to play improvised electronic music. Their sets are high energy and fully improvised, exploring sound design and groove.
Bring your instrument and join in the collective improvisation!
No DJs Allowed
NO DJs ALLOWED is a simulation of the underground DJ rave environment - instead with humans performing the music with electronic tools, live and in-person. This show series serves as a love-letter to DJs who have fostered the underground sound for many decades while providing a proper and safe space for live electronic musicians to perform.
Catbus Collective
Catbus Collective is a seven piece jazz ensemble known for its unique fusion of Ghibli, anime, and City Pop soundtracks blending with jazz music. Founded by Jasper Dutz, the ensemble showcases the talent of NYC AAPI musicians who share a collective interest in Japanese pop, folk, anime and video game music. Since their debut in fall of 2023, they’ve performed at anime conventions including Kogaracon, Yukibana, Setsucon, esports gaming centers, venues such as Clement's Place and Wonderville, and held a weekly residency at the Red Pavilion in Bushwick for more than a year.
Fictions, Emmanuel Michael
Matei Predescu is a Romanian-American pianist, keyboardist, composer, and improviser whose omnivorous musical pursuits range from their modern jazz and creative music project “Fictions/Ficțiuni” to experimental noise and electronic ambient projects.
Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Matei’s original music explores themes of cultural memory, generational trauma, and Romanian American identity through the intersection of Black American music, Eastern European folk music traditions, and experimental music.
Biophany
This Sunday’s open jam will be hosted by Biophany, a jazz ensemble led by Brooklyn-based drummer Jarred Chase. The evening will begin with a set of original music, and then two sets of an open jam where musicians are welcome to hop onstage and join in the collective improvisation.