Kuumbwa Jazz Center

Kuumbwa Jazz Center has been one of the most respected jazz venues in America since 1975, and it earns that reputation every single week in a 200-seat room on Cedar Street that puts every audience member close enough to watch a musician's fingers move. Founded as a nonprofit and still operating that way, Kuumbwa presents over 120 concerts a year featuring regional, national, and international jazz artists of the highest caliber. Benny Green has called it his favorite place in the world to play. Joshua Redman has called it one of the world's great jazz venues. The acoustics are exceptional, the sight lines are perfect, and the cafe serves dinner, local wine, and craft beer starting an hour before showtime on concert nights. Monday nights tend to feature more established headliners; Thursdays spotlight up-and-coming talent. Outside of Kuumbwa's own productions, the room also hosts folk, Americana, world music, and comedy through independent renters. Whatever night you walk in, you are close to the music in every sense that matters.