The Jazz Loft @ Southampton Concert Series will return to the Avram Theater at Stony Brook Southampton for its Fall 2025 season. The concert series aims to bring jazz performances to the East End and follows a successful spring and summer run.
Organized in collaboration with The Jazz Loft, the series is curated by Thomas Manuel, founder of The Jazz Loft and Stony Brook Endowed Artist in Residence. Each concert features different artists and explores various styles within jazz.
“I am thrilled to present to the Southampton community our fall lineup which will bring to the Avram stage some of the greatest internationally recognized Jazz talent on the scene today,” said Manuel. “More so, I am honored that the collaboration between The Jazz Loft and Stony Brook Southampton has created high quality, accessible arts programming that is both entertaining and inspiring. I am continually inspired and excited to see how this wonderful partnership continues to grow, develop and thrive as we move forward.”
Wendy Pearson, vice president for strategic initiatives and executive director of Stony Brook Southampton, added: “I’m delighted to continue our collaboration with The Jazz Loft this fall, bringing an outstanding lineup of performances to The Avram. These concerts not only enrich the cultural life of Southampton during the off-season, they also strengthen our community by drawing people together around world-class music. The Avram is truly the front door to Stony Brook Southampton, and programming like this reflects our commitment to renewing the campus as both a hub for the arts and a gathering place for the region.”
The fall season starts Thursday, September 25 with “The Art of the Guitar,” featuring guitarist Pasquale Grasso alongside Keith Balla on drums and Ari Roland on bass.
On Thursday, October 30, “The Art & Soul of Rhythm & Blues” will feature vocalist Joy Brown with Jerry Weldon on tenor saxophone, Miki Hayama on piano, Darrell Smith on drums and Dean Johnson on bass.
A tribute concert called “Strictly Sinatra! A Man and His Music” is scheduled for Friday, November 7. Pete Caldera will perform with The Jazz Loft’s 17-piece big band under Manuel’s direction.
The final show takes place Wednesday, December 17: “Nutcracker Suite + Holiday Classics JAZZ Style.” Champian Fulton joins The Jazz Loft Big Band for Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn’s arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite along with other holiday songs.
All performances are at 7 pm at the Avram Theater at Stony Brook Southampton. Tickets can be purchased online; passes for all four concerts cost $110 while individual tickets are $36 ($18 for SBU students).
This concert series supports efforts to establish Stony Brook Southampton as a center for arts programming in addition to education and community events.
