Event Tickets
august 20, 2026thursday
Praised by PostGenre as “one of the best saxophonists of his generation,” artist and composer Jaleel Shaw has become a master of his instrument and a role model for improvisers across every creative discipline. He composes, in real time, with abandon and precision. His devotion to melody — sweet & lyrical, raw & unyielding — informs his explorations on stage and in the studio. And his tone distills and sanctifies the challenging beauty of his instrument.
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Shaw came up on the city’s iconic music scene, playing alto with its artists at an early age. After attending Berklee College of Music on full scholarship and graduating with a dual degree in Music Education and Performance, in 2000 he moved to New York where he earned his Master of Music in Performance from Manhattan School of Music. He issued his debut release Perspective in 2005 to wide critical acclaim; the following year, he joined the Roy Haynes Quartet, launching a pivotal apprenticeship-turned-lifelong friendship that would transform his playing and change the course of his career.
Shaw bonds his reverent mastery of a shared vocabulary with his penchant for vitality. He frequently appears on stages and recordings in new and experimental contexts. His resume cites collaborations with artists across styles and perspectives, including Roy Haynes, Dave Holland, Tom Harrell, Robert Glasper, Nate Smith, Stefon Harris, Christian McBride, Roy Hargrove, Jason Moran, Terri Lyne Carrington, and countless other leaders.
His band includes veterans Ben Street (John Scofield, Paul Motian, Kurt Rosenwinkel) and Nasheet Waits (Jason Moran, Christian McBride, Dave Douglas) and and rising star trumpeter Akili Bradley who is turning heads in NYC.
“Shaw’s playing is gorgeous at every turn, filling any listener with the power of feeling”
— PopMatters
Jaleel Shaw – Alto Saxophone
Akili Bradley – Trumpet
Ben Street – Bass
Nasheet Waits – Drums