Modern Jazz Masters: Troy Roberts with the Ted Ludwig Trio
2026-10-03 19:30 - 22:00 (America/Chicago) | Crosstown Arts, The Green Room, 1350 Concourse Ave., Suite 280, Memphis, TN, 38104, United States
Modern Jazz Masters: Troy Roberts with the Ted Ludwig Trio
The Green Room at Crosstown Arts
Saturday, October 3rd, 2026
Doors open at 7:00 PM | Show starts at 7:30 PM
$25 in advance (plus fees) | $30 at the door | $10 student tickets
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

The Ted Ludwig trio returns to the Green Room stage for the 2026 Modern Jazz Masters series, featuring saxophone titan Troy Roberts!

TROY ROBERTS
Embracing his love for a vast variety of stylistic genres, three-time GRAMMY nominated saxophonist, Troy Roberts is quickly becoming one of the most widely recorded touring artists of his time. As a go-to first call saxophonist, his name adorns several essential recordings ranging from the legendary Joey DeFrancesco to the iconic Van Morrison to the quintessential Jeff “Tain” Watts, to the tireless Orrin Evans Captain Black Big Band, to the critically acclaimed Kurt Elling, to the breathtaking Veronica Swift, including numerous other jazz veterans, and newcomers considered taste-makers of their generation.

Roberts, a New York City based Australian immigrant, is also a prolific leader with sixteen releases to his name. Currently celebrating his latest, Green Lights (Toy Robot Music) featuring John Patitucci, Paul Bollenback and Jimmy Macbride, Roberts maintains a busy recording and performance schedule with his quartet, his original project Nu-Jive, as well as some of the greatest artists of today.

Hannibal Buress
2026-10-04 19:00 - 22:00 | Crosstown Theater, 1350 Concourse Ave., Memphis, TN, 38104, United States
Hannibal Buress
The Crosstown Arts Theater
Sunday, October 4th, 2026
Doors open at 6:30 PM | Show starts at 7:00 PM
Orchestra Seating $42 in advance (plus fees)
General Admission $35 in advance (plus fees)
Tickets go on sale June 30th!
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Coming to the Crosstown Theater stage is comedian Hannibal Buress!

Hannibal Buress is a powerhouse of comedy, television, and film. From writing for Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock to starring in blockbusters like Neighbors and Spider-Man, Buress has spent over two decades cementing his status as an entertainment icon. Don’t miss a night of sharp wit and brilliant storytelling from one of the industry’s most versatile creators.

About Hannibal
From within the bustling heart of the Windy City, a comedian named Hannibal Buress embarked upon his journey. The year was 2002, the location, the Big Muddy Room at Southern Illinois University. Guided by the wisdom of his friend Chidi and sharpened in the fires of Tony Trimm’s “Sunday School sessions,” young Buress was prepared to take the comedy world by storm.
In 2006, he emerged from the shadows, performing at Montreal’s ‘Just for Laughs’ New Faces, an event that led to his first international appearance on “Late Night with Jörgen Raymann” in Holland. From that moment, he continued to grow, creating a series of successful stand-up specials including “Animal Furnace,” “Live From Chicago,” “Hannibal Takes Edinburgh,” “Comedy Camisado,” and “Miami Nights”.
Fate intervened in 2009, when a last-minute booking on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” led to a meeting with Seth Meyers. This encounter gave him the opportunity to write for the legendary show “Saturday Night Live.” It was there, my young turtles, where Buress had one sketch air – a moment he credits to the creativity of his cousin Percy. He cherishes the memory of watching Rihanna uttering his lines in the “Shy Ronnie” sketch. After a season there, he moved to “30 Rock,” filling the space left vacant by the departure of Donald Glover.
In the realm of film, Buress has proven his versatility, showcasing his talents in “Neighbors,” “Neighbors 2,” “Baywatch,” “Daddy’s Home,” “Spiderman: Homecoming,” “Spiderman: Far From Home,” and “Tag.” He also provided a memorable performance as Lincoln the dentist on “Broad City” and lent his voice to animations like “The Secret Life of Pets” and “The Angry Birds Movie.”
From 2009 to 2017, Buress held court at the “Comedy at the Knitting Factory,” his charm and wit making an indelible mark on late-night television, featuring on shows such as “David Letterman,” “Conan,” “Stephen Colbert,” and “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah.”
In 2022, he underwent a transformation, shedding his skin to become Eshu Tune in the world of music. His rhythmic anthems like “Veneers remix” with Danny Brown and Paul Wall, the lively bowling song “1-3 Pocket,” and the meticulously crafted “I Lift Weights” echo through the streets. This endeavor was made possible through collaborations with creative minds like Kiefer, Tru, Eshu Tune, Wahsabi Papi, Kenny Segal, Eryn Allen Kane, and Haile Supreme. Through these transformations, Hannibal Buress remains a true warrior in the world of entertainment.

The Mystic
2026-10-06 18:00 - 19:00 | Crosstown Arts, The Green Room, 1350 Concourse Ave., Suite 280, Memphis, TN, 38104, United States
So, what is The Mystic? The Mystic is a catalyst; through music, story, silence and dialogue, we hope to strengthen our attachment to hopes and dreams. In the mystic, diversity is a prerequisite for all creativity, which is why Crosstown Concourse is the perfect home. In The Mystic, the world is far-better served by different beliefs than it could ever be if limited by rigid uniformity.
And if this doesn’t rock your gypsy soul, the goal of The Mystic is to not feel better but get better at feeling.

John Németh
2026-10-08 19:30 - 21:00 | Crosstown Arts, The Green Room, 1350 Concourse Ave., Suite 280, Memphis, TN, 38104, United States
John Németh
The Green Room at Crosstown Arts
Thursday, October 8th, 2026
Doors open at 7:00 pm | Show starts at 7:30 pm
$25 in advance (plus fees) | $30 at the door
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

John Németh is a showman, songwriter, vocalist, harmonica player and award winning recording artist. Steeped in the blues, Németh is mentored by Gene Harris, Elvin Bishop, Gary Nicholson, Junior Watson and Anson Funderburgh. He is a Grammy-nominated and six time BMA (Blues Music Award) winner in the categories of artist, album, vocalist and instrumentalist of the year. Németh has been making a living with his talents since the age of sixteen, delighting audiences around the world. He has released eight critically acclaimed studio albums, three live albums and guest performed on albums with James Cotton, Joe Bonamassa, and Elvin Bishop.

Famed blues journalist and Muddy Water’s guitarist Bob Marglolin said “I remember telling friends up North in ’80 that they should go see Stevie Ray Vaughan, but they weren’t impressed because he wasn’t famous yet. It will give me great pleasure to say, ‘I told you so!’ about John Németh. You’ll see.” ~Blues Review Magazine

Caroline Davis: Solo
2026-10-09 19:30 - 22:00 | Crosstown Arts, The Green Room, 1350 Concourse Ave., Suite 280, Memphis, TN, 38104, United States
Caroline Davis: Solo
The Green Room at Crosstown Arts
Friday, October 9th, 2026
Doors open at 7:00 PM | Show starts at 7:30 PM
$20 in advance (plus fees) | $30 at the door
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Caroline Davis explores sonic textures offered by interactive technologies, sharing sounds from the saxophone that she considers to be distinctive and quirky. Her solo performances are chosen spontaneously, given the atmosphere of the room and the people present.
She makes use of Pure Data patches developed by the open sources community surrounding the Organelle (the technobear, shreeswifty, critterandguitari, tony j morton, nobuyasu sakonda, soxsa, varicela, nicky-system, samesimilar, and chrisk).
The music during this performance will pull from Caroline’s recent solo album, Fallows, created during a time of rest on land in Ucross, Wyoming. Bell hooks was a constant source of inspiration during this time, through the following ideas: love as a practice of freedom, radical openness, maintenance of commitment, using community as a means of escape, belief in one’s capacity to transform, what it means to listen, and eliminating elimination.

Caroline Davis is a Brooklyn-based saxophonist, composer, and activist, whose work is driven by a desire for connection and a belief in music’s capacity to expand listeners’ ears, minds, and hearts. A 2025 Guggenheim Fellow in Composition, she is the recipient of the DownBeat Critics Poll Alto Saxophone Rising Star Award, as well as fellowships from NYFA, the Jerome Foundation, Chamber Music America, and the Foundation for Contemporary Arts. Her residencies include MacDowell, The Jazz Gallery, Civitella, and the Rockefeller Estate, and she has served as a mentor for New Music USA’s Next Jazz Legacy program.
Davis’s work spans a wide range of creative contexts, rooted in improvisation and social inquiry. She has released eight albums as a leader and collaborated with artists such as Allison Miller, Lee Konitz, John Zorn, Angelica Sanchez, The Femme Jam, Miles Okazaki, Nicole Mitchell, Rajna Swaminathan, and Matt Mitchell. Her most recent release, Portals, explores themes of grief and memory, and she is also a contributor to Terri Lyne Carrington’s New Standards, a landmark collection of jazz compositions by female-identifying composers.
In addition to her work as a performer and composer, Davis is a dedicated educator, teaching courses on gender in jazz at The New School and maintaining a private studio at the Manhattan School of Music. Her artistic practice is deeply intertwined with advocacy, including work for gender equity through This Is A Movement, and for current and formerly incarcerated individuals through initiatives such as Justice for Keith LaMar, Freer Records, Keys Beats Bars, and Creative Beyond Incarceration.

Folk All Y'all: Roberta Lea
2026-10-10 19:30 - 21:00 | Crosstown Arts, The Green Room, 1350 Concourse Ave., Suite 280, Memphis, TN, 38104, United States
Folk All Y’all: Roberta Lea
The Green Room at Crosstown Arts
Saturday, October 10th, 2026
Doors open at 7:00 pm | Show begins at 7:30 pm
Tickets $20
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE
American Songwriter Magazine describes Roberta Lea (she/her) as “a compelling artist” while The Nashville Scene praises her ability to “score hits with her catchy, textured and beautifully sung originals.” The award-winning singer/songwriter released her debut album “Too Much of a Woman” to critical acclaim and punctuated her presence in the industry with a coast-to-coast tour.
Described as “country-neo-pop” with a “delicious, folky flare”, the Virginia native is known as a powerful songwriter and engaging storyteller. Listeners turned fans describe her style as one that fits comfortably between Shania Twain’s fun and catchy pop-country singles and Tracy Chapman’s heavy-weight, cinematic chokeholds.
As a touring member of The Black Opry, one of CMT’s Next Women of Country, and a voting member of The Recording Academy, Lea’s star continues to rise and we’re so excited to watch her shine!

Strictly Jazz: The Music of Dinah Washington ft. Michaelyn Oby
2026-10-11 18:00 - 20:00 | Crosstown Arts, The Green Room, 1350 Concourse Ave., Suite 280, Memphis, TN, 38104, United States
Strictly Jazz: The Music of Dinah Washington ft. Michaelyn Oby
The Green Room at Crosstown Arts
Sunday, October 11, 2026
Doors open at 5:30 pm | Show begins at 6:00 pm
$20 in advance (plus fees) | $30 at the door
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Join us for October’s installment of Strictly Jazz Entertainment’s “Strictly Jazz” Series as Chicago-based vocalist Michaelyn Oby presents the music of Dinah Washington!

MICHAELYN OBY
Michaelyn Oby is a sultry princess with a voice reminiscent of those legends of old. She exemplifies the elegance and eloquence of a golden era, while bridging the new soul movement of her fellow contemporaries, with a transcending grace rarely found within those artists of today.
A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she was born to accomplished musicians Michael and Joyce Oby. Relocated to Memphis, Michaelyn began singing at an early age gaining the title as “the little girl with the big voice.” She graced the Memphis Jazz scene as house vocalist for The Sax on Sunday Jazz Jam, where she was featured on WUMR’s 91.7 Jazz Hot Spot. Immediately after, Michaelyn was singing every week on the historic Beale Street at The King’s Palace Café, the only jazz dinner club on the strip.
In 2019, Michaelyn relocated to Chicago, IL, and is proud to call this great city her new home. For several years she performed while cruising up and down The Mississippi River and its tributaries on the American Queen Steamboat as one of its featured/Guest Entertainers. She is especially excited to add her extensive musical repertoire two solo shows “Feeling Good” and “Lady Sings Ms.Ross: A Tribute to Diana Ross” where she pays homage to those influential artists and genres she has grown to love.
ABOUT DINAH WASHINGTON

Dinah Washington was an American singer and pianist, one of the most popular Black female recording artists of the 1950s. Primarily a jazz vocalist, she performed and recorded in a wide variety of styles including blues, R&B, and traditional pop music, and gave herself the title of “Queen of the Blues”. She was also known as “Queen of the Jukeboxes”. She was a 1986 inductee of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.

Jazz Jam Session: Hosted by Victor Sawyer
2026-10-13 19:30 - 22:00 | Crosstown Arts The Green Room
Jazz Jam Session: Hosted by Victor Sawyer
The Green Room @ Crosstown Arts
Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Doors open at 7 pm | Show begins at 7:30 pm
Tickets $7 (plus fees) | Free for participants
PURCHASE TICKETS HER
The Green Room Jazz Jam is a monthly, interactive music event hosted by Victor Sawyer. Young up-and-coming musicians and local jazz veterans alike join together for spontaneous music making, sharing the stage as they tackle the expansive body of repertoire found within the jazz idiom. The Green Room Jazz Jam strives to provide an inclusive and collaborative environment where jazz musicians of all ages and backgrounds may perform, network, and interact together in the interest of further fostering Memphis’ diverse music scene.

Deb Swiney: "You Taught My Heart To Sing" Album Release Show
2026-10-16 19:30 - 21:00 | Crosstown Arts, The Green Room, 1350 Concourse Ave., Suite 280, Memphis, TN, 38104, United States
Deb Swiney: “You Taught My Heart To Sing” Album Release Show
The Green Room at Crosstown Arts
Friday, October 16th, 2026
Doors open at 7:00 pm | Show starts at 7:30 pm
$20 in advance (plus fees) | $30 at the door
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Celebrate the highly anticipated album release concert from soulful jazz vocalist Deborah Swiney at The Green Room! On this special evening, Swiney takes the stage to debut her brand-new record, You Taught My Heart to Sing, produced by the legendary Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers alumnus and master producer, Donald Brown. Known for her rich, Sarah Vaughan-esque depth and captivating storytelling, Swiney will lead an extraordinary band of legendary musicians for a night of world-class jazz.

From her roots in Memphis gospel to touring the world as a backing vocalist for Al Green, Swiney has established herself as a vocalist dedicated to keeping the elegant tradition of classic jazz alive. Sparked from her passion for jazz, Deborah founded Sunset Jazz at Court Square, an annual jazz concert series established in 2018.

Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to experience the magic of the new album live in our intimate listening room. Grab your tickets early—this is a must-attend event.

MDR Showcase feat. visuals by the Memphis Chroma Collective
2026-10-17 19:30 - 21:30 | Crosstown Arts, The Green Room, 1350 Concourse Ave., Suite 280, Memphis, TN, 38104, United States
MDR Showcase feat. visuals by the Memphis Chroma Collective
The Green Room at Crosstown Arts
Saturday, October 17th, 2026
Doors open at 7:00 pm | Show begins at 7:30 pm
$12 in advance (plus fees) | $15 at the door
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Saturday Oct 17, The Crosstown Arts Green Room will be transformed into an audiovisual experience like nothing else- This event will highlight some of the city’s most exciting musical and visual artists all in one room, for a one-time event that is not to be missed!

Machine Duplication Recordings artist showcase featuring bands on the local tape label: General Labor, Missed Dunks at Summer League, and Carry Ripple

Performances will be accompanied by live, immersive visuals by members of the Memphis Chroma Collective, including Infinity Stairs, Kid Maestro, Whimsyhaus, Handicrafts, and more!

Memphis Jazz Orchestra featuring Terell Stafford
2026-10-23 19:30 - 21:00 | Crosstown Arts, The Green Room, 1350 Concourse Ave., Suite 280, Memphis, TN, 38104, United States
Memphis Jazz Orchestra featuring Terell Stafford
The Green Room at Crosstown Arts
Friday, October 23rd, 2026
Doors open at 7:00 PM | Show starts at 7:30 PM
$25 in advance (plus fees) | $35 at the door
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Join Memphis Jazz Orchestra for a special one-night-only performance with GRAMMY®-Nominated trumpeter, bandleader, and educator Terell Stafford!

ABOUT TERELL STAFFORD
Terell Stafford, acclaimed trumpet player based in New York, has been hailed as “one of the great players of our time, a fabulous trumpet player” by piano legend McCoy Tyner. Stafford is recognized as an incredibly gifted and versatile player, he combines a deep love of melody with his own brand of spirited and adventurous lyricism. Stafford’s exceptionally expressive and well defined musical talent allows him to dance in and around the rich trumpet tradition of his predecessors while making his own inroads.
Stafford has been an integral member in bands led by esteemed artists such as Cedar Walton, Sadao Watanabe, Herbie Mann, and Matt Wilson. Stafford has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Rosie O’Donnell Show, and You Bet your Life. Stafford can be heard along with Bobby Watson on the soundtrack for the feature film A Bronx Tale and in the documentary Treme: Untold Story of Black New Orleans. Stafford has performed as a guest artist with the Billy Taylor Trio on National Public Radio’s Billy Taylor’s Jazz at the Kennedy Center.

Stafford is the Director of Jazz Studies and Chair of Instrumental Studies at Temple University, founder and band leader of the Terell Stafford Quintet, and Managing and Artistic Director of the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia (JOP). Stafford is renowned in the jazz world as an educator, performer and leader and has received countless award nominations and accolades.

Garrison Starr with Kristy Lee
2026-10-24 19:30 - 21:00 | Crosstown Arts, The Green Room, 1350 Concourse Ave., Suite 280, Memphis, TN, 38104, United States
Garrison Starr with Kristy Lee
The Green Room at Crosstown Arts
Saturday, October 24th, 2026
Doors open at 7:00 pm | Show begins at 7:30 pm
$35 in advance (plus fees) | $45 at the door
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Grammy-nominated record producer Garrison Starr returns to the Green Room for her album release tour! Joining Starr is Alabama-born musician Kristy Lee.

Garrison Starr is the quintessential musical triple-threat, singer, songwriter, Grammy-nominated record producer, and her soon-to-be-released latest full-length album, Garrison Starr and The Gospel Truth, reveals her at the height of her powers.
Starr calls the new collection of songs, “Swamp Gospel Hymns for Humans,” the next chapter in her story of recovery and healing from her Evangelical Christian upbringing. Her previous album, “Girl I Used To Be,” released during the pandemic in March 2021, launched her exploration of deconstruction on the path towards self-love and forgiveness. “Girl I Used To Be” is the story of saying goodbye to what was, and The Gospel Truth is the story of the journey over the bridge to freedom.
Kristy Lee isn’t just a performer — she’s a weather system.
With a voice that can hush a room one moment and shake the walls the next, she’s built a reputation for leaving audiences both wrung out and lit up.
Born on the Gulf Coast and raised on grit, gospel, and a fierce streak of independence, Kristy’s songs carry the salt of the sea and the smoke of late-night dives.
On stage, she’s all-in, every time — no half measures, no autopilot. Every show feels like the most important one yet, because in her world, it is.

Whether she’s commanding a festival stage, breaking hearts in a packed listening room, or turning a living room into a sanctuary, Kristy delivers music the way it was meant to be felt: raw, soulful, and unforgettable.
