UPCOMING SHOWS

MJC x Jazz Music-In-Action Presents: Back-To-School Bash Jam Session!
Aug
24

MJC x Jazz Music-In-Action Presents: Back-To-School Bash Jam Session!

The Miami Jazz Cooperative is back in full swing, and we’re kicking things off with a Back-to-School Bash like no other! We’re bringing together beloved MJC staples like Matt Wigler and Gary Keller, alongside fresh talent such as Claudens Louis and Mikailo Kasha, for an unforgettable evening of music.

Professional musicians and students alike are invited to join us onstage for an open jam session that will keep the energy soaring. We’re thrilled to return to the Westchester Cultural Arts Center, and even more excited about our continued partnership with Miami-Dade County and the Roxy Theatre Group to make this community celebration possible.

Sunday, August 24th @ The Westchester Cultural Arts Center

7930 Southwest 40th Street, Miami, FL 33155

Doors - 4:30pm, Show - 5:00pm-6:30pm

Tickets: $30 for General Admission, Free Entry for Students and Jamming Musicians. Beverages and light bites will be available for purchase.

House Band:

Matt Wigler, piano

Jim Gasior, piano

Gary Keller, saxophone

Claudens Louis, saxophone

Mikailo Kasha, bass

Gabriel Landa, drums

Jon Ziegler, drums

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Musical Vizcaya | Jazz Night featuring Mikailo Kasha
Aug
22

Musical Vizcaya | Jazz Night featuring Mikailo Kasha

One Night Only: Experience a magical jazz evening at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

Join us for Musical Vizcaya: Jazz Night, an unforgettable night of live music with award-winning bassist Mikailo Kasha and his powerhouse quartet featuring pianist Connor Rohrer, guitarist Diego Melgar, and drummer Jonathan Ziegler.

Set against the stunning backdrop of Vizcaya’s historic Main House, this soulful evening features a mix of jazz standards and an exclusive original piece composed for this performance.

Whether you're a lifelong jazz lover or just looking for a unique night out, this is a night not to miss.

Scheduled Program

  • 6:00 p.m. | Doors Open

  • 7:30 p.m. | Performance (60 minutes)

PERSONNEL

Mikailo Kasha, bass

Diego Melgar, guitar

Connor Rohrer, piano

Jonathan Ziegler, drums

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Dayna Stephens’ Intertwined @Stanford Jazz Festival
Jul
30

Dayna Stephens’ Intertwined @Stanford Jazz Festival

Renowned saxophonist Dayna Stephens is back with his fresh quartet for a sizzling live set. Featuring inventive takes on classic standards and fresh originals, Stephens and his killer band deliver a performance that ignites the stage with unbridled energy.

A DownBeat Rising Star, saxophonist Dayna Stephens is celebrated for his warm, lyrical tone and innovative approach to harmony and rhythm. Sought after by jazz greats including Eric Harland, Brad Mehldau, Fred Hersch, and Wayne Shorter, Stephens brings his extraordinary quartet to the stage for an intimate evening of compelling original compositions and inspired improvisation.

With a deep commitment to melodic storytelling, Stephens explores the singable and unexpected, crafting lines that push traditional harmonic boundaries while remaining soulful and deeply expressive. His music has resonated in the world’s top jazz venues, from Village Vanguard and Blue Note Jazz Club to SFJAZZ and Philharmonie de Paris.

A master of rhythmic dialogue, Stephens thrives on interplay, drawing inspiration from his many collaborations with legendary drummers such as Al Foster, Billy Hart, Brian Blade, and Jeff “Tain” Watts. This performance promises a dynamic, heartfelt, and unforgettable night of firebrand virtuosity.

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An Evening with Victor Lin: Music of Studio Ghibli @Stanford Jazz Festival
Jul
17

An Evening with Victor Lin: Music of Studio Ghibli @Stanford Jazz Festival

Victor Lin leads a jazz-infused tribute to Studio Ghibli, blending lyrical beauty and inventive improvisation in a captivating fusion of anime nostalgia and musical artistry.

Join Stanford Jazz Workshop favorite Victor Lin for a mesmerizing evening as he reimagines the iconic music of Studio Ghibli through the lens of jazz piano and violin. If the sight of Totoro instantly brings to mind a Joe Hisaishi melody, you already understand the profound connection between anime and its unforgettable music. Lin and his handpicked ensemble of exceptional jazz artists will bring these beloved scores to life with imaginative improvisation, rich harmonies, and boundless creativity.

Blending nostalgia with innovation, Lin’s reinterpretations breathe new energy into Hisaishi’s timeless compositions, making for a dynamic, immersive, and deeply heartfelt musical experience. Whether you’re a longtime anime fan or a lover of great music, this performance promises to be an exciting and unforgettable journey through the soundscapes of Studio Ghibli and beyond.

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Luther Allison Sextet @Stanford Jazz Festival
Jul
15

Luther Allison Sextet @Stanford Jazz Festival

PERSONNEL

Luther Allison, piano & drums

Markus Howell, saxophone

Noah Simpson, trumpet

Kilan Thorns, trombone

Jordan Anderson, piano

Mikailo Kasha, bass

Cory Cox, drums

Experience the boundary-pushing artistry of Luther S. Allison, a Grammy-winning pianist, composer, and bandleader whose dynamic sextet brings high-energy, forward-thinking jazz to the stage. Blending deep jazz foundations with modern originality, Allison’s music is bold, expressive, and electrifying, celebrating both tradition and innovation. His critically acclaimed new release showcases his unique approach—where intricate compositions, inspired improvisation, and rhythmic power converge to create a captivating, contemporary jazz experience.

A versatile force in the jazz world, Allison is equally adept as a pianist, drummer, and educator, performing nationally and internationally as both a leader and a sought-after sideman. He has shared the stage with an impressive roster of artists, including Etienne Charles, Jazzmeia Horn, Samara Joy, Rodney Whitaker, and Ulysses Owens Jr. Raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, he discovered jazz through the Jazz Arts Initiative, where he performed alongside Donald Harrison and Delfeayo Marsalis before pursuing his studies at the University of Tennessee and later Michigan State University.

Don’t miss this thrilling performance, where high-powered ensemble interplay, vibrant compositions, and cutting-edge improvisation come together to redefine contemporary piano jazz.

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Mikailo Kasha Plays Ray Brown’s “Don’t Get Sassy” @ SFJAZZ
May
15
to May 16

Mikailo Kasha Plays Ray Brown’s “Don’t Get Sassy” @ SFJAZZ

Described by trumpeter and Count Basie Orchestra director Scotty Barnhart as “in the top 1% of bassists worldwide,” the acclaimed bassist and former SFJAZZ High School All-Stars member Mikailo Kasha honors bass legend Ray Brown and his 1994 Telarc trio album Don't Get Sassy.

A pioneering musician who was foundational to the development of bebop, Ray Brown is best known for his work with Oscar Peterson’s iconic trio and with Ella Fitzgerald in addition to his later career as a bandleader over his six decades in music.

He had lengthy associations with Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Carter, Barney Kessel, and the L.A. Four, and released dozens of albums under his own name.

In the late 1980s, Brown began a fruitful relationship with Telarc Records that saw the release of 21 albums over 24 years including his 1994 trio date Don't Get Sassy, his fifth date for the label.

Joined by Berkeley-raised pianist Benny Green and veteran drummer Jeff Hamilton, Brown brings a bone-deep command and youthful energy to the masterful program of standards including a medley of Duke Ellington classics, Sachal Distel's 1962 pop gem "The Good Life" (popularized by Tony Bennett), and a standout version of the Thad Jones title composition, as well as Brown's own contribution "Brown's New Blues."  

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