3 of the best Jazz Musicians in Oklahoma City in 2018

Oklahoma City’s Jazz Scene has a rich history and lots of buzz right now. Here’s why audiences are swingin’ through like crazy, and a little info on some of OKC’s top jazz musicians.

The Jeremy Thomas Quartet

Jeremy Thomas has led a killer quartet for years. The musicians have rotated, but Jeremy consistently brings one of the tightest group of improvisers in town.

Jeremy Thomas himself is an instrumentalist with an impressive track record. JT has toured with the likes of Joey DeFrancisco and Dave Sanborn on drums, and headlined prestigious venues in NYC behind the Hammond B3 Organ.

Jeremy has a lot of musical friends. Lately, he’s been playing alongside cats like Clayton Roffey (guitar), Willie Lee Peterson Jr. (drums), and local legend Lee Rucker (trumpet).

The Adam Ledbetter Trio

The Adam Ledbetter Trio is a new group with an established jazz front-man. Adam is a piano maven and one of the most respected musical personalities in the 405.

The triumvirate consists of the classic jazz trio setup (piano-drums-bass), and Adam is usually performing with his musical brothers Jemar Poteat and Kanga Mundende.

The Adam Ledbetter Trio is a regular at Saints Sessions, where they highlight iconic artists, records, and history from the jazz tradition.

Grant Goldstein

Guitarist Grant Goldstein is an Oklahoma jazz giant because of his attention to detail in the music. Other musicians praise him for how he finds tunes outside of the standards currently circulating in the scene, and how he rearranges standards to make them fresh and different.

Grant followed his degree at UCO with a Masters Degree at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music. In New York, Grant played big-time venues from Smalls Jazz Club in Greenwich Village to Carnegie Hall. Grant can be caught mentoring journeyman musicians at UCO, but you really want to catch him on the bandstand.

That’s just a start. There are so many great cats on the scene right now. The best way to get acquainted is to get out and hear them play! Check out the OkSessions Calendar for music throughout OKC, and check the calendar below for upcoming jazz shows.

may, 2025

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