Eric Johnson and Mike Stern, Roy Hargrove Big Band and More Join Blue Note's Aug 2013 Lineup

Blue Note Jazz Club, the iconic Greenwich Village jazz and blues venue that offers live musical performances every night of the week, announces new shows added to its August lineup.

Each performer is scheduled for two shows per night, 8:00 pm and 10:30 pm, unless otherwise noted. Doors open at 6:00 pm and reservations are strongly suggested. Tickets are $20 at the bar, $35 for table reservations unless otherwise noted.

Eric Johnson, a premier contemporary guitarist, and Mike Stern, one of the premier jazz and jazz-fusion guitarists, will take the stage together at Blue Note from August 13 - 18th. Eric Johnson is a gifted songwriter, dynamic live performer, pianist, song interpreter and creator of a rich and diverse musical legacy. Johnson has received one GRAMMY and five GRAMMY Nominations. Mike Stern, whose career spans three decades and a discography that includes more than a dozen eclectic and innovative recordings is a six-time GRAMMY nominee and has established himself as one of the premier jazz and jazz-fusion guitarists and composers of his generation. Stern has partnered with numerous musicians as well as establishing his own group. These two musicians are sure to hit the ground running throughout the week with their show, "Eclectic Guitars."

Trumpet player Roy Hargrove, who has proven to be an adventurous and wide-ranging artist, will be performing at Blue Note on August 20 - 25th, along with his Big Band and special guest Roberta Gambarini. Hargrove's Big Band planted its seeds at a not-for-profit performance in lower Manhattan, an experience that has proved invaluable for both Hargrove and the musicians who participated. Hargrove will perform with Roberta Gambarini, a frequent collaborator who also recently enjoyed a GRAMMY nomination for her 2009 album 'So In Love." Performances on August 20, 21 22 and 25th are $20 at the bar, $35 for table reservations, while Friday & Saturdayshows on August 23rd & 24th are $25 at the bar and $45 for table reservations.

Roy Ayers will close out the August lineup at Blue Note from August 27th - September 1st. Vibraphonist and vocalist Roy Ayers is among the best-known, most loved, and respected jazz and R & B artists in the music scene today. He continues to bridge the gap between generations of music lovers. Ayers, who enjoyed a musical upbringing, playing with local performers in the Los Angeles area, has joined jazz flutist Herbie Mann's quartet and recorded with Mann for four years, a period that included the release of the flutist's smash hit LP Memphis Underground. Ayers then headed to the big apple, where he quickly formed his own band, Ubiquity, an R & B and jazz-rock outfit with constantly - shifting roster of musicians. He remains a pop culture hero, as music industry heavyweights like Mary J. Blige, Erykah Badu, 50 Cent, A Tribe Called Quest, Will Downing and Talib Kweli seek him out for collaborations.

There will be two performances every Monday in August. Doors will open at 6:00PM and the shows begin at 8:00pm and 10:30pm. Tickets are $10 at the bar and $15 table reservations.

- August 19 - Liberation Prophecy: Featuring Jacob Duncan on saxophone, Craig Wagner on guitar, Chris Fortner on trombone, Chris Fitzgerald on bass, Michael Hyman on drums, Kris Eans on trumpet, Steve Good as tenor and bass clarinet, and Carly Johnson's vocals, this free-spirited band appears at Blue Note in NYC straight from its hometown of Louisiana.

- August 26 - Lakecia Benjamin: Saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin is a dynamic performer who has become one of the most highly sought-after players in soul and funk music. She has worked with Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, The Roots, and Macy Gray, to name a few, and her extensive recording credits include Saxophone and arrangements for Santigold, Maurice Brown, the Clark Terry Big Bang, Krystle Warren and Talib Kweli.

Late Night Groove Series - Blue Note Jazz Club hosts two late night shows on Friday and Saturday nights. The doors open at12:00am and the show begins at 12:30am. Tickets are $10 both at the bar and at a table unless otherwise noted.

- August 16 - Darren Lyons

- August 17 - Sam Kinninger

- August 23 - Nick Sample - Drop it Roxy

- August 24 - Akim Funk Buddah

- August 30 - The Fuzz Band

- August 31- Al MacDowell's Quartet w/ Jay Rodriguez

August's Brazilian Sunday Brunch Series - This month, Blue Note heats up its regular Sunday Brunch Series with a Brazilian theme, featuring an outstanding presentation of Brazilian music, food and drink. Each Sunday in August, a Brazilian musician will take the stage, complementing the Brazilian specialties including feijoada, a hearty stew that is one of Brazil's national dishes, and batidas, a classic cachaca cocktail. Performers will include the Hiromi Suda Sextet (a CD Release Show); the Vic Juris Brazilian Band;Amanda Ruzza; and Nanny Assis & Group. Sunday Brunch at Blue Note is $29.50 per person every week and includes a live performance, brunch, and a cocktail. There are two shows (12:30PM and 2:30PM), and doors open at 11:30AM.