About Next-Gen Jazz
Next-Gen Jazz is informed by framings of jazz as a “shape,” something constantly in flux and a guiding force across the nation’s cultural landscape. Jazz is always in motion and Next-Gen artists are driving the shape of jazz today, each in their own way.
Founded earlier this year by Ethan DiPietro , Next-Gen Jazz is a collective of musicians, students, and educators dedicated to building community and supporting emerging voices in jazz. Through workshops, discussions, and performances, Next-Gen Jazz produces an event series that embraces the resilience, innovation, and transformative power of jazz. Past partners have included BRIC, Jazz Generations Initiative, and the Center for Jazz Studies at Columbia University.
At its core are rising musicians engaging with jazz as an ethos of creativity and freedom, exploring its layered histories through boundary-pushing expressions.
Emerging Composers Night: Festival Artists
Click on each artist’s profile to read their bio.
Akili Bradley
Described as “on [her] way to becoming a jazz staple” and “a young musician to keep abreast of” by Ron Scott of New York Amsterdam News, Akili is a trumpeter and composer making a steady and impactful mark on the New York jazz scene. A native of Seaside, California, her sound is a dynamic blend of deep jazz tradition and bold, contemporary innovation. She has performed at some of the most iconic venues, including The Village Vanguard, Dizzy’s Club, Smalls Jazz Club, and The Jazz Gallery, and has worked with artists such as Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jason Moran, Dezron Douglas, Johnathan Blake, Steve Wilson, and Stacy Dillard. As a bandleader, Akili presents original music rooted in storytelling, groove, and melodic clarity. She led her own group at the Monterey Jazz Festival in 2018 and continues to perform regularly across NYC, including appearances at The Django and Café Bohemia. Most recently, she was featured in the 2025 Duck Creek Arts Center Summer Music Series, performing a full set of original compositions.
Dylan Smith
Dylan K. Smith, a musician driven by a passionate love for jazz, vibraphone, composition, production, and hip-hop, gracefully explores a broad spectrum of musical genres. From Augusta, Georgia, he unapologetically and authentically embraces his multifaceted talents. He is a New York University graduate and currently pursuing a master’s degree in Jazz Studies at the Manhattan School of Music. Dylan endeavors to use his education to contribute to the art of music, aiming to encapsulate the rich essence of black music and the profound beauty of the black experience in America. Dylan has been blessed with numerous sacred moments within the music community. In 2018 and 2019, he had the honor of playing in Wycliffe Gordon’s Big Band/Jazz Ensemble. In the summer of 2023, Dylan was fortunate enough to tour with the Third Street Collective in Costa Rica. Later in that same year, he released an independent debut album which he composed, performed, and produced. Dylan has been fortunate enough to work with many jazz legends such as, Dezron Douglas, Lenny White, Tony Moreno, Stacy Dillard, Billy Drummond, and countless others.
Gary Jones III
Gary Jones III is an emerging drummer, composer and bandleader based in New York City. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Gary began his journey on the drums at the age of 4 with his musical roots developing from Gospel music. Gary attended the prestigious Cleveland School of the Arts high school. At the age of 18 Gary performed with Terrance Blanchard at the Tri C Jazz Festival sparking a pivotal moment in his rising career. Fast forwarding to today, Gary has completed his undergraduate in Jazz Studies/Composition at the New School. He has expanded vastly as an artist in the music scene. Gary has performed and collaborated with many notable musicians including Jason Moran, Reggie Workman, William Parker, Sullivan Fortner, Joel Ross, and many more. Gary plays all around NYC with his Quintet. Gary embodies a sonic creative individuality, bringing forth a fearless yet sincere contemporary sound. His mission is to provide nourishment to the community and bring people together through the power and love of music.
Guillermo López
Guillermo López is a New York City–based bassist, composer, and educator originally from El Paso, Texas. Equally at home on double bass and electric bass, he performs across a wide range of styles including jazz, fusion, Latin, blues, and R&B. A graduate of the University of North Texas, Guillermo earned his master’s degree from the Juilliard School, where he was also selected as a member of the prestigious Artist Diploma Ensemble. He is the recipient of the International Society of Bassists’ Scott LaFaro Prize, one of the most distinguished honors in jazz bass performance. Guillermo has performed internationally in nine countries and has appeared at renowned venues including Carnegie Hall, Royal Concertgebouw, and Jazz at Lincoln Center. His performance credits include collaborations with acclaimed artists such as Kurt Elling, Dianne Reeves, Sean Jones, and Wycliffe Gordon. As a performer and educator, Guillermo continues to establish himself as one of the leading young bassists on today’s jazz scene.
Idris Frederick
Idris Frederick is a distinguished contemporary jazz pianist, renowned for his innovative approach and masterful technique that blends traditional jazz elements with modern influences. Drawing inspiration from legendary jazz figures and classical composers, Idris creates a rich tapestry of sound that captivates audiences around the globe. With a career that has taken him on extensive tours, Idris has performed alongside multiple Grammy-nominated and award-winning artists, showcasing his exceptional talent in prestigious venues and festivals worldwide. Idris’s upcoming release, “Eternal Reflections,” marks a significant milestone in his artistic journey. This highly anticipated project promises to further highlight his unique voice and vision, seamlessly weaving influences from across genres while maintaining the improvisational spirit that defines jazz. In a world where jazz is constantly redefined, Idris Frederick stands at the forefront, embodying the spirit of innovation while honoring the rich legacy of the genre. His commitment to artistic exploration and excellence ensures that he will remain a vital force in contemporary jazz for years to come.
Jack Kuelling
Jack Kuelling is an NYC based guitarist, composer, session musician, and educator originally from Denver, Colorado. Known for his modern jazz sensibility, deep improvisational language, and technical command, Kuelling’s work blends harmonic depth with melodic clarity and responsive nuance. A recipient of the Jimi Hendrix Scholarship Award at Berklee College of Music, Kuelling studied and performed alongside leading voices in contemporary jazz and improvisation. As an artist and collaborator, Kuelling is active in a wide range of improvisation-forward projects. Kuelling has performed at notable venues and festivals including the Newport Jazz Festival and Telluride Jazz Festival. He leads his own trio which has performed at several venues in Boston and NYC. He co-leads a Colorado based band “Communitas”, which has released two singles, and are shortly anticipating the release of a full length album. He is a member of the co-released EP Mortal Humanity with trumpeter Noah Allen, and appears as a sideman on recordings including Reset (John Lockwood, Phil Grenadier, Jake Rosenkalt), among many others.
Julian Frazier
Julian Frazier is a professional drummer and musician, now studying as a sophomore at Berklee College of Music. He has been playing drums since the young age of 1 and has loved it ever since. Julian was fortunate enough to be the 2023 YoungArts Honorable Mention. He was also selected to be a part of the 2023 and 2024 Herbie Hancock institute of jazz Peer to Peer group going on tour with Don Braden and Lisa Henry going to Arkansas. He was also the first junior drummer to be ever selected for the tour. He has been fortunate enough to play with Grammy award winning musicians such as Button Masher, Sean Jones, Terell Stafford, Brent Birckhead, and Gretchen Parlato. He has been teaching kids for 4 years and loves teaching and finding out new and interesting ways to keep his students engaged.
Keenyn Omari
Keenyn Omari, a multi-instrumentalist and producer born in Miami and raised in Atlanta, specializes in making the flute resonate like no other. Currently based in New York City, Keenyn’s music is dedicated to healing listeners on spiritual, mental, and physical levels. He has performed alongside notable artists such as BadBadNotGood, Melanie Charles, Cleo Reed, LionBabe, Solange and many more.
Kevin Oliver, Jr.
Kevin Oliver, Jr. is an Atlanta-born saxophonist and composer based in New York City. A Juilliard graduate, he has shared the stage with Jon Batiste , Delfeayo Marsalis, the Roy Hargrove Big Band, and Endea Owens and the Cookout and leads his own quartet The Kevin Oliver, Jr. Group. He was a part of the inaugural year of NYO Jazz directed by Sean Jones and played concerts at Carnegie Hall and across Europe alongside Dianne Reeves and a big band of some of the brightest young musicians around the country. His debut album, OLIVER , presents original music rooted in tradition and personal storytelling.He is currently developing his second album, Love and Freedom , and continues to grow his voice as an artist committed to spreading love and empathy through his music. He recently completed the Giancarlo DiTrapano Arts Residency in Sezze Romano, Italy. His mission is to cultivate a sound and aesthetic that demonstrates a profound level of creativity, beauty, and meaning.
Nathaniel Coben
Nathaniel Coben is a Brooklyn-based bassist and bandleader. A graduate of Oberlin College where he worked with Gerald Cannon, he has toured with Brandon “Taz” Niederauer, and performed with artists such as Chico Pinheiro, Weedie Braimah, Tyreek McDole, and Harlem Farr. He produces and leads his own projects, drawing inspiration from neo-soul, R&B, gospel, and contemporary jazz, and is an accomplished composer. He is a committed community educator, working with the Brooklyn nonprofit RiseBoro Community Partnership to teach accessible instrumental music, choir, and production classes for young students. Coben frequently hosts inclusive, cross-genre jam sessions that Artist Link brings together musicians across generations and scenes. A BKCM favorite, he was a featured artist in the inaugural Next-Gen Jazz and recently performed at BKCM’s Open Stages. BKCM is incredibly grateful for his support organizing and helping to conceive this Emerging Composer Night event.
Sliding-Scale Tickets
Tickets are available at the link below. To keep the festival accessible for everyone, tickets are available on a sliding-scale basis, with options ranging from $10-$40 and a pay-what-you-wish option for students. Please pay what you are comfortable with – all tickets grant access to the entire festival, from 7-10 pm
