As solo artists, rapper Ja Rule and R&B singer Ashanti have always generated plenty of heat. But major sparks ignite when they collaborate in the studio and on the stage. It all started with their instant mega-hit “Always on Time,” which cemented their status as radio royalty in the early 2000s. Then came other iconic hip hop duets, like “Mesmerize,” with its Grease-parody music video, and “Livin’ It Up,” featuring that classic sample of Stevie Wonder’s “Do I Do.” Join us for a night of your favorite jams with these chart-topping superstars.

Performance is part of week-long eMeLe-K, “an Afro-Latin thing for Martin Luther King” series

Multiple GRAMMY® Nominee and Guggenheim and MacArthur Fellow Miguel Zenón presents Jazz at Teatro LATEA (eMeLe-K edition) with special guest pianist Gerald Clayton on Sunday, January 12. Curated and conceived by Zenón, this series takes place at LATEA (Latin American Theater Experiment Associates), a New York City performing arts theater not for profit that has been a Latino cultural staple for over 30 years. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for a 7 p.m. show. General admission is $20, $15 for students and seniors with ID.

Grooves At The Westin presents Guitar Legend Ray Parker Jr. in concert Saturday January 18th 2020

featuring special guest pianist Kevin Toney

Acclaimed Japanese-born pianist Yoko Miwa returns to Birdland Theater, 315 West 44^thSt., New York City, with her trio on Thursday, January 30. Joining Miwa will be bassist Will Slater and drummer Scott Goulding.

Keep Talkin’, the latest trio album by Miwa, documents a pianist and composer operating at the peak of her powers. Critics and fans alike agree – DownBeat gave it 4 stars and cited it as one of 2019’s best albums of the year, and the album hit #4 on nationwide jazz radio charts.  Reviews of Keep Talkin’ have been decidedly enthusiastic. JazzTimes praised Miwa’s “jaw-dropping degree of technique.” Robbie Gerson in Audiophile Audition gave it five stars and said “Keep Talkin’ represents jazz at its finest.” Other recent accolades for the trio include being named Jazz Artist of the Year in the 2019 Boston Music Awards.