The Uptown Jazz Tentet
Date: Sunday, August 9, 2026
Venue: Birdland Jazz Club, 315 West 44th Street
Price: $35.46-45.76
Category: Jazz
Uptown Jazz Tentet is a ten-piece jazz ensemble collaboratively led by trumpeter Brandon Lee and trombonists Willie Applewhite to hire our friends to create the best music we can. Although several members are contributing writers, the three leaders provide the compositional backbone of the UJT. Between us, there is a commonality of shared influences and experiences. Whats interesting is that this commonality is filtered through three unique lenses of interpretation. We all have a personalized compositional sound, but it all complements each other.The UJTs style is grounded in the traditions of Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Gil Evans, Thad Jones, and many others. With that being said, the ensemble is inclusive of all of the other flavors of the jazz idiom. This is illustrated in Uptown Jazz Tentets debut release, There It Is, and latest release, WhatsNext, which have both enjoyed critical acclaim. Band: Brandon Lee - co-leaderWillie Applewhite - co-leaderJames Burton - co-leader Saxophones: Andrew Gutauskas -alto sax, soprano sax, fluteJohn Ellis - tenor saxRon Blake - bari sax Brass:Brian Pareschi - tpt 1Brandon Lee - tpt 2Willie Applewhite - tbn 1James Burton - tbn 2/bass tbn Rhythm Section:Martha Kato - pnoClovis Nicolas - bassPete Van Nostrand - drums
About This Event
Few experiences rival a live show in New York City. The Uptown Jazz Tentet takes the stage at Birdland Jazz Club on Sunday, August 9. Whether you are a longtime fan or discovering them for the first time, this is the kind of live music moment that makes NYC the music capital of the world. Tickets start at $35.46-45.76, and tickets are available via Ticketmaster. Uptown Jazz Tentet is a ten-piece jazz ensemble collaboratively led by trumpeter Brandon Lee and trombonists Willie Applewhite to hire our friends to create the best music we can. Although several members are contributing writers, the three leaders provide the compositional backbone of the UJT. Between us, there is a commonality of shared influences and experiences. Whats interesting is that this commonality is filtered through three unique lenses of interpretation. We all have a personalized compositional sound, but it all complements each other.The UJTs style is grounded in the traditions of Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Gil Evans, Thad Jones, and many others. With that being said, the ensemble is inclusive of all of the other flavors of the jazz idiom. This is illustrated in Uptown Jazz Tentets debut release, There It Is, and latest release, WhatsNext, which have both enjoyed critical acclaim. Band: Brandon Lee - co-leaderWillie Applewhite - co-leaderJames Burton - co-leader Saxophones: Andrew Gutauskas -alto sax, soprano sax, fluteJohn Ellis - tenor saxRon Blake - bari sax Brass:Brian Pareschi - tpt 1Brandon Lee - tpt 2Willie Applewhite - tbn 1James Burton - tbn 2/bass tbn Rhythm Section:Martha Kato - pnoClovis Nicolas - bassPete Van Nostrand - drums. Planning to make a night of it? Hotels near Birdland Jazz Club fill up fast — especially on weekends. Book early to get the best rates within walking distance of the venue.