2026 Westbeth First Fridays Live Music Calendar

A monthly musical event featuring free live performances by Westbeth musicians and friends.

The Westbeth Artists Residents Council and Westbeth MusicWorks sponsor a free musical event the First Friday of every month at 7pm in the Westbeth Community Room

Westbeth Community Room
155 Bank St (enter through courtyard)
b/w Washington and West Sts
New York, NY

FIRST FRIDAYS 2026

FEB 6TH – VERONICA PARRALES – Cello and JASON MATHENA – percussion
A varied program featuring the works of J.S. Bach, Fredric Chopin, Claude Debussy, Arvo Pärt. Thelonious Monk, Paul Smadbeck, Max Richter, David Lang, Caroline Shaw. Old and New, Classical and Jazz, Rehearsed and Improvised. Link to performance information

MARCH 6TH – VAL HAWK
Jazz composer and singer, Val Hawk performs a collection of her originals. Following in the tradition of the Great American Songbook, Val will have you laughing, crying and tapping your feet, maybe all at once! Birthday Party to follow!

APRIL 3RD  – MARC JACOBY, BOB MALENKY
Marc Jacoby – Elder Bro: Presents a spiritual themed evening of roots music and improvisation complimenting the season of greatest myths ever told! Marc Jacoby-guitar and vox, Michael Moss-assorted horns, Jeff Eldredge-keys, accordion, trumpet, Andreas Brade-percussion, John Menegon-bass, Magic Eric-percussion

Bob Malenky: Folk and Roots music, from American, English, Irish, and Yiddish
song traditions. Bob has learned from and played with, toured and recorded
with blues masters Muddy Waters, Lightnin' Hopkins and Sonny Terry.

MAY 1ST – LEIGH STUART – CELLIST
Cellist Leigh Stuart joins forces with some of her favorite musicians: the inimitable vocalist (and fellow Westbethian), Theo Bleckman, widely-acclaimed jazz vocalist, Melissa Stylianou, and the multi-Grammy award-winning violinist, Zach Brock, to present original compositions and arrangements spanning a range of styles!

JUNE 5TH – BENJI GOLDSMITH
Composer and performer Benji Goldsmith takes the stage for an intimate concert featuring brand-new material from his upcoming album. ” The Day the World Stopped Spinning”. The evening also includes a wide-ranging selection of vocal music, showcasing Goldsmith’s signature blend of storytelling, lyricism, and emotional immediacy.

JULY 10TH – THE MIZELL, SANWALD, BRADE TRIO
Celebrating their newest release, recorded in November 2025, and will be released in the spring of 2026. The Trio’s newest composition will be performed adding a string trio. Taking their Americana Jazz works and adding a more classical approach to it. We are thrilled to bring this intimate music into this intimate setting.

AUGUST 7th TERI ROIGER / JOHN MENEGON
“Bassist John Menegon presents Trio Essence, a collaborative group featuring guitarist Pete Smith and drummer Matt Garrity, celebrating a new recording of their original compositions. Teri Roiger, vocalist and pianist, joins the trio bringing her knowledge, appreciation, and deep love for the artistry of iconic jazz artists such as Billie Holiday, Abbey Lincoln, Billy Strayhorn, and Thelonious Monk in a celebration of The Great American Songbook as well as original compositions!  And join us in celebrating John’s birthday!” 

SEPTEMBER 11TH – EVE ZANNI
“Angels & Ancestors”…Jazz vocalist & songwriter performs original compositions, jazz standards, songs from ancestral stories and traditions with The Isaac Raz Trio, special guests The Bliss Singers, followed by The Jazz Cabaret Open Mic.

OCTOBER 2ND – MARYA ZIMMET and ALEXIS COLE
Two Westbeth vocalists share the bill for an evening of smart songwriting, adventurous arranging, and joyful musical conversation, backed by a stellar jazz trio.
Marya Zimmet presents a program of freshly arranged jazz, pop, and folk standards, along with a few genre-bending surprises that showcase her wit, warmth, and imaginative approach to song.
Alexis Cole brings a special presentation of jazz tunes by fellow Westbeth songwriter Val Hawk, whose clever, soulful compositions sit in the lineage of Bob Dorough and Dave Frishberg. Known for her deep swing, luminous tone, and masterful storytelling, Cole brings these sharp, heartfelt songs vividly to life.
Together, the two artists offer an evening of memorable melodies, intelligent lyrics, and music that swings, surprises, and connects.

NOVEMBER 6TH – BARRY TEMKIN AND THE BARRY TONES
The BarryTones are a dance band playing rockabilly, blues, rock and country music, originals and classic favorites.  The BarryTones include Barry Temkin on guitar, Michael Moss on sax and Bill Dotts on bass, along with Natasha Gollin on vocals, Violizzy on fiddle, Jim Meigs on blues harp and Craig Howe on drums.  Bring your dancing shoes!

DECEMBER 4TH – STEVE BERGER
Jazz Ambassador and 25 year veteran of the Bob Dorough Trio, Steve Berger will bring his swinging jazz guitar stylings and warm, thoughtful vocals to our series. Birthday Party to Follow!!!

FIRST FRIDAYS 2025

JAN 3RD – JOHN MENEGON
The music presented by Bassist/Composer/Educator John Menegon, in collaboration with these exceptional musicians, pushes the boundaries of today’s music on the world stage. The intuitive, spontaneous nature of the music between the musicians in the Quartet is deeply rooted in the traditions that come out of the Free Bop era created in the “Moment Of Now!”Link to performance information

FEB 7TH – GINA LEISHMAN
Award-winning composer, multi-instrumentalist and performer, Gina revives an old tradition, the annual solo concert – a mixture of old and new original compositions, plus covers of such personal favorites as Bertolt Brecht, Noel Coward and British music hall. Vox, piano, accordion, baritone ukulele. Special guests possible. Link to performance information.

MARCH 7TH – BOB MALENKY
Bob Malenky will present Folk and Roots music, mostly American with some English, Irish, and Yiddish. Bob has learned from and played with blues masters Muddy Waters, Lightnin’ Hopkins and Sonny Terry, with whom he recorded and toured. With Bob will be guitarist/singer Marc Jacobi, traditional singer/concertina player Jerry Marcus, and keyboard player Jeff Eldredge. There will be a variety of styles by expert performers doing familiar and unfamiliar songs. Link to performance information.

APRIL 4TH –THEO BLECKMAN
Vocalist Theo Bleckmann’s ethereal and instrumental approach to the voice is both ancient and modern. Layering his voice thru live looping evokes both Gregorian chants and Ambient sound clouds. He will be performing his own compositions and arrangements, with and without worlds, and those of his co-musicians; Timo Vollbrecht: saxophone, Luke Marantz: keyboards and Jason Burger: drums. Link to performance information.

MAY 2ND – BARRYTONES DANCE PARTY
We are a dance band playing danceable rockabilly, blues, rock and country music. We play a mix of originals and classic favorites. The BarryTones include Westbeth’s own Barry Temkin on guitar, Michael Moss on sax and Bill Dotts on bass, along with Natasha Gollin on vocals, Violizzy on fiddle, Jim Meigs on blues harp and Lou Selmi on drums. Bring your dancing shoes! https://westbeth.org/event/first-friday-music-the-barrytones/

JUNE 6TH –BETTY | PRIDE @ WESTBETH
The Indie Pop Harmony Trio and Friends celebrate resistance, Stonewall and PRIDE@Westbeth!

SUMMER SOUNDWAVES 2025

JULY 11TH – EVE ZANNI “Angels & Ancestors”
“Angels & Ancestors”…original compositions, jazz standards, songs from ancestral stories and traditions” with Isaac Raz and special guests The Bliss Singers!

AUGUST 1 – DAVID VICTOR Gospel Singer
David Victor is a commanding force in gospel and soul music, with over 25 years of vocal mastery  that has carried him from the church pews of New York to stages shared with legends like Stevie  Wonder, Donnie McClurkin, Chris Brown, and Jay-Z. Known for his rich tone, fearless storytelling, and healing sound, David blends raw anointing with professional precision. Whether directing choirs, coaching rising talent, or
creating timeless music, he brings heart, honor, and heaven to every note.  His voice is not just heard – it’s felt.

FIRST FRIDAYS FALL 2025

SEPT. 5TH –MICHAEL MOSS – “Roots to Shoots”
Michael Moss/ROOTS to SHOOTS plays music from the classic bag of modern jazz composers ranging from Dolphy to Mingus, Correa to Coltrane and original compositions by Michael Moss. Stellar band with three drummers (Andreas Brade, Michael Wimberly, Ismael Baiz), Alexis Marcelo (keys and synth), Adam Lane (bass), and three horns—Waldron Mahdi Ricks (trumpet), Libby Schwartz (french horn), and Michael Moss (tenor and soprano saxophones, Bb clarinet and bass clarinet, flute, non-western instruments). Classic jazz to world beat.

OCTOBER 3RD – ANDREAS BRADE

NOVEMBER 7th – SARAH KING QUINTET
Sarah King, known for her captivating stage presence, sings classic jazz and novelty songs with her superb quintet. Sarah got her start as a dancing majorette with a circusy marching band bringing her unique mix of artistry, energy, and charisma to audiences across the globe. Whether it’s through song, screen, or stage, Sarah enchants audiences with her boundless quirkiness and dynamic performances.

DECEMBER 5TH – THE JOHN ECKERT QUARTET The John Eckert group plays
Standards, Blues, and Bop tunes.  We play Charlie Parker style with anexceptional program of Bebop classics and surprises and top-flight quartet.

First Fridays 2024 Music Calendar

First Fridays 2023 Calendar

April 7 th : Sarah King Quartet
May 5 th : Michael Moss w composer Sorin Lerescu & string quartet
June 2 nd : Andreas Brade Westbeth concert/Jam
July 7 th : Theo Bleckmann & Ben Monder Duo
August 4: The BarryTones Dance Party
Sept. 1 st : Dancing my Dance – Brenda Bufalino w Teri Roiger & John
Menegon
Oct. 6 th : Tumbleweed Mile – Marc Jacoby
Nov. 3 rd : A Song for Pete Seeger – Alexis Cole
Dec. 1 st : The Mike DiRubbo group
Jan. 5 th , 2024: (pending) WOW Women of Westbeth – curated by Teri Roiger & Eve Zanni