ENDEA OWENS & THE KITCHEN Let’s be honest: Many of us started the pandemic by promising to fill lonely lockdowns with new and meaningful plans. For Endea Owens, a young booming bass player, that wish came true. A member of the “Late Show†group led by Jon Batiste, she began hosting free “cookout†concerts in her Harlem neighborhood, providing live music and free meals to a large section of the often underserved community, all playing a mix of standard jazz and backyard R&B jams. This fall, shortly after the Jazz at Lincoln Center reopens for live concerts, Owens will bring his band, now called the Cookout, to Dizzy’s Club for a two-night run. (Sep 25-26; Dizzy’s Club) – Russonello
THE DIAMOND SERIES AT FEINSTEIN’S / 54 BELOW Soprano Heaven arrives this fall, as the venue hosts bubbly leading ladies for concert performances. Kelli O’Hara (September 28-October 3) followed by Laura Benanti (October 5-10) will kick off the series and Megan Hilty will follow from November 2-7. Also on view at the Midtown Club: Song and Dance Marvel Tony Yazbeck (Sept. 21-22); Broadway veteran silver voice Christine Andreas (September 24-25); flame-haired dynamo Marilu Henner (October 17); the great lady Marilyn Maye (October 25-30, November 1), the show biz diva Ruby Manger, alter ego of the comedian and actress Julia Mattison (October 13); and “Seussical Reunion Concert,” featuring members of the original cast of the 2000 Broadway musical (November 22). – Gardner
DUCHESS The women of this vocal trio – Amy Cervini, Hilary Gardner and Melissa Stylianou – are not blood sisters, but their fraternal and hermetic harmonies have won them popularity in jazz circles. The group will appear on September 30 at the recently reopened Birdland Theater, where fall lineup includes Natalie Douglas, a beloved regular (October 1-2, November 15), Klea Blackhurst in a tribute to Jerry Herman (October 20-22 ); Marissa Mulder, greeting John Prine (October 3); and singer-songwriter Christine Lavin (November 22); in addition to the weekly installments of “The Lineup With Susie Mosher” on Tuesdays and, upstairs at the Birdland Jazz Club, “Jim Caruso’s Cast Party” on Monday. The jazz club will also host a concert on September 20 featuring actors from the Broadway production of “Company,” to benefit mental health nonprofit Darkness Rising. – Gardner
MICHAEL GARIN AND MARDIE MILLIT AT WEST BANK CAFE The husband and wife duo, who also perform in the Habibi Kings, continue to perform at the West Bank Cafe (and on Facebook), where the first two Sunday evenings of each month you can see Michael Garin – pianist, singer, storyteller. , mash-up maestro – leap between genres with Mardie Millit as comedy partner and lending a brilliant soprano. The Jazz Bandits perform every Friday, while Saturdays bring the piano and vocal styles of Eric Yves Garcia, followed by the Gabrielle Stravelli Trio, led by jazz singer and songwriter. – Gardner
October
KELLY CLARKSON The original “American Idol” diva released her latest album, the touching and stomping “Meaning of Life”, in 2017, and has since returned to television, giving advice to contestants on “The Voice.” and hosts a daytime talk show. But Clarkson has returned to the studio to capture some holiday magic and will be releasing a Christmas album – his second – in October. The first single, “Christmas Isn’t Canceled (Just You)”, will be released on September 23. (Atlantic) – Horn
JOEY PURP Like his Chicago colleague and occasional collaborator Chance the Rapper, Joey Purp proudly wears his freelance artist credentials. He continues his self-released streak with his third mixtape, “UpLate”, leaning into his more hedonistic instincts while rapping about conquests, cars and money with a cool detachment. Without features, it’s a relatively isolated effort on the part of an artist who tends to work collaboratively. He also contributed to the production, favoring bouncy, simple rhythms over the flashier aesthetic of previous projects. (Self-published) – Horn
