Jazz Returns to the Crossroads of the World: TSQ LIVE Announces 2025 Lineup in Times Square

The sounds of swinging horns and improvisational brilliance will once again fill the air at the heart of Manhattan as the Times Square Alliance, in partnership with Jazz at Lincoln Center, brings back Jazz in Times Square, the summer installment of its expansive TSQ LIVE series. The free outdoor performances will take place every Thursday at 5 p.m. throughout August and September at 46th Street and Broadway, offering New Yorkers and visitors alike a front-row seat to some of the most dynamic names in jazz.

First launched in 2019, the collaboration between Jazz at Lincoln Center and the Times Square Alliance has grown into a defining feature of summer in the city, transforming one of the world’s busiest intersections into an open-air jazz club. From high-octane big bands to intimate quartets, the 2025 series continues that tradition, spotlighting emerging and established artists alike in a setting that’s anything but conventional.

This year’s lineup includes a broad sweep of styles and stories: Latin jazz powerhouses, Grammy winners, conservatory educators, and genre-blending innovators. Whether it’s the celebratory sounds of Ginita y La Orquesta Esa Big Band or the socially conscious songwriting of Natu Camara, the series underscores jazz’s role as both an art form and a living archive of cultural expression.

TSQ LIVE has become one of the largest free outdoor performance series in the city, drawing hundreds of thousands each year to a mix of concerts, workshops, and immersive arts experiences. Its programming reflects the diversity and dynamism of New York itself—offering a public stage to legacy institutions and new voices alike.

2025 Jazz in Times Square Schedule

August 7 – Ginita y La Orquesta Esa Big Band
Trombonist Ginita leads a propulsive ensemble that pays tribute to legends like Willie Colón, Tito Puente, and Omara Portuondo while championing original compositions steeped in the pulse of Latin jazz. Known for drawing crowds to their feet, the band brings irresistible rhythm and rich brass textures to Times Square.

August 14 – King Solomon
Solomon Hicks, the Harlem-born guitarist and vocalist dubbed “King Solomon,” brings searing blues stylings and youthful flair to the stage. A 2021 Blues Music Award winner and frequent collaborator with Buddy Guy and Ringo Starr, Hicks bridges generations with his genre-defying artistry and will debut material from his forthcoming record.

August 21 – Antonio Hart Quartet, co-presented with the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival
A Grammy-nominated saxophonist and Director of Jazz Studies at Queens College, Antonio Hart blends academic rigor with soulful improvisation. His quartet performance is a masterclass in control, creativity, and deep musical storytelling.

August 28 – Miki Hayama
The Kyoto-born, Grammy-nominated pianist brings a wide-ranging résumé—from classical roots to collaborations with Aretha Franklin and Nnenna Freelon. Her work as a musical director and arranger makes her performances both technically virtuosic and emotionally resonant.

September 4 – Tony Rosa
Four-time Grammy winner Tony Rosa has long been a force in the world of Latin percussion. His expansive career includes collaborations with Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, and Arturo O’Farrill. Rosa’s Times Square set promises a kinetic fusion of Afro-Caribbean rhythms and jazz improvisation.

September 11 – The Empress
An all-female saxophone quartet led by altoist Pureum Jin, The Empress delivers bold, contemporary jazz rooted in tradition. Their debut album Square One reimagines standards with vitality and grace, all while carving a distinctly modern sound.

September 18 – Natu Camara
A commanding presence on any stage, Natu Camara fuses the soul of West African rhythms with the lyricism of folk and the fire of rock. Born in Guinea and now based in Harlem, Camara’s music grapples with themes ranging from child marriage to emotional isolation in a globalized world. She has appeared on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts, at Lincoln Center, and SummerStage, among other major venues. Her performance in Times Square is expected to be both fiery and profound.

September 25 – Igmar Thomas’ Revive Big Band
Visionary trumpeter and arranger Igmar Thomas closes the series with the powerhouse Revive Big Band. Known for his work with Ms. Lauryn Hill and Nas, and as a guest conductor for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Thomas blends jazz, hip-hop, and orchestral techniques to thrilling effect. His performance will anchor the series in both tradition and forward motion, a fitting finale to a summer of music in the heart of New York.

About the Times Square Alliance

The Times Square Alliance works to improve and promote Times Square—cultivating the creativity, energy, and edge that have made the area an enduring icon of entertainment and culture for over a century. Founded in 1992, the Alliance keeps the neighborhood clean and safe, supports local businesses, manages area improvements, and produces major annual events including New Year’s Eve, Solstice in Times Square, and Taste of Times Square. As the official custodians of the district, the Alliance is committed to making Times Square a dynamic and welcoming place for residents, businesses, and the millions who pass through it each year.

For more information and the full event schedule, visit www.TSq.org.