The 15 Best Jazz Shows in New York City

1.Holiday Yacht Cruise with Jazz, Cocoa & Carols

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 568 reviews · 1h 30m · from $134Our pick

Spend 90 minutes aboard Yacht Manhattan or Manhattan II, a classic 1920s-style vessel with a heated salon, holiday decorations, live jazz, carols, cocoa, cookies, and one included drink. From Chelsea Piers, you pass Battery Park, South Street Seaport, Governor’s Island, Ellis Island, and the Statue of Liberty.

“This was such a lovely trip to do for our first time in NYC! All the staff were lovely and it was so festive. Would 100% recommend people to do this!”

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2.Evening Jazz Cruise on the Yacht Manhattan

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 285 reviews · 1h 30m · from $134

Spend 90 minutes aboard Classic Harbor Line’s Yacht Manhattan, a 1920s-style vessel with a climate-controlled solarium, open decks, and elegant assigned tables. The Boat Band plays jazz standards, Motown, R&B, and modern songs while you pass the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Battery Park, and Lower Manhattan. One alcoholic drink is included.

“lovely friendly hosts, great jazz band, would definitely recommend this as a must when visiting New York,”

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3.Manhattan Evening Jazz Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 123 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $134Top rated

Board a 1920s-style yacht at Chelsea Piers for a 90-minute evening cruise with the resident Boat Band. Enjoy one complimentary drink, assigned table seating, climate-controlled comfort, and open-deck views of One World Trade Center, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Governors Island, and Manhattan’s waterfront.

“This was the perfect birthday surprise for my girlfriend/partner. She loves jazz, always asked to go to a jazz club and life kept getting in the way, but this felt like the perfect moment. The wooden boat already set the vibe—romantic, cozy, and timeless. A wonderful jazz band, friendly staff, two complimentary drinks, and sailing past the Statue of Liberty, One World Tower, Brooklyn Bridge, and the skyline… even the foggy, rainy weather made it feel more magical. Thank you to the crew and the band for making her birthday unforgettable.”

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4.New York City Sunset Jazz Sail aboard Clipper City

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 104 reviews · 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) · from $112

Set sail from Pier 17 at 7:30 pm aboard Clipper City, a tall ship operated by Manhattan By Sail. During this 1-hour-45-minute harbor cruise, you’ll see the Manhattan skyline, Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, and the Brooklyn neighborhood between them, with live jazz and a bar available for purchased drinks.

“Female Captain Rocked🧜‍♀️ City views❤️Bartenders were Great🥳 I t was an all around Fabulous sunset cruise 🚢”

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5.Harlem Jazz Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 100 reviews · 4 hours · from $118

Spend four hours walking Harlem with jazz guides Gordon or Amanda, learning the neighborhood’s musical past and visiting two clubs for live sets. You may add dinner or drinks, meet musicians, and possibly perform if arranged ahead. Expect up to 10 blocks of walking and a different route each night.

“The tour with Gordon is fantastic! He’s so knowledgeable about both Jazz and the history of Harlem. This tour is great for both jazz enthusiasts and novices. Gordon is passionate and insightful. I would definitely take the tour again just to continue learning from him.”

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6.Harlem Jazz Series Concert Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 95 reviews · from $25Best value

You’ll spend about an hour hearing live jazz at Mount Morris Ascension Presbyterian Church in Harlem. Concerts feature seasoned musicians and emerging talent, with trombonist, composer, educator, and curator Craig Harris guiding the series. Thursday and Friday performances begin at 7:00 pm, with doors opening at 6:30 pm.

“Wonderful experience of excellent gospel singing in a local church in the middle of Harlem. We took the subway from Manhattan and felt safe. Interesting to experience the surroundings of Harlem too!”

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7.Evening Harlem Jazz Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 71 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $66

Start at Harlem’s Apollo Theater at 6 p.m. with a local guide such as Doris, Nathalie, Carolyn, or Cheryl. Walk along 125th Street and Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard, hear stories about Harlem’s art, churches, homes, and famous residents, then visit live jazz venues. The music stops can vary, and Sunday evenings may add a $10 cover charge.

“Doris was our wonderful guide. She is a lovely person, she stayed with us for more than 3 hours. Thanks a lot !”

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8.Harlem Jazz Series

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 42 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $32

Spend about an hour with live jazz in Harlem’s Mount Morris Ascension Presbyterian Church. The lineup can vary, with past performances featuring Reggie Workman and an all-female group. Expect an intimate setting, strong acoustics, English-language presentation, and pew seating. Food and drinks are not included.

“We had a wonderful time at the concert. The acoustics in the Mt St Morris Church we’re phenomenal! The pews were a little hard for our old bones. However, we made do.”

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9.Holiday Jazz Classic Motor Yacht Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 35 reviews · 1h 30m · from $134

Spend 90 minutes aboard the classic Manhattan or Manhattan II, a heated 1920s-style motor yacht, while a live jazz trio plays holiday tunes. You’ll sip one included drink, nibble homemade cookies, and view Battery Park, Ellis Island, Governors Island, and the Statue of Liberty from the glassed-in salon. English is spoken, and seating is assigned.

“Amazing experience. The jazz music what great and the staff were lovely. Amazing views of the Statue of Liberty”

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10.New York Harbor Live Holiday Jazz Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 35 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $134

Board Classic Harbor Line at Pier 62 for a 90-minute holiday evening cruise aboard Yacht Manhattan or Manhattan II. You’ll hear live jazz in the grand salon, enjoy one included drink and Christmas cookies, and pass One World Trade Center, the Statue of Liberty, Governors Island, and Manhattan’s nighttime skyline. Seating is assigned, and the boat holds up to 80 people.

“There isn’t anywhere to wait so do not arrive too early. Staff are all very friendly. Great choice of cocktails. Disappointed that the band took a break. No music was played during that time.”

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11.Sunset Jazz Sail aboard the ‘Clipper City’

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 34 reviews · 1h 30m · from $146

Spend 90 minutes aboard Manhattan By Sail’s 158-foot Clipper City, watching sunset near the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and Governors Island. A rotating jazz group provides a relaxed soundtrack while you enjoy up to two glasses of wine, a full bar, light snacks, and wide views of the skyline from the water.

“The view was excellent. Better communication on the included wine… and maybe if someone walked the ship with wine to serve instead of having couples split up to get the wine at the bar. Jazz band only played less than half the time. Staff was friendly, when we saw them. Boat was clean and looked well-kept. Beautiful views. Great date night.”

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12.New York Harbor Wine and Jazz Sail aboard Clipper City

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 21 reviews · 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) · from $140

Set sail from Pier 17 aboard Clipper City, a classic schooner replica, for a 1-hour-45-minute evening cruise with a live jazz quintet. You will pass the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Brooklyn Bridge, One World Trade Center, and the Manhattan skyline. Two glasses of wine are included, with a cash bar for more drinks.

“Such a fun way to spend the afternoon. It was great in the fall weather, a really enjoyable experience!”

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13.Greenwich Village Jazz Crawl

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 20 reviews · 4 hours · from $127

Join Gordon for a four-hour, small-group walk through Greenwich Village jazz country. You will hear live music at two clubs, learn about Billie Holiday, Miles Davis, and vanished Village venues, and get help finding another club afterward. Cover charges are included, but dinner and drinks are not.

“El nostre guia, Gordon is l,actuació a Smalls Jazz Club”

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14.New York City Live Jazz Sail

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $134

Board Classic Harbor Line at Chelsea Piers for a two-hour sunset sail with live jazz. You’ll pass the Financial District, One World Trade Center, Ellis Island, and the Statue of Liberty, with one Champagne, wine, beer, or soft drink included. The boat anchors in New York Harbor for music, drinks, and photographs before returning.

“The music and drinks and the crew. My friend from Copenhagen was blown away and so was I. Sailing is the best way to see NYC skyline”

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15.Harlem Jazz Tour: NYC Speakeasies and Juke Joints – Live Jazz

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 7 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $139

Start at Minton’s Playhouse with guide Gordon or Amanda, then follow Harlem’s live jazz trail by provided transportation. You may visit intimate clubs, soul-food spots, jam sessions, and venues such as Silvana, Red Rooster, or Shrine, depending on the night. The four-hour tour includes cover charges, but food, drinks, and some band tips cost extra.

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