GrandLife Hotels proudly presents the Downtown NYC JazzFest, a five-night jazz festival taking place April 22–April 26, 2026, across The Django, Roxy Bar and Club Room at Soho Grand. The festival will showcase an extraordinary lineup of emerging voices, marquee performers, and forward-thinking artists who embody the past, present, and future of New York jazz. Roxy Bar will shine a spotlight on the best up-and-coming talent in the New York City jazz scene, featuring rising stars who reflect the sound and spirit of a new generation.

Acclaimed for his “gentle fire” (UK Jazz News) and as a “beacon of taste [who plays] like an old master” (All About Jazz NYC), Evan Sherman is a drummer, bandleader, and arranger whose seasoned artistry reflects a deep commitment to the jazz tradition. A native of New Jersey, Evan first sat down at the drums at age 5 and was performing professionally by 13. He has since played on five continents at renowned venues including the Village Vanguard, Carnegie Hall, Hollywood Bowl, Walt Disney Hall, Chicago Symphony Hall, Royal Albert Hall, Paris Philharmonie, Wiener Konzerthaus, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, as well as at international jazz festivals such as Newport, Detroit, Monterey, SFJazz, North Sea, Montreux, Umbria, and many more.

Starting in his late teens, Evan gained invaluable experience on the bandstand, touring and being mentored by musical icons such as Ron Carter, Cyrus Chestnut, Roy Hargrove, Jimmy Heath, John Lee, both Branford and Wynton Marsalis. In 2014, he founded the 16-piece Evan Sherman Big Band, which has headlined at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Blue Note, Birdland, Rainbow Room, and Perth International Arts Festival (Australia). Evan released a quintet album, Sidewalkin’, in 2021 and has appeared on over 10 albums as a sideman. Since 2022, Evan has recorded and toured internationally with vocalist Samara Joy, with appearances on the Grammy Awards, The Tonight Show, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Today, and 60 Minutes. He is featured on her 2023 Grammy-winning song “Tight” and 2024 album Portrait. Don’t miss him at the inaugural Downtown NYC JazzFest.