The 15 Best Jazz Concerts in New York City

1.NYC: Holiday Yacht Cruise with Jazz, Cocoa & Carols

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

Spend 90 festive minutes aboard Yacht Manhattan or Manhattan II, sailing from Chelsea Piers past Lower Manhattan, Ellis Island, and the Statue of Liberty. Enjoy assigned seating in a heated salon, holiday cookies, cocoa and treats, live jazz and carols, plus one included champagne, wine, or beer.

“Amazing experience. Band were fantastic, very Christmassy atmosphere. Staff were friendly and attentive. Drinks on the house. NYC skyline was beautiful. Great tour, 10/10”

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2.NYC: Evening Jazz Cruise on the Yacht Manhattan

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

Spend 90 minutes aboard the 1920s-style Yacht Manhattan, listening to the Boat Band as you pass the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and Lower Manhattan. Your booking includes one drink and an assigned table in the climate-controlled grand salon, with open decks available for fresh air and photos.

“For anyone that enjoys Jazz, I highly recommend this cruise right here. It’s an hour 1/2 around the NYC skyline. One complimentary drink and you may order small chessboard or beer nuts. It doesn’t do full entrees, but the prices are reasonable. I’ll be doing it again for sure and the band is called The Boat Band, was excellent.”

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3.Manhattan Evening Jazz Cruise

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

Set sail from Chelsea Piers on a 90-minute evening jazz cruise aboard a 1920s-style yacht. Enjoy live music, one complimentary beverage, assigned tables, and open views of One World Trade Center, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Governors Island, and the Manhattan waterfront.

“A relaxing, beautiful way to see the city, one of my favorite things to do in NYC. I highly recommend the jazz cruise!”

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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

Sail New York Harbor aboard Clipper City for about 1 hour and 45 minutes, with live jazz, sunset views of Manhattan, Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, and DUMBO. Drinks and food cost extra, and the cruise returns to Pier 17.

“A very peaceful casual experience. We came up from Florida to celebrate my 60th birthday with some jazz and a nice view.”

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5.New York City: Harlem Jazz Tour

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

Spend four hours with a Harlem jazz guide such as Gordon or Amanda, walking between two clubs, hearing different live sets, and learning how music shaped the neighborhood. Food and drinks cost extra, and musicians may be able to sit in with the band if arranged ahead of time.

“Animated, informative, humorous and well-versed in the local history. Pure entertainment and definitely worth the effort to check out!”

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6.Harlem Jazz Series Concert Ticket

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

Spend one hour with live jazz in Harlem at Mount Morris Ascension Presbyterian Church. Thursday and Friday concerts begin at 7:00 pm, with doors at 6:30. Trombonist and composer Craig Harris presents seasoned musicians and rising talent in an intimate church setting for $25.

“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

Meet at the Apollo Theater at 6 p.m. for a 3.5-hour guided walk through Harlem, led by local guides such as Doris, Nathalie, Carolyn, or Cheryl. Visit historic churches, brownstones, and former clubs, then hear live jazz. Food and drinks are available, with a possible $10 Sunday cover charge.

“Meeting at Carolyn’s home in a Harlem brownstone, Nathalie as our tour guide, jazz club, great group of people and only six!”

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8.Harlem Jazz Series

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

Spend about an hour hearing live jazz at Mount Morris Ascension Presbyterian Church in Harlem. The program may feature skilled musicians such as Reggie Workman, with intimate acoustics, original music, and a welcoming church setting. Tickets cost $32.50, and advance booking is wise.

“What a a wonderful way to spend a Tuesday afternoon. The musicians are very accomplished. I was sorry that there were only a few people there enjoying it with us but that didn't damped our enthusiasm for the music or the experience.”

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9.New York City: Holiday Jazz Classic Motor Yacht Cruise

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

Spend 90 minutes aboard Classic Harbor Line’s Manhattan or Manhattan II, a 1920s-style motor yacht with a heated glass salon, holiday jazz trio, cookies, and one included drink. You’ll pass Battery Park, the Financial District, Governors Island, Ellis Island, and the Statue of Liberty after dark.

“Excelente actividad, el equipo muy amable. Las cosas y la música increíble. 100% recomendable.”

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10.New York Harbor Live Holiday Jazz Cruise

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

Board Yacht Manhattan or Manhattan II at Chelsea Piers for a 90-minute holiday jazz cruise. You’ll enjoy a heated salon, live music, Christmas cookies, one included drink, and nighttime views of Lower Manhattan, Governors Island, and the Statue of Liberty.

“It was our first experience and we love it, the staff were so attentive. I recommend it. The boat was nice, warm and jazz so lovely. 👌😁😁😁”

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11.NYC: Sunset Jazz Sail aboard the ‘Clipper City’

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

Sail Lower Manhattan aboard the 158-foot Clipper City for 90 minutes of sunset views, live jazz, and harbor scenery. You’ll pass the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Governors Island, and city bridges, with a full bar, light snacks, and up to two glasses of wine included.

“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

Board the Clipper City at Pier 17 for a 1-hour-45-minute evening sail through New York Harbor. A live jazz quintet plays as you pass the Brooklyn Bridge, Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, and Lower Manhattan. Two glasses of wine are included, with a cash bar available.

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

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13.NYC: Greenwich Village Jazz Crawl

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

Join Gordon for a four-hour, small-group walk through Greenwich Village’s jazz scene. You’ll visit two clubs, hear contrasting live sets, learn about Billie Holiday and historic venues, and get practical tips for finding jam sessions after the tour.

“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’s vessel at Pier 62 for a two-hour sunset sail with live jazz, one complimentary Champagne, wine, beer, or soft drink, and views of Ellis Island, Liberty Island, One World Trade Center, and Manhattan’s skyline.

“Service was very good, and Enthusiastic employees. The jazz music was great!. Awesome sailing once we got out into river. Highly recommend”

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

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

Join Gordon or Amanda at 6 pm for a four-hour Harlem music walk with live jazz and blues, local food stops, and stories about the neighborhood’s musical past. The group stays small at 11 people, cover charges and transport are included, while meals, drinks, and some band tips cost extra.

“IF YOU LOVE MUSIC LOOK NO FURTHER! Quite Simply one of the BEST NIGHTS my husband and I have EVER EXPERIENCED!!!”

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