Akron-Bred Jazz Bassist Mike Forfia Comes Home for Show at Newly Reopened BLU Jazz

Fri 11/26 @ 8PM

We recently learned the good news that Akron’s downtown jazz venue, BLU Jazz, has just reopened. So if you want to head down there and say “welcome back,” you can also welcome back Akron native, bassist Mike Forfia, who returns to northeast Ohio to play with his quartet of what he’s describing as “Northeast Ohio expats and local legends.

Forfia got his degree from the University of Akron before heading to the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY to earn his masters degree. He studied there with Professor of Jazz Studies Bill Dobbins, also a Northeast Ohio native. Finally, he settled down in Brooklyn as his base of operations for touring (including with the World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra on its 2017 tour of Japan), performing, recording, teaching and mentoring younger musicians.

Forfia says his Akron background plays a large role in his music. “It’s a melting pot. Ohio has it all, and ever since I moved out here I’m always telling folks just how special it is to come home. They say I rep Akron the way someone from Brooklyn reps Brooklyn, which is high praise out here.”

Forfia will be joined by pianist Philip K. Jones II, now based in Houston; drummer Cedric Easton, who lives in New York; and noted local sax player Chris Coles.

Get tickets at blujazzakron/mike-forfia. Proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID test is required.

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