Catch NJU, the award-winning jazz trio taking the scene by storm, as they blend classic swing with hip-hop and Afro-Latin grooves. These young virtuosos—saxophonist Abdias Armenteros, bassist Sebastian Rios, and drummer TJ Reddick—bring fiery improvisation and fresh energy to the stage. Don’t miss their genre-bending sound, praised by NPR and backed by over 110K YouTube fans.

NJU is a dynamic trio hailed as one of the most promising young ensembles in contemporary jazz, featuring saxophonist/composer Abdias Armenteros (25), bassist/composer Sebastian Rios (27), and drummer TJ Reddick (25). Winners of the 2023 DCJazzPrix™, the group has garnered acclaim for their original compositions, including features on NPR Music. Their sound seamlessly blends traditional jazz elements—blues, swing, and improvisation—with modern influences from hip-hop, pop, and Afro-Latin music. While paying homage to jazz legends, NJU pushes genre boundaries to craft fresh, innovative sounds. Since debuting on YouTube in 2020, they’ve amassed over 110,000 subscribers.

Setlist

• Pseudo Latin Vibe
• Hold my Halo
• Blues Suites Movments I-V
• Dox
• Stardust
• Blue and Sentimental
• Vanessa Carlton is my Muse
• Same Thing
• Sidetracked
• Delfeayo’s Dilemma
• Well Done
• Scaredy Bob
• New Song
• Cap Lock
• Emotion Song
• Emotion Ballad
• Voice of the Saxophone
• Oleo

Actual performance setlist subject to change.

Bass: Sebastian Rios

A rising star in modern jazz, Sebastian Rios earned recognition early, winning the National YoungArts Award and a scholarship to The Juilliard School during high school. Under the mentorship of jazz icon Wynton Marsalis and legendary bassist Ron Carter, Rios honed his craft before co-founding New Jazz Underground with classmates like TJ Reddick. His trio compositions won the 2024 ASCAP Young Composer Award, showcasing a rare balance of technical mastery and emotive innovation. As a leading voice in the new jazz movement, Rios aims to inspire future generations with music that respects tradition while forging its own path.

Drums: TJ Reddick

A Juilliard graduate, TJ Reddick is a sought-after drummer and educator based in New York, having collaborated with luminaries like Wynton Marsalis, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, and Chick Corea. His performances span prestigious venues such as Radio City Music Hall, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and Harvard University, as well as international stages like the Marciac Jazz Festival. For Reddick, music is a vibrant force—a bridge between people and cultures.

Sax: Abdias Armenteros

The youngest member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Abdias Armenteros began playing saxophone at eight and led his high school jazz band to victory at the Essentially Ellington Competition. After training at the Brubeck Summer Jazz Colony and Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Summer Jazz Academy, he earned his bachelor’s and master’s in jazz studies at Juilliard. A regular on New York’s jazz scene, he has shared stages with Wynton Marsalis, Aloe Blacc, and other acclaimed artists.