Joseph Berg Jazz Photography

09/20/2026

Eli Ibrahim Quartet — Jazz in the Cavern Live

On August 15, 2026 the Eli Ibrahim Quartet lit up Jazz in the Cavern at The Brass Door The Brass Door with a packed, high‑energy, two‑set show. According to the Downtown Memphis event listing, this show wasn’t just a gig — it was a reunion of four Memphis musicians with years of shared history and deep musical chemistry.

The Quartet:
Eli Ibrahim – Keys Eli Ibrahim
Terry Washington - Trumpet Terry Washington
Ethan Assad – Bass Ethan Assad
Kurtis Gray – Drums Kurtis Gray

The band blended classic jazz standards with modern influences, moving effortlessly between tight ensemble work and wide‑open improvisation. The crowd in The Cavern — tucked beneath The Brass Door’s Irish pub — got a performance that was both intimate and explosive, the kind of set where every tune feels like a conversation between musicians who know each other’s instincts inside out. Jazz lovers showed up. The quartet delivered. And if you missed it… keep your eyes on this band.

Hit the comments to see all the images from the show.

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08/11/2026

Jeff “Tain” Watts at The Green Room...

Thursday June 25, 2026 Crosstown Arts Crosstown Arts and Memphis Jazz Workshop Memphis Jazz Workshop presented drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts at The Green Room.

Jeff “Tain” Watts Jeff Watts is one of the defining drummers of modern jazz — a force of rhythm, swing, and imagination. Known for his explosive energy, razor‑sharp precision, and unmistakable groove, Tain shaped the sound of a generation through his work with Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, and countless boundary‑pushing projects of his own. A master of polyrhythm and personality behind the kit.

For the Memphis jazz locals a few additional images of Terry Washington Terry Washington and Michael Shults Michael Shults too!

Hit that bio link to see the images in hi-rez.

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07/25/2026

The Paul Cornish Trio set The Century Room The Century Room on fire on May 18, 2024 — and I had the privilege of capturing every moment.

Paul Cornish Paul Cornish shaping the room with fearless, fluid piano lines
Jermaine Paul Jermaine Kidogo Paul grounding the groove with deep, resonant bass
Jonathan Pinson Jonathan Pinson driving the energy with explosive, razor sharp drums
Eric Nakanishi shared some great sounds as well on the saxophone

Hit my bio link if you want to see all the images from the show!

For me, nights like this are why I photograph live Jazz — the interplay, the tension, the release, the way a single spotlight can turn a phrase into a moment. If you’re new here, this show is a perfect snapshot of what I love to capture: dynamic stage lighting, expressive musicianship, intimate jazz rooms, high energy performance storytelling. More from this set — and dozens of other jazz sessions — live in my portfolio. Just hit that bio link to dig deep.

06/04/2026

The Committee played the music of Horace Silver live at The Green Room by Crosstown Arts May 29, 2026. The Committee delivered a Horace Silver masterclass in groove, swing, and pure Memphis soul. This powerhouse lineup lit up the room from the first downbeat. On the evening:

Pat Fusco – piano
Marc Franklin – trumpet
Art Edmaiston – saxophone
Neal Bowen – bass
Henry Conerway III – drums

From tight ensemble moments to fearless improvisation, the band moved as one - playful, bold, and locked into a deep pocket that had the whole room leaning in resulting in a well-deserved standing ovation. Another unforgettable night of live jazz at The Green Room.

Please visit my bio link to see all the images from the show!

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05/16/2026

The Charles McPherson Quintet at Smoke Jazz Club, NYC — November 5, 2025

At Smoke Jazz Club, the room felt electric — the kind of New York jazz night where every table leans forward, and every note lands with the weight of six decades of bebop mastery. On November 5, 2025, alto saxophone legend Charles McPherson brought his unmistakable sound to the Upper West Side, leading a quintet that played with fire, elegance, and deep blues feeling. His tone — warm, incisive, and steeped in the lineage of Charlie Parker — filled the room with a sense of living history.

Sharing the stage were some of today’s most respected voices in modern jazz:
Charles McPherson — saxophone
Yotam Silberstein — guitar
Bruce Barth — piano
David Wong — bass
Lewis Nash — drums

From blistering bebop lines to soulful ballads, the quintet delivered a set that felt both timeless and urgently alive. McPherson’s improvisations carried the wisdom of a veteran who has performed with giants, yet still plays with the curiosity and spark of someone discovering the music anew. Smoke’s intimate glow amplified every moment — the hush before a solo, the crackle of applause, the subtle interplay between guitar and piano, the rhythmic lift from Nash’s drums. It was a night that reminded why McPherson remains one of the most vital voices in jazz today.

Hit that bio link to see all of the images from the show!

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04/19/2026

Adam Larson Quartet featuring Kortland Whalum — Live at The Green Room April 17, 2026.

Memphis got a dose of high‑octane, deeply lyrical modern jazz when the Adam Larson Quartet took over The Green Room by Crosstown Arts on April 17. Saxophonist and composer Adam Larson brought his signature blend of precision, fire, and melodic clarity — and the night became even more electric with a special feature from Memphis’ own Kortland Whalum, whose soulful presence added a whole new dimension to the set.

Grab that link in the bio to see all the images from the show.

The quartet locked in from the first tune, navigating tight rhythmic turns, wide‑open improvisational spaces, and the kind of dynamic interplay that only happens when every musician is fully tuned in. Larson’s lines cut clean and purposeful, while Whalum’s sound brought warmth, depth, and that unmistakable Memphis spirit. Another standout night at The Green Room — intimate, resonant, and built for listeners who want to be close enough to feel the music breathe.

On the evening:
Adam Larson – saxophones
Featuring Kortland Whalum – Vocals
Alvie Givhan – Piano
Clark Sommers – Bass
John Kizilarmut – Drums
The Green Room by Crosstown Arts – Venue
Joseph Berg – Images

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04/19/2026

https://www.josephberg.com/blog/2026/4/19/adam-larson-quartet-featuring-kortland-whalum

Adam Larson Quartet featuring Kortland Whalum — Live at The Green Room April 17, 2026. Memphis got a dose of high‑octane, deeply lyrical modern jazz when the Adam Larson Quartet took over The Green Room by Crosstown Arts on April 17. Saxophonist and composer Adam Larson brought his signature ble...

09/14/2025

Keith L. Brown Trio at The Green Room by Crosstown Arts and Strictly Jazz.

Saturday night August 16, 2025 at The Green Room was pure magic.

Strictly Jazz Entertainment and Crosstown Arts presented a soul-stirring tribute to Mulgrew Miller featuring the phenomenal Keith Brown on piano, the masterful Neal Bowen on bass, and the ever-dynamic Henry Conerway III on drums. Memphis showed up and showed out for a night of deep swing, rich harmony, and pure improvisational fire. Big thanks to Crosstown Arts and Strictly Jazz Entertainment for curating a space where tradition meets innovation.

Saturday night August 16, 2025 at The Green Room was pure magic. Strictly Jazz Entertainment and Crosstown Arts presented a soul-stirring tribute to Mulgrew Miller featuring the phenomenal Keith Brown on piano, the masterful Neal Bowen on bass, a

07/11/2025

On February 11, 2025, The Green Room at Crosstown Arts transformed into a sonic sanctuary as saxophonist Rahsaan Barber and the Ted Ludwig lit up the stage with a genre-blending journey through jazz, blues, funk, and world music. From soulful melodies to electrifying improvisations, the night was a masterclass in musical storytelling.

Barber’s virtuosic tone met Ludwig’s fluid guitar lines in a performance that was both intimate and explosive. On piano was Alvie Givhan whose touch danced on on the keys. Holding down the low end with grace and groove was bassist CJ Manning , and driving the rhythm with finesse and fire was drummer James Sexton — an unforgettable evening for Memphis jazz lovers.

Hit that image link to see the gallery of images from the show.

On February 11, 2025, The Green Room at Crosstown Arts transformed into a sonic sanctuary as saxophonist Rahsaan Barber and the Ted Ludwig Trio lit up the stage with a genre-blending journey through jazz, blues, funk, and world music. From soulful melodies to el