The name says it all: New Jazz Underground hails directly from the new generation on the New York jazz scene. The trio – bassist Sebastian Rios, saxophonist and vocalist Abdias Armenteros, and drummer TJ Reddick – met while studying at the prestigious Juilliard School. During the pandemic, the three friends began making music together on the streets and in parks. Videos of their living room performances went viral on YouTube and introduced their fresh sound to a global audience. Their music builds on the hard bop tradition, but draws just as much inspiration from hip-hop and contemporary grooves. At the 2025 Newport Jazz Festival, jazz legend Christian McBride called the trio “one of the hottest new groups”. With a debut album out in 2026, New Jazz Underground is ready to fully deliver on that praise.
