Riddim Section is Back! Here's the Full Lineup for 2023

  • January 9, 2023

JCAL is excited to announce the return of Riddim Section, a free monthly music series at JCAL’s 99-seat black-box theater. Created and curated by Artistic Director Courtney Ffrench, Riddim Section draws life directly from the cultures across Queens, with bands covering such genres as Afrobeat, Calypso, Chutney, Kompa, Reggae, R&B and more. Riddim Section kicks off during Black History Month, with a special performance by the Queens-based band Riffz on Thursday, February 22, at 8pm at JCAL flagship building at 161-04 Jamaica Avenue.

This year’s Riddim Section lineup offers a diverse range of exciting Queens artists. Fan-favorites like Steven Kroon, whose Latin jazz sextet blends Jazz with Afro-Cuban and Brazilian sounds sold out last year, will return. Other highlights include the Angels Caribbean Band and Cocomama—a band composed of all women performing Salsa, Soul, R&B, Afro-Cuban and Latin Jazz. Ty Stephens and his cool, urban-tinged adult-contemporary sound based on Jazz, Funk and R&B, will be featured as well.

In July 2023, Riddim Section culminates in the 4th annual Southeast Queens Jam Fest, a free outdoor concert featuring community-based musicians at Jamaica Performing Arts Center.

All on Wednesdays, 8pm

February 22, 2023: Riffz

March 29, 2023: Angels Caribbean Band

April 26, 2023: Steven Kroon

May 24, 2023: Cocomama

June 28, 2023: Ty Stephens

Riddim Section is funded, in part, by NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, with additional support from New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, City Council Majority Whip Selvena Brooks-Powers, and Council Member Nantasha Williams, and by Resorts World New York City.

View JCAL's upcoming events here: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/jamaica-center-for-arts-amp-learning-jcal-12747637168