Three musicians on stage playing electric guitars and bass guitar during a live performance.

riddim section

Vibrant concerts rooted in the diaspora.

Event details

RIDDIM SECTION

2026 Lineup
February 25: Edmar Castaneda
March 25: Kersten Stevens
April 29: Chembo Corniel
May 21: Andre White
June 24: Mark Adams & The Ubiquity Band

Jamaica Performing Arts Center (JPAC)
153-10 Jamaica Ave

Jamaica, NY 11432
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$10 General admission

RIDDIM RETURNS

JCAL’s Riddim Section returns with monthly performances that explore and amplify the music of the African, Caribbean, and Latin American diasporas. Created by JCAL Artistic Director Courtney Ffrench and curated by Steven Kroon, this season features artists drawing from Latin jazz, gospel, soul, R&B, and funk, drawing life and inspiration from the cultures of Queens. Join us for this cross-cultural soundscape that moves both body and spirit.

The Riddim Section season culminates in the outdoor Downtown Jamaica Riddim and Jazz Festival each July.

A man singing into a microphone surrounded by drums and microphones on a stage, performing in a dark setting with red lights in the background.

CURATOR STEVEN KROON

Riddim Section is curated by Steven Kroon. Steven Kroon has worked with such notables as Luther Vandross, Ron Carter, Aretha Franklin, Lady Gaga and much more. He's played on an array of television shows from the Tonight Show to David Letterman, Jay Leno, as well as the Grammy’s. His band is a high-energy electrifying Latin Jazz Sextet. Their musicality consists of Jazz with the blend of Afro-Cuban and Brazilian music. 

  • With Riddim Section, JCAL is proud to extend our tradition of offering live music, performed by diverse, multicultural musicians, to the public.

    Artistic Director Courtney Ffrench

An elderly man is performing with percussion instruments, holding a microphone and gesturing passionately, accompanied by other musicians in the background.

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