riddim section
Vibrant Concerts Rooted in the Diaspora
Event details
RIDDIM SECTION
2026 Lineup
February 24: William Capeda
March 31: Carla Cook
April 28: Jason Whitley
May 26: Buyu Ambroise
June 30: Jenny Douglas-Foote
Jamaica Performing Arts Center (JPAC)
153-10 Jamaica Ave
Jamaica, NY 11432
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$10 General admission
Become a JCAL Member here for free access to our full Riddim Section season.
One Rhythm. Many Nations.
On the last Wednesday of each month, February to June, our Riddim Section concerts explore the music of the African, Caribbean, and Latin American diasporas. Created by JCAL Artistic Director Courtney Ffrench and curated by legendary percussionist Steven Kroon, Riddim Section musicians draw life and inspiration from the cultures of Queens through Afrobeat, Calypso, Chutney, Kompa, Reggae, R&B, and more.
Tickets are $10. Performances are at 8pm. JCAL offers blocks of free seats at every concert for seniors (62+) and students who live or work in a 114 zip code. Simply show your ID and a piece of mail with your current address and your ticket is free.
Riddim Section and its sister series, Thursday Night Jazz, culminate every summer in the annual Downtown Jamaica Riddim & Jazz Festival in King Manor Park.
JCAL gratefully acknowledges public support from NY City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams (Speaker’s Initiative), NY City Council Member Nantasha Williams, and the Council’s Cultural Immigrant Initiative.
JCAL gratefully acknowledges operating support from the Mellon Foundation, Howard Gilman Foundation, Matisse Foundation, Altman Foundation, and MacMillan Foundation.
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.
Become a member for free access to our full RIDDIM SECTION SEASON
