Joe McCarthy Afro Bop Alliance Sextet at Side Door Jazz Club

Joe McCarthy Afro Bop Alliance Sextet at Side Door Jazz Club brings the vibrant rhythms of Afro-Latin jazz to Old Lyme on Saturday, July 18. Beginning at 8 p.m., the Latin Grammy Award-winning ensemble’s intimate small-group counterpart delivers an evening of world-class musicianship, blending bebop with Afro-Caribbean, Brazilian, African, and global musical traditions in one of Connecticut’s premier jazz listening rooms.

Led by acclaimed drummer Joe McCarthy, the Afro Bop Alliance Sextet grew from the internationally recognized New York Afro Bop Alliance Big Band, a Latin Grammy Award-winning ensemble celebrated for pushing the boundaries of contemporary jazz. In this smaller format, the group embraces the spontaneity, improvisation, and close musical interaction that define classic jazz combos while maintaining the rich cultural influences that have made the larger ensemble so highly regarded.

Joining McCarthy are an all-star lineup of jazz performers: trumpeter Alex Norris, tenor saxophonist Alejandro Avilés, trombonist Juanga Lakunza, pianist Zaccai Curtis, and bassist Luques Curtis. Together, they create an exciting fusion of bebop traditions inspired by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers with the infectious rhythms of Afro-Latin music.

Event Details

• Event: Joe McCarthy Afro Bop Alliance Sextet
• Date: Saturday, July 18, 2026
• Time: 8:00-10:00 p.m.
• Venue: Side Door Jazz Club
• Location: Old Lyme Inn, 85 Lyme St., Old Lyme, CT
• Seating: Reserved

The Ensemble

• Joe McCarthy – Drums & Leader
• Alex Norris – Trumpet
• Alejandro Avilés – Tenor Saxophone
• Juanga Lakunza – Trombone
• Zaccai Curtis – Piano
• Luques Curtis – Bass

About the Music

The Afro Bop Alliance Sextet blends:

• Bebop
• Afro-Latin jazz
• Afro-Caribbean rhythms
• Brazilian influences
• African musical traditions
• Contemporary jazz improvisation

About Side Door Jazz Club

Located inside the historic Old Lyme Inn, Side Door Jazz Club is one of New England’s premier jazz venues, offering an intimate listening experience with reserved seating and outstanding acoustics. Guests dining at the Old Lyme Inn before the performance receive 10% off their dinner bill.

Why Attend

• Latin Grammy Award-winning musicians
• World-class Afro-Latin jazz
• Intimate listening room
• Reserved seating
• One of Connecticut’s premier jazz venues

Tickets

Tickets can be purchased by clicking the Event Ticketing link at the bottom of this page.

More Information

Additional event information is available by clicking the Event Website link at the bottom of this page.