M. Alex Ramirez feat. Arturo O'Farrill - Recording Release
Saxophonist M. Alex Ramírez celebrates the release of his ambitious chordless trio album *Nebulesque* with a special performance at Blues Alley, joined by Grammy-winning pianist and long-time mentor Arturo O'Farrill. Ramírez, a Colombian-born jazz phenomenon now based in New York, blends deep Afro-Colombian roots with cosmic, forward-looking improvisation inspired by his lifelong fascination with astronomy. The evening will feature selections from *Nebulesque*, an album that translates phenomena such as solar ejections and black holes into sweeping, emotionally charged jazz, alongside original compositions and collaborations. The concert is co-presented by the Embassy of Colombia.
When: Monday, October 5, 2026, at 7:00 PM. Doors open at 6:00 PM for the 7:00 PM set.
Showtimes: One show at 7:00 PM.
Tickets: $25 plus $7 in fees. Tickets are final sale, non-refundable, and non-transferable. A $15 food and beverage minimum per person is required and is not included in the ticket price.
Venue: Blues Alley, 1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20007. Seating is first-come, first-served at the door.
Lineup: M. Alex Ramírez (saxophone) with special guest Arturo O'Farrill (piano), plus additional band members as part of the trio for *Nebulesque*.
Background: M. Alex Ramírez is a Colombian-born jazz saxophonist, composer, and producer who studied at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music and later earned a scholarship to Berklee College of Music, performing with the Berklee Concert Jazz Orchestra and sharing stages with Terrence Blanchard, Paquito D’Rivera, Bill Frisell, and Gary Burton. He then received a graduate scholarship at NYU Steinhardt, studying under Chris Potter and Alex Sipiagin, and won the Barney Josephson Outstanding Graduate Jazz Studies Award. His album *Nebulesque* (Adhyâropa Records) reinterprets scientific concepts through a chordless trio format and has been praised for its execution reminiscent of a young Kenny Garrett. He is also a key collaborator with the Afro-Colombian ensemble Grupo Rebolú, with whom he performed at Lincoln Center and NPR’s Tiny Desk.
Run time: Not specified by the venue. Typical Blues Alley sets run approximately 90 minutes.
Ages: No age restriction is listed; the venue generally welcomes all ages but patrons under 21 may be subject to policy.
Accessibility: Blues Alley is a historic basement club. Contact the venue directly for specific accessibility information.
Note: No photography or recording of any kind is permitted during the performance. Patrons are asked to keep conversation to a minimum during the performance.