[MIKE DIRUBBO Quartet]

Mike DiRubbo - Saxophone
Mike DiRubbo was born in New Haven, CT in 1970 and fell in love with the saxophone as a child. In 1988 his musical life changed when he came under the tutelage of alto sax master and educator Jackie McLean at The Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford. Moving to New York City in the mid-1990’s, Mike quickly established himself as a leader and a sideman with Harold Mabern, Al Foster, Larry Willis, Cecil Payne, Mario Pavone, Jim Rotondi, Steve Davis, Tony Reedus, Carl Allen, Joe Farnsworth and others.
An active performer, bandleader and composer, DiRubbo has ten recordings as a leader which feature over 50 of his original compositions. Mike has been featured in articles, reviews, and interviews in magazines such as Jazziz, Hot House, JazzTimes, JazzWise and Down Beat where he’s a perennial presence in the Down Beat Critics Poll Rising Star: Alto Saxophone category. He also holds a BM and MM degree in Jazz Saxophone. 
“Something about the sound Mike DiRubbo elicits from the alto saxophone – deep, dark, immense, with a machete edge that denotes a ready-for-anything urban sensibility – immediately grabs the ear. It’s a sound familiar to the cream of New York’s hardcore jazz community since the mid-‘90’s” – Ted Panken
🔗www.mikedirubbo.com

Caili O’Doherty - Piano
New York-based pianist, composer, arranger and educator, Caili O’Doherty (pronounced “KAY-lee” “oh-DOE-er-tee”) has performed around the world at major festivals and jazz venues. Caili has received national awards for piano performance and composition from the ASCAP Foundation and Downbeat Magazine and is a Nord Keyboard Artist.
🔗cailimusic.bandcamp.com

Ugonna Okegwo - Bass
Ugonna Okegwo is one of the most distinctive and sought-after jazz bassists in the world. Critics across the globe have praised him for his rich tone, supple sense of swing, stylistic range and inventiveness. These qualities have not only earned him a place on the bandstand with jazz legends as diverse as Clark Terry, Benny Golson, Pharoah Sanders and Joseph Jarman – they have established him as one of the leading lights of a younger generation redefining jazz for the new century.
🔗www.ugonnaokegwo.com

Adam Arruda - Drums
Residing in Brooklyn, New York, Toronto native Adam Arruda is among the most sought-after drummers in the jazz and improvised music scene. He has had the privilege of working with such artists as Kurt Rosenwinkel, Brad Mehldau, Dave Kikoski, Seamus Blake, Aaron Goldberg, Alex Claffy, Laura Anglade, Ben Solomon, Francesco Cafiso, Giuseppe Cucchiara, Davis Whitfield, Vanisha Gould, Kazemde George, Orlando le Fleming, Ben Eunson, Andrew Renfroe, Simon Moullier, Martin Nevin, Matt Clohesy, Matt Penman, Matt Brewer, Matt Dwonszyk, Sarah Hanahan, Luques Curtis, Or Bareket, Glenn Zaleski, Alex Lore,Wayne Escoffery, Miki Yamanaka, Joel Ross, Mike Moreno, Josh Evans, Greg Osby, Dayna Stephens, Gilad Hekselman, Christian Scott, Charles Altura, Sam Yahel, Simona Premazzi, Kevin Eubanks, JD Allen, Stacy Dillard, Romain Collin, Orrin Evans, Joel Frahm, Veronica Swift, Matt Chalk, Benny Bennack, Aaron Burnett, Martina DaSilva, Alex Goodman, Matt Marantz, Rick Rosato, Tommaso Gambini, Ben van Gelder, Manuel Schmiedel, Igor Lumpert, Leo Genovese, Sam Dillon, Andrew Gould, Jason Prover, Sam Raderman, Ricardo Grilli, Hans Luchs, Sam Dickinson, Russ Macklem, Daniel Ko, Ojiik, Vanessa Perea, Trevor Giancola, Massimo Biolcati, Charles Owens, Eden Ladin, Ben Eunson, Mike Ruby, Billy Buss, Godwin Louis, Nick Hempton, Randy Ingram , Alice Ricciardi, Yasushi Nakamura, Matt Marantz, Lucian Gray, Nick Morgan, Dave Restivo, Saya Gray, Jeremy Pelt, Will Vinson, Bill McHenry, Philip Harper, Ralph Alessi, Jason Palmer, Billy Buss, Joe Gilman, and many more. Adam is a proud endorsee of Canopus Drums and Vater Drumsticks and Percussion.
🔗adamarruda.net

*Filming & Photography Notice We’ll be capturing live video and photos during performances for promotional use. If you prefer not to appear on camera, just let our staff know—we’ll be happy to guide you to a seat out of frame. Thank you for your understanding and support!

5:30-6:30PM & 7:00-9:00PM (w/ Jam Session) (Doors Open: 5:00PM)
Hi-Collar, East Village

OCTOBER 05 (SUN.)

[SIMON MOGUL Quartet]

Simon Mogul - Tenor Saxophone/Flute

Simon Mogul is a 25-year-old Tenor Saxophonist originally from Miami (FL), currently based in New York City. Simon's music fuses a respect and understanding of jazz's past (channeling saxophonists such as the great John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins) with modern genres, such as Hip Hop and R&B.  Simon completed his first international tour in the Summer of 2022, touring South Africa, and playing sets of almost all original music. The tour was well received, and was covered by South African national media. Simon leads an award-winning quintet that was selected as a semifinalist in two of the most renowned jazz competitions in the world for the summer of 2023, the Bucharest International Jazz Competition and the 7 Virtual Jazz Club. In his short time in New York City, Simon has already performed with NYC jazz luminaries such as Curtis Lundy, Matt Wilson, Arturo O'Farill, Phillip Harper, Charu Suri, and many others.  
🔗www.simonmogul.com

Wilfie Williams - Piano
Described as an “exceptional player nestled in the NYC scene loaded with talent, purpose and poignancy”, (Julian Joseph OBE, BBC Radio 3), British pianist Wilfie Williams is a fresh voice in New York. He performs with Stacy Dillard, Josh Evans, Tyreek McDole and many more, as well as leading his own groups. Wilfie aims to share his art to "bring people together with a love of groove, melody and musical conversation". He fell in love with music as a young child, distinctly remembering the sounds of Steely Dan, Wes Montgomery and Miles Davis. Playing the piano turned from a hobby to a passion at age 13, when Wilfie began traveling to London to learn from master musicians Julian Joseph, Trevor Watkis, Byron Wallen and Tony Kofi at the Julian Joseph Jazz Academy. After performing at the London Jazz Festival aged only 16, Wilfie was awarded a full scholarship to Berklee College of Music in Boston. There he had the opportunity to study with more world class artists; NEA Jazz Master JoAnne Brackeen, Terri Lyne Carrington, Ralph Peterson Jr, Tia Fuller and Billy Kilson, among others.
🔗www.wilfiewilliams.com

Jason Clotter - Bass
a bassist from Puerto Cortes Honduras has currently resides in the mecca of jazz in New York City. During his years migrating from Honduras to New York City, he has studied the bass at age17 when he was invited to Ceila Cruz Bronx High school of music. He has grown tremendously since he started playing the bass in high school. Clotter has took part in many prestiges program such as Jazz at Lincoln Center, NAFME, Manhattan school of music and much more. Clotter has shared the stage with numerous great musicians such as Eli Yamen,Stacy Dillard, Samara Joy, Vincent Gardner, Marquis Hill, Wallace Roney, Eric Lewis, Steve Davis, Jerry Weldon, Anthony Wonsey, Vincent Herring, Wynton Marsalis and many more Jazz legends. He has performed in many prestiges venues around the world such as Jazz at Lincoln Center, Smalls Jazz Club, Smoke Jazz Club, Grand Ole Opry and Reduta Jazz Club ( Czech Republic). Clotter has been selected to be apart many programs such as Jazz Lincoln Center, Manhattan School music Pre college, Bloomingdales school in music, Skidmore Jazz Institute and much more. Jason has graduated Purchase college of Class 2020 and Currently Jason Clotter has been Storming the Jazz Scene as an upcoming Bassist. It is Jason mission to create beautiful music and keeping the music alive and going.

Jacob Smith - Drums
Jacob W. A. Smith is a drummer from Boston, Mass. At the young age of 22, he has already accompanied jazz stars such as Jazzmeia Horn, Wycliffe Gordon, and Curtis Lundy.

(If you would like to play at Five Spot Jazz contact us at: fivespotjazzbookings@gmail.com )