Jerry Weldon – Tenor Sax Powerhouse

Performing on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at 7:00 PM | Main Stage (with Joy Brown & Winard Harper)

New York–born tenor saxophonist Jerry Weldon brings decades of soulful swing and hard-blowing jazz energy to the stage. A graduate of the Rutgers University Jazz Studies Program (1981), he launched his career by joining the legendary Lionel Hampton Orchestra, and his tenure with Hampton helped establish him as a dynamic soloist and key figure in modern jazz.

In the ‘90s, Weldon became a charter member of Harry Connick Jr.’s big band, touring the world and appearing in Connick’s Broadway musical and daytime television show.

Over his long and storied career, Weldon has collaborated with organ masters like Jack McDuff, Jimmy McGriff, and Joey DeFrancesco, and played with jazz greats such as George Cables, Al Grey, Roy Haynes, Jimmy Cobb, George Benson, and Mel Tormé.

Known for his “warm, fat tenor sound” that can shift from roaring intensity to gentle lyricism, Weldon combines technical finesse with deep-hearted expression. His recent album The Summit (2025) showcases his powerful sextet and ongoing dedication to swing and soulful improvisation.

Whether leading his own groups in New York or contributing as a sideman, Jerry Weldon remains a vibrant voice in jazz—rooted in tradition, yet always swinging forward.