Kota the Friend Announces
2026 Blue Note Residency

NEW YORK, NY (January 13, 2026) — Kota the Friend is returning to the iconic Blue Note Jazz Club for a 2026 residency, bringing his full band back to the stage after a standout run of performances in December that left fans asking for more.

Kota and his band were a huge hit at the Blue Note in December, delivering a high energy set that blended hip hop, live instrumentation, and improvisational moments that felt tailor made for the room. One of the most talked about highlights came when Kota pulled out a guitar during his last Blue Note show, the first time he has ever played guitar live on stage. Fans described the moment as historic, and the excitement has only grown as word spread that he is returning for multiple dates in 2026.

“Blue Note is one of those rooms where you feel every note, every breath, every reaction,” said Kota the Friend. “In December, the energy was unreal. I felt the love in a way that stayed with me. This residency is about giving people something special, musically, emotionally, and in the moment. We are coming back even tighter, even freer, and we are going to make it unforgettable.”

Many listeners know Kota as a writer and lyricist, and for carving his own lane as a fiercely independent artist who turned down three major label deals and still built a successful career on his own terms. What some fans are just discovering is that Kota is a trained musician, he has played trumpet since the fourth grade, beginning at PS 282 in Park Slope, continuing at JHS 113 in Clinton Hill and then the Brooklyn High School of the Performing Arts in Prospect Heights. As you can see Kota is pure Brooklyn.

With the residency format, anything can happen. Kota may pick up the guitar again, and there is even a possibility he brings the trumpet on stage for the first time ever. One thing that is guaranteed is a highly entertaining show, backed by a band that has become a major part of the experience.

The residency features Phearnone on violin, Aja Grant on keys and piano, Hello OShay on background vocals, Kenny Parker on drums, and Parker McAllister on bass.

Fans who attended Kota’s December shows at the Blue Note are still talking about it.

“I’ve been to a lot of shows in this city, but that night felt like we were inside the music,” said one fan who attended the December run. “When Kota pulled out the guitar the whole room changed, it was one of those ‘you had to be there’ moments.”

Another attendee added after the show, “The band is ridiculous. Violin over hip hop, keys lighting up the room, the vocals, the pocket on drums and bass, it was pure musicality. I’m hoping they would announce the next one.”

A third fan said, “Kota’s music already hits, but live it is a whole other level. It felt intimate, like a jazz show, and explosive, like a hip hop concert. Blue Note is the perfect match.”

A third fan said, “Kota’s music already hits, but live it is a whole other level. It felt intimate, like a jazz show, and explosive, like a hip hop concert. Blue Note is the perfect match.”

2026 BLUE NOTE RESIDENCY DATES

Monday, January 19, 2026 — Blue Note Jazz Club, New York City
Monday, March 2, 2026 — Blue Note Jazz Club, New York City
Monday, March 30, 2026 — Blue Note Jazz Club, New York City
Monday, April 20, 2026 — Blue Note Jazz Club, New York City

GET TICKETS HERE

ABOUT KOTA THE FRIEND

Kota the Friend is a Brooklyn born independent hip hop artist known for thoughtful songwriting, sharp lyricism, and a career built outside the major label system. Celebrated for turning down multiple major label deals and thriving independently, Kota continues to expand his sound through live performance and musicianship, delivering shows that blend hip hop energy with a dynamic band experience.

Media Contact:
JIG Media, New York
Vernon K. Jones, Sr.
[email protected]