Hot House Jazz Guide, New York's Most Current Jazz Events

History Of Hot House Jazz

Launched in March 1982 by jazz writer Gene Kalbacher with his wife Lynn and Jeff Levenson, Hot House Jazz is the longest running jazz magazine in the Tri-State area. A free publication available in all the jazz venues, it’s devoted solely to previews of jazz events throughout the New York Metropolitan area. It’s the perfect guide for jazz enthusiasts who want to stay current, knowing that what’s listed and who’s featured in Hot House Jazz is happening the same month the magazine comes out either in print, online or on apps. Managing editor Gwen Kelley and her staff (a loyal crew of contributing writers and production/art director Karen Pica) keeps delivering the highest possible quality:

We’re broadening the scope and depth of our coverage.
Our expanded online presence provides direct access to musicians’ and venues’ own websites
Our pages are more numerous and colorful than ever before.
And we deliver hard copies around the city before the last weekend of every month.

Entering its 5^th decade, Hot House Jazz is stronger than ever. Its readership includes many New Yorkers but also jazz enthusiasts living far from New York, and outside the U.S. Loyal partners, musicians, club owners, concert promoters and record company execs eager to build the audience for the music rely upon Hot House Jazz to advertise their events. Since jazz never stands still, neither will we!

Our Team Members

Chrys L. Roney Ceo/Editor-In-Chief

Gwen Kelley (formerly Calvier),

Listing Editor:
Gwen Kelley, a jazz-loving lawyer specialized in labor and employment issues, moved from France to the United States in the late 1990s after spending the first 10 years of her career as an HR consultant. Searching for an ideal way to meld her business skills with her keen interest in music, she purchased Hot House and has been running the magazine since 2002. These days, Gwen spends an inordinate amount of time visiting local jazz venue to another, attending recording sessions, enthusing about what she hears and doing everything she can to promote the music’s top talents.

George Kanzler, "Winning Spins" column:

A NYU grad, George Kanzler hosted a jazz show on Western Nigeria Radio during a Peace Corps stint in the 60s. In 1968, he pioneered in jazz, rock and pop criticism when he began writing for Newark’s Star-Ledger, with many of his columns eventually syndicated across North America. By the 80s, George had become one of the country’s fulltime daily newspaper jazz writers. Since retiring from the Star-Ledger in 2002, he’s been our expert in new release reviews through his "Winning Spins" column, has written as well for Jazz Times and All About Jazz. Each year, he votes in polls conducted by downbeat, The Village Voice and the Jazz Journalists Association.

Karen Pica, Production/Art Director:

Holder of a Bachelor of Fine Art degree from Kean University, designer and illustrator Karen Pica works in a style she calls “stylized realism,” She’s won awards for her photography and her hand-painted clothing designs. Her paintings were shown in 2001 and 2002 as a part of the International Miniature Art Exhibition at the Renee Foosaner Art Gallery in Millburn, NJ. A valuable assistant to Hot House’s founders since the magazine’s very first issue, she’s been in charge of the production for many years and is now our Production and Art Director.