Summary of ""22" - New Jazz Underground | Live in NYC"

Summary

New Jazz Underground perform live in NYC with a tight set of original music and a big guest feature. The night begins with welcoming the crowd and introducing the band members: saxophonist Abdas Aros, drummer TJ Riek, and Sebastian Ros.

They reference their viral hit “Jazz as a four-letter word,” noting it’s written by Nicholas Peyton—and clarifying it wasn’t originally theirs. This sets a tone of respect for jazz tradition while still emphasizing the band’s modern momentum.

How the band formed and grew

They share that all members attended Juilliard, but they only began performing seriously later—especially during the pandemic. While stuck in Miami, Sebastian and Abdas kept playing constantly. Once they returned to New York, the trio busked and performed in parks due to closed venues.

That consistency eventually led them to start a YouTube channel, which helped elevate them to the point where they can now sell out a New York show “all by ourselves.” The crowd’s reaction is enthusiastic, with multiple waves of applause as they settle in.

Emotional pause and tribute

A standout moment comes when one member pauses for a heartfelt, personal message about loss. It’s his father’s birthday, and his father passed away about three weeks earlier. He explains that their last conversation included discussion of the possibilities for New Jazz Underground, and he credits his father with instilling “belief” when others didn’t. The tribute lands deeply before the next major highlight.

The guest and the closer

They introduce a “very, very special guest,” world-renowned pianist Eric Lewis (referenced as “Eric Lewis elu”), describing his impressive, genre-spanning resume and collaborations. Eric joins for an energetic performance that draws major applause.

The set closes with an original titled “Medicine Man.” The video ends with the band thanking the audience again and signaling they’ll do one more, reinforcing the celebratory, sold-out atmosphere.

Highlights / jokes / key reactions

Clarification that their “viral hit” (“Jazz as a four-letter word”) is by Nicholas Peyton, not them.
Origin story: pandemic busking + YouTube helping street performances turn into a sold-out NYC show.
Emotional tribute: father’s birthday, his recent passing, and the message of belief.
Big star guest moment: Eric Lewis introduced as a world-class pianist with a long list of collaborations.
Repeated crowd applause throughout, including after Eric’s performance and during the final thanks.