Across Thursday, September 17 through Sunday, September 20, the most coherent two-show route in the live calendar sits at Jazz Cafe. Friday and Sunday are built around repertoire with a long afterlife: Roy Ayers’ 1976 jazz-funk album Everybody Loves the Sunshine, followed by a celebration of Brazilian singer-songwriter Tim Maia. These are framed as full live occasions, with sizeable line-ups, named musical directors and room for singers, horns, rhythm section and percussion. The appeal lies in hearing records often encountered as samples, playlists or passing references returned to the scale of an ensemble.[1][2][3][4]

That concentration makes the weekend useful for listeners who want a specific musical line through Camden instead of a scatter of unrelated club bills. Orphy Robinson’s Red, Black & Green Ubiquity Ensemble addresses a landmark Roy Ayers record; two days later, Kita Steuer joins SambaSoul Transatlantico, Carolina Lelis and Julio de Castro for Tim Maia’s Universe. The programmes meet through soul’s dance-floor pulse and through arrangements capable of carrying jazz harmony, groove and vocal presence. They also leave space for the differences: Ayers’ vibraphone-led, synthesiser-coloured 1976 sound and Maia’s Brazilian blend of soul, funk, samba and psychedelia.[1][2][3][4]

Friday: Roy Ayers at fifty

On Friday, September 18, Orphy Robinson’s Red, Black & Green Ubiquity Ensemble arrives at Jazz Cafe for the 50th-anniversary presentation of Everybody Loves the Sunshine. Robinson is billed on vibraphone and as musical director, at the centre of a 12-person cast including Xantoné Blacq on vocals and keys, singers Mary Pierce and Juliet Roberts, Dennis Rollins on trombone, Sheila Maurice Grey on trumpet, Donovan Hafner on saxophone, Kenny Barry on guitar, Otto Williams on bass, Maurizio Ravalico on percussion and Raphael Delfino on drums. That personnel gives the record’s colours a practical live shape: voices, brass, strings of rhythm and Robinson’s instrument at the front.[1][3]

The original album arrived in 1976 under the Roy Ayers Ubiquity name, with Ayers credited across vibraphone, vocals, piano, synthesiser and percussion. Jazz Cafe’s listing identifies the Friday show as a performance of the album in full, so this is a chance to approach its title track and surrounding material as a sequence instead of isolated favourites. Doors are listed for 6:30pm, with the event running until 10pm; that makes it a strong first destination for a Friday night that can still extend elsewhere after the performance.[1][3]

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Sunday: Tim Maia’s Black Rio orbit

Sunday, September 20 shifts the focus to Tim Maia’s Universe, also at Jazz Cafe. Kita Steuer heads a bill with SambaSoul Transatlantico, Carolina Lelis, Julio de Castro and support from D.Vyzor. The venue describes the show as a live celebration of Maia’s work and names O Caminho do Bem, Que Beleza and É Necessário among the songs in its frame, alongside material from his 1970s and 1980s catalogue. Universal Music Brasil’s artist page also reflects the continuing circulation of Maia’s repertoire through contemporary tribute releases in 2026.[2][4]

Jazz Cafe lists Sunday doors at 6pm and an 9:30pm finish. Taken together, these are two compact evenings with enough detail in the personnel to reward close listening: Friday’s album-centred Ayers ensemble, then Sunday’s Brazilian soul gathering. Book according to the sound you want to hear in the room, arrive with time for the early doors, and recheck Jazz Cafe’s official event pages for ticket availability, age guidance, final timings and any programme changes.[1][2]

Practical route through Camden

For the simplest plan, choose Friday, September 18 for Orphy Robinson’s large ensemble and Roy Ayers’ album-length programme, or Sunday, September 20 for Kita Steuer’s Tim Maia celebration and its Brazilian soul focus. Both shows are at Jazz Cafe and both begin early enough for a seated dinner booking or a later Camden stop after the music. Friday is listed from 6:30pm to 10pm; Sunday is listed from 6pm to 9:30pm. Recheck the official Jazz Cafe pages before travel, since door times, tickets and line-ups can change.[1][2]

These concerts happened on 18–20 September 2026

The next dates at these venues: Jazz Cafe

Sources

  1. Celebrating 50 Years of Roy Ayers’ Everybody Loves The Sunshine — The Jazz Cafe
  2. Tim Maia’s Universe — The Jazz Cafe
  3. Everybody Loves the Sunshine — Apple Music
  4. Tim Maia — Universal Music Brasil