SESH

Nublu 151, located at 151 Avenue C in New York City’s East Village, is a distinctive nightclub known for its eclectic programming and its nurturing of boundary-pushing music. The venue traces its origins to the early 2000s when Ilhan Ersahin, a Turkish saxophonist and composer, founded the original Nublu Club just a few blocks away. The club quickly became an underground staple and a cultural hub for experimental jazz, electronic, global beats, and genre-defying bands.

Nublu cultivated an inclusive environment reminiscent of legendary NYC haunts such as The Knitting Factory and CBGB, but with a more global and improvisational flair. After the original club lost its lease in 2011, Nublu reemerged at 151 Avenue C under the moniker Nublu 151, with a redesigned, intimate performance space that retained its signature laid-back, bohemian atmosphere. Since then, the venue has been celebrated for preserving a free-spirited musical ethos, actively supporting the “Nublu Sound”—a groove-driven fusion of jazz, electronica, funk, world music, and avant-garde influences.

Nublu’s continued dedication to both local and international artists has cemented its status as a bastion for creative musicians and open-minded audiences, and its reputation has only grown in NYC’s ever-changing nightlife landscape. The club today is regarded not only as a vital spot for live music but also as the headquarters for the Nublu Records label and its annual music festival, further amplifying its impact on the city’s cultural fabric. Through the years, Nublu has remained steadfast in its mission, providing a stage for both emerging talent and venerated performers, and fostering cross-cultural musical exchange.

Notable artists who have performed at Nublu 151 include Sun Ra Arkestra, Antibalas, Butch Morris, John Zorn, Kudu, Love Trio, Forro in the Dark, Rubén Blades, Ilhan Ersahin’s Istanbul Sessions, Lee Scratch Perry, Norah Jones, Brazilian Girls, Arto Lindsay, and many others. The club has also regularly hosted local legends like Kenny Wollesen, Jojo Mayer, and DJ Logic, as well as international acts contributing to the club’s broad, inclusive appeal.