BlogCast

Jacques Lesure Returns to Atlanta!

Currently a resident of Los Angeles, California, throughout his travels Mr. Lesure has performed with many great musical luminaries such as Kenny Burrell, Oscar Brown Jr., Jimmy Smith, Stanley Turrentine, Freddy Cole, Wynton Marsalis, George Benson, Jack McDuff, Les McCann, Carmen Lundy, Oliver Lake, and many others, rounding off an almost endless roll-call of artists that he has shared the stage with.  This is Jacques’ exclusive Atlanta appearance and he looks forward to bringing friends and fans the music of his new release:  When She Smiles.  Showtimes:  7:30pm and 9:30pm.  Purchase tickets at 855.5.VELVET or go to http://thevelvetnote.com/jacques-lesure.

Grammy-award-winner Yonrico Scott is one of Atlanta’s most sought-after drummers. Tonight, he makes his debut as a headline artist at The Velvet Note with the official release of his new CD, “Quest of The Big Drum”. 

Throughout his musical career, Yonrico has recorded and/or performed with a Who’s Who list of well-known artists. He’s opened for and performed with artists such as: BB King, Eric Clapton, Santana, Buddy Guy, Joe Satriani, John Popper, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, Gregg Allman and Friends, Gov’t Mule, Leftover Salmon, Taj Mahal, Little Milton, Mavis Staples, and Otis Rush. Yonrico also collaborates & tours internationally with Grammy Award Winner, Earl Klugh, and his own band, the Yonrico Scott Band (YSB), which includes Kofi Burbridge, Keys/Flute, and Todd Smallie, Bass.

This show celebrates the release of Yonrico’s new Jazz CD, “Quest of the Drum” and features Nic Rosen on piano and Joseph Patrick Moore on Bass. Personally signed by Mr. Scott himself, this CD makes an extraordinary holiday gift! Tickets on sale athttp://thevelvetnote.com/yonrico-scott or by calling 855.5.VELVET.

Will you be the one to win The Velvet Note’s $15,000 Prize??

Will you be the talented, sensational artist to win The Velvet Note’s $15,000 prize? Early sign-ups are TONIGHT, in-person, at Open Mic Jam.  Official Signups begin on Monday, December 16th. 

VIRGINIA SCHENCK IS CRAZY!

VIRGINIA SCHENCK IS CRAZY! (in the best possible way). Saturday, January 11, 2014: Blending straight ahead jazz with world music influences and free improvisation, Virginia Schenck will stretch the boundaries of where we can go. Running the gamut of rhythmic profundity to the most sensitive ballad, she kicks her shoes off and just might howl under the Velvet Note stars! Click here to download our conversation about craziness and talent and music and making big mistakes and her upcoming show here: http://rs1614.freeconferencecall.com/fcc/cgi-bin/play.mp3/5133860000-844138-13.mp3. 
Virginia’s talent lineup is truly insanely wonderful, with Rodney Jordan on bass,Marlon Patton on drums, Kevin Bales on piano and Kevin Spears on kalimba/percussion–all on one stage, all on one night! Tickets available athttp://thevelvetnote.com/virginia-schenck or by calling 855.5.VELVET.

The Velvet Note Goes COUNTRY….

…..and the crowd goes WILD!  Take a look at how Across The Wide gets ’em up on their feet for a night of boot-stompin’ at The Velvet Note.

Hassle-Free Holiday Shopping

Hassle-Free Holiday Shopping: Now give the gift of a LIVE MUSIC EXPERIENCE at the prestigious, intimate Velvet Note! Gift cards can now be purchased directly through Amazon.com. Just click here:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Velvet-Note-Gift–
Certificate/dp/B00GZAGIMI/

A Great Article from Atlanta Magazine

Atlanta Magazine discusses the arrival of Marcus Roberts.  Read here:  http://www.atlantamagazine.com/agenda/2013/11/29/marcus-roberts-tunes-up-for-a-weekend-at-the-velvet-note/print

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Acoustic Living Room at The Velvet Note will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. We will reopen on Friday, November 29th with the first of three nightly performances by Grammy-Winner Marcus Roberts and his trio. Thank you to all of our guests, friends and family for your love and support and Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

Friday, November 8th: WADE BAKER

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8^TH.  Wade Baker has always had a love for music and his high energy performances use no set formula at all. Instead he offers an eclectic and intelligent blend of abilities, styles and enthusiasm uniquely crafted to entertain a multitude of people. “I feel like I’ve tried to mix several styles
together to produce a new sound.” What the 26-year old Baker takes from all of this is a sense of craft and above all, great depth & love for the music.

Wade Baker received his Undergraduate Degree (B.S. with a concentration in Jazz Studies) from the University of Indianapolis in 2006 and was immediately accepted on scholarship to the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music the following fall and is one course from attaining his Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies (M.M. Jazz Studies) from C.C.M. Wade has studied Jazz Improvisation with Harry Miedema, Mark Buselli, Brent Wallarab, Phil DeGreg & Kim Pensyl. His classical trumpet training has been from: Bill Adam, Ed Cord, John Rommel, Karl Sievers, Allen Miller, Lenny Foy, Greg Wing & Brad Weil. Baker’s versatility makes him fit comfortably playing with many different types of artists. He has played Bass Guitar at several of the country’s leading blues festivals in addition to the many Jazz Festivals he has been a part of playing his trumpet. Baker has also collaborated with R&B/Hip-Hop artist Moe Z M.D. (John Mellancamp) as well as countless singer/songwriter/hip-hop artists that have used him a studio “gun for hire.” Wade is also involved with the Big Joe Duskin Foundation doing presentations and concerts at local schools to share his love of jazz with todays youth.

He already has a professional’s discipline and commitment and places no limit on his ambition. Wade explains it best by saying, “The kind of artist I’d like to evolve into is a person who can do anything on the band stand, someone who is irreplaceable,” he says.

Showtimes:  7:30pm and 9:30pm.  For reservations, call 855.5.VELVET or go to http://thevelvetnote.com/wade-baker.

Video Flashback: The Song Project on September 28, 2013

The Song Project is redefining jazz for a new generation by expanding jazz improvisations to songs ranging from Radiohead, Paul McCartney, AC/DC to Cole Porter, Miles Davis and more. Each artist embraces multiple genres displaying virtuosity on their instruments and creating a signature sound by weaving the rhythmic and textural elements of didgeridoo, guitar, trumpet and rhythm section, enhanced with raw, emotional vocals.

Watch them perform HERE:

Trumpeter, composer and arranger Mark Rapp is featured alongside Roy Hargrove, Dave Brubeck, Esperanza Spalding, The Bad Plus, Joshua Redman and many more on Disney’s recent release “Everybody Wants to be a Cat” (Feb 2011). With Rapp’s celebrated 2009 debut release “Token Tales” and being named a “Top Emerging Trumpeter” by Downbeat Magazine the year before, Rapp is quickly establishing himself as one of the most interesting, cool and creative artists in modern jazz.  Rapp has played sold out shows at the Blue Note (NY), Joe’s Pub, Yoshi’s (San Fran) and such venues as Blues Alley (D.C.), the JVC Newport Jazz Festival, Dizzy’s at Jazz Lincoln Center, JazzTime Festival (Croatia), Jazzland (Vienna), Jazz Standard (New York) and more. Mark was named a “top emerging trumpeter” by Downbeat Magazine, featured on a Travel Channel documentary and has played with such diverse artists as Branford Marsalis to Hootie and the Blowfish.

Derek Lee Bronston, guitarist, vocalist and songwriter has been on the scene since the 90’s playing and recording both as a band leader and sideman equally. He has received consistent praise from the Jazz, Rock and Americana/Country scenes. As well as getting extensive airplay and critical acclaim as a leader with his Jazz CD Longing (featuring Tom Harrell), with rock bands The Hush and Mostley and more recently with his Americana/Country recording “Empty River”. Derek Lee has played as a sideman with Cecil Taylor, Billy Bang, The Great Shakes, Heather Greene, Cooley’s Hot Box and Branford Marsalis to name a few.