SHOWTIMES: 7:30PM AND 9:30PM. Two-time Grammy nominee and contemporary jazz titan Russell Gunn brings his acclaimed ensemble, “Blackhawk,” to The Velvet Note for a high-voltage Thanksgiving weekend celebration. A tribute to the legendary 1961 Miles Davis sessions, this project captures the swagger, sophistication, and pure improvisational fire of the classic jazz club era.

• A Modern Miles Tribute: Named after the iconic album Live at the Blackhawk, this project sees Gunn revisiting the hard-swinging, “no safety net” spirit of Miles Davis’s 1961 quartet.
• Grammy-Nominated Leader: Russell Gunn is an East St. Louis native and two-time Grammy nominee known for his bold fusion of styles, from “Krunk Jazz” to hard bop.
• An All-Star Ensemble: The group features a powerhouse lineup of Atlanta’s finest, including Kevin Bales (piano), Kevin Smith (bass), Jeremy Clemons (drums), Andre Hayward (trombone), and Kendrick Smith (saxophone).
• The Ultimate Holiday Weekend: Skip the leftovers and experience the coolest event of the Thanksgiving holiday—perfect for impressing out-of-town guests or escaping for a sophisticated night out.
• East St. Louis Swagger: Experience Gunn’s signature sound—bold, expressive, and deeply rooted in the trumpet tradition of legends like Miles and Freddie Hubbard.

SHOWTIMES: 7:30pm & 9:30pm