The Velvet Note

Sunday, June 25th: A Tribute To Chick Corea by The Zach Bartholomew Trio *** SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! ***
2023-06-25 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
ONE SHOW ONLY: 7pm. Dr. Zachary Bartholomew is an award-winning jazz pianist, composer, and music educator who maintains an active performance career as one of the most heavily sought-after pianists, accompanists, and sidemen in South Florida. In both 2016 and 2017, he placed as one of the top three finalists in the highly acclaimed Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition and has since been featured as a performer, composer, and bandleader at various national and international jazz festivals, including the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, Jalisco Jazz Festival, and Festival Miami, among others. Zach’s original music and unique arrangements are inspired by the jazz tradition, but also draw heavily from Afro-Cuban rhythms and modern influences. He and his band are featured on radio broadcasts, concert series, and regionally promoted events at music venues all over Florida, and he performs with professional organizations such as the Sarasota Pops Orchestra, Naples Philharmonic, the Gulf Coast Symphony Jazz Collective, and the Lake Wales Jazz Connection.

In this extraordinary performance, Zach and his trio remember the greatness of jazz pianist and composer Chick Corea.

Saturday, June 24th: The Terence Harper Project Featuring The Legendary Audrey Shakir *** SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT !!! ****
2023-06-24 19:30 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
*** NOTE: This date was previously headlined by Trina Boussard ***

SHOWTIMES: 7:30pm and 9:30pm. Terence Harper is one of the youngest members of the Harper Family Dynasty and is currently touring around the world. He has played and recorded with the Great Curtis Lundy, Steve Turre, Jimmy Heath, Musiq Soulchild, Solange, Keith David, Bobby Watson and Chinese Movie Star and Mandopop artist Andy Lau just to name a few! Terence has also appeared on numerous television shows and movies including, The Orignals as well as the remake of the movie The Color Purple, directed by Blitz Bazawule and produced by Quincy Jones, Scott Sanders, Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey.

Audrey Shakir (website) is a jazz-pop vocalist extraordinaire – dubbed Atlanta’s First Lady of Jazz, she has entertained throughout the United States and internationally. Her scatting talents have been compared to the great Ella Fitzgerald, and she brings a remarkable jazz influence to all the material she performs.

Thursdays in June: The Velvet Note Open! *** SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! ***
2023-06-22 20:00 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
This is our annual open-mic performance competition. Throughout the month of June, we are searching for the most enjoyable performance we can find, and the winner will earn a coveted spot on The Velvet Note weekend calendar.

Hosted by Club Owner Tamara Fuller and silently-judged by guest music afficianados, each jam night is sure to feature the best vocal and instrumental music, tons of fun and a benevolent, the very best house band, welcoming audience cheering you on. All genres are welcomed and encouraged. Come on out and play!!

Friday, November 16th: Trumpetiste Tiffany Goode
2024-11-16 19:30 - 22:45 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SHOWTIMES: 7:30PM AND 9:30PM. Tiffany Goode was born in Richmond, Virginia and currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia. She began her love affair with music and the trumpet at 10 years old. During her formative years of high school and college, Tiffany had the privilege of studying under her mentors, Tuscan Jasper and Bob Ransom respectively, two professional jazz trumpet players. She received a Bachelors of Science in Music from Hampton University in Audio Engineering, and has since received a professional certification in Producing Music for Film and TV, from Berklee College of Music and a Masters in Ethnomusicology from Liberty University.

Tiffany enjoys fusing jazz with her other musical influences like reggae, hip-hop, in order to create her own sound.

Tiffany’s music has been featured in several independent films including Joy Road, Every Scar and Dimple and Break/Fast. Over her lifetime, Tiffany has had the opportunity to grace the stage with many notable local and national musicians including the Count Basie Orchestra, Tito Puente Jr., Myrna Clayton, Pato Banton, Jesse Royal, Jah9, SaRoc and Derrick “Hott Soss” Cummings to name a few.

Saturday, June 17th: Warmdaddy Anderson's Blues & Boogaloos *** SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! ***
2023-06-17 19:30 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
With acclaimed trumpeter Mark Rapp!

SHOWTIMES: 7:30pm and 9:30pm. Wess Warmdaddy Anderson is best known for his historic and legendary work alongside the incomparable Wynton Marsalis and with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. In 1988, Warmdaddy became a member of Wynton Marsalis’ Septet with which he toured and recorded for twenty years! Warmdaddy was also a member of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra since it began touring in 1992 until 2006.

This show will feature Wess Warmdaddy Anderson performing his favorite blues and boogaloos. If you know and like the music of Lou Donaldson, you’re going to love this concert! If you want a deep, soulful, fun, world-class jazz experience, this is the show for you.

Friday, June 16th: The Bill Hart International Jazz Fusion Band
2023-06-16 20:00 - 22:00
ONE SHOW ONLY! One of our favorites–Canadian Guitarist Bill Hart–launches his brand of jazz featuring his unique take on world music and genre-bending selections. Only one performance, so get your seats soon!

Thursdays in June: The Velvet Note Open!
2023-06-15 20:00 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States

Friday, June 9th: Smooth Jazz Bassist Tony Saunders
2023-06-09 19:30 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SHOWTIMES: 7:30pm and 9:30pm. Two-time Emmy Award winning bassist, composer, producer and son of legendary Bay Area keyboardist, Merl Saunders, Tony Saunders’ life has been infused with one musical adventure after another. As an arranger, producer, composer and performer, Saunders has conquered the worlds of jazz, gospel, R&B, pop, rock and world music. He earned the first of his two Emmys at age 14 for collaborating with his dad on the PBS documentary Soul Is and by 17 was playing with Merl and Jerry Garcia on their collaborative projects. The second was earned for his contribution on the TV show, Digital Journey, on the episode, “China: Their New Digital Economy.” Though he took one of his first musical lessons on piano from Herbie Hancock, the bass he received from John Fogerty’s brother Tom – and watching recording sessions with famed bassists Anthony Davis and Lee Miles – sparked a lifelong passion for that instrument that now, 50 years later, has led to his emergence as a major independent force in contemporary jazz.

Thursdays in June: The Velvet Note Open *** SOLD OUT! SOLD OUT! SOLD OUT! **
2023-06-08 20:00 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
This is our annual open-mic performance competition. Throughout the month of June, we are searching for the most enjoyable performance we can find, and the winner will earn a coveted spot on The Velvet Note weekend calendar.

Hosted by Club Owner Tamara Fuller and silently-judged by guest music afficianados, each jam night is sure to feature the best vocal and instrumental music, tons of fun and a benevolent, the very best house band, welcoming audience cheering you on. All genres are welcomed and encouraged. Come on out and play!!

****SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! ***

Sunday, June 4th: Legends of Jazz Presents the Music of Charles Mingus *** SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! ***
2023-06-04 19:00 - 20:30 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
Best Charles Mingus Songs of All Time

ONE SHOW ONLY @ 7:00pm. Legends of Jazz Series presents a celebration of the music of Charles Mingus.

Justin Varnes and his quartet will guide guests–in engaging, narrative form– through the life of this legendary upright bassist, pianist and composer, as well as the impact that he had on the legacy of jazz. It’s like taking in a concert and taking a jazz history class at the same time.

Oh, and they’ll also play their behinds off!

Saturday, June 3rd: The 11th Anniversary Show starring TV Star & Singer Cassady McClincy
2023-06-03 19:30 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
The Velvet Note celebrates its anniversary with TV Star and Singer Cassady McClincy!

SATURDAY SHOWTIMES: 7:30pm and 9:30pm. Cassady McClincy is an actress known for her role as Lydia on The Walking Dead. However, her love for the arts started as a singer at the age of 9. She has performed at the Atlanta opera, Carnegie hall, Fox Theatre productions and more. Her voice has been compared to a wide variety of artists from Ella Fitzgerald to Billie Eilish and she is looking forward to performing on the renowned Velvet Note stage with some of the best musicians from Atlanta and beyond. Cassady’s band features Elisha “Doogie” Parish on drums, Bill Muter on bass tuba, Kennedy Avery on keys and vocals, and Drew Tucker on vibraphones.

Friday, June 2nd: Cuban Singer Jessie Diaz
2023-06-02 19:30 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
FRIDAY SHOWTIMES: 7:30PM AND 9:30PM

Also starring world-renowned percussionist Frankie Quinones!

Jessy Díaz is a highly motivated and energetic musician (singer, percussionist, musicologist, and teacher) with international exposure. Originally from Cuba, as a performer she focuses on the Latin jazz, cha-cha-cha, danzón, son, mambo, and bolero genres. Not only is she an excellent singer, she is also competent in playing a wide range of musical instruments. As a multi-instrumentalist artist and music teaching professional, she endeavors to give her all in each single performance and project and is fully committed to providing a solid education and instilling music appreciation in all her students.

Before emigrating to the U.S., Jessy had the opportunity to perform with the Matanzas Symphonic Orchestra (Matanzas, Cuba), University of Arts Symphonic Orchestra (Havana, Cuba), Failde Youth Band (Matanzas, Cuba), and Suns of Cuba (Matanzas, Cuba).

One of the highlights of her career include a performance for President Barack Obama during a Cuban State Dinner in Havana, Cuba, on March 21, 2016. Since arriving in the U.S. in 2017, she has performed at various venues in Florida and Georgia.

Thursdays in June: The Velvet Note Open Returns!
2023-06-01 20:00 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States

Sunday, May 28th: The C4 Experience
2023-05-28 19:00 - 20:30 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
ONE SHOW ONLY @ 7:00pm. This quartet, simply called C4, is the brainchild of percussionist, composer, and conductor Casen Alesi. Casen is currently a freshman percussion performance major at Kennesaw State University. He has already established himself as a force of nature in the percussion world as a performer and promoter of new music both in the world of classical and jazz. He has commissioned multiple world premieres and performed alongside the industry’s best, including Joseph Alessi and John Faddis. Comprised of fellow Kennesaw State jazz musicians Owen Anderson on guitar, Matteo Staciarine and Brandon Lewis alternating on piano, and Eisen Griffen on bass, C4 brings the next generation of jazz musicians to your backyard. With the ability to flow from bebop to hip-hop and everywhere in between, C4 presents a night of music that’ll be genuinely unforgettable.

Saturday, May 27th: Slim Gambill & The Second Guesses w/ Andre Manga, Jordan Carter and Les Hall
2023-05-27 19:30 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SHOWTIMES: 7:30PM AND 9:30PM. An evening of an all-over-the-map, all-things-considered musical grab bag. Intermingling Slim’s original contemporary jazz music (as heard on Sirius/XM Watercoors, WCLK Atlanta and WJZA Atlanta), with everything from 90’s R&B, Latin-Island-Afrobeat fusion, 70’s smooth jazz, 80’s rock, maybe an action Jazz Standard and…well, you get the picture. There’s never been a dull moment when Slim Gambill comes to the Velvet Note, and evenly his usual standards, this is a night that will surprise and entertain you. And will likely surprise the band too.

Friday, May 26th: Slim Gambill & The Second Guesses w/ Andre Manga, Jordan Carter and Les Hall
2023-05-26 19:30 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States

Thursday, May 25th: Open Mic Jam Hosted by Saxophonist Dwan Bosman
2023-05-25 20:00 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
Open Mic is a little like Karaoke, but much, much better. Come out and listen to or jam with our extraordinary house band, or take the stage all on your own. This week, we’ve got saxophonist Dwan Bosman herding the cats, so you know it’s gonna be hot! And come hungry and thirsty–we roll out our delicious house and bar specialities for the week, just for you!

Sunday, May 21st: Legends of Jazz Presents the Music of Herbie Hancock
2023-05-21 19:00 - 20:30 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
ONE SHOW ONLY @ 7:00pm. Legends of Jazz Series presents a celebration of the music of Herbie Hancock!

Justin Varnes and his quartet will guide guests–in engaging, narrative form– through the life of this legendary pianist as well as the impact that he had on the legacy of jazz. It’s like taking in a concert and taking a jazz history class at the same time.

Oh, and they’ll also play their behinds off!

Saturday, May 20th: Sarah Partridge is 'Honoring Ella'
2023-05-20 19:30 - 23:00
SHOWTIMES: 7:30pm and 9:30pm. A dazzling interpreter of classic and popular standards over her twenty- five year career, Partridge has delighted audiences around the globe. As a New Jersey resident, she covers the east coast from NYC, to Boston, to Washington, DC. Her tours of the US have taken her from the south to the midwest and pacific northwest.

Sarah has seven internationally released recordings that range from jazz standards to albums of her own compositions. Her album, “Bright Lights & Promises: Redefining Janis Ian” landed on 3 “best jazz album” lists in 2017. Her latest holiday release in 2022, “A Partridge in In A Pear Tree”, received thousands of plays on Spotify, Apple and Amazon where several tracks appeared on top pick playlists.

Sarah has performed with many legendary musicians, including trumpeters Doc Cheatham and Sean Jones, guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, and saxophonist Frank Wess.

Critic Dan Bilawsky wrote in “All About Jazz”, Partridge can scat, strut, soar, and tear your heart and soul to shreds without ever breaking a sweat. She’s that good, these performances are that memorable, and this album is most certainly one for the ages.

Friday, May 19th: Deborah Davis & A Few Good Men
2023-05-19 20:00 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SHOWTIMES: 7:30PM AND 9:30PM.

Also Starring:

Louis Hearivoux ( piano).

Tommy Sauter ( bass)

Kermit Walker( drums)

Internationally acclaimed jazz vocalist Deborah Davis is based in New York City. She makes her debut appearance at The Velvet Note, accompanied by A Few Good Men from the Atlanta area featuring Louis Hearivoux, piano, Tommy Sauter, bass and Kermit Walker, drums.

Deborah has a natural flowing charm and flawless stage presence that draws you into her show. A native of Dallas, and UNT alum, she has toured 35 international countries, has performed with legendary jazz greats Lionel Hampton, and Clark Terry, invited to sing with Freddie Hubbard, Art Blakey, and Ray Brown, did a commercial with Ella Fitzgerald and subbed for Abbey Lincoln. As a band leader she has lead her own bands featuring, Cyrus Chestnut, Eric Lewis, Gerald Clayton, Benny Green, Christian McBride, Peter Washington, Eric Wheeler, Russell Malone, Greg Hutchinson, Brian Blade, Willie Jones III and too many more to name. She’s know for her unique phrasing and ability to swing like her life depends on it. As an independent artist she formed “got my own records” producing 3 recordings. She has sung for dignitaries at the U.N. and U.S. Embassy affairs including a performance for President Bill Clinton, and toured Latin America as a US Jazz Ambassador. Deborah Davis Music Design, LLC is music curator and consultant for international hotels, jazz clubs, and music festivals and events. Her charitable contributions include annual benefit shows for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and City Meals on Wheels (NYC) .

Thursday, May 18th: Open Mic Jam Hosted by Saxophonist Dwan Bosman
2023-05-18 20:00 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States

Happy Mother's Day! Saturday, May 13th & Sunday, May 14th: The Legendary Bosman Twins
2023-05-13 19:30 - 2023-05-14 21:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SATURDAY SHOWTIMES: 7:30PM AND 9:30PM

SUNDAY SHOWTIMES: 5:30PM AND 7:30PM

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Dwayne’s and Dwight’s passion for jazz started at an early age. They grew up listening to the sounds of great jazz artists such as Earl “Fatha” Hines, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and their father Lloyd Smith, who was a well known businessman and a side man in Basie’s and Ellington’s orchestras. They are both Florida A&M University music scholars, composers, arrangers, jazz artists and music educators. Over the years, The Bosman Twins have shared their love of music and the stage with entertainment legends Freddie Cole, Branford Marsalis, Fontella Bass, Roy Ayers, David Peaston and the late trumpeter, Lester Bowie. Whether performing with their own band or accompanying other notable jazz professionals, their unique style and renditions of jazz, rhythm and blues, funk and gospel have earned them national and international acclaim.

Get to know The Bosman Twins and their music by clicking HERE.

The Bosmans play an array of woodwind instruments, ranging from tenor and alto saxophone (Dwayne and Dwight’s primary instruments) to soprano sax and a variety of clarinets and flutes. They always bring an infectious enthusiasm and energy to the stage, an approach they learned from their father, Lloyd Smith, an alto saxophonist and flute player who worked with such famous St. Louis bandleaders as Fate Marable, Charles Creath and Dewey Jackson – and later played with legends like Earl Hines and Duke Ellington on the national jazz scene.

Friday, May 12th: Mercy Myra w/ Mausiki Scales & The Common Ground
2023-05-12 19:30 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
ONE SHOW ONLY: 7:30PM.

One of the most enjoyable entertainers anywhere!

Definitely born to sing, Mercy Myra is lauded as Kenya’s leading female R&B artist, often viewed as a female pioneer in the Kenyan music scene. She made her mark in the industry with a string of hits from two successful CD releases: Taba Samu (2001) and Nyisri Malong’o (2003). Favorites like “I’m Gonna Fly”, “Maneno”, “Life”, “Imagine” and “Tie Dero” topped the African music charts. International performances, tours and guest appearances came next, as well as numerous awards and accolades. She feels very close to her newest single, “Back Home”, which touches on the subject of missing her native Kenya. Its grounded yet airy percussions, as well as a subtle bass line allow the song to have a natural feel, as if evoking the four elements of nature: water, air, fire and earth.

ABOUT MAUSIKI SCALES

A virtuosic keys player, Scales also sings, composes, arranges, and plays African percussion instruments. But his musical education started early, as he trained on piano from the age of eight and loved listening to classic soul music like Earth, Wind and Fire, the Emotions, and Gil Scott-Heron. “One day, I heard Parliament Funkadelic’s ‘Flashlight’ playing on the boombox and started playing along on the family piano,” Scales remembered. “I never got it out of my system.”

Thursday, May 11th: Open Mic Jam Hosted by Saxophonist Dwan Bosman
2023-05-11 20:00 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States

Sunday, May 7th: Hiroya Tsukamoto
2023-05-07 19:00 - 22:30 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
TWO SHOWTIMES: 7:00 – 8:30PM and 9:00 – 10:30PM. Hiroya is a one-of-a-kind guitarist and composer. Born and raised in Kyoto, Japan and in 2000, he received a scholarship to Berklee College of Music and came to the US. Since then, he has been performing internationally including United Nations, Blue Note in New York Japanese National Television. Hiroya released six albums. Most recently, he won 2nd place in International Finger Style Guitar Championship in 2018.

Saturday, April 6th: Stephanie Nakasian
2023-05-06 19:30 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SATURDAY SHOWTIMES: 7:30PM AND 9:30PM

Stephanie Nakasian is an exciting, well-seasoned vocalist and master of innovative jazz improvisation, completely authentic with a fresh and vibrant sound all her own.

Known as one of the world’s leading jazz vocalists, Stephanie will take you on a fantasy swing voyage that transcends the Great Ladies of Song in genre, tribute and originality. Capturing the heart of audiences with her extensive repertoire, reaching from Jazz to Broadway, Stephanie creates an atmosphere of romance and excitement that will transport you to another place and time.

A prolific recording artist with 15 celebrated albums, including her acclaimed “Show me the Way” and special tribute to Billie Holiday “Billie Remembered” which was featured on NPR’s “Fresh Air” with Terry Gross, Stephanie continues to perform live and is dedicated to inspiring “next generation” artists through her writings, guest speaker appearances and participatory vocal training courses and improv workshops.

Concert appearances as a featured artist include performances with Urbie Green, Pat Metheny, Bobby McFerrin, Milt Hinton, Clark Terry, J.R. Monterose, Joe Temperly, Scott Hamilton, Harry Allen, Sheila Jordan, Bob Dorough, Valery Ponomarev and (with Jon Hendricks) Philly Joe Jones, Roy Haynes, and Annie Ross to name a few.

Friday, May 5th: The Bill Hart International Jazz Fusion Band
2023-05-05 20:00 - 22:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
ONE SHOW ONLY (8pm)! The Velvet Note is FIRE on Cinco de Mayo!

It’s hard to believe that Yakou Daniel N’Guesson and Emrah Kotan have never met, but it happens this Friday, May 5th on The Velvet Note Stage! If you’ve been waiting to try out an evening with this acclaimed jazz fusion band, THIS is the one! Canadian Bill Hart herds a skillful and groovy group of phenomenal musicians for an evening of musical discovery and great fun.

Thursday, May 4th: Open Mic Jam Hosted by Saxophonist Dwan Bosman
2023-05-04 20:00 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States

Sunday, April 30th: An Evening with ELEW
2023-04-30 19:00 - 20:30 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
ONE SHOW ONLY 7:00PM. Eric Robert Lewis (born May 13, 1973), popularly known as ELEW, is an American jazz pianist who has found cross-over success playing rock and pop music. He is known for his unconventional and physical playing style, which eschews a piano bench and includes reaching inside the piano lid to pull at the strings directly, as well as the creation that he calls “Rockjazz”, a genre that “takes the improvisational aspect of jazz and ‘threads it through the eye of the needle of rock.”

Lewis began his career as a jazz purist, playing as a sideman for jazz artists like Wynton Marsalis, Cassandra Wilson, Elvin Jones, Jon Hendricks, and Roy Hargrove as well as performing as a member of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. However, he eventually became interested in rock music and embarked on a solo career as a crossover musician, quickly gaining recognition for his instrumental “Rockjazz” piano covers of mainstream rock hits like The Rolling Stones‘ “Paint It, Black” and The Killers‘ “Mr. Brightside“. He released his first album of instrumental covers, entitled ELEW Rockjazz Vol. 1, on his own label, Ninjazz Entertainment, in March 2010.

Lewis was born in Camden, New Jersey in 1973, where he studied piano as a child. He graduated from Overbrook High School in 1991 and then received a Full Merit Scholarship to the Manhattan School of Music, where he graduated on the Deans List in 1995.

Saturday, April 29th: NY-Based Vocalist Shayna Steele
2023-04-29 19:30 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SHOWTIMES: 7:30PM AND 9:30PM.

“In one performance, California-born, New York-based vocalist Shayna Steele unleashed enough voltage to light up the West End.”

— London Jazz News

One of the greatest singing sensations of our time, known from recordings with Snarky Puppy and Moby and a host of other stars, Shayna Steele takes flight on her third album, “Watch Me Fly”. Offering six self-penned originals and four select classics ranging from Soul via Blues and Gospel and easily crossing over to retro R&B and Jazz, showcasing Shayna Steele’s supremely soulful energy, as well as her mind blowing vocal artistry and songwriting skills.

“I am outrageous, larger than life” are the first words on Shayna Steele’s new album. The few notes she sings to voice them in the aptly named song “Be” already make it clear that this is not braggadocio, but a fact. The singer, born in California and raised in Mississippi, who as a self-proclaimed “American Air Force brat” grew up all over the world, but lives and thrives in New York, not only has a charismatic, charming and truly unique voice, but also plenty of technique and the vocal strength of a volcano. Shayna has performed with the likes of Rihanna, Kelly Clarkson, Bette Midler and Steely Dan as a sought after background vocalist. Shayna made the decision that being in the background was not an option anymore and has been touring regularly as a featured vocalist with Grammy Award winning trumpeter, Chris Botti, was a featured vocalist on Snarky Puppy’s “Family Dinner” and reached #1 on the Dance Billboard charts as a featured vocalist on Moby’s “Disco Lies.” Saying Shayna is ready to step out on her own would be a major understatement.
