The Velvet Note

Sunday, March 9th: Sunday Night Blues, Starring The ATL Blues Cartel!
2025-03-09 19:30 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SHOWTIME: Doors open at 7pm. Music from 7:30pm – 10:30pm. The Atlanta area’s only fully-invitational blues jam session kicks off this month at The Velvet Note! The killah house band is comprised of blues band leaders from across the wide, all performing together and tearin’ it up. This is pre-workweek pick-me-up you’ve been waiting and hoping for.

Saturday, March 8th: Cafe Au Lait
2025-03-08 19:30 - 23:00
Cafè Au Lait is a vibrant and dynamic music collective that effortlessly blends genres to create a unique and captivating sound. The New Orleans-grown, Atlanta based group specializes in original and classic arrangements of R&B, Soul, Rock, Funk, Afro-Reggae and Jazz tunes.

Our mission is to bring people of all creeds and colors together with our infectious melodies and heartfelt lyrics. During a time in which violence, ignorance, and stress are killing us, music brings us together regardless of our differences, to dance, be free, and heal our community.

Cafe Au Lait’s show is crafted to be dynamic, stirring, and energetic! With soulful vocalists and a funky rhythm section, Cafè Au Lait takes listeners on an emotive and transformative musical adventure, evoking a range of feelings from blissful euphoria to bittersweet nostalgia.

Friday, March 7th: Mahogany--The Karl Antoine Trio
2025-03-07 19:30 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SHOWTIMES: 7:30PM AND 9:30PM. Karl Antoine is a Grammy-nominated musician and producer with over 20 years of experience in the music industry. After receiving an associate’s degree from Miami-Dade College, Karl migrated to Atlanta to pursue a career as a musician and producer. His first big break came when a song he created was placed on a then Teddy Riley produced group, Men Of Vision. Although he wasn’t properly credited on the album, this experience gave him the confidence to realize his musical talents were on par with the rest of the music industry. Karl went on to work with Charlie Wilson, Nivea, TLC, and J. Holiday, to name a few. He has also played keys for artists such as Maysa, Peabo Bryson, and TLC, among many others.

Also starring Eric “Sir Bucket” Solomon (drums) and Aaron Clay (bass)

Thursday, March 6th: Open Mic Jam Hosted by Nijah Poteat
2025-03-06 20:00 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
ONE SHOW ONLY: 8:00pm. Georgia’s LONGEST-RUNNING OPEN MIC JAZZ JAM is at The Velvet Note, and you are invited! Open Mic is a little like Karaoke, but much, much better, with full bar and kitchen, too. Tonight is special– with a full cast of characters in our house band, including host Nijah Poteat! Come out and listen to or jam with our extraordinary house band, or take the stage all on your own. Bring your talent, bring date, bring your instrument, bring your clapping hands, and join the fun. Often attended by club owner Tamara Fuller and she’s always on the hunt for talent!

Sunday, March 2nd: Sunday Night Blues Starring The ATL Blues Cartel
2025-03-02 19:30 - 22:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SHOWTIME: Doors open at 7pm. Music from 7:30pm – 10pm. The Atlanta area’s only fully-invitational blues jam session kicks off this month at The Velvet Note! The killah house band is comprised of blues band leaders from across the wide, all performing together and tearin’ it up. This is pre-workweek pick-me-up you’ve been waiting and hoping for.

Saturday, March 1st: CRUZ The Dame
2025-03-01 19:30 - 23:30 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SHOWTIMES: 7:30pm and 9:30pm. CRUZ The Dame is a rising recording artist and songwriter celebrated for her genre-defying music that blends the essence of old soul with a fresh, contemporary sound. Born Crystal Ashlee in Miami, Florida, and raised in Watertown, Tennessee, her musical odyssey began in the local gospel choir, inspired by legendary figures like Aretha Franklin. From the age of four, CRUZ’s dynamic voice and magnetic stage presence caught the attention of audiences and industry icons alike, including James Brown, who recognized her destined path in the spotlight.

By age nine, CRUZ’s magnetic charm and vocal prowess graced stages such as Tootsies, Bluebird Cafe, Lowe’s Hotel, and various renowned venues across the country. She made notable appearances on Atlanta’s Peachtree Morning Show, CBS Nashville, and performed regularly at Gaylord Entertainment in Opryland as part of the Gaylord Ambassadors.

Today, CRUZ The Dame stands at the forefront of a new era in entertainment, captivating audiences worldwide with her vintage music style. Her songwriting talents have been showcased in seasons two and three of the STARZ Network hit television show, BMF. Collaborating with industry luminary Demmette Guidry, CRUZ released her EP, “Modern Sounds in Rhythm & Soul Music, Volume One,” marking a significant milestone in her career. Her latest project, “Under The Covers,” is a heartfelt tribute to her favorite female country artists who inspired her musical journey. From her Americana roots to her current prominence on global stages, CRUZ’s story embodies resilience, authenticity, and the transformative power of music.

Friday, February 28th: Andre Bernard and The Groove Therapy Band
2025-02-28 19:30 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SHOWTIMES: 7:30PM AND 9:30PM. New York-born Trumpeter and Bandleader Andre Bernard leads the Groove Therapy Band in some of the greatest ‘old school” R&B hits of all time, authored by Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind and Fire and many more. Get ready to move to the groove and have a great time!

Thursday, February 27th: Open Mic Jam
2025-02-27 20:00 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
ONE SHOW ONLY: 8:00pm. Get a jump on Valentines Day! Georgia’s LONGEST-RUNNING OPEN MIC JAM is at The Velvet Note, and you are invited! Open Mic is a little like Karaoke, but much, much better, with full bar and kitchen, too. Come out and listen to or jam with our extraordinary house band, or take the stage all on your own. Bring your talent, bring date, bring your instrument, bring your clapping hands, and join the fun. Often attended by club owner Tamara Fuller and she’s always on the hunt for talent!

Saturday, February 22nd: The Kevin Bales Trio, featuring Jazz Singer Jennifer Wrobleski
2025-02-22 19:30 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SHOWTIMES: 7:30PM AND 9:30PM. Enjoy a romantic evening with jazz singer Jennifer Farnsworth! With GRAMMY-nominated Pianist Kevin Bales By some measures, Kevin Bales was a latecomer to jazz, already 17 when he encountered the sounds and structures and became captivated by the freedom and corresponding challenges of the music. We are delighted as this GRAMMY-nominated pianist brings another stellar performance to The Velvet Note, with one of his favorite singers, Jennifer Wrobleski.

Friday, February 21st: Jazz Trumpeter Jhefte Pierre w/ guest Sammy Hanson
2025-02-21 19:30 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SHOWTIMES: 7:30PM AND 9:30PM. Jhefte Pierre is a world-class jazz trumpeter, a master painter and multi-instrumentalist. He is a graduate of Fort Valley State University, has performed for former President Obama and has worked with and opened up for GRAMMY-award winners and nominees. Jhefte formed The Truffle Butter Band in an effort to enhance the ordinary musical experience, just as truffles do for cuisine.

Listen to Jhefte’s groove HERE.

Sammy Hanson is a jazz pianist and has been playing piano for 16 years. He has a Bachelor degree in Jazz Performance from Florida State University and has been performing in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area . Sammy has also performed in Carnegie Hall, competed in the Essentially Ellington and Jack Rudin Competitions at Lincoln Center.

Thursday, February 20th: Open Mic Jam
2025-02-20 20:00 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States

Sunday, February 16th: Roman Street-Seating Available
2025-02-16 19:00 - 22:45 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SHOWTIMES: 7:00pm and 9:00pm. These top fan favorites are back with their quartet at The Velvet Note for an evening of great festivity and song!

Brothers Noah and Josh Thompson put their guitars together to form Roman Street. Since the college years, this brotherly jam session has developed into a Billboard/iTunes charting band who many have dubbed ‘the next generation’ of Jazz Fusion. Roman Street, named for an old roman street in the Alps where they studied guitar, is an internationally trained instrumental band specializing in improvisational fusion of Classical, Gypsy and Contemporary Jazz, Latin, and Nuevo Flamenco. A departure from the over-produced music that is out there today, they keep it simple—the beautifully organic sound of acoustic instruments played by talented people who love what they are doing. Whether performing as a guitar duo, or with a backing band, Roman Street astounds with music that appeals to fans of many genres.

Friday and Saturday, February 14th & 15th: A Very Velvet Valentine's Weekend ***
2025-02-14 19:30 - 2025-02-15 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
FRIDAY & SATURDAY SHOWTIMES: 7:30PM AND 9:30PM. Love is in the air, and on the stage. THIS is the place to be for Valentine’s weekend, starring Vivian Sessoms!

Born and raised in Harlem, Vivian, whose mother was a session/jingle-singer, and father who was a flautist/percussionist (for James Brown among others), learned the wonder and the craft of music at a young age. With the help of casting agent Mikki Powell (The Wiz), she made the rounds of auditions for various Broadway shows, all while receiving classical training in voice and piano. Somewhere around the age of 14, Vivian began composing her own music, following in the footsteps of her musician parents. Vivian has performed with Rob Thomas, Stevie Wonder, Joe Cocker, Michael Jackson, and many more.

Friday, February 14th: The Velvet Valentine's Lunch
2025-02-14 12:00 - 13:30 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
ONE SEATING TIME: 12:00 Noon. Beat the crowds by scooping up your special love and taking him/her to a romantic lunch! On Valentine’s Day, The Velvet Note offers a beautiful, three-course, price fixed, delicious lunch to the accompaniment of Ray and BJ Howard with their trio, performing the greatest of love songs What you do the rest of the day is up to you! A true, daytime treat–get your reservations now!

Thursday, February 13th: Open Mic Jam
2025-02-13 20:00 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States

Friday and Saturday, February 7th & 8th: William Green's Big Birthday Bash Performance
2025-02-07 19:30 - 2025-02-08 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SHOWTIMES: 7:30PM AND 9:30PM. Join The Velvet Note in celebrating William Green’s 65th birthday and the release of his new single entitled “Good To Go” on Friday February 7th and Saturday February 8th for 2 shows each night at 7:30 and 9:30 pm. This weekend of magical music will feature soul and jazz original songs from William Green’s repertoire that consists of 6 studio albums as well as popular cover songs from well known recording artists. William Green will be joined by his bassist and drummer along with special invited musical artists.

Wednesday, February 5th: The ATL Blues Cartel
2025-02-05 19:30 - 22:30 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SHOWTIME: Doors open at 7pm. Music from 7:30pm – 10:30pm. The Atlanta area’s only fully-invitational blues jam session kicks off this month at The Velvet Note! The killah house band is comprised of blues band leaders from across the wide, all performing together and tearin’ it up. This is the mid-week pick-me-up you’ve been waiting and hoping for.

Saturday, February 1st: Joe Gransden Swings! *** SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! *****
2025-02-01 19:30 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SHOWTIMES: 7:30PM AND 9:30PM. Renowned first for the hard bop approach of his trumpet, Gransden’s masterful singing talent has been compared to that of the iconic singer/trumpeter Chet Baker. This quartet performance focuses on The Great American Songbook and Joe’s seductive, commanding, baritone voice that fills the air as magically as his trumpet sounds and arrangements, and further reinforces his status as a unique artist and star.

Friday, January 31st: Breakout Singer Nijah Poteat
2025-01-31 19:30 - 23:30 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SHOWTIMES: 7:30PM AND 9:30PM. Nijah Poteat is a professional singer-songwriter based in Atlanta, Georgia. Originally from North Carolina, she studied music and creative writing at the UNC Chapel Hill, class of 2024. Her love for singing and the arts is a family inheritance, passed down from her mother. She considers her influences to be gospel, jazz and R&B.

Thursday, January 30th: Open Mic Jam
2025-01-30 20:00 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
ONE SHOW ONLY: 8:00pm. Georgia’s LONGEST-RUNNING OPEN MIC JAM is at The Velvet Note, and you are invited! Open Mic is a little like Karaoke, but much, much better, with full bar and kitchen, too. Come out and listen to or jam with our extraordinary house band, or take the stage all on your own. Bring your talent, bring date, bring your instrument, bring your clapping hands, and join the fun. Often attended by club owner Tamara Fuller and she’s always on the hunt for talent!

***NEW!!** Wednesday, January 29th: The ATL Blues Cartel
2025-01-29 20:00 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SHOWTIME: Doors open at 7pm. Music from 8pm – 11pm. The Atlanta area’s only fully-invitational blues jam session kicks off this month at The Velvet Note! The killah house band is comprised of blues band leaders from across the wide, all performing together and tearin’ it up. This is the mid-week pick-me-up you’ve been waiting and hoping for.

Saturday, January 25th: The Ray Howard Band Earth Wind, and Fire Fundraising Gala
2025-01-25 19:30 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
ONE NIGHT ONLY! Please join us for our 2025 Velvet Note Fundraiser, starring The Ray Howard Band’s Tribute to Earth, Wind and Fire! Over the past several months, many of you have asked how you can help. This is your opportunity to help us ensure that we can continue to bring great music to you and your family and friends.

Bronze – $69 (ticket)

Silver – $250 (ticket plus three course dinner included and silver sponsor recognition)

Gold – $500 (ticket plus dinner and gold sponsor recognition)

Thank you so much for your support and we look forward to celebrating with you soon!

Friday, January 24th: Star Singer Leonard Julien III ***SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!!! SOLD OUT!! ****
2025-01-24 19:30 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SHOWTIMES: 7:30pm and 9:30pm. Bonafide, exceptional, phenomenal, special, rare, vocal extraordinaire are all words that people regularly use to describe the musical talent of Leonard Julien, III. Leonard is a true rhythm and blues, soul singer. He is considered a seasoned veteran at his craft and has made quite a name for himself, locally and abroad. Some say that he is one of the last “soul preachers” of his generation. He has a tremendous vocal range where he can take you from Barry White all the way to Peabo Bryson because he, like a chameleon, is able to change his voice at will.

A native of Donaldsonville, Louisiana, Leonard comes from an extremely musical family where his mother is a singer and his father plays the saxophone and sings as well. As a youngster, he was literally infatuated with playing the saxophone like his dad, which he started at age 11. His grandfather, Leonard Julien, Sr., led a big band in the 1950s called the Leonard Julien Orchestra. In addition, the well-known Pink Panther theme song was played by his cousin, Plas Johnson, who happens to be Leonard’s mentor. Music has definitely shaped Leonard’s childhood.

He earned a scholarship to play the saxophone at Southern University under the direction of Dr. Isaac Greggs and the Southern University Marching Band. He also studied jazz ensemble with Alvin Battiste. Leonard’s vocal talent was later discovered by Dr. Isaac Greggs, Band Director of Southern University Marching Band.

Whether it is crooning or blowing the horn, Leonard does them both well. In fact, blues singer, Millie Jackson, hired him as a saxophonist and occasional background vocalist. While touring with Millie, Leonard received a personal call from Otis Williams of the Temptations, to sing the voiceover of David Ruffin in the NBC mini-series, “The Temptations.” Leonard also recorded a demo for one of his all-time favorite male vocalists, Peabo Bryson, who re-recorded the song entitled, “We’ve Come Too Far” for his Unconditional Love album. He is featured on Outkast’s (legendary hip-hop group) hit, “The Whole World”, and “I Like the Way You Move”. He recently toured as saxophonist and background vocalist with Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle.

As a vocalist, Leonard has been the featured opening act for the likes of Stevie Wonder, Ann Nesby, Howard Hewitt, Johnny Adams, Denise LaSalle, Tyrone Davis, Jeffrey Osborne, B.B. King, and Ray, Goodman & Brown, MC Hammer, Najee, Kem, just to name a few. He has also appeared on Jay Leno, The Dave Chappell Show, and the Wayne Brady Show as a saxophonist. His debut CD, “Reflections of Soul,” triumphed at #1 on European charts for 8 straight weeks and on CD Baby. Click here to videos of various recording artists who have featured Leonard on lead, or saxophones.

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

Saturday, January 18th: From Hulu Television--Trap Jazz Starring Chris Moten ***SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT ***
2025-01-18 19:30 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SHOWTIMES: 7:30PM AND 9:30PM. To Atlanta audiophiles, Chris’s best known for his force as an arranger and Musical Director for multiple prominent celebrity artists. Chris has work as a leader and as a follower. From working side by side on shows containing some of the best musicians in the business, including two of the nation’s greatest Band Leaders, Jay Leno’s Band Leader, Ricky Minor and Justin Timberlake/Janet Jackson’s Musical Director, Adam Blackstone.

While touring with B.o.B., Chris was featured in Bob’s 2010 video Don’t Let Me Fall, as the pianist in his street band. Chris also studied Jazz Composition and Improvisation at Clark Atlanta University where he also won first seat in the acclaimed IAJE HBCU all-star band in which potential members would create and send an audition tape to be considered to travel and perform with the all-star unit. when Chris Moten, a musician from Decatur, saw an opportunity to blend his background playing jazz music with Atlanta’s trap sound, he seized it and never let it go. He started combining the two genres in 2015 and later created a 10-piece band, Trap Jazz All-Stars, that performs across the country. Now, his style of musical fusion will be highlighted in a new documentary, “Trap Jazz,” on the Hulu network. The bands created by Chris are relentless at how fierce and energetic the players are while performing the Artists original music both in studio and out.

Friday, January 17th: Andre Bernard & The Group Therapy Band: Old School
2025-01-17 19:30 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SHOWTIMES: 7:30PM AND 9:30PM. New York-born Trumpeter and Bandleader Andre Bernard leads the Groove Therapy Band in a performance of some of the greatest ‘old school” R&B hits of all time, authored by Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind and Fire and many more. Get ready to move to the groove and have a great time!

Thursday, January 16th: Open Mic Jam!
2025-01-16 20:00 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States

Thursday, January 9th: Open Mic Jam!
2025-01-09 20:00 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States

Sunday, January 5th: PRIVATE PARTY
2025-01-05 00:00 - 23:59

Saturday, January 4th: Louis Heriveaux & Tommy Sauter *** SOLD OUT !! SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! ***
2025-01-04 19:30 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SHOWTIMES: 7:30pm and 9:30pm. Louis is the first-call pianist for many notable musicians such as Jimmy Heath and Ralph Peterson, to name a few. After being impressed by Louis’ musical integrity in his approach to Jazz piano, Donald Brown immediately called Kenny Garrett, and referred Louis to him, for upcoming, gigs. Louis has appeared as a member of The Russell Gunn Quartet, featuring vocalist Dionne Farris. Louis’ name is becoming more and more familiar to the top names in Jazz as he continues to appear on the local Jazz scene in Atlanta, as well as on the national and international Jazz scene.

Friday, January 3rd: Singer/Guitarist Michael K!
2025-01-03 19:30 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SHOWTIMES: 7:30pm and 9:30pm. “For one person or one thousand, my performance remains passionate.” Michael K. is a guitarist and singer performing in the Metro-atlanta area for 5 years. A native New Yorker, he co-owns a live sound and studio production company, as well as leadership of his own versatile band. Michael K performs a broad spectrum of originals and covers, from Chicago, Frank Sinatra, to Dave Matthews and Maroon 5, all demographics can dance, tap their feet, and appreciate heartfelt lyrics and good vibes.
