Thursday, July 28th: Open Mic Jam Hosted by Singer/Actor Eric Moore
2022-07-28 20:00 - 23:00 (America/New_York) | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
Have you tried Open Mic Jam at the Atlanta area’s #1 rated jazz club? It’s like Karaoke, but much, much better. Come out to to The Velvet Note and listen to or jam with our extraordinary house band, or take the stage all on your own. And come hungry and thirsty–we roll out our delicious house and bar specialities for the week, just for you!

Friday, July 29th: Songstress Toni Byrd
2022-07-29 19:30 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SHOWTIMES: 7:30pm and 9:30pm. Toni Byrd, dubbed as “The Velvet SongByrd,” is a world class recording artist, songwriter, award winner of the 2014 Black Women In Jazz, semi-finalist in the 2014 Indaba Music Sarah VaughnInternational Jazz Vocal Competition; and she is an unforgettable and versatile song stylist.

In addition to all of her credits, add actress to her impressive list. Currently based in Atlanta, this beautiful native Memphian was cast in a primary role playing the character “Ida Belle” in the movie, “Lawless,” an American crime drama film directed by John Hillcoat with screenplay by Nick Cave and starring Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy, Guy Pierce, Jessica Chastain, Mia Wasikowksa, Jason Clarke and Gary Oldman. She recorded background vocals for the TV series pilot, “Still The King”, starring Billy Ray Cyrus and in December of 2016, under the historical Obama Administration, performed at the White House Tour in Washington, DC. She is the first female vocalist to perform at the legendary Pinewood Atlanta Studios (known for James Bond, Marvel and Pirates of the Caribbean movies)

Byrd began her professional career in music in 1996 in Memphis, Tennessee. Her father, Lionel Byrd, who was a member of a 60’s musical group, The 4 Kings in Memphis Tennessee, did not restrict her to one genre of music. She listened to gospel, jazz, R&B, pop, American Funk and Country Music. Byrd recalls hearing opera singer, Leontyne Price, in a commercial for the United Negro College Fund. “While growing up I never knew there were African American opera singers and found myself imitating the richness and clarity of this beautiful woman’s voice.” Her other influences include singers, Nat King Cole, Aretha Franklin, Nancy Wilson, Roberta Flack, Ella Fitzgerald, Karen Carpenter, Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, Barbra Streisand, Dionne Warwick, Natalie Cole, Gladys Knight, Anita Baker, Maysa, Yolanda Adams, Andre Crouch and The Hawkins Family, to mention a few.

In July of 2017, Toni wrote, and released, her first solo of original songs on her Inspirational Jazz EP, Forever You’re My God; that was nominated, that same year, by The Rhythm of Gospel Awardsin 4 categories: EP/Digital Album of the Year, Praise/Worship Song of the Year, Best Performance by Female Artist and Inspirational Song of the Year. Byrd is the featured vocalist on a recording that gave tribute to Natalie Cole entitled Toni Sings Natalie…A Natalie Cole Tribute released in January 2019.

Note: this date was previously held by Ritah Wilburn, who has cancelled her show. For questions, call 855.5.VELVET. For seats to Toni’s performances, click below.

Saturday, July 30th: The Richie Summa Group
2022-07-30 19:30 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
Richie Summa hails from Stamford, Connecticut, where he studied guitar with Sal Salvador, one of the jazz greats. Richie has performed with jazz luminaries such as Scotty Barnhart, Longineu Parsons, and Leon Anderson, Jr. As a leader, Summa has produced two CDs, “Alone Together,” (solo guitar & vocals), and “Tear It Down” (with his jazz quartet). On “Tear It Down,” Richie pays tribute to some of the jazz greats, covering tunes by Wes Montgomery and Pat Martino along with some of his original compositions. On “Alone Together,” Richie sings from the “Great American Songbook,” displaying the influence of Joe Pass on guitar and the vocal stylings of Chet Baker. Most recently, Richie was a featured artist at the 2022 Bainbridge Jazz and Blues Festival.

During his career, Summa has performed with every variety of musician and entertainer imaginable. He has played guitar with Julie Andrews, Englebert Humperdinck, Della Reese, Rita Moreno, Connie Francis, Bobby Vinton, and many more. He has performed with the Fifth Dimension and The Drifters.

Richie has performed on Broadway with the production of “La Cage aux Folles.” He has backed Anthony Quinn in “Zorba the Greek,” Joel Grey in “Cabaret,” and Donna McKechnie in “A Chorus Line.” Richie has backed comedians Bob Hope, Rich Little, Milton Berle and Henny Youngman.

In his “other job,” Summa is a criminal appeals attorney, representing indigent defendants in Florida and federal courts. Summa has argued numerous cases in the Florida Supreme Court and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta. In January of 2020, Mr. Summa argued a case before the Supreme Court of the United States.

Thursday, August 4th: Open Mic Jam Hosted by Award-Winning Entertainer Joyce Licorish
2022-08-04 20:00 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States

Saturday, August 6th: The Sofia Goodman Group
2022-08-06 19:30 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SHOWTIMES: 7:30PM AND 9:30PM. Sofia is a drummer and composer residing in Nashville, TN. Before enrolling at Berklee College of music for her Bachelor’s, Sofia was fortunate to learn and perform with grammy award winning artist Esperanza Spalding in a Berklee summer program jazz ensemble. Esperanza’s encouragement inspired Sofia to perfect her craft. After graduating Berklee, Sofia moved to Nashville. In Nashville, Sofia’s resume grew and she worked as a freelance musician and teacher. Tony Rounce of Ace Records said this about her playing at the Poretta Soul Festival:”There isn’t enough time to do full justice to the qualities of every member of Heart & Soul, but it would be wrong not the spotlight the unit’s brilliant drummer Sofia Goodman, whose drive and precision across 5-6 hours behind her kit each night put her in a class with any of the world’s great soul drummers, from Al Jackson Jr., Howard Grimers and Roger Hawkins to Benny Benjamin, James Gadson and beyond.”

In 2017, she began leading her own group, The Sofia Goodman Group, a group that fuses various genres within jazz. They have performed at various festivals such as The Elkhart Jazz Fest (2x), The Alex City Jazz Fest, USM Jazz and Blues Fest, Fort Harrod Jazz Fest (3x), West Georgia Jazz Fest, and more. Currently she is accompanied by Troy Atkins on saxophones, Alex Murphy on piano, Serah Zhannell on percussion, Rheal Janelle on guitar and Leland Nelson on bass. Her debut album “Myriad of Flowers” was released in 2018 and was nominated by The Nashville Music Industry Awards for Best Jazz album of 2019. In 2020, Sofia was nominated by The Nashville Music Industry Awards for Best Jazz Instrumentalist. In 2021, she earned her Master’s Degree in Commercial Music Composition and Media Writing at Belmont University. Recently, she won the Pathways to Jazz Grant to fund her work on her sophomore album, Secrets of the Shore, which is planned to be released in the summer of 2022. She is a Zildjian artist and is on the Vic Firth Education Team, and is dedicated to passing down her craft to future generations.

Friday, August 12th: Soulful Singer Eric Moore
2022-08-12 19:30 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage , 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, Georgia, 30005
Eric Moore is an Atlanta, Georgia native. His is an accomplished vocalist and actor. Eric began professionally singing in 1986 and has worked extensively as a vocalist, musical director, songwriter, and music producer. His style is versatile and can blend into traditional, contemporary, jazz, holy hip-hop and bluegrass. Eric began his professional acting career in 1995 by landing a role in Theatrical Outfit’s musical production of “Cotton Patch Gospel” directed by Tom Key. This production would be the first of many productions in Eric’s career.

Eric has appeared in a host of local and national theater productions. He has performed with a variety of ensembles and portrayed a wide range of roles in such productions as The Wilson Picket Project(The Wilson Picket Foundation) Jesus Christ Superstar (Alliance Theatre); Once on This Island (Aurora Theatre); Big River (Theatrical Outfit); Godspell (Theatrical Outfit); Man of La Mancha (Alabama Shakespeare Festival / Montgomery, AL); To Kill a Mockingbird (ASF / AL); Mahalia, a Gospel Musical (Theatrical Outfit); Lost Highways (Theatrical Outfit); Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Theatrical Outfit & Atlanta Lyric); Tambourines To Glory (True Colors Theatre /Atlanta & Washington, D.C.); Five Guys Named Moe and Hometown Holidays (Aurora Theatre); I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (Horizon Theater); Cotton Patch Gospel (Theatrical Outfit, Alliance, Rialto Theater and Georgia Ensemble Theatre); A Christmas Carol (Alliance Theater & ASF / Montgomery, AL); Christmas Gathering (ART Station); Merry Wives of Windsor (Fourteen Street Playhouse); King of Glory (Green Pastures Christian Church); and I Can Do Bad, All By Myself (Tyler Perry Productions /Illinois & Tennessee).

Eric has appeared on local and national television, radio broadcasts, as well as commercials including, but not limited to Trinity Broadcast Network Praise the Lord, Candi Stanton Say Yes, Black Entertainment Television The Bobby Jones Show, FOX 5 Network Good Day Atlanta, Home Depot Industrial Film, Star Cable Network Commercial, O’Charley’s Restaurant Commercial, The Southern Company Commercial, Herren’s Restaurant Documentary and TV 57 Babbie’s House. Other musical credits include vocalist for the 2005 and 2006 Peachtree Road Race, 2004 Olympic Torch Relay Celebration, Abbey Awards, First Night Atlanta, 1996 Summer Olympics, and The High Museum of Art in Atlanta.

Eric has received a number of honors and awards and currently serves as the Worship Leader for Eagle’s Nest Church in Alpharetta.

Saturday, August 13th: LAVAHI *** SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! ***
2022-08-13 19:30 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SHOWTIMES: 7:30PM AND 9:30PM. Lavahi is the vocal winner of The Velvet Note’s Open Mic Competition, and we are excited to introduce her to you through her very first full-length performance on our stage!

LAVAHI is building a platform to nourish the heart and mind, empathize our human experiences, and vibe together. As a daughter of jazz, the culture heavily informs her ideology and influences her sound. Acrobatic scatting, compelling chords, and the art of improvisation evoke that classic traditional aesthetic and set her contemporary sound apart from the norm of mainstream neo-soul, hip hop, and R&B.

LAVAHI has been actively developing her artistry via performing, songwriting, and recording since 2010. In the process, she has worked with an eclectic range of artists and produced noteworthy collaborative projects. Her list of credits includes “Hold On,” the widely successful second single release from jazz vocalist Lori Williams’s 2018 studio album Out of the Box, and “Rest Assured,” a feature on Hospital Records’ drum and bass tribute compilation ‘Med School: Graduation.’ “Hold On” (featuring the legendary Tom Browne of “Funkin’ for Jamaica (N.Y.)”), topped the UK Soul charts for weeks since its release, while “Rest Assured” made waves on the UK Electronic charts.

LAVAHI also produces, plays flute and piccolo, and arranges. She has added her unique sound to national and international projects in genres varying from rap to film scores to alternative. LAVAHI loves the studio and feels most natural when recording independently; but her second home is the collaborative live performance of the stage. She has been featured at venues such as Blues Alley, Bethesda Blues and Jazz, Kat’s Cafe, Porter-Sanford III, St. James Live!, City Winery, and more, and she has even stepped into the world of acting via musicals and stage plays.

Whether through performance in music, in writing, or in academic spaces, LAVAHI allows her own vulnerability to cultivate the vibe and create a safe space, internally and externally, for those sharing the experience with her.

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

Thursday, August 18th: Open Mic Jam Hosted by Award-Winning Entertainer Joyce Licorish
2022-08-18 20:00 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States

Friday and Saturday, August 19th & 20th: The Greg Abate Quartet
2022-08-19 19:30 - 2022-08-20 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
FRIDAY SHOWTIMES: 7:30PM AND 9:30PM

SATURDAY SHOWTIMES: 7:30PM AND 9:30PM

After graduating from the prestigious Berklee School of Music, jazz saxophonist, flutist, and composer Greg Abate played lead alto saxophone in the Ray Charles Orchestra for two years in the early ‘70s. In 1978, he formed the group Channel One, and later played tenor sax in the revived Artie Shaw Orchestra, directed by Dick Johnson.Following this experience Greg ventured out as post hard bop soloist playing Jazz Festivals, Jazz Societies and Jazz Clubs throughout the U.S. Canada and abroad, including most of Europe, UK, and Moscow and Georgia Russia, and has released more than 16 albums.Greg’s newest release Gratitude, with the Tim Ray Trio has received glowing reviews and a lot of international airplay.

Sunday, August 21st: Jennifer Wrobleski *** SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! ***
2022-08-21 19:00 - 21:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
Born in Pittsburgh, PA, Ms. Wrobleski has lived up and down the east coast. She studied opera at the New England Conservatory of Music and musical theatre at the Boston Conservatory of Music.

After school, she began her singing career with The Walt Disney Company in Orlando, FL. As the character, Cinderella, she sang and danced in the Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella Surprise Celebration show. She also played the role of Belle in MGM’s Beauty & The Beast show.

In early 2005, she formed a jazz quartet and performed throughout Florida and Georgia, including Downtown Disney’s Pleasure Island Jazz Company, the House of Blues Orlando, Nikki Beach Miami, Churchill Grounds Atlanta and Sambuca in Buckhead.

Later, having moved to NYC, Ms. Wrobleski performed regularly with Harold Mabern Jr, Joseph Farnsworth, Eric Alexander, John Webber, Sharp Radway and Anthony Wonsey. Oftentimes, she was a featured vocalist with the Harold Mabern Jr Trio at the Village Vanguard, Dizzy’s Coca-Cola Club and clubs around the world including Greece, Vienna, Russia and Italy.

In addition to the music, Ms. Wrobleski is an avid painter. Her portrait of jazz legend, Harold Mabern Jr is on display at Smalls Jazz Club NYC, a portrait of Teddy Wilson is hanging on the walls at Mezzrow Jazz Club in NYC, as well as a mural at the famed Harlem restaurant, Charlie’s Bar & Kitchen.

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

Thursday, August 25th: Open Mic Jam Hosted by Entertainer Joyce Licorish
2022-08-25 20:00 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States

Friday, August 26th: Roman Street ***SOLD OUT!!! SOLD OUT!!! SOLD OUT!! ***
2022-08-26 19:30 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SHOWTIMES: 7:30pm and 9:30pm. These top fan favorites are back 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.

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

Sunday, August 28th: SPARKS! (Semi-Private Event)*** SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! ***
2022-08-28 19:00 - 21:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
Sparks’s warm, classic rock rhythm and blues sound stems from the modern renaissance man, business coach, lawyer, podcaster, and musician, Jonathan Sparks. This spring, he continues to bring his Nirvana – Bowie – Soundgarden sound to prestigious venues near Atlanta. His new single “I’ve Got Your Number” was mixed by acclaimed engineer Peter Barker (Bruce Springsteen, Herbie Hancock, Fiona Apple) and will be available on all streaming platforms on 1/21/22.

Sparks has shared the stage with Tom Petty and the original Woodstock Santana band, among others.

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

Thursday, September 1st: Open Mic Jam Hosted by Saxophonist Vance Kelly
2022-09-01 20:00 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States

Friday, September 2nd and Saturday, September 3rd: Earth Wind and Fire Tribute *** SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! ***
2022-09-02 19:30 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SHOWTIMES: FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, 7:30PM AND 9:30PM. Do you remember….the twenty-first night of September? By POPULAR DEMAND, we are bringing the Ray Howard Band back in 2022 for their tribute to the beloved EW&F. This is not just a concert or a show–it’s a PARTY! Here’s your chance to get your jazz-funk-disco-soul groove on, accompanied by some of the hottest musicians around. Bandleader Ray Howard pulls out all of the stops in this weekend-long- tribute to EARTH, WIND & FIRE–one of the most critically acclaimed bands of the twentieth century.

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

Thursday, September 8th: Open Mic Jam Hosted by Saxophonist Vance Kelly
2022-09-08 20:00 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States

Friday, September 9th and Saturday, September 10th: The Longineu Parsons Quartet
2022-09-09 19:30 - 2022-09-10 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
Friday and Saturday Showtimes: 7:30pm and 9:30pm. Comprised of Longineu Parsons on trumpet, Nat Adderley, Jr., on piano, Jose Serrano on bass, and Longineu Parsons, III, on drums, this band is a one-night course in music appreciation. Parsons is the protégé of Nat Adderley (he plays Nat’s cornet), and has played with artists ranging from Philly Joe Jones and Nancy Wilson to Sun Ra. Nat Adderley, Jr., had his first professional songwriting cut at age 11 when (his uncle) Cannonball Adderley included “I’m On My Way” on his 1967 album Why Am I Treated So Bad! He went on to lead the band of R&B legend Luther Vandross for 25 years and was a writer, arranger, and pianist on some of Vandross’ biggest hits. Longineu Parsons, III (“LP3”), was a founding member of Yellowcard and has toured with Adam Lambert and New Years Day, and rising star Jose Serrano rounds out the lineup on bass.

Friday, September 16th: LAVAHI's Birthday Jam! *** SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! ***
2022-09-16 19:30 - 23:59 | The Velvet Note Main
Our favorite singer this year is celebrating her 30th birthday, and YOU are invited to the jam! Musicians and fans far and wide will come together for this evening full of music and celebration of all that is LAVAHI. Get your tickets soon–this is a special event!

Don’t know about LAVAHI? Check her out HERE.

Thursday, September 22nd: Open Mic Jam Hosted by WCLK's RivaBlue
2022-09-22 20:00 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States

Friday, September 23rd: The Bill Hart International Jazz Fusion Band
2022-09-23 20:00 - 22:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
ONE SHOW ONLY! Canadian Guitarist Bill Hart launches his brand new variety show featuring his unique take on world music and genre-bending selections. Only one performance, so get your seats soon!

Saturday, September 24th: R&B/Jazz Singer Rosemary Ajoseh
2022-09-24 19:30 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SHOWTIMES: 7:30PM AND 9:30PM.

Music Department .Singer. Songwriter .Musician .Composer

Rosemary Ajoseh is an Independent Artist and songwriter. Her Passion for Music and Film stems from her youth in Theatre, Drama, Liturgical Dance, and Singing. Rosemary is a creative song writer and score contributor to film and production ; she has led Background vocals for music presentations and recordings. Rosemary has co- produced music projects and seeks to collaborate with Production and Film Arrangements.

“Expression of heart is not only found in words, it is exude by the passion of Art…allow me to show you a Piece of my heart.”-Rosemary Ajoseh

Credentials: .EP Album Released 2020 “Letter of Hope” Ranking #69 Top 100 Release on Amazon .Music Loverz Magazine Feature- Top 5 2020 Artist Recognition .International Radio Air Play

.Music Department: “17B” Short Film Kingdomwood Film Festival Atlanta GA. Singer/Songwriter Score Composer

.Drama stage Play “In Remembrance of Me” co-singing with Brian McKnight’s Niece.

Sunday, September 25th: R&B/Jazz Singer Cleveland Jones and The Justin Varnes Quartet
2022-09-25 19:00 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SHOWTIMES: 7:00PM AND 9:00PM. It’s rare for the world to experience artistry that is so genuine, so heartfelt…so captivating. Welcome to the world of singer/songwriter, Cleveland P. Jones. He is the true embodiment of soul and jazz. When asked about his future in the music industry, he stated “my mission is longevity, not instant fame. I’ve learned by example and experience not to rush a good thing.”

A humble native of South Carolina, Jones started his artistic voyage under the tutelage of his mother and grandfather, who were the lead singers in his church. A graduate of two prestigious institutions, Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia and Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, Cleveland earned his degrees, but also engulfed himself in the study of music. He instantly fell in love with soul and jazz.

Cleveland’s debut album, Ace of Hearts, was released in 2013, and he was named SoulTracks.com’s New Artist of The Year as a result. He also had the honor of opening for soul legend Chaka Khan and was the special guest of The Shadowboxers. His original song, “Don’t Leave Me” from his debut album was a major feature in the 2016 Netflix release, “ECHO PARK”. In 2017-2018, Cleveland was privileged to tour many cities through out Eastern Europe as a solo artist. Currently, Cleveland is expanding his brand by writing and recording soul, jazz and house music and continues performing nationally and locally. Simply put, Cleveland is committed to deliver unadulterated, timeless music. He is well on his way to higher places, but will always be grounded in his quest to heal souls one song at a time.

Friday, September 30th: The Gilad Hekselman Trio
2022-09-30 19:30 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SHOWTIMES: 7:30PM AND 9:30PM. Gilad Hekselman is one of the leading voices in jazz guitar. Only a few years after his arrival to NY in 2004, this native Israeli was already sharing stages with some of the greatest artists in the New York City jazz scene including Chris Potter, Eric Harland, Fred Hersch, Mark Turner, Anat Cohen, Ari Hoenig, Esperanza Spalding, Jeff Ballard, Ben Wendel, Gretchen Parlato, Ben Williams, Avishai Cohen, Tigran Hamasyan, Aaron Parks and Becca Stevens among many others.

In May 2019, Hekselman featured his quartet at the legendary NYC venue The Village Vanguard. He has also been playing all other major jazz clubs in New York City, including the Blue Note, The Jazz Standard, Dizzy’s Club and Smalls. He is constantly touring world-wide and has played most noteworthy jazz festivals and venues including Montreux, North Sea, Montreal & SFJazz to name a few.

Hekselman has released 9 critically-acclaimed records as a band-leader, many of which have made it into ‘best of the year’ lists on NY Times, Downbeat Magazine, Amazon, All About Jazz and many other publications. His 10th record, Far Star, was released on Edition Records in May 2022. It’s an all-original album in which Hekselman plays many instruments, and it features special guests such as Eric Harland, Shai Maestro, Ziv Ravitz and more. The record release will be celebrated with a week-long engagement at the Village Vanguard in NYC at the end of March 2022.

Saturday, October 1st: Jazz Star Ragan Whiteside **** SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! ****
2022-10-01 19:30 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
It takes skill, creativity, sheer musical ability, and a charismatic presence to electrify the music scene. And that’s just what flautist Ragan Whiteside has done in the world of instrumental soul within a few short years. The Atlanta-based musician, songwriter, and vocalist has consistently delighted fans and critics alike with her unique brand of engaging upbeat melodies and exhilarating flute playing. Six solo albums featuring tunes like the 2022 Billboard No.1 single release “Thrill Ride,” as well as “Off the Cuff,” “JJ’s Strut,” “Reminiscing,” “Jam It,” “Early Arrival,” “See You At The Get Down,” and the Billboard No. 1 “Corey’s Bop,” have burnished her reputation. What’s more, Whiteside has become one of few women players to excel in the male-dominated instrumental sphere, garnering eight consecutive Top Ten Billboard airplay singles to date. And she’s done it as an independent, releasing projects on Randis Music, the label she founded with her husband, producer, and composer Dennis Johnson.

In late 2020, Whiteside added another title to her list of accomplishments: Radio personality. Whiteside now holds down the popular Saturday morning time slot on Atlanta’s Jazz Station WCLK 91.9, another role she has grown to enjoy. “I like learning about the other side of radio that musicians typically don’t see or know about. And it’s cool. I dig it,” she says. Her four-hour Saturday radio show (10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. ET), “Saturday with Ragan Whiteside” is the No. 1 Saturday show on Atlanta’s NPR affiliate radio station Jazz 91.9 WCLK.

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

Sunday, October 2nd: Brazilian Artist Badi Assad
2022-10-02 19:00 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SHOWTIMES: 7:00PM AND 9:00PM. Born in 1966 in São João da Boa Vista, São Paulo, Brazil; daughter of Jorge (an amateur mandolin player) and Angelina (a singer); sister of Sérgio and Odair (Duo Assad).

Badi Assad (pronounced Bah-djee Ah-sahj) was one of the truly unique talents to emerge from the world music scene during the 1990s. As the younger sister of the internationally acclaimed classical guitarists Sérgio and Odair Assad (known as Duo Assad), her musical roots are deep. Born in 1966 in São João da Boa Vista in the Brazilian state of São Paulo, the first musical instrument Assad studied, though rather informally, was piano. She did not play guitar until she was 14 years old, at first accompanying her father, Jorge, who played the bandolim (a stringed instrument akin to the mandolin and the guitarra portuguesa).

Over the next four years, Badi was taught by her older brothers and father; she also studied guitar at the University of Rio de Janeiro, practicing 12 hours a day. During her teen years she entered guitar competitions. The turning point in her budding career came in 1984 when she decided to take up Brazilian music and began studying voice as well; for the latter she has credited her mother, Angelina, as being her greatest inspiration. In that same year Badi won the Concurso Jovens Instrumentistas (Young Instrumentalists Contest) in Rio de Janeiro. In 1985 she studied guitar at the Conservatory in Rio de Janeiro.

Besides voice, Badi also learned to use mouth and body percussion techniques that she combined with her guitar playing to create a unique style that set her apart from her famous brothers. In 1987 she entered the International Villa-Lobos Festival where she was named Best Brazilian Guitarist. By then she had worked with such musicians as Pat Metheny and Milton Nascimento. In 1988 she composed Antagonismus, a solo piece of performance art in which she played guitar, sang, danced, and acted.

The best-known song on Chameleon is a cover of George Harrison’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” About its inclusion, Badi admitted in her ARTISTDirect online biography, “[the song] represents the connection between me, the guitar, and the audience.” However not all critics were bowled over by her rendition of the song, nor by Chameleon. Geoff Chapman of the Toronto Star wrote that her cover of the song was “tedious.” Of the album as a whole he described it as a blend of “pop, Flamenco and neo-jazz in a cheerful kaleidoscope of moods that amounts to little more than happy songs and instrumental dexterity despite exotic backing combos and incendiary hype.”

Friday, October 7th: Bradie Speller and Climate Change
2022-10-07 19:30 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SHOWTIMES: 7:30PM AND 9:30PM. A master percussionist and rhythm programmer, who now, as a result of his early interest and exploration of electronic percussion instruments, finds himself at the forefront of the current electronic percussion age.

Bradie’s unique style of African and Latin drumming carried him into live performances and recording sessions with musical heavy weights such as: Cecil Taylor; Weather Report; Herbie Hancock; Jon Lucien; Tina Turner; The Sylvers; The Pyramids; Tarika Blue; Alphonse Mouzon; Leslie Uggams; Peter Erskine; Lannie Kazan; Ryo Kawasaki ; Edwin Starr; Mary Wells & many others too numerous to name. Bradie has toured the world exciting crowds with his powerful solos and overall showmanship. Bradie Speller is the leader of Climate Change, a musical venture he calls “Social Music” which blends Jazz, R&B, Fusion, Latin and Classical to reshape what was called Jazz bringing it into the 21st Century.

Saturday, October 8th: Legendary Jazz Artist Doug Carn
2022-10-08 19:30 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
Doug Carn is an American jazz musician from St. Augustine, Florida, formerly married to Jean Carne. His multi-faceted talents as a pianist-organist-lyricist began to emerge onto the contemporary African-American music scene during his teenage years. He worked with Nat Adderley, Earth, Wind & Fire, Shirley Horn, Lou Donaldson, Stanley Turrentine, and Irene Reid.[2] In 1997 Carn and other jazz organists including Dr. Lonnie Smith (jazz musician)and Reuben Wilson recorded Bongobop with The Essence Allstars that featured both solo performances and a duet with Joey DeFrancesco.

Sunday, October 9th: Legends of Jazz Presents Norman Granz
2022-10-09 19:00 - 20:30 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
Legends of Jazz Series begins with a celebration of the music of music producer/club owner Norman Granz.

Justin Varnes and his quartet will guide guests–in engaging, narrative form– through the life of one of the most important figures in the history 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!

Friday and Saturday, October 14th & 15th: The Joe Farnsworth Trio with Dave Kikowski and Peter Washington
2022-10-14 19:30 - 2022-10-15 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
Showtimes: Friday and Saturday, 7:30pm and 9:30pm.

Joe Farnsworth was one of five sons born to trumpeter and bandleader Roger Farnsworth; one of the brothers played saxophone in Ray Charles‘s band. He attended High School in Jakarta International School in Jakarta, Indonesia. He studied at William Paterson College, studying under Harold Mabern and Arthur Taylor and receiving his BMus in 1990. Following this he played with Junior Cook (1991), Jon Hendricks (1991), Jon Faddis (1992), George Coleman, Cecil Payne (1993 and subsequently), Annie Ross, and Benny Green (1995). He has played in the group One for All since 1995 with David Hazeltine and Jim Rotondi, and worked with Benny Golson, Steve Davis, and Eric Alexander in the second half of the 1990s. During that period he also played with Alex Graham (1995), Michael Weiss (1996, 1998), the Three Baritone Saxophone Band (1997), and Diana Krall(1999). He has been a member of Pharoah Sanders‘ band until his recent passing.

About Peter Washington. Perhaps the most recorded bassist of his generation, Peter Washington has also played an integral part in two of the most important and highly praised jazz trios of the last 20 years, in addition to a “who’s who” roster of jazz artists. Born in Los Angeles, California, in 1964, Washington attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he majored in English Literature and played in both the UC Symphony and the San Francisco Youth Symphony. In 1986, while performing in San Francisco with alto saxophonist John Handy, he was asked by Art Blakey to move to New York and join the seminal Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. Washington remained with the Jazz Messengers from 1986 to 1989, and during this time was able to establish himself as a ubiquitous, first- call freelance bassist; a position he has occupied to this day.

About Dave Kikowski. Born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, Kikoski learned piano from his father and played with him in bars as a teenager. He studied at the Berklee College of Music in the early 1980s, then moved to New York City in 1985, touring and recording subsequently with Roy Haynes (from 1986), Randy Brecker (1986–88), Bob Berg (1988), and Billy Hart (1989). He has also played or recorded with George Garzone, Barry Finnerty, Red Rodney, Craig Handy, Ralph Moore, Didier Lockwood, Joe Locke, Olivier Ker Ourio and Mingus Big Band. Kikoski won a 2011 Grammy Award with the Mingus Big Band for the Best Live Jazz Ensemble Album, “Live at the Jazz Standard”. He also had a Grammy nomination with Roy Haynes for the “Birds of a Feather” CD.

Friday, October 21st: The Bill Hart International Jazz Fusion Band
2022-10-21 20:00 - 22:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
ONE SHOW ONLY! Canadian Guitarist Bill Hart features his unique take on world music and genre-bending selections. Only one performance, so get your seats soon!
