The Velvet Note

Thursdays in June: The Velvet Note Open Returns!
2023-06-01 20:00 - 23:00 (America/New_York) | 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!!

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.

Friday, April 28th: The Bradie Speller Band
2023-04-28 19:30 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SHOWTIMES: 7:30PM AND 9:30PM. For any musician at that time to perform with what was then the hottest Jazz Fusion movement band in the world; Weather Report and Herbie Hancock’s Head Hunters was only reserved for the elite and most accomplished musicians. In November 1973 his college band The Pyramids opened a concert for Weather Report in Dayton, Ohio and before the evening was finished, Bradie was asked to come onstage with Weather Report to perform. That began his stint with Weather Report while still working to complete his Bachelor’s Degree at Antioch. In that same month after returning to New York for the holidays, he found himself being invited by Herbie Hancock to sit in with the Head Hunters Band, two weeks after the Head Hunters Album was released. That album became one of the biggest selling Jazz albums of all time and the beginning of a life-long friendship with Herbie that is intact today. After only two years of consistent playing and performing, 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 – Joe Zawinul -Wayne Shorter – Miroslav Vitous – Alphonso Johnson – Dom Um Romao

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

Thursday, April 27th: Open Mic Jam Hosted by Trumpeter/Singer Michael Cruse
2023-04-27 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 trumpeter/Singer Michael Cruse! 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!

Michael has performed and studied with jazz greats such as Roy Hargrove, Les McCann, JD Allen, Terence Blanchard, Javon Jackson, Lew Soloff, Wynton Marsalis, Delfeayo Marsalis, Jason Marsalis, John Fedchock, Fareed Haque, Vince DiMartino, Gail Wynters, Byron Stripling, Jeff Hamilton, John Von Ohlen, and Kevin Harris. Michael has also performed in several groups for Bootsy Collins, KeKe Wyatt, Keisha Cole, Mike Phillips, Chantae Cann, Damian Sneed, Marc Broussard, and Clyde Brown (Drifters). Michael was also a part of the filming of “Miles Ahead” and portrayed NYC-based trumpeter and recording artist, Ernie Royal, starring Don Cheadle as Miles Davis (r. April 2016), as well as filming for HBO’s “Lovecraft Country” (released 2020).

Thursday, April 27th: What is Jazz?
2023-04-27 18:00 - 19:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
Event time: 6pm – 7pm. (before Open Mic Jam) In celebration of National Jazz Appreciation Month, The Velvet Note presents a free, entertaining and educational program that answers the question, “What is jazz?” In this fascinating hour, we explore the unique elements of jazz, what makes it different from other music, and lots of insider info you always wanted to know. Perfect for those who like jazz, love jazz, hate jazz, love someone who hates jazz, and who have been struggling to understand jazz but never knew who to ask. Moderated by Jazz Educator Justin Varnes.

Entry is FREE. Come to one session, or enjoy every session throughout the month. All we ask that you make a reservation so that we will have a seat for you, and buy something (food or drink) while you’re here.

For reserved seats, call 855.5.VELVET and let the receptionist know your name, when you’re coming and the size of your party.

Sunday, April 23rd: Eight-String Bass Virtuoso Igor Saavedra
2023-04-23 19:00 - 20:30 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SUNDAY SHOW TIME: 7:00PM. Igor Saavedra is the pioneer of the extended-range bass guitar. Igor is a prominent Latin American bassist who is known as a virtuoso, educator, and extended-range bass innovator. In addition to giving many clinics and master classes, he has performed with a wide range of artists.Igor Saavedra is a prominent Latin American bassist, teacher and columnist for Bass Musician Magazine (USA) and Bajista Magazine (Spain).Incredibly, he didn’t pick up a bass until the age of 22, in 1988. Completely self-taught, Igor has gone on to share his insights and skills on his very comprehensive Spanish-language website.

Starting in 1991, Igor developed a fingerstyle “sweeping” technique he now refers to as the “Vectorial Synthesis Technique.” He now uses this technique exclusively, and for this purpose, he also created “Igor’s Mic ramp,” a wooden ramp located under the strings. A pioneer of extended-range basses, Igor has been playing an 8-string bass since 1999. That same year, he developed a concept called “Rear Truss Rod Access” and has installed it in all his basses. The RTA allows bassists to access the truss rod without moving the strings to insert an allen wrench.Since 1988, Igor has worked with more than 100 top Chilean and international artists and groups in all musical styles, and recorded on more than thirty CDs. This list includes Bob Sheppard, Hanz Zermuhlen, Fareed Haque Quartet, Tom McMorran, Ramón Stagnaro, Jim Paxson, Jan Fabricky, Jean Marc Belkady, Miucha Buarque, Antti Kotikosky, Marcelo Berestovoy, Robert Incelli, Enzo Villaparedes, Walfredo Reyes Jr. and Joe Bianco. In 1997 he recorded a version of Rymsky Korsakoff’s Flight of the Bumblebee, note by note, at original speed, with finger technique (no pick), and without any tapping or tricks.

Friday and Saturday, April 21st & 22nd: Singer Nicole Zuraitis
2023-04-21 19:30 - 2023-04-22 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY SHOWTIMES: 7:30PM AND 9:30PM

“A heart as big as her remarkable voice”— JAZZ POLICE

“Stunningly timeless, immediate. Zuraitis transformed her voice, opening many musical blades like a Swiss Army knife of singing; bright and light, then powerful and passionate.”— NIPPERTOWN

“Zuraitis showcases superb songcraft.”— DOWNBEAT

A GRAMMY-nominated musician and vocal chameleon, New York-based bandleader and winner of the prestigious 2021 American Traditions Vocal Competition Gold Medal Nicole Zuraitis continues to establish herself as an undeniable force in the modern jazz landscape of both NYC and beyond. Nicole’s bold, versatile voice possesses a special combination of soothing warmth, familiar authenticity, and raw grit that is reinventing the world’s conception of what it means to be a jazz artist. She infuses elements of multiple genres and approaches into her artistry, refusing to limit herself to any one corner of the music business.

Thursday, April 20th: Open Mic Jam Hosted by Trumpeter/Singer Michael Cruse
2023-04-20 20:00 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States

Thursday, April 20th: What is Jazz?
2023-04-20 18:00 - 19:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
Event time: 6pm – 7pm. (before Open Mic Jam) In celebration of National Jazz Appreciation Month, The Velvet Note presents a free, entertaining and educational program that answers the question, “What is jazz?” In this fascinating hour, we explore the unique elements of jazz, what makes it different from other music, and lots of insider info you always wanted to know. Perfect for those who like jazz, love jazz, hate jazz, love someone who hates jazz, and who have been struggling to understand jazz but never knew who to ask. Moderated by Jazz Educator Randy Hoexter.

Entry is FREE. Come to one session, or enjoy every session throughout the month. All we ask that you make a reservation so that we will have a seat for you, and buy something (food or drink) while you’re here.

For reserved seats, call 855.5.VELVET and let the receptionist know your name, when you’re coming and the size of your party.

Sunday, April 16th: Legends of Jazz Presents the Music of Thelonius Monk *** SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! ***
2023-04-16 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 Thelonius Monk!

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!

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

Friday and Saturday, April 14th & 15th: GRAMMY-Winning Trumpeter Nabate Isles
2023-04-14 19:30 - 2023-04-15 23:00
Friday and Saturday Showtimes: 7:30pm and 9:30pm. Nabaté Isles is a Grammy-winning trumpeter as well as a composer and producer, born and raised in New York City. Nabaté is releasing his second album called, En Motion, to be released on Ropeadope Records on January 27, 2023. The album features the core lineup of Sam Barsh (also the album’s producer), Eric Harland, Kaveh Rastegar, David Gilmore and Rachel Eckroth & guests include James Francies, Ben Wendel, Victor Provost, Sasha Berliner, Badia Farha. Added featured performers on the album are Mumu Fresh, Kardinal Offishall and Chuck D.

During his high school years, Nabaté represented the fifth generation of jazz for the preview of the Louis Armstrong Archives, with trumpet greats Dr. Donald Byrd, “Doc” Cheatham, “Dizzy” Gillespie, Jimmy Owens, Jon Faddis and Wynton Marsalis. Nabaté also appeared in a Coca-Cola commercial, directed by John Singleton and produced by Roy Eaton. While attending Eastman, Nabaté was a featured soloist with the Rochester Pops Orchestra. Nabaté also participated in the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz summer program at Aspen Snowmass and its Jazz Gala at the Kennedy Center. He went on to receive his BM from the Eastman School of Music and his MA from New York University.

Thursday, April 13th: Open Mic Jam Hosted by Trumpeter/Singer Michael Cruse
2023-04-13 20:00 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States

Thursday, April 13th: What is Jazz
2023-04-13 18:00 - 19:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
Event time: 6pm – 7pm. (before Open Mic Jam) In celebration of National Jazz Appreciation Month, The Velvet Note presents a free, entertaining and educational program that answers the question, “What is jazz?” In this fascinating hour, we explore the unique elements of jazz, what makes it different from other music, and lots of insider info you always wanted to know. Perfect for those who like jazz, love jazz, hate jazz, love someone who hates jazz, and who have been struggling to understand jazz but never knew who to ask. Moderated by Jazz Educator Justin Varnes.

Entry is FREE. Come to one session, or enjoy every session throughout the month. All we ask that you make a reservation so that we will have a seat for you, and buy something (food or drink) while you’re here.

For reserved seats, call 855.5.VELVET and let the receptionist know your name and the size of your party.

Saturday, April 8th: International Singer Lori Williams
2023-04-08 19:30 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SEATS AVAILABLE AT 9:30!! Acclaimed international Jazz vocalist Lori Williams has a most impressive resume as a performing artist, music educator, songwriter, producer, musical theater actress, radio host, business owner (PositiveMusicPM.org), and artist-in-residence with over 30 years of experience. Her annual vocal jazz tour and performance at music festivals have taken her to Europe (Austria, Germany, Slovakia, Slovenia, Russia, Switzerland, Czech Republic, and Ukraine), Japan, British Virgin Islands, and across the USA. Her vocal jazz artist residencies have allowed her to work with and mentor students on college campuses in the United States and abroad.
