The Velvet Note

Saturday, July 1st: Singer L'Tanya "Sugarlips" Shields
2023-07-01 19:30 - 23:00 (America/New_York) | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SHOWTIMES: 7:30PM AND 9:30PM. “Sugarlips”, as L’Tanya is called by friends, family & those who have had the good fortune to hear her melodious voice. A native New Yorker whose singing credentials span from choir concerts, private parties to national competitions to international tours, Sugarlips has been humming hymns and singing songs since childhood. Her vivacious personality comes across in her music. Whatever song she sings, she makes it her own.

Since relocating to Atlanta, Sugarlips was a soloist with the all Atlanta chorus for 5 years where she performed with the award-winning Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. She participated in the opening & closing ceremonies of the Centennial Olympic Games, sharing the stage with B.B. King, Winton Marsalis, Stevie Wonder, Little Richard and a host of other veterans in the music industry. Along with the Voice of Atlanta choir, she recorded with the legendary Sir Elton John. 8 members of the choir which included Sugarlips’ harmonious voice, joined Sir Elton on his US & European tours to promote the “Peachtree Road” cd project. As a soloist with Voice of Atlanta (VOA) choir and now the leader of her own R&B and jazz band & the featured vocalist with Mudbone Turner’s blues band, you may hear Sugarlips’ voice anywhere.

Thursday, July 6th: Open Mic Jam Hosted by Owner Tamara Fuller *** SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! ***
2023-07-06 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. It’s hosted by Velvet Note Owner Tamara Fuller, with invited special guests each week, so you know it’s gonna be hot. Oh, and she’s always on the lookout for new talent for Velvet Note shows! And come hungry and thirsty–we roll out our delicious house and bar specialities for the week, just for you.

Saturday, July 8th: Dynamic Performer Deb Bowman & The Big Love Band ***SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! ***
2023-07-08 19:30 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SHOWTIMES: 7:30pm and 9:30pm. Praised as “hypnotic and unforgettable,” Dynamo Deb Bowman’s performances “are cut from one rare thread” and “must be seen.” Her vocal versatility and unmatched acting have thrilled audiences of all ages worldwide. Whether belting out Broadway and big band ballads or softly seducing you with sultry standards, she always delivers memorable musical moments that keep people coming back for more. Her opening numbers are powerful and energetic, escalating into pure euphoria, before leading everyone in the room through many gripping emotions. “Bowman leaves everything on the stage.” With a BA focus on classical Theater and Dance from the University of Alabama, Bowman began her professional career in entertainment in 1999 in New York City, performing internationally in TV, Film, Theater, and Cabaret Shows. She relocated to Atlanta in 2012 and has since been embraced as one of Atlanta’s Finest Entertainers.

Sunday, July 9th: Carson Moore and The Gardening Club, Featuring Ava Ramsey
2023-07-09 19:00 - 20:30 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
*** Owner’s Pick: Most Unique Artist! ****

ONE SHOW ONLY: 7:00pm. The Gardening Club is a progressive psychedelic jazz fusion group based in Greenville South Carolina. Formed in 2019 The Gardening Club performs music that pushes the boundaries of the genre while redefining the limits of the banjo.

Founding Members Carson Moore and Miles Jernigan have been composing together for half a decade. Writing for the unexplored sonic timbre of the banjo in a traditional jazz setting, the two compose pieces that delve into an uncharted soundscape fusing two of the United States oldest musical genres, jazz and Appalachian folk. Having worked with a variety of artists such as but not limited to jazz guitar legend Mike Stern, two-time Grammy award winning percussionist Quentin Baxter and his band “Ranky Tanky”, and five time Grammy award winning saxophonist Chris Bullock, The Gardening Club exists in a soundscape at the forefront of jazz fusion blending a variety of different cultures and subgenres of jazz creating a sound that is uniquely our own. Their debut single features Mike Stern on an original collaboration “Flight 19” produced by Grammy award winning sound engineer Aki Nishimura. For the majority of 2022 The Gardening Club worked closely with Grammy Winning Gullah musician Quentin Baxter on a month-long jazz outreach concert series at the Tryon Fine Arts Center consisting of performances from both “The Gardening Club”, and “The Quentin Baxter Quintet” as well as multiple collaborations between the two groups. The series focused on showcasing, celebrating, and educating the local community on the history of African American jazz musicians from the Carolinas such as John Coltrane and Dizzy Gillespie highlighting the historical significance of their contributions to jazz.

Over the course of the last year The Gardening Club has toured across the American southeast performing at esteemed venues and festivals such as but not limited to Floyd Festival (VA), The Greenville Peace Center, The first annual Earl Scruggs Festival, The Piccolo Spoleto Festival, The Albino Skunk Festival, The Tryon Fine Arts Center, and a featured performance as the only jazz band admitted to the 2022 IBMA Wide Open Bluegrass Festival.

Thursday, July 13th: Open Mic Jam Hosted by Owner Tamara Fuller
2023-07-13 20:00 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States

Friday, July 14th: Smooth Jazz Saxophonist and Singer Marcus Adams
2023-07-14 19:30 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SHOWTIMES: 7:30PM AND 9:30PM. Just when urban jazz fans thought every show, cruise and festival would always include the same lineup of veterans they’ve seen a million times—Suddenly, there’s Marcus Adams, a fresh, dynamic voice on the scene, ready to funk things up and inspire them to fall in love with the sax all over again. A thrilling performer and one on the rise, vocalist and multi-instrumental soul/jazz artist Marcus Adams is a sign that the new crop of smooth jazz artists can certainly carry the torch. Marcus combines R&B, Soul, and Jazz to create songs that takes the listeners on a musical ride of the highs of love and depths of pain in life.While the Milwaukee based composer and performer has enjoyed success over the years in gospel and jazz and has worked with and opened for numerous legends in both arenas, his emotionally compelling and sensuously grooving compositions are lighting up both airwaves and stages alike.

Thursday, June 20th: Open Mic Jam Hosted by Owner Tamara Fuller *** SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!!! ***
2023-07-20 20:00 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States

Friday, July 21st: ASCAP-Winning Saxophonist/Producer Reggie Hines
2023-07-21 19:30 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
FRIDAY Showtimes: 7:30pm and 9:30pm. Reggie Hines is an ASCAP Award Winning and Grammy nominated songwriter, producer, and international recording artist. Reggie Hines’ soulful and expressive sound has provided him the opportunity to write, produce, and perform music for and with a diverse roster of artists including Chaka Khan, Angie Stone, Regina Belle, Mary J Blidge and the list goes on. Reggie Hines’ television performances include The Late Show with David Letterman, Live with Regis and Kelly, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, a role in the film Bessie, starring Queen Latifah, NBC Comedy Awards, VH1 Hip Hop Honors Dirty South, The Key and Peele Comedy Central halftime performance (Move All the Chairs Video) , NBC’s Mr. Robinson television show playing with Earth , Wind and Fire, and 3 Super Bowl 49 Pepsi commercials with Craig Robinson and The Nasty Delicious Band (he is actually a member of the band). Reggie Hines has also performed in countless festivals around the world including the Montreaux Jazz Festival, the St. Lucia Jazz Festival,The Pori Jazz Festival, the Essence Music Festival, Bonaroo Festival and a host of others.

Reggie Hines grew up the South Bronx of New York, where he was exposed to a diverse spectrum of musical flavorings from a very early age. Reggie’s passion for music has taken him on a life long journey that began with attending an esteemed performing arts high school in Manhattan. As Reggie’s musical gifting began to unfold, he joined the U.S. Army band where he received some of his most rigorous musical instruction. During his training, Reggie embraced studying the multicultural styles that he so elegantly weaves into his signature sound today. As with any great jazz musician, Reggie Hines’ improvisational abilities allow him to fully express his emotions through song whether he is just adding highlights to a melody, or blazing through an extended-range solo.

Saturday, July 22nd: The Taylor Roberts Jazz Quartet *** SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! ***
2023-07-22 19:30 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SHOWTIMES: 7:30pm and 9:30pm. The love affair began early, which may very well explain how Taylor Roberts’ professional career is well into its third decade. Spanning as wide a range of influences as there are genres of music, Taylor Roberts has earned a reputation on the world map as a rising star. Although his heart is deeply steeped in Jazz, Roberts does not easily fit into any one box. His influences range from R&B, to Classic Rock, to Pop, and everything in between.

Years of intensive study with world-renowned educators such as Barry Greene, Keith Javors, and Bunky Green have proven to continually pay off as his career expands. His reworkings and adaptations of songs old and new entrance established fans, while attracting new fans on a nightly basis. Roberts has appeared multiple times at the Jacksonville Jazz Festival and has toured internationally with the Christian Tamburr Quintet. He has been hired by the Rolling Stones to play their private events. His position as the primary in-house entertainment at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island since 2014 has allowed him opportunities to travel the world and enjoy residencies at other luxury resorts as he performs for an international audience on a nightly basis.

Likened to Tommy Emmanuel, Russell Malone, Wes Montgomery, Tuck Andress and Charlie Hunter, Roberts’ masterful playing has begun to etch his name alongside his heroes.

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

Wednesday, July 26th: Tamara's Graduation Party (Pssst...You're Invited!) *** SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! ***
2023-07-26 19:00 - 21:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
** SOLD OUT!! ** Okay, here’s the deal: The Velvet Note’s Owner Tamara Fuller just completed her MBA! Her team has twisted her arm and forced her to take an evening to celebrate. Super-accomplished musician ELEW is coming from New York to perform and DJ. It’ll be a night to remember, and we’d love to see you for cocktails, dinner, music and fun. Reservations are closed, but gifts and donations are cool. To make a donation, go to https://thevelvetnote.com/donate. Thank you for your support!

Thursday, July 27th: Open Mic Jam Hosted by Owner Tamara Fuller *** SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! ***
2023-07-27 20:00 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States

Friday, July 28th & Saturday, July 29th: Singer and Actress Chandra Currelley *** SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! ***
2023-07-28 19:30 - 2023-07-29 23:30 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY SHOWTIMES: 7:30pm and 9:30pm. Chandra Currelley is an award-winning, acclaimed film actor, television series and theater actor, singer and entertainer. You will want to be sure to catch this show!

Chandra is currently a regular on BET+ Dramedy “Bruh” she portrays the over-the -top “Alice”. You also probably recognize Chandra as Ms. V. in Tyler Perry’s “FOR BETTER OR WORSE” and in the #1 box office movie, “DIARY OF A MAD BLACK WOMAN ” playing herself in the nightclub Chandra’s. Also starring as “Shirley” in “Madea’s Big Happy Family” the stage play. Who can forget her show stopping performance as Loretta in KANDI BURRESS’s (The Real Housewives of Atlanta) “A Mother’s Love” and the movie Madea’s Big Happy Family as the choir soloist, Sister Laura. CHANDRA is the former lead singer of The legendary recording group The S.O.S. Band, replacing the original lead singer. She continued the band’s string of Top Twenty Billboard hits with the CD’s “Diamonds In The Raw”, and “One Of Many Nights”, where she wrote several songs, including the single “Broken Promises”. Ms. Currelley is the recipient of the Lady Soul of Jazz award, 2018 Atlanta Actors Award, BWIJA award for Best Female in The Arts & Theatre and The BIBO Reflection award for Outstanding Film & Media Achievement. Ms. CURRELLEY also starred in the world premier of “Jesus Christ Superstar Gospel”, and as Mother Shaw in Regina Taylor’s “Crowns”.

The Gospel Choice Award nominee has performed at The White House and toured Europe and Asia leaving audiences wanting more. She has also starred in “Dinah Was”, “Blues In the Night”, “The Hot Mikado”, “Amen Corner” (The Alliance Theatre/ Arena Stage). “Two Queens, One Castle” with T.C. Carson (Horizon Theatre),”What’s Done In the Dark”, (Fox Theatre) “Slam!” “Sophisticated Ladies” and Kenny Leon’s “Rejoice” to name a few.

Because of her ability to legitimately cross musical and theatrical styles, Chandra has had the opportunity to work with some of the greats from Clarence Avant, jazz legend Roy Ayers, where she recorded the duet, “Let Me Love You”, to the phenomenal Tyler Perry. Other Television credits include VH-1, Say Yes! (TBN) , (BET) Jazz Showcase (PBS) and Good Day Atlanta (Fox)

Sunday, July 30th: Legends of Jazz Presents the Music of Billy Strayhorn *** SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! ***
2023-07-30 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 Billy Strayhorn.

Justin Varnes and his quartet will guide guests–in engaging, narrative form– through the life of this legendary composer and 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!! ****

Thursday, August 3rd: Open Mic Jam Hosted by Owner Tamara Fuller *** SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! ***
2023-08-03 20:00 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States

Friday, August 4th: Young Saxophonist Hani'el Mastriani-Levi
2023-08-04 19:30 - 21:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
ONE SHOW ONLY: 7:30pm. Hani’el Mastriani-Levi is an Israeli-American saxophonist based in Atlanta, GA. After moving to the United States in 2012, he became involved with the Junior Jazz Foundation, performing across the Southeastern United States. While in high school, he recorded an album with the Rialto Honors Combo, Playing the Music of Roy Hargrove, which featured original arrangements of Roy Hargrove’s music.

Hani’el graduated from Georgia State University in 2022 with highest honors, receiving a BMU in Jazz Studies. Under the direction of Dr. Gordon Vernick, he participated in the GSU Big Band and GSU Honors Combo, performing alongside artists such as Miguel Zenón, Sean Jones, Etienne Charles, Ulysses Owens Jr, Tierney Sutton, Eric Alexander, Terreon Gully, and Tom Scott. He studied primarily with pianist Kevin Bales and saxophonist David Sánchez.

Currently, Hani’el can be seen performing, teaching, and collaborating with others in Atlanta. He leads a group that performs his own original music alongside the music of his heroes. By embracing a diverse set of influences, he seeks to unite multiple traditions into a cohesive sonic landscape. He has had the opportunity to perform in venues such as the Rialto Center for the Arts, Spivey Hall, the High Museum of Art, the Jazz Corner, the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, and also in the Atlanta Jazz Festival and Hilton Head Jazz Festival.

Saturday, August 5th: Trumpeter and Singer Ken Trimmins *** SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!!
2023-08-05 19:30 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SHOWTIMES: 7:30pm and 9:30pm. Ken Trimmins is an international jazz and classical soloist who performs as a freelance musician, as part of the Phil Morrison-Ken Timmins Jazz Collective, and leader of his contemporary jazz group called, “Ken Trimmins and The Quiet Storm” as well as the “Ken Trimmins Jazz Quartet”. Dr. Trimmins has performed for millions in venues ranging from jazz festivals, orchestras and even The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and made a special appearance on syndicated talk show, “Living It Up with Ali and Jack”.

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

Sunday, August 6th: Jazz Singer Tia Rix
2023-08-06 19:00 - 21:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
ONE SHOW ONLY! Tia Rix was born to sing. The daughter of Atlanta jazz legends Bob and Phyllis Rix, Tia began recording commercials and soundtracks at age 13. She traveled west to earn her degree and train at Brigham Young University with world-renowned tenors Ray Arbizu and Terry McCombs, then sang her way through Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany. Despite her classical music education, Tia’s passion has always been jazz. She has sung at Birdland, Mezzrow’s, and Small’s in New York. She has been at Good Times Jazz Bar and Restaurant in Savannah, Ga, She has had the pleasure of playing with some of the jazz greats, NYC, NY pianist Johnny O’Neal; NYC, NY bassist Steve Doyle; Teaneck, NJ guitarist Russell Malone; and NYC, NY guitarist Pasquale Grasso. You can catch her performing live at the numerous jazz venues around Atlanta such as the Velvet Note, Churchill Grounds at Ten ATL, Red Light Cafe and many others. World class jazz trumpeter, Art Hoyle, featured soloist with Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Quincy Jones and Henry Mancini said of Tia “that this is the voice of the female Chet Baker.” Tia’s CD’s Dragonfly and Where You Live can be heard on all streaming platforms.

Thursday, August 10th: Open Mic Jam Hosted by Owner Tamara Fuller
2023-08-10 20:00 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States

Sunday, August 13th: The Matthew Sperry Quartet
2023-08-13 19:00 - 20:30 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
Matthew Sperry is the instrumental winner of The Velvet Note’s 2022 Open Mic Competition. This accomplished pianist has spent the past year as a student at the prestigious Frost School of Music at The University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, and he’s ready to rumble! Matthew has wowed audiences with his creative interpretations of jazz standards and his intricate finger work, and we look forward to bringing him back for another spectacular concert performance.

Matthew Sperry (piano), Bill Hart (guitar), Andre Manga (bass), Yakou N’Guesson (drums)

Thursday, August 17th: Open Mic Jam Hosted by Owner Tamara Fuller
2023-08-17 20:00 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States

Friday, August 18th: Jazz Singer Jennifer Wrobleski
2023-08-18 19:30 - 23:00
SHOWTIMES: 7:30pm and 9:30pm.

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. Farnsworth 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.

Sunday, August 21st: Legends of Jazz Presents the Music of Cole Porter *** SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! ****
2023-08-20 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 Cole Porter.

Justin Varnes and his quartet will guide guests–in engaging, narrative form– through the life of this legendary Broadway 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!

Thursday, August 24th: Open Mic Jam Hosted by Owner Tamara Fuller
2023-08-24 20:00 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States

Friday, August 25th and Saturday, August 26th: The Eric Essix Group
2023-08-25 19:30 - 2023-08-26 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
FRIDAY and SATURDAY SHOWTIMES: 7:30PM AND 9:30PM. During his first decade as an artist, Eric recorded four well received albums on Nova Records, his own label (S6 Jazz Records) and Ben Tankard’s Spirit Jazz, and earned a degree from Berklee College of Music. In 1998, he reached an exciting plateau when he was signed by legendary Warner Brothers Vice President Ricky Shultz to his new Warner distributed label, Zebra Records. Schultz, who helped develop the careers of contemporary jazz greats Pat Metheny, Al Jarreau, David Sanborn, Larry Carlton, Fourplay, Joshua Redman and The Yellowjackets, took a liking to Essix’s latest self-produced album Small Talk and gave the guitarist his first taste of national promotion and radio exposure. Eric’s single “For Real” was on the airplay charts for 25 weeks, reaching the Top 5 on several. Southbound, the guitarist’s second album on the label, included a re-imagining of the Brook Benton classic “Rainy Night in Georgia,” which likewise became a radio hit in 2001.

Listen to Eric perform my favorite of his hits, his version of “Wichita Lineman”.

Since launching his own indie label Essential Recordings in 2002, Eric has scored numerous radio hits, starting with “Sweet Tea” from 2004’s Somewhere in Alabama and continuing with “Shuttlesworth Drive,” a musical tribute to the great civil rights pioneer, Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, which spent 7 consecutive weeks at #1 on Smoothjazz.com and over 20 weeks in the Top 10; “New Focus,” which reached #27 on the Billboard Smooth Jazz Songs chart; and “Foot Soldiers,” which hit #1 on the Smoothjazz.com Indie Chart and #9 on the Top Fifty chart among numerous other industry airplay lists. Five years after its release, “Foot Soldiers” remains in regular rotation on SiriusXM Watercolors.

In the late 2000s, Eric expanded his reach in the contemporary urban jazz realm, touring and performing with some of the top names in the genre, including Jeff Lorber, Gerald Albright, Ronnie Laws, Phil Perry, Boney James, Everette Harp, Peabo Bryson, Marcus Miller, Eric Darius, Alex Bugnon, Marcus Johnson, Peter White, Mindi Abair and others. His love for the genre and his deep connections therein inspired him to launch the Preserve Jazz Festival, the only festival in Birmingham exclusively devoted to jazz performers. As Founder and Executive Producer for ten years, Eric invited headliners like Brian Culbertson, Kirk Whalum, Boney James and Jeff Lorber to perform.

Though Eric admits his style is very different from that of Wes Montgomery, the legendary guitarist is another major influence. Ten years before the Jaco experience, Eric’s dad played Montgomery’s 1966 album California Dreaming for him. “I had never heard anyone play jazz interpretations of pop melodies until then,” Eric says. “I could hear that the guitar was actually “singing” the melody. That’s when I realized jazz was the natural style of music for an instrument to achieve the same emotions that a vocal could. I started playing guitar two years later and right from the start tried to make the guitar sing.”

“The most interesting part of this musical journey has been observing my own growth as an artist,” Eric says. “My mindset has shifted dramatically and is light years away from when I was a young guitarist first making records, focusing on being flashy and showing people how fast I could play. In those days, it was all about speed and lots of notes. As I have matured as a musician and as a person, I’d like to think I have found my niche as a composer and songwriter as well as becoming a better guitar player.”

$39.

Sunday, August 27th: Randy Hoexter Center Stage
2023-08-27 19:00 - 21:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
One of our absolute favorite Master Pianists takes center stage with a compilation of original compositions and arrangements that will blow you away! Featuring a full band, including the great Sam Skelton on Saxophone! ONE SHOW @ 7:00pm –get your tickets NOW!

Thursday, August 31st: Open Mic Jam Hosted by Owner Tamara Fuller
2023-08-31 20:00 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States

Friday, September 1st, Saturday, September 2nd and Sunday, September 3rd: Ray Howard Band's Tribute to Earth, Wind & Fire!
2023-09-01 19:30 - 2023-09-03 22:30 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY SHOWTIMES: 7:30pm and 9:30pm. SUNDAY SHOWTIMES: 7:00pm and 9:00pm. Do you remember? This is it! Our annual, Labor Day Earth, Wind and Fire celebration is back and the Ray Howard Band does it like no one else. These show sell out within days, so get your reservations now!

Thursday, September 7th: Open Mic Jam Hosted by Owner Tamara Fuller
2023-09-07 20:00 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States

Friday, September 8th: The Bradie Speller Band *** SOLD OUT!! SOLD OUT!! ***
2023-09-08 19:30 - 21:30 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
ONE SHOW ONLY: 7:30PM. 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.

Saturday, September 9th: Cainan Grier--Communion
2023-09-09 19:30 - 23:00 | The Velvet Note Main Stage, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, 30005, United States
SHOWTIMES: 7:30PM AND 9:30PM. Cainan Grier is a Jazz and R&B vocalist and pianist with roots grounded in classical, gospel and world music styles. Originally from Miami, Florida, Cainan is an alumnus of Berklee College of Music where he studied under some of the greatest musicians of our time and has performed on stages with legendary vocalist Fred Hammond and Donnie McClurkin . Cainan’s performance style and musicality draws an emphasis on the storytelling nature of music, and creates a vibe that is not only pleasing to the ear, but to the heart, mind and soul as well.

In his sophomore show at The Velvet Note, Communion, Cainan uses his unique storytelling ability and musical intuition to create a musical review of the human experience. Through of the pen of some of the greatest lyricists of our time and the harmonic language of gospel and jazz, Cainan acts as a shepherd, guiding you on a journey of what it means to be human: to love, to laugh, to lose, and to live!
