Happy New Year JazzArts Friends,

I think it is safe to say that 2021 was a roller coaster ride for many of us. As we start a new year, I hope that this message finds you and your family safe and in good health. Like many of you, I’ve been tremendously grateful to be able to spend time with friends and loved ones. With the pandemic continuing to shift, we are still riding the waves, doing our best to evolve to offer the joy of music, however we can get it to you.

The summer weather gave us a fun and unexpected opportunity to bring you back to the music with our Jazz at Victoria Yards Summer Series.  In September, after a year and half hiatus, it was a long-awaited realization to finally re-open the JAZZ ROOM. While venue restrictions remain in place, we are simply grateful to be back in the Stage Door Theater and Booth Playhouse presenting live jazz. Throughout this time, we have continued to feature emerging and established artists on our digital monthly series, The Set.

With much care and planning, we relaunched our flagship JazzArts Summer Music Camp and have been able to remain in-person for Fall Youth Ensembles. Our bright Academy students continue to demonstrate their renewed enthusiasm and dedication to learn, even in the face of our current challenges.
Our operations have also experienced some evolution, with the hiring two new team members in Spring and the move from Spirit Square to a bigger space at the VAPA Center with incredible potential, only two blocks away. We believe the consortium of artists at VAPA will offer incredible and exciting partnership opportunities.

We are grateful that you, our donors, subscribers, and ticket buyers have shared your commitment to jazz performance and education with your generous support by ensuring that JazzArts Charlotte has remained active and engaged during the past year. All programs, in-person or digital, were all possible because of your continued support.

2022 promises to be another dynamic year, hopefully better than ever. Whether we’ll be seeing you in-person or online, we can’t wait to experience it with you!

Lonnie Davis