Apr 30, 5-10pm
Victoria Yards, uptown Charlotte
FREE

To cap off Jazz Appreciation Month and International Jazz Day, all are welcome for a FREE outdoor live music celebration featuring some of the best artists in the Charlotte region, the evening of Friday April 30th. JazzArts Charlotte and Charlotte Center City Partners mark our city’s proclaimed “Jazz Appreciation Day” with a little jazz for everyone. Free and open to the public, a variety of the region’s top jazz musicians will rock the outdoor stage at Victoria Yards.

Resident Culture is the preferred on-site brewery and food trucks will be on hand for all of your refreshment needs while enjoying the music.

This event is FREE, but space is limited to ensure safety due to COVID limitations.  Masks and social distancing required.  Only service animals, please.

You may bring your own chairs, as their may not be sufficient seating for all attendees.

PERFORMERS INCLUDE:

5:00  Reggie Sullivan Trio
6:00  JazzArts All-Stars
6:50  Trumpeter Al Strong
7:55  Jesters & Tyrants, featuring Ryan Saranich with special guest Adrian Crutchfield
9:00  Vocalist Vanessa Ferguson

The Smithsonian Museum of American History created this celebration in 2001 to recognize the extraordinary heritage and history of jazz. In 2013, Mayor Anthony Foxx declared April 30th Jazz Appreciation Day in Charlotte, in recognition of the impact jazz has had on creativity, art, heritage, diversity, and education on our community. Some of the most amazing names in jazz came from our community: Nina Simone, John Coltrane, Mary Lou Williams, Theloneious Monk, Max Roach.

Join us April 30th to hear some of the regional musicians that might grow into that iconic status. As we celebrate the only truly American musical art form, this month we focus on the power of music to unite people. Today, we pause to “honor and recognize the outstanding work that all jazz artists, educators, and enthusiasts in the city of Charlotte presents.”

Victoria Yards is located at 408 North Tryon Street, in uptown Charlotte, across the street from Duckworth’s at the corner of N. Tryon St. and 7th St. Parking along the street, and in 7th street station. An easy walk from the train.  Details about location:  Victoria Yards | Blumenthal Performing Arts (blumenthalarts.org)

Free Event

Donations and tips appreciated.   Enjoy the healing power of music! If you have the means, proceeds to JazzArts Charlotte benefit the musicians and infrastructure that keep jazz alive in our community. Holding an event isn’t free, even if the audience cannot attend in person.

Thank you to our sponsors, Knight Foundation, O’s Place Jazz, Arts and Science Council, NC Arts Council, Crown Station and our many donors who keep jazz thriving.

Reggie Sullivan Trio
South Carolina native Reggie Sullivan leads one of the hottest R&B groups in the area. He has a reputation as a wildly entertaining live act with top-notch musicianship and fresh twists on their arrangements. For this show, he will be kicking us off with a set of jazz standard and favorites, taking the stage is Reggie Sullivan on bass and vocals, Sean Higgins on piano and Devin Fuller on drums.

The JazzArts All-Stars
This group of JazzArts Ensemble students has reached a level of skill that never fails to astound an audience. We are excited to showcase each of these high school students, who despite the pandemic, continue to dig into their jazz craft. We last heard many of these students on the JAZZ ROOM Holiday Edition. Bringing a set of jazz standards this evening will be: Olivia Ratliff on bass, Gustavo Cruz on saxophone, Holland Majors on piano, and Trey Tarzia and Samuel David on drums.

Al Strong
Al Strong is an award-winning trumpet player, composer, recording artist and educator. A cultural innovator, he is the co-founder of the Art of Cool Project and Festival, and most recently inspired us with a rich musical and visual arrangement of “Live Every Voice and Sing”. After years of working both in front of the action and behind the scenes, Strong remains a central part of the Raleigh-Durham jazz presence. We last enjoyed Al in the JAZZ ROOM during the 2019 Trumpet Summit. This performance Al brings us a set of exciting progressive jazz.

Jesters & Tyrants, featuring Ryan Saranich with special guest Adrian Crutchfield
Band leader award-winning Saxophonist, Multi-Instrumentalist, Composer and Producer Ryan Saranich has traveled the world as an in-demand musician. Ryan has released 5 projects as a band leader. After honing his skills as a student in North Carolina, Ryan studied at Berklee College of Music, enjoyed a successful stint in Boston, some time as a session musician in Los Angeles, toured internationally, and is back to his home state. In 2014, we enjoyed Ryan’s tribute to Gershwin in the JAZZ ROOM. With special guest Adrian Crutchfield, Ryan’s group Jesters & Tyrants brings us energizing fusion jazz.

Vocalist Vanessa Ferguson offers classic jazz
Vanessa Ferguson moved to Greensboro at age 13 with her grandmother, who recognized her young talent and supported her music lessons. Touring the world and soloing with her local band, Ferguson is notable for showcasing her vocal versatility as a contestant on 2017 Season 12 of The Voice. We most recently enjoyed her in the JAZZ ROOM in our 2019 tribute to Nina Simone.