June 2020 — JazzArts Charlotte introduces a new virtual live jazz music series to highlight the community’s outstanding local jazz musicians while music venues remain closed. JazzArts Charlotte and Crown Station are partnering to provide musicians space and infrastructure to record performances.

JazzArts Charlotte is a nonprofit 501c3 whose mission is to connect the cultural community and develop an audience for jazz through quality education, performance and musician support. Due to the nature of jazz, historically this has been an in-person experience, typically including live music so close you can see the performers hands, small music ensembles that provide personalized mentorship. But to continue its mission, JazzArts Charlotte has pivoted virtual.

While still closed, Crown Station in Noda is generously offering up their space. “Crown Station is an avid supporter of artists and musicians. Ocie Davis and his group have been performing at our venue for the past two years and we will continue doing everything we can to provide an outlet for local talent in Charlotte,” affirms Crown Station owner Billy Dial.

This unique livestream series is called Keep Jazz-A-Live-Streaming: Live from Crown. On Thursdays throughout June and July, audiences can grab a popcorn and glass of wine and tune into Facebook Live to watch from the comfort of their living room. Thursday June 25 8:00pm, the jazz series opens with the Ocie Davis Group, playing their version of some favorite jazz standards plus a few of their own compositions.

Musicians and audience express how much the loss of this live jazz experience has meant to them, as a connection, a healing power, and an outlet of expression. “These interactive performances are intended to offer a way for audiences to enjoy the music, until we are able to meet again in person, whenever that might be,” says Lonnie.

“Most musicians lack the technological resources required to provide a virtual experience that adequately represents the quality of the music we are capable of,” says Ocie Davis, Artistic Director and Cofounder of JazzArts Charlotte.

The performances, which will be found on Facebook Live, are free. “As always, we believe in the importance of music and want it to be accessible, even now,” says Lonnie.

To find out when the next show is, visit www.thejazzarts.org/events or our Facebook page.