VANESSA RUBIN
Vanessa Rubin is a revered jazz vocalist and storyteller celebrated for her crystalline clarity, soulful warmth, and bold improvisational style. Born in Cleveland to Trinidadian and Louisiana parents, her sound bridges Caribbean rhythm, classic jazz elegance, and Motown soul. Since launching her career in 1980 in Cleveland’s legendary clubs, Rubin has built an international performance and education legacy.
Signed to Novus/RCA in 1992, she released five albums, including chart-topping Soul Eyes (1992) and Pastiche (1993). Her acclaimed one-woman musical, Yesterdays: An Evening with Billie Holiday, earned a 2011 Kevin Klein Award nomination. Rubin continues touring globally, producing, teaching, and championing lyrical storytelling in jazz.
Performers:
Vanessa Rubin ~ Vocalist
Brandon McCune ~ Piano
Richie Goods ~ Bas
Alvin Atkinson ~ Drums
Cover: $40.00 | Friday, 7:30 Show ~ Sold Out
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VANESSA RUBIN
Vanessa Rubin is a revered jazz vocalist and storyteller celebrated for her crystalline clarity, soulful warmth, and bold improvisational style. Born in Cleveland to Trinidadian and Louisiana parents, her sound bridges Caribbean rhythm, classic jazz elegance, and Motown soul. Since launching her career in 1980 in Cleveland’s legendary clubs, Rubin has built an international performance and education legacy.
Signed to Novus/RCA in 1992, she released five albums, including chart-topping Soul Eyes (1992) and Pastiche (1993). Her acclaimed one-woman musical, Yesterdays: An Evening with Billie Holiday, earned a 2011 Kevin Klein Award nomination. Rubin continues touring globally, producing, teaching, and championing lyrical storytelling in jazz.
The Band: Miki Hayama ! Piano | Richie Goods ~ Bass | Alvin Atkinson ~ Drums | Patience Higgins ~ Tenor Saxophone
Cover: Free
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TOMI BERRY & OMAR ASKEW
Tomi Berry is a beautiful performer, inside and out, brings natural grace, a rich soulful voice, and spiritual essence to her performances throughout the Atlanta area and beyond. Wherever she sings, she spreads joy, whether singing smooth R&B, swinging jazz, or sultry ballads, she holds an audience in rapt attention. A spiritual song-stylist, she engages her listeners in musical conversation.
The 2016 42nd Annual Lawrence Award Winner for “Best Seasoned Performer” and the runner up for the 2016’s inaugural Atlanta’s Top Vocalist competition, she has an extensive background in performing and public speaking. An accomplished, classically trained singer, Tomi has performed most of her life in multiple music genres, starting formally in gospel and spiritual church choirs in her hometown of Montclair, NJ.
Omar Askew, a 19-year-old student at Kennesaw State University, is dedicated to studying Jazz Performance on the piano. Constantly striving for self-improvement, he aims to excel every time he touches his instrument. In lessons, Omar pushes his students to become the best pianists they can be, helping them achieve their personal goals.
Cover & Parking: Free
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JUSTICE MICHAEL
Drummer, producing and composing Justice Michael hits the stage with special guest Just grooving Band & DJ at TenAtl. Audiences are blown away by the rhythmic sounds that emit from this drummer, who makes his drum set seem like a natural extension of his limbs. Justice is known for his effortless deep pocket mixed with his own creative flare that hypnotizes the crowd. When he plays, it’s as simple as walking and talking to Justice.
Twenty two year old Justice graduated from the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music, with a Bachelor’s degree in Music. His major was Musicianship, Artistry Development, and Entrepreneurship (M.A.D.E.) with a minor in Music Business and Entertainment Industry.
He won Amateur Night at the Apollo on three separate occasions. Since then, Justice has been seen with his band, Anonymous DaBand, opening for jazz superstars such as Najee, Chrisette Michele, Pieces of a Dream, Bobby Caldwell, Lalah Hathaway and many more. With his growing experiences, Justice has become known in the drumming industry. He has performed at the 2024 Atlanta Jazz Festival and recently secured endorsements with Amedia Cymbals, and Prentice Practice Pads.
Cover: $15.00 ~ Early Bird Until 1.12 | $20.00 ~ Week Of Tickets
CashApp: $justicemmusic | Venmo: @justicemmusic
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Requisites
Afternoon in Paris ~ John Lewis and Sacha Distel | By Eddie Carter
My mother was a big fan of The Modern Jazz Quartet, and today’s selection from the library highlights its founder and musical director, pianist John Lewis, joining French guitarist Sacha Distel on their 1957 collaborative album Afternoon in Paris (Atlantic 1267). It was one of her favorite records to play during our Sunday dinners growing up,and I had almost forgotten how enjoyable this album truly is. The supporting cast is superb: Barney Wilen on tenor saxophone, Pierre Michelot (tracks A1-A3) and Percy Heath (tracks B1-B3) on bass, Connie Kay (tracks A1-A3) and Kenny Clarke (tracks B1-B3) on drums. The copy I own is the 2021 French limited-edition mono audiophile reissue (Versailles MEDX 12005) released by Sam Records.
I Cover The Waterfront by Johnny Green and Edward Heyman, which opens side one, begins with John’s beautiful introduction. Sacha takes over to state the tasteful theme, and leads the way in a gorgeous reading. Barney has the last word in a warm performance that picks up pace until the pianist ends the way he began, softly. Dear Old Stockholm opens with piano, guitar, and tenor sax playing a brief segment of the melody, incorporating Pierre’s bass interlude, until it concludes. The pace picks up significantly for Barney’s swinging opening statement. Sacha delivers straight passion in the following solo, then John builds the third reading with smooth efficiency. All three soloists engage in a short exchange ahead of the pianist’s reprise and gentle ending.
The title tune, Afternoon in Paris by John Lewis, slows the pace to mid-tempo as the group begins the melody. Barney is the first to solo and cooks aggressively. Sacha steps in next to offer a splendid study in soulful improvisation. John makes his entrance with a perfectly locked-in groove. Pierre has the last word, and his sturdy bass lines lead the ensemble into the melody’s restatement. All The Things You Are by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II gets side two underway with John’s pretty introduction. Barney launches into a swinging performance, then Sacha takes the reins and gets into a fantastic groove. John follows with a short solo, then he shares a brief word with Kenny before taking the song out softly.
Bags’ Groove by Milt Jackson got its title from the composer’s nickname. It opens with Barney stating the theme, leisurely, alongside Percy and Kenny. Sacha then begins the opening solo. John taps a creative vein next. Barney begins the third reading at ease, but gradually cruises to a satisfying climax. Percy and Kenny share a brief conversation preceding the theme’s reprise and summation. Ann Ronnell’s Willow Weep For Me begins with John’s gentle piano introduction, setting the stage for Sacha’s elegant, understated approach to the melody and his opening statement. The spotlight shifts to Barney, who delivers one of his most memorable solos on the album. John steps in last, providing a gorgeous improvisation that guides the ensemble to a graceful finish.
Although the producer of the original Afternoon in Paris session remains unidentified, Disques Versailles recorded the initial album, and Fred Thomas oversaw this audiophile reissue for Sam Records. The album’s sound quality is exceptional for a 1950s recording, with a warm, airy soundstage that makes you feel as if you’re in the studio with the musicians as they’re performing. It was remastered from the original tapes and pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Optimal Press using the Metal Mothers process from Pallas in Germany. This edition offers a listening experience that truly captures the album’s essence.
This was Sacha Distel’s sole album collaboration with John Lewis, yet both ensembles seamlessly integrate Lewis’s lyrical piano sensibility with Distel’s refined guitar elegance. The musicians’ interaction is both spontaneous and intuitive, culminating in six extraordinary performances. If you’re in the mood for an engaging blend of Bop and Cool Jazz, I cordially invite you to spend an Afternoon in Paris with John Lewis and Sacha Distel on your next record-shopping trip. I’m confident you’ll encounter a memorable album that will leave a lasting impression well beyond the record’s end!
~ All the Things You Are, I Cover The Waterfront, Willow Weep For Me – Source: JazzStandards.com ~Afternoon in Paris, Bags’ Groove, Dear Old Stockholm – Source: Wikipedia.org © 2026 by Edward Thomas Carter
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