ERIC JONES TRIO

Eric Jones Trio Featuring Laiken Williams, Marc Chesanow, Robert Saunders

Eric was born in Moultrie, Georgia, and started to play piano by ear at the age of five. At 11, Eric began studying trumpet. At 16 he started formal lessons on piano and within two years, he was awarded a piano scholarship to Andrew College. Eric went on to pursue his education at Armstrong Atlantic State University, studying under Dr. Kevin Hampton, graduating with a B.A. in Piano. In addition to teaching private lessons, composing and arranging, he completed his Masters in Composition from Georgia Southern University.

Laiken was born and raised in Nicholls, Ga. While attending CHS, Laiken was involved with many school activities. She held a state position as Secretary for the Georgia Association of Student Councils for 2.5 years.. Laiken’s other involvements included The National Honor Society, FBLA, Chorus, and Showchoir. After graduating from Coffee High in 2004, Laiken set off to Savannah, Ga to attend Armstrong Atlantic State University to major in Political Science. While at AASU, Laiken was involved with Armstrong’s University Chorale as well as holding an officer position with Student Government and Campus Union Board. 

Marc holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Memphis in addition to a Bachelor’s Degree from the Eastman School of Music in Double Bass performance. He has studied with world-renowned soloist James VanDemark, John Chiego from the University of Memphis, Louis Kosma from the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, James Clute from the Minnesota Orchestra as well as others. Currently residing in Savannah, Georgia, Marc can be seen regularly performing with the Savannah Philharmonic and The Hilton Head Symphony as well as regular performances at jazz venues such as the Good Times Jazz Bar and The Jazz Corner. 

Robert is a Savannah native & a rising drummer on the southeast coast. He attended Savannah Chatham County Public schools graduating from Windsor Forest High School. After that, he attended Armstrong State University as a student of Dr. Stephen Primatic. He has performed with Wycliffe Gordon, Scotty Barnhart, Dred “Perky” Scott, Fred Wesley, Cynthia Utterbach, and with local jazz hero’s such as: Teddy Adams, Ben Tucker, Howard Paul, Huxie Scott, & Gina Renee. He is a member of The Eric Jones Trio, the Isaac Smith Band, Laiken Love, & is the house drummer at Good Times Jazz Bar and Restaurant.

 

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KEVIN COLE

KEVIN COLE: THE FAVORITE PIANIST OF SONGWRITERS MARVIN HAMLISCH AND IRVING BERLIN… AND HE HAS STORIES TO TELL!

“America’s Pianist,” Kevin Cole, has received accolades from some of the foremost critics in America: “A piano genius…he reveals an understanding of harmony, rhythmic complexity and pure show-biz virtuosity that would have had  Horowitz Vladimir smiling with envy,” wrote arts critic Andrew Patner.

When Cole sits down at the piano, you would swear Gershwin himself was at work… Cole stands as the best Gershwin pianist in America today,” Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune.

Cole has performed with over 100 orchestras worldwide including: sold-out performances with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl; BBC Concert Orchestra at Royal Albert Hall; National Symphony at the Kennedy Center; Hong Kong Philharmonic; San Francisco Symphony, Chicago Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra and many others.

He made his Carnegie Hall debut with the Albany Symphony in May 2013.

Kevin Cole is an award-winning musical director, arranger, composer, vocalist, archivist and producer who garnered the praises of Irving Berlin, Harold Arlen, E.Y. Harburg, Hugh Martin, BurtonLane, Marvin Hamlisch, Stephen Sondheim and members of the Jerome Kern and Gershwin families.

He was the only pianist Hamlisch used for his Gershwin concerts from 2004 to his untimely death in 2012 and Kevin was featured soloist for the PBS special, Gershwin at One Symphony Place with the Nashville Symphony.

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MARIA HOWELL & NOEL FRIEDLINE

Middle C Jazz 3rd Anniversary | Noel & Maria: The Very Best of Billy, Stevie, Elton and Ray with a twist of…

Noel & Maria: The Very Best of Billy, Stevie, Elton and Ray with a twist of Motown, Chicago, Sam Cooke, Luther Vandross, Donny Hathaway, Peter Cetera, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, The Supremes, Martha Reeves & the Vandellas, The Four Tops, the Jackson 5, Gladys Knight, and more!

Friday ~ November 4 | 7:00pm & 9:15PM

Saturday ~ November 5 | 7:00pm & 9:15PM

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CONNIE HAN

Pianist and provocateur Connie Han has created an edgy blend of modern and traditional jazz with her incendiary Mack Avenue Records debut CRIME ZONE. At 26, this young lioness is on a fast-climbing trajectory to jazz stardom with rave reviews from The New York Times, Jazziz Magazine, Downbeat Magazine, and more. According to Downbeat Magazine, Han has “already absorbed the post-bop piano masters” with “all the technical mastery she’ll ever need.” The New York Times describes her as “the rare musician with fearsome technical chops, a breadth of historical knowledge and enough originality to write tunes that absorb your ear easily.” Weaving in and out of the tradition, Han pays tribute to McCoy Tyner, Mulgrew Miller, and Kenny Kirkland with her own unique edge and fire at the piano.

Her connection to jazz began at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. After graduation, Han accepted a full-tuition scholarship to UCLA but chose to leave school after three weeks to pursue her professional career. It was at this time she sought out drummer/producer Bill Wysaske to begin work on what would eventually culminate her signing with Mack Avenue Records.

“This record is meant to be a statement about being rebellious… but within the tradition,” Han explains. “It’s provocative and fresh in its own way while still honoring the rich legacy of jazz.” The title, CRIME ZONE, reinforces how I brand myself as an artist: a provocateur of creative music.” “With this album she’s booking a place as a star in the jazz firmament of tomorrow,” says All About Jazz.” Watch out for Connie Han, the face (and shape) of jazz to come.”

Doors at 6:00 PM, Show at 7:00 PM | Doors at 8:45 PM, Show at 9:15 PM

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JOEY ALEXANDER

It’s no coincidence two of the titles on pianist, bandleader and composer Joey Alexander’s inspirational debut on Mack Avenue Records, Origin, contain the words “rise” and “rising.”

“The Latin root of the word ‘origin’ is orire, which means to rise,” explains the restlessly searching musician, who has performed everywhere from the Obama White House to the Grand Ole Opry and has been nominated for three GRAMMY® awards. “During this pandemic, I think the first thing we should do is to start with being hopeful, which is the main theme of Origin. Instead of making it a source of frustration, I made it the source of inspiration to express myself in music.”

Good plan. On his sixth album as a leader, his first featuring all his own material, Alexander has stretched his imagination into new territory, challenging himself to write rich melodic and harmonic interplay without ever abandoning the emotional candor and transparency that have captivated crowds and catapulted his albums to the top of the jazz charts.

Showtimes: December 2 & 3

Doors at 6:00 PM, Show at 7:00 PM | Doors at 8:45 PM, Show at 9:15 PM

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