RUSSELL GUNN + BLACKHAWK

Two-time GRAMMY-nominated trumpeter, composer, arranger and producer Russell Gunn returns to this intimate room with one of his most ambitious statements yet: his album release weekend of Afrikan-Amerikan Book of the Dead: The Book of Going Forth By Any Means Necessary, a provocative seven-song work that draws inspiration from the ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead and reimagines the idea of a spiritual guide through the history, identity, resilience and forward movement of Black Americans. Featuring six original Gunn compositions and a Duke Ellington classic, the project brings together the fearless musical language that has defined Gunn’s career—jazz steeped in the Black musical continuum, alive with gospel, funk, hip-hop, groove and uncompromising improvisation.

The album also introduces Blackhawk, Gunn’s hand-selected ensemble whose name pays tribute to Miles Davis’ legendary In Person Friday and Saturday Nights at the Blackhawk, the recording Gunn credits with profoundly shaping his understanding of how jazz should feel. At its heart, however, Afrikan-Amerikan Book of the Dead is not a meditation on death, but an affirmation of life: music concerned with knowing who you are, understanding what came before you and moving forward with purpose, pride and possibility.

Cover: $59.00

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TONI BYRD

Toni Byrd, known as The Velvet SongByrd, is an internationally acclaimed jazz vocalist and songwriter celebrated for her elegant, soulful voice and cinematic stage presence. A Memphis native now based in Atlanta, she has performed worldwide and continues to captivate audiences through her acclaimed tribute production Toni Sings Natalie… A Tribute to Natalie Cole, blending timeless artistry with heartfelt storytelling that resonates across generations.

Her performance history includes a featured appearance in 2026 at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta, hosted by the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) to honor the leadership, legacy, and impact of UNCF women presidents. Her greatest honor came in 2016, when she performed at the White House under the Obama Administration.

Cover: $ TBD

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DAVE FRANKENPOHL

Guitarist Dave Frackenpohl brings his Trio featuring vocalist .Lavahi and bassist Kevin Smith to the stage with a stirring combination of original music and loved favorites to Churchill Grounds Dave has been lauded by his peers as breathing life into incredible originals that speak to the heart as well as stimulate the imagination.

Combining his skills with the soaring and soulful singing of Lavahi and the grounded virtuosity of Kevin Smith, the show is sure to bring a smile to your face whether you’re a long time jazz fan or bringing a date for your first experience.

Cover: $25.00

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DAVE POTTER

“Pianist Marcus Roberts calls Dave Potter “one of the most talented young drummers on the scene today,” and the word that best sums up his playing is intensity. Potter got a late start, picking up the drum set in high school in Durham, North Carolina, where he was drawn to funk and fusion drummers like Billy Cobham and Dennis Chambers. Hearing Tony Williams’s early recordings with the Miles Davis Quintet changed everything, and with mentorship from trumpeter and educator Dr. Andrew Sioberg, he threw himself into practicing, listening, and transcribing.

That work earned him a scholarship to Florida State University, where he studied with Roberts and began a collaboration with Jason Marsalis that has lasted more than twenty years. After graduating, he was selected for the Louis Armstrong Quintet at the University of New Orleans until Hurricane Katrina cut that plan short. He later turned down a full scholarship to Juilliard to return to Florida State for his master’s degree under Roberts.

Potter was featured in the 2010 book The New Face of Jazz, which profiled the younger generation making an impact on the scene. Now based in Atlanta, he keeps a busy teaching and performing schedule and tours with the Jason Marsalis Vibes Quartet, Greg Tardy, Eric Reed, and Marcus Roberts. He also leads his own group, Retro Groove, whose third studio album builds on their self-titled debut with clever arrangements of ’80s hits by Whitney Houston, Rush, The Isley Brothers, Toto, and others, blended with swing and blues to win over jazz purists and pop fans alike.

Dave Potter: Band Leader & Drums
Rod Harris, Jr.: Guitar
Gary Motley: Piano
Tommy Sauter: Bass

Cover: $25.00

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JOE GRANSDEN & KENNY BANKS SR.

The Art of The Song

Two of Atlanta’s finest jazz artists come together for an evening celebrating the enduring beauty of the Great American Songbook. Joe Gransden and Kenny Banks Sr. bring warmth, soul, and swing to timeless songs, shaped by their deep musical connection and years of shared artistry. With elegance, spontaneity, and a true love of the music, they make each performance feel both familiar and fresh.

Cover: $40.00

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