TED HOWE TRIO

Ted’s natural persistence and relentless fascination of developing his craft dominated his life. He soon became not only a student at Berklee, but a professor of piano arranging, theory and improvisation — all before reaching the age of 24. He joined the faculty of Georgia State University where he assisted in developing its first jazz education program.

Ted has produced “An Evening Of Duke Ellington With Ted Howe & The Ruth Mitchell Dance Theatre”, a full fledged ballet featuring 21 dancers, choreographed by members of the Alvin Ailey Dance Company. The ballet music was entirely Ted’s arrangements of Duke’s music set to dance. Premiering in Atlanta to glowing reviews, the ballet was performed to sold out houses.

As a Summit Records artist he has released three albums and has performed with a long list of sixty-nine musicians and vocalists that included Henry Mancini, Diahann Carroll, Russell Malone, Lainie Kazan, Morgana King, Tiger Okoshi, Carol Channing, Rene Marie, Herb Pomeroy, Ed Thigpen, Billy Daniels, Mel Torme and more.

The Band:
Ted Howe: Piano
Neal Starkey: Bass
Jerry “Guru” Fields: Drums

Cover: $30.00

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LIZZ WRIGHT WITH KENNY BANKS SR.

With one of the most spellbinding voices of her generation, Lizz Wright has spent more than two decades creating music that moves effortlessly through jazz, gospel, blues, R&B and the deep traditions of the Black American church.

At the heart of that journey has been pianist Kenny Banks Sr., one of Wright’s earliest mentors and most trusted collaborators. Their musical connection began more than 25 years ago in Atlanta, when Wright first heard Banks perform and knew immediately she wanted to make music with him. What followed was a remarkable creative partnership spanning Wright’s acclaimed career, from her 2003 debut Salt through The Orchard, Fellowship, Freedom & Surrender, Grace and Shadow.

Their new album, Nearness, brings that relationship into its most intimate setting yet: just Wright’s extraordinary voice and Banks on piano and organ. Together, they revisit jazz standards and spirituals including “The Nearness of You,” “All the Things You Are,” “Amazing Grace,” “Deep River” and “How I Got Over,” alongside two originals.

The result is both beautifully spare and deeply powerful: a celebration of friendship, mentorship, shared musical history and what Wright calls “a great platonic love.” After a quarter-century of making music together, Nearness captures two extraordinary artists listening, responding and trusting one another completely.

Cover: $57.60 ~ $60.00

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THE OX NOY TRIO

Every once in a while, an opportunity comes along that reminds me why I built The Velvet Note in the first place. This is one of those weekends. Our Signature Series welcomes guitarist Oz Noy, one of the most original voices in contemporary jazz and fusion, joined by legendary drummer Dave Weckl and brilliant Hammond B-3 master Brian Charette.

Individually, each of these musicians has earned the respect of audiences and fellow artists around the world. Together, they create something that’s spontaneous, fearless, and impossible to predict. It’s the kind of music that can only happen when extraordinary musicians trust each other enough to take chances—and invite us along for the ride. About the musicians:

Oz Noy ~ Internationally acclaimed guitarist known for blending jazz, blues, funk, and rock into a uniquely original style. HE Has performed and recorded with artists including Eric Johnson, Mike Stern, Richard Bona, and Vinnie Colaiuta.

Dave Weckl ~Widely regarded as one of the most influential drummers of the modern era and a longtime member of the Chick Corea Elektric Band. Multiple Modern Drummer magazine award winner whose recordings and educational materials have inspired generations of drummers worldwide.

Brian Charette ~ Grammy-nominated Hammond B-3 organist celebrated for redefining the role of the jazz organ in contemporary music. e hHas performed and recorded with leading artists including Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, Chaka Khan, and many of today’s top jazz musicians.

Cover: $64.00

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LORI WILLIAMS

An internationally acclaimed jazz vocalist with more than three decades of performance, recording and music-education experience, Williams brings a rare combination of sophistication, sensuality and emotional truth to the stage. Her voice moves effortlessly from the elegance of traditional jazz to the warmth of soul and contemporary grooves, and her career has taken her from celebrated jazz rooms and festivals across the United States to stages throughout Europe, Japan and the Caribbean. Along the way, she has performed and collaborated with an extraordinary roster of artists including Stanley Clarke, Nathan East, George Duke, Peabo Bryson, Norman Brown and Terri Lyne Carrington.

But Lori Williams’ influence extends well beyond the microphone. A respected educator, mentor, songwriter, producer and advocate for the music, she currently serves as a Governor on the Atlanta Chapter Board of the Recording Academy—the organization behind the Grammy Awards.

Cover: $44.00

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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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