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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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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NESTOR TORRES

Néstor Torres’ dynamic, unique sound is a blend of his Caribbean heritage with Classical training and Jazz improvisation. A prolific recording artist with 18 releases, earning him 5 Latin Grammy nominations, 1 Latin Grammy Award (Best Pop Instrumental Album), and a Grammy nomination (Best Latin Jazz Album), Torres has always challenged artistic expectations. The complex artistry of his work has been described as “highly infectious,” “somehow deeper, almost transcendental”.

Towards the celebration of International Day of Jazz on April 30th, Néstor’s performance will pay homage to his Jazz influences and mentors, featuring songs from his Latin Grammy nominated album, Jazz Flute Traditions. And, of course, there will be a healthy dose of Latin Jazz, Nestor Torres style…

Band Members:
Nestor Torres – Vocals
Jorge Luis Sosa – Keyboard
Adolfo Herrera – Drums
Sameul Burgos – Bass
Edwin Bonilla – Percussion

Tickets: $60.50 ~ $65.50

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NICOLE HENRY

Since 2004, Nicole Henry’s versatile and emotionally driven performances have wowed audiences in 20 countries. She has established herself among the jazz world’s most acclaimed performers, possessing a potent combination of dynamic vocal abilities, impeccable phrasing, and powerful emotional resonance.

Heralded by The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Japan Times, El Pais, Jazz Times, Essence and more, Ms. Henry tells real stories through peerless interpretations of repertoire from the American Songbook, classic and contemporary jazz, popular standards, blues and originals.

Among her numerous accolades, Henry’s passionate, soulful voice and heartfelt charisma have earned her a Soul Train Award for “Best Traditional Jazz Performance,” “Best New Jazz Artist” by HMV Japan, “Best Solo Musician” by her hometown Miami New Times, and was hailed as “One of Eight Black Artists Making Waves in 2024” by Symphonic Distribution.

She has enjoyed four Top 10 CDs including her latest album “Time to Love Again” which reached #4 on the U.S. jazz radio chart, remaining in the Top 40 for 20 weeks. “Time to Love Again” also reached #6 on UK’s Sweet Rhythms chart and continues to enjoy worldwide play on both Sirius XM’s Real Jazz & Watercolors stations. These successes were supplemented by a 36-city national tour.

Band Members:
Vocals: Nicole Henry
Piano: Pete Wallace
Drums: TBD
Trumpet: Jean Caze
Bass: Jamese McCoy

Tickets: $60.50 ~ $65.50

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Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Johnny Mathis was born John Royce Mathis in Gilmer, Texas on September 30, 1935. The family moved to San Francisco, California, where he grew up on 32nd Avenue in the Richmond District. His father a vaudevillian, saw his son’s talent, bought a piano and encouraged him by teaching him songs and routines that he performed at home, school and church functions.

At thirteen, Johnny began study with voice teacher Connie Cox, and for six years he learned vocal scales and exercises, voice production, classical and operatic skills. A star athlete in high school he earned four athletic letters, and then enrolled at San Francisco State University on scholarship to become a teacher. However, spotted by Helen Noga, co-owner of The Black Hawk Club at a jam session, she became his manager, got jazz producer George Avakian to hear him and he subsequently sent a telegram to Columbia Records noting: Have found phenomenal 19-year-old boy who could go all the way. Send blank contracts.

The rest, as they say is history. His first album Johnny Mathis: A New Sound In Popular Song was a slow-selling jazz album. Staying in New York to play the clubs, his second album, produced by Mitch Miller,, defined his sound – soft, romantic ballads. Miller paired him with arranger/conductor Ray Conniff, then with Ray Ellis, Glenn Osser, and Robert Mersey By 1956 Johnny recorded two of his most popular songs – “Wonderful, Wonderful” and “It’s Not For Me To Say”. He would appear in films by MGM and 20th Century Fox, the Ed Sullivan Show and The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom.

After splitting from Noga, Mathis established Jon Mat Records to produce his recordings, Rojon Productions to handle all of his concert, theater, showroom and television appearances, and all promotional and charitable activities, hired a new manager and business partner, signed with Mercury, then Columbia Records, the latter being his permanent label. His recordings have been used in Close Encounters of the Third Kind, The X-Files and Mad Men; and his discography crosses all genres including jazz, pop, Brazilian, Spanish, Soul, R&B, rock, Broadway, Tin Pan Alley and disco.

He has the distinction of having the longest stay of any recording artist on the Columbia Record label, having been with the label from 1956 to 1963 and from 1968 to the present and makes him the third biggest selling recording artist of the 20th century, only after Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra.

Johnny Mathis has received three Grammy awards including a Lifetime Achievement Award, has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, nominated for an Oscar, has taped twelve of his own television specials, made over 300 television guest appearances with 33 of them being on The Tonight Show and his songs have been heard in 100 plus television shows and films around the globe. He continues to perform but from 2000 onwards has limited his concert engagements to fifty to sixty appearances per year.

 

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