PERFORMANCE DESCRIPTION

NOEL FREIDLINE (Bandleader/Piano)…pianist, vocalist, writer, arranger and educator, doesn’t come close to all things Noel Freidline! As a Magna Cum Laude graduate of the University of North Florida, with a BA in Music, Noel has been the bandleader of The Noel Freidline Quintet for over 26 years. He has numerous recordings to his credit, and has performed at jazz festivals from the Jacksonville Jazz Festival (FL)…to the Montreux Jazz Festival (Switzerland)…not to mention, a 3-year stint at the world famous Bellagio in Las Vegas, as the house band, leading his NFQ, where he performed for actress Julia Robert’s surprise 35th birthday party.


In February of 2018, Noel released his eighth album, “Old Devil Moon”, a collaboration with vocalist, Maria Howell. Noel performs regularly with the Charlotte Symphony, both as a featured artist, and ensemble member. He has performed with touring Broadway shows, such as, “Jersey Boys”, “Bring It On”, “Dream Girls”, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, “White Christmas”, “Les Miserable”, “Wicked” and, “Beautiful”. Also, he served as Assistant Music Director for “First Date”. With the NFQ, Noel has opened for such legendary artists as Tony Bennett, David Sanborn, Kenny G, Rosemary Clooney, Dave Brubeck, vocalist Layla Hathaway, jazz legend Roy Ayers, and vocalist Jennifer Holliday. Noel has performed with such diverse artists as Nnenna Freelon, Frederic Yonnet, Terry Thornton, and lyricist Sir Tim Rice (“Evita”, “The Lion King”).


Noel was named Best Jazz Musician by Charlotte Magazine in 2006 and in 2009 and was named “Best Musical Director”, by the Metrolina Theatre Association of the Carolinas. In 2011 Freidline was chosen for the Blumenthal Performing Arts Association - Center Stage Award (Charlotte, NC), in recognition of his excellence in service to the arts. And in May, 2015, Noel Freidline was inducted into the Jacksonville Jazz Hall of Fame. 


MARIA HOWELL (Vocals)…for over 35 years, this petite NC native, who splits her time between both the east coast and the west coast, has developed her career as a singer, actor, and voiceover artist. Her debut acting role was the choir soloist in the Oscar Nominated film, “The Color Purple”. She has gone on to appear in hit TV shows as Lifetime’s “Army Wives”, NBC’s “Revolution”, and CBS’s “Criminal Minds”. Feature films…“The Blind Side”, “Hidden Figures”, and “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire”. As a song stylist, Maria has shared the musical stage with legendary artists as, Nancy Wilson, George Benson, Ray Charles, Earl Klugh, brothers Ronnie and Hubert Laws, and veteran actor/singer, Keith David.


Join Noel & Maria and special guest Adrian Crutchfield as they celebrate what the world needs now: Love, Sweet Love.  The best of the love songs, from classics to contemporary. 

Adrian Crutchfield is known around the world for his neo-soul sound – creating music in a variety of genres such as jazz, R&B, pop, funk, soul, hip hop, and fusion.


His high energy show brings a diversity to jazz never seen before with music for every generation! Adrian takes pride in bringing a new and powerful sound, merging jazz with today’s pop and hip hop.