Middle C Jazz Club

Craft cocktails and small plates begin at 8:00pm.

Middle C Jazz has General Admission seating available on a first-come basis. We also offer preferred seating for our Baby Grand members. 

 

 

Nineteen-time Grammy nominee, Four-time Grammy winner and all-time guitar great, Larry Carlton established himself from his first recording, A Little Help From My Friends. His studio credits include musicians and groups like Steely Dan, Joni Mitchell, Michael Jackson, Sammy Davis Jr., Herb Alpert, Quincy Jones, Bobby Bland, Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and literally dozens of others. He went on to perform with the Crusaders and then with the multi platinum jazz super group Fourplay.

With 38 albums to his credit and having performed on over 100 albums that have gone Gold or Platinum, Larry Carlton has set a standard for artistry that spans three decades. Additionally Larry received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Guitar Player magazine at the historical Ryman Auditorium; was presented the “Titan of Tone” award from Premier Guitar Magazine at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and received a star on the Rock Walk of Fame on June 3, 1999. Larry’s recent Grammy Nominations include Best Pop Instrumental Album for his “Greatest Hits Rerecorded – Volume One” released by 335 Records in 2009; and Best Pop Instrumental Performance for “Fortune Teller” from Fourplay’s Energy also in 2009.

In February 2010, Larry Carlton announced that after having had the distinct privilege of performing 12 years with Fourplay he has decided to take his leave to delve further into his solo career. As Larry looks to the future he is excited about all of the new projects that he is working on and looks forward to sharing them with his loyal fans. One can be sure that Larry will continue to deliver great music that will inspire generations to come and live up to the quality that they have come to expect from him.

Craft cocktails and small plates will be served starting at 6:00PM

BLAKE AARON
WEBSITE
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“A Genius on the Guitar” - Los Angeles Times



WILL DONATO
WEBSITE
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Will Donato is one of music’s most dynamic performers, gifted with the ability to bond and connect with his audiences. His latest radio single “GOOD ON YOU” was a Billboard #1 hit in Winter 2022.

A previous single release “INFINITE SOUL” (January 2019) has over 3.5 MILLION streams to date on Spotify alone and reached the coveted #1 spot on the Billboard smooth jazz airplay chart in 2019.

A cancer survivor who truly celebrates each day and each person he meets, Will has headlined or shared the stage as a special guest at the Blue Note in New York City, The Seabreeze Jazz Festival, and many more.

In the studio working on his next full-length album to be released in late 2023, Will Donato was quoted by NewJazz.com as “A Must See Show!”

Craft cocktails and small plates will be served starting at 8:45PM

 

BLAKE AARON
WEBSITE
WATCH

“A Genius on the Guitar” - Los Angeles Times



WILL DONATO
WEBSITE
WATCH

Will Donato is one of music’s most dynamic performers, gifted with the ability to bond and connect with his audiences. His latest radio single “GOOD ON YOU” was a Billboard #1 hit in Winter 2022.

A previous single release “INFINITE SOUL” (January 2019) has over 3.5 MILLION streams to date on Spotify alone and reached the coveted #1 spot on the Billboard smooth jazz airplay chart in 2019.

A cancer survivor who truly celebrates each day and each person he meets, Will has headlined or shared the stage as a special guest at the Blue Note in New York City, The Seabreeze Jazz Festival, and many more.

In the studio working on his next full-length album to be released in late 2023, Will Donato was quoted by NewJazz.com as “A Must See Show!”

Craft cocktails and small plates begin at 5:15pm.

Middle C Jazz has General Admission seating available on a first-come basis. We also offer preferred seating for our Baby Grand members. 

CHRIS STANDRING
WATCH
WEBSITE
Click HERE for a special message from Chris Standring.
Chris Standring is a British jazz guitarist known for his heavy use of 1970s-style musical nuances. In an illustrious career that stretches back over the last 25 years, Chris has earned a reputation as one of the world’s most virtuosic guitarists, with considerable radio and chart success. And with a catalogue of fourteen solo albums, including the critically acclaimed Blue Bolero from 2010, (spawning the single and  #1 Billboard Contemporary Jazz Track of the Year with 'Bossa Blue'), Standring continues to push the boundaries of the format with every new album he releases.

Chris has enjoyed ten number one radio singles in total (seven of his own and four with other artists he has worked with).

On September 3rd 2021 Chris released an ambitious orchestral/trio project entitled Wonderful World, recorded at Abbey Road studio in London, featuring many notable jazz superstars. The project has received rave reviews worldwide.

His 2022 album Simple Things gave us the #1 radio hit 'Change The World', and 2023 awaits the super chilled out Lovers Remix Collection, a set of Chris' most poular songs remixed and brought up to date.

Personnel:
Chris Standring: Guitar
West Byrd: Keyboards
John Dilliard: Bass
Brian Houze: Drums

Craft cocktails and small plates begin at 8:00pm.

Middle C Jazz has General Admission seating available on a first-come basis. We also offer preferred seating for our Baby Grand members. 

CHRIS STANDRING
WATCH
WEBSITE
Click HERE for a special message from Chris Standring.
Chris Standring is a British jazz guitarist known for his heavy use of 1970s-style musical nuances. In an illustrious career that stretches back over the last 25 years, Chris has earned a reputation as one of the world’s most virtuosic guitarists, with considerable radio and chart success. And with a catalogue of fourteen solo albums, including the critically acclaimed Blue Bolero from 2010, (spawning the single and  #1 Billboard Contemporary Jazz Track of the Year with 'Bossa Blue'), Standring continues to push the boundaries of the format with every new album he releases.

Chris has enjoyed ten number one radio singles in total (seven of his own and four with other artists he has worked with).

On September 3rd 2021 Chris released an ambitious orchestral/trio project entitled Wonderful World, recorded at Abbey Road studio in London, featuring many notable jazz superstars. The project has received rave reviews worldwide.

His 2022 album Simple Things gave us the #1 radio hit 'Change The World', and 2023 awaits the super chilled out Lovers Remix Collection, a set of Chris' most poular songs remixed and brought up to date.

Personnel:
Chris Standring: Guitar
West Byrd: Keyboards
John Dilliard: Bass
Brian Houze: Drums

Craft cocktails and small plates begin at 6:00 pm.

Middle C Jazz has General Admission seating available on a first-come basis. We also offer preferred seating for our Baby Grand members. 

 

 

WATCH
Spunk Adams is an award winning saxophonist from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He has written and produced numerous songs, which can be found on all digital platforms. Spunk Adams has opened for the likes of Layla Hathaway and Chrisette Michele and is the first artist to have been featured in the Oklahoma City Thunder Music Spotlight. He leads a full jazz band as well as a jazz trio and has the chops to gig solo and still fill the stage! Spunk has traveled, toured, and shared the stage with smooth jazz legends; such as, Adam Hawley and Julian Vaughn, a title he is sure to attain himself, in what will surely be a long and storied career. 

Craft cocktails and small plates begin at 6:00 pm.

Middle C Jazz has General Admission seating available on a first-come basis. We also offer preferred seating for our Baby Grand members. 

Craft cocktails and small plates begin at 5:30pm.

Middle C Jazz has General Admission seating available on a first-come basis. We also offer preferred seating for our Baby Grand members. 

SLIM GAMBILL
WEBSITE
WATCH

He started rocking out as a kid, found jazz early and wound up playing in a country band. Clearly, Jason "Slim" Gambill is not one to be constrained by limitations. Or expectations.

The Nebraska-born, Colorado-raised guitarist is, of course, best known for his 13 years of working with country hitmakers Lady A, a key adjunct in the trio's rise to multi-platinum, award-winning fame thanks to his hot licks and his trademark two-foot-long braids. But Gambill draws from a deep musical well, and his recent albums -- FAKE JAZZ & THEME SONGS, LCD -- as well as his buoyant new single "Up" and music that's to come are the work of someone with endless ambition and no boundaries on his ambitions or imagination.

Throughout his continuing tenure with the band Gambill never lost sight of his own music, squirreling songs and ideas away as Lady A traveled around the world. After about a decade he decided to start letting the rest of the world hear it. FAKE JAZZ & THEME SONGS -- which features guest appearances by the Dave Matthews Band saxophonist Jeff Coffin, Hanson guitarist Isaac Hanson, Legendary Pianist Kenneth Crouch and vocalist Candace Devine -- was the result of a friend inviting him to play on a jazz festival bill in New Mexico. "I wrote a bunch of songs for the show, and they turned out really well," Gambill says. "That pushed me to get serious about doing my own music again." He followed with LCD during the fall of 2020 (featuring guests Coffin, Mindi Abair, Pierce the Veil's Vic Fuentes, Rival Sons' Michael Miley, put together "24 on 6," a guitar summit to benefit MusiCares Covid-19 relief efforts on which Gambill, 17 other guitarists and several vocalists mashed up Wes Montgomery's "Four on Six" with "Stevie Wonder's "I Wish."

With "Up," meanwhile, Gambill moves into what he calls "Vintage Smooth Jazz," revisiting influences he felt from the likes of Benson, Bob James, Dave Grusin, Chuck Mangione and others. "These are all cats that really inspired me," he notes. "That early Smooth Jazz was super cool, a lot of jazz players who were basically making R&B records."

Craft cocktails and small plates begin at 8:00pm.

Middle C Jazz has General Admission seating available on a first-come basis. We also offer preferred seating for our Baby Grand members. 

SLIM GAMBILL
WEBSITE
WATCH

He started rocking out as a kid, found jazz early and wound up playing in a country band. Clearly, Jason "Slim" Gambill is not one to be constrained by limitations. Or expectations.

The Nebraska-born, Colorado-raised guitarist is, of course, best known for his 13 years of working with country hitmakers Lady A, a key adjunct in the trio's rise to multi-platinum, award-winning fame thanks to his hot licks and his trademark two-foot-long braids. But Gambill draws from a deep musical well, and his recent albums -- FAKE JAZZ & THEME SONGS, LCD -- as well as his buoyant new single "Up" and music that's to come are the work of someone with endless ambition and no boundaries on his ambitions or imagination.

Throughout his continuing tenure with the band Gambill never lost sight of his own music, squirreling songs and ideas away as Lady A traveled around the world. After about a decade he decided to start letting the rest of the world hear it. FAKE JAZZ & THEME SONGS -- which features guest appearances by the Dave Matthews Band saxophonist Jeff Coffin, Hanson guitarist Isaac Hanson, Legendary Pianist Kenneth Crouch and vocalist Candace Devine -- was the result of a friend inviting him to play on a jazz festival bill in New Mexico. "I wrote a bunch of songs for the show, and they turned out really well," Gambill says. "That pushed me to get serious about doing my own music again." He followed with LCD during the fall of 2020 (featuring guests Coffin, Mindi Abair, Pierce the Veil's Vic Fuentes, Rival Sons' Michael Miley, put together "24 on 6," a guitar summit to benefit MusiCares Covid-19 relief efforts on which Gambill, 17 other guitarists and several vocalists mashed up Wes Montgomery's "Four on Six" with "Stevie Wonder's "I Wish."

With "Up," meanwhile, Gambill moves into what he calls "Vintage Smooth Jazz," revisiting influences he felt from the likes of Benson, Bob James, Dave Grusin, Chuck Mangione and others. "These are all cats that really inspired me," he notes. "That early Smooth Jazz was super cool, a lot of jazz players who were basically making R&B records."

Craft cocktails and small plates begin at 5:15pm.

Middle C Jazz has General Admission seating available on a first-come basis. We also offer preferred seating for our Baby Grand members. 

 

 

GIRLS IN GOWNS

WEBSITE

WATCH

Ronee Martin as seen on America’s Got Talent (“AGT”) was a quarter-finalist on Season 11 of the show. Simon Cowell said after one of her performances, “…the world missed you for some reason Ronee…the world’s gonna catch up with you Ronee, I have a feeling.” IG: @RoneeMartin

After a stint as lead vocalist for smooth jazz group Pieces of a Dream, Tracy Hamlin performed as a background vocalist for Gloria Gaynor and Peabo Bryson. She now performs as a solo artist internationally. IG: @tracyhamlinmusic

Karen Briggs has performed and/or recorded with everyone from The Royal Philharmonic to Yanni to Stanley Clarke to Diana Ross to Ledisi to Kirk Franklin to Annie Lennox to the Wu Tang Clan! She has performed all over the globe as a featured soloist. IG: @karenbriggsviolin

As an actor, Maria Howell began her career as the choir soloist in the Oscar Nominated “The Color Purple”, and has since appeared in hit TV shows such as Lifetime's, “Army Wives”, Marc Cherry's, "Devious Maids”. She also guest starred on CBS’s “Criminal Minds” and “The Resident“. IG: @mariasingsacts

Musicians:

Noel Freidline (piano/keys) - IG: @noelfreidline

Zack Page

Justin Varnes (drums) - IG: @jazzlegacyproject

 

Craft cocktails and small plates begin at 8:00pm.

Middle C Jazz has General Admission seating available on a first-come basis. We also offer preferred seating for our Baby Grand members. 

 

 

GIRLS IN GOWNS

WEBSITE

WATCH

Ronee Martin as seen on America’s Got Talent (“AGT”) was a quarter-finalist on Season 11 of the show. Simon Cowell said after one of her performances, “…the world missed you for some reason Ronee…the world’s gonna catch up with you Ronee, I have a feeling.” IG: @RoneeMartin

After a stint as lead vocalist for smooth jazz group Pieces of a Dream, Tracy Hamlin performed as a background vocalist for Gloria Gaynor and Peabo Bryson. She now performs as a solo artist internationally. IG: @tracyhamlinmusic

Karen Briggs has performed and/or recorded with everyone from The Royal Philharmonic to Yanni to Stanley Clarke to Diana Ross to Ledisi to Kirk Franklin to Annie Lennox to the Wu Tang Clan! She has performed all over the globe as a featured soloist. IG: @karenbriggsviolin

As an actor, Maria Howell began her career as the choir soloist in the Oscar Nominated “The Color Purple”, and has since appeared in hit TV shows such as Lifetime's, “Army Wives”, Marc Cherry's, "Devious Maids”. She also guest starred on CBS’s “Criminal Minds” and “The Resident“. IG: @mariasingsacts

Musicians:

Noel Freidline (piano/keys) - IG: @noelfreidline

Zack Page

Justin Varnes (drums) - IG: @jazzlegacyproject

 

Craft cocktails and small plates begin at 6:00 pm.

Middle C Jazz has General Admission seating available on a first-come basis. We also offer preferred seating for our Baby Grand members. 

CHRIS O'LEARY
WATCH
WEBSITE
Click HERE for a special message from Chris O'Leary.

Chris’s musical background includes duties as lead singer and front man for rock and roll hall of famer and Grammy award winner Levon Helm’s band, The Barnburners. During the 6 years that Chris and Levon played together they toured across the US and Canada lighting up stages everywhere they went. Chris has appeared on stage with: Legendary Rolling Stones sideman Bobby Keys, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Jimmy Vivino, Jeff Healy, Dan Akroyd, Albert Lee, Dave Edmunds, Dave Maxwell and the great James Cotton to name just a few. Chris has also recorded with Bill Perry and Hubert Sumlin, among others.

The Chris O’Leary Band’s debut CD “Mr. Used to Be” won the 2011 Best New Artist Debut CD Blues Blast Award and was nominated for best new artist debut at the 2011 American Blues Music Awards.

The regular members of the band include:

• Tom Terry — bass


• Chris DiFrancesco — baritone sax


• Andy Stahl — tenor sax


• Andrei Koribanics — drums

Craft cocktails and small plates begin at 6:00 pm.

Middle C Jazz has General Admission seating available on a first-come basis. We also offer preferred seating for our Baby Grand members. 

MARCUS ADAMS
WEBSITE
Marcus Adams' style of music is 'SOUL JAZZ'. He describes soul jazz as the new smooth jazz. Whether a sizzling riff on the saxophone or a soothing vocal melody, he continues to garner new fans with every performance. Hailing from Milwaukee, WI, Marcus  Adams has perfected his sound and electrifying stage presence by performing as the side man to celebrated artists such as Peter White, Rick Braun, and Fred Hammond to name a few. With the release of his latest project 'RESET', Marcus is set to captivate audiences world wide!

Craft cocktails and small plates begin at 5:30pm.

Middle C Jazz has General Admission seating available on a first-come basis. We also offer preferred seating for our Baby Grand members. 

JONATHAN BUTLER
WATCH
WEBSITE

Jonathan Butler is a singer-songwriter and guitarist who leads a life few can imagine. Born in South Africa under the shadow of apartheid and raised in poverty, Butler was the first non-white artist to be played on South African radio and appear on national television. Though his musical abilities would take him away from the world he grew up in, Jonathan would neither forget the plight of his fellow South Africans, nor the man that led them to freedom. It is for this reason Nelson Mandela credits Butler’s music as having inspired him during his imprisonment. In more ways than one, Jonathan Butler is representative of South Africa. 

Jonathan’s story begins at a very young age when his father presented him with a homemade one-string guitar. Little did his father realize that he was giving way to a musical phenomenon. From then on, Jonathan’s musical gifts grew by leaps and bounds. In his early teens Butler won a local talent contest, affording him the opportunity to perform with a touring musical company throughout South Africa. On occasion he would perform at lavish concert halls for whites only, where he would not be allowed to use the bathroom, and the very next night he would perform in a dilapidated local township. Ultimately, his ticket to a new life was music.

At thirteen, Jonathan’s talents caught the eyes and ears of the British record producer Clive Caulder. He was signed to Caulder’s Jive Records and the rest is history. Jonathan’s first single broke down racial barriers becoming the first song by a black artist played by white radio stations in South Africa and won the South African equivalent to a Grammy®.  

His commitment to his craft came to fruition with his self-titled debut album, which received a Grammy® nomination for the pop hit “Lies.” An instrumental “Going Home” earned him another Grammy® nomination and the mid-tempo ballad “Sarah, Sarah” confirmed Butler’s place in popular music.  

However, to Jonathan Butler, success is measured on a higher plane. A religious and spiritual man, Butler dedicates his life to being a devoted father and grandfather, and a caring citizen to his homeland, South Africa. And in spite of all the hardships, Jonathan Butler has an air of playfulness and quiet resilience that is easily visible in his passionate performances.

Craft cocktails and small plates begin at 8:15pm.

Middle C Jazz has General Admission seating available on a first-come basis. We also offer preferred seating for our Baby Grand members. 

JONATHAN BUTLER
WATCH
WEBSITE

Jonathan Butler is a singer-songwriter and guitarist who leads a life few can imagine. Born in South Africa under the shadow of apartheid and raised in poverty, Butler was the first non-white artist to be played on South African radio and appear on national television. Though his musical abilities would take him away from the world he grew up in, Jonathan would neither forget the plight of his fellow South Africans, nor the man that led them to freedom. It is for this reason Nelson Mandela credits Butler’s music as having inspired him during his imprisonment. In more ways than one, Jonathan Butler is representative of South Africa. 

Jonathan’s story begins at a very young age when his father presented him with a homemade one-string guitar. Little did his father realize that he was giving way to a musical phenomenon. From then on, Jonathan’s musical gifts grew by leaps and bounds. In his early teens Butler won a local talent contest, affording him the opportunity to perform with a touring musical company throughout South Africa. On occasion he would perform at lavish concert halls for whites only, where he would not be allowed to use the bathroom, and the very next night he would perform in a dilapidated local township. Ultimately, his ticket to a new life was music.

At thirteen, Jonathan’s talents caught the eyes and ears of the British record producer Clive Caulder. He was signed to Caulder’s Jive Records and the rest is history. Jonathan’s first single broke down racial barriers becoming the first song by a black artist played by white radio stations in South Africa and won the South African equivalent to a Grammy®.  

His commitment to his craft came to fruition with his self-titled debut album, which received a Grammy® nomination for the pop hit “Lies.” An instrumental “Going Home” earned him another Grammy® nomination and the mid-tempo ballad “Sarah, Sarah” confirmed Butler’s place in popular music.  

However, to Jonathan Butler, success is measured on a higher plane. A religious and spiritual man, Butler dedicates his life to being a devoted father and grandfather, and a caring citizen to his homeland, South Africa. And in spite of all the hardships, Jonathan Butler has an air of playfulness and quiet resilience that is easily visible in his passionate performances.

Craft cocktails and small plates begin at 5:15pm.

Middle C Jazz has General Admission seating available on a first-come basis. We also offer preferred seating for our Baby Grand members. 

JONATHAN BUTLER
WATCH
WEBSITE

Jonathan Butler is a singer-songwriter and guitarist who leads a life few can imagine. Born in South Africa under the shadow of apartheid and raised in poverty, Butler was the first non-white artist to be played on South African radio and appear on national television. Though his musical abilities would take him away from the world he grew up in, Jonathan would neither forget the plight of his fellow South Africans, nor the man that led them to freedom. It is for this reason Nelson Mandela credits Butler’s music as having inspired him during his imprisonment. In more ways than one, Jonathan Butler is representative of South Africa. 

Jonathan’s story begins at a very young age when his father presented him with a homemade one-string guitar. Little did his father realize that he was giving way to a musical phenomenon. From then on, Jonathan’s musical gifts grew by leaps and bounds. In his early teens Butler won a local talent contest, affording him the opportunity to perform with a touring musical company throughout South Africa. On occasion he would perform at lavish concert halls for whites only, where he would not be allowed to use the bathroom, and the very next night he would perform in a dilapidated local township. Ultimately, his ticket to a new life was music.

At thirteen, Jonathan’s talents caught the eyes and ears of the British record producer Clive Caulder. He was signed to Caulder’s Jive Records and the rest is history. Jonathan’s first single broke down racial barriers becoming the first song by a black artist played by white radio stations in South Africa and won the South African equivalent to a Grammy®.  

His commitment to his craft came to fruition with his self-titled debut album, which received a Grammy® nomination for the pop hit “Lies.” An instrumental “Going Home” earned him another Grammy® nomination and the mid-tempo ballad “Sarah, Sarah” confirmed Butler’s place in popular music.  

However, to Jonathan Butler, success is measured on a higher plane. A religious and spiritual man, Butler dedicates his life to being a devoted father and grandfather, and a caring citizen to his homeland, South Africa. And in spite of all the hardships, Jonathan Butler has an air of playfulness and quiet resilience that is easily visible in his passionate performances.

Craft cocktails and small plates begin at 8:00pm.

Middle C Jazz has General Admission seating available on a first-come basis. We also offer preferred seating for our Baby Grand members. 

JONATHAN BUTLER
WATCH
WEBSITE

Jonathan Butler is a singer-songwriter and guitarist who leads a life few can imagine. Born in South Africa under the shadow of apartheid and raised in poverty, Butler was the first non-white artist to be played on South African radio and appear on national television. Though his musical abilities would take him away from the world he grew up in, Jonathan would neither forget the plight of his fellow South Africans, nor the man that led them to freedom. It is for this reason Nelson Mandela credits Butler’s music as having inspired him during his imprisonment. In more ways than one, Jonathan Butler is representative of South Africa. 

Jonathan’s story begins at a very young age when his father presented him with a homemade one-string guitar. Little did his father realize that he was giving way to a musical phenomenon. From then on, Jonathan’s musical gifts grew by leaps and bounds. In his early teens Butler won a local talent contest, affording him the opportunity to perform with a touring musical company throughout South Africa. On occasion he would perform at lavish concert halls for whites only, where he would not be allowed to use the bathroom, and the very next night he would perform in a dilapidated local township. Ultimately, his ticket to a new life was music.

At thirteen, Jonathan’s talents caught the eyes and ears of the British record producer Clive Caulder. He was signed to Caulder’s Jive Records and the rest is history. Jonathan’s first single broke down racial barriers becoming the first song by a black artist played by white radio stations in South Africa and won the South African equivalent to a Grammy®.  

His commitment to his craft came to fruition with his self-titled debut album, which received a Grammy® nomination for the pop hit “Lies.” An instrumental “Going Home” earned him another Grammy® nomination and the mid-tempo ballad “Sarah, Sarah” confirmed Butler’s place in popular music.  

However, to Jonathan Butler, success is measured on a higher plane. A religious and spiritual man, Butler dedicates his life to being a devoted father and grandfather, and a caring citizen to his homeland, South Africa. And in spite of all the hardships, Jonathan Butler has an air of playfulness and quiet resilience that is easily visible in his passionate performances.

Craft cocktails and small plates begin at 5:00 pm.

Middle C Jazz has General Admission seating available on a first-come basis. We also offer preferred seating for our Baby Grand members. 

JESUS MOLINA

Featuring Bassist Guy Bernfeld and Drummer Cain Daniel and Guests Hubert Laws, Noel Scharjris and Lucia Micarelli

A world-class jazz pianist, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and successful online piano tutor, 27-year-old Jesus Molina is a one-man force of nature, a Berklee College of Music grad and Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation award winner who has already carved out an impressive career. His brand-new instrumental album Selah – a blessing meaning “praise” or “lift up” – perfectly captures his spiritual approach to music; 10 songs that soar to celestial heights, featuring Molina on piano and soprano saxophone, fronting a trio including bassist Guy Bernfeld and drummer Cain Daniel, two fellow Berklee alumni. Selah will be released on vinyl, CD and streaming on May 24th via Argentine/Mexican musician Noel Schajris’ independent label Dynamo Productions.

From the exotic Middle Eastern overture on the opening title track to the climactic “Out of a Dream,” which could be the orchestral end credit score to an epic movie, Selah introduces a major talent who takes cues from such jazz piano greats as Oscar Peterson, Chick Corea, Art Tatum, Errol Garner and Bill Evans, but has developed his own style on his new release.

Jazz legend Hubert Laws provides flute and piccolo solos to the playful Brazilian/Cuban Latin rhythms of “Dear Fall,” while label owner (and Sin Bandera member) Schajris provides wordless acapella vocals to the dreamy, hopeful “Soul Journey,”. Lucia Micarelli’s haunting violin marks “Melody,” a song Molina spontaneously wrote for his newborn daughter, while he returns to the soprano sax for the adventurous “Quintuplets,” named for the unusual “5/4” time signature adopted midway through. “Blue New Year” evinces an Arabian/Moorish influence, while the dramatic “Kadoshin” (Hebrew for a holy instrument) offers another paean to God’s glory, with its dynamic juxtaposition of chaos and peace, followed by the tumultuous “everything everywhere all at once” of “Caf,” a melting pot cauldron of Molina’s diverse influences.

“All the music that comes out of me that can’t be explained is from God and my relationship to Him,” Molina says. “I’m just His vessel.”