Middle C Jazz Club

Craft cocktails and small plates will be served starting at 8:15PM.

CHRISTIAN SANDS
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CHRISTIAN SANDS — Steinway Artist and five-time Grammy Nominee — is an emerging jazz force. His abundant piano technique perfectly matches his conception, accomplishing a much deeper musical goal: a fresh look at the entire language of jazz.  Christian says, “My music is about teaching the way of jazz and keeping it alive.”  Whether it’s stride, swing, bebop, progressive, fusion, Brazilian or Afro-Cuban, Sands develops the past while providing unusual and stimulating vehicles for the present… and for the future.  He expresses himself through an extensive vocabulary of patterns, textures and structures, all the while maintaining a strong sense of understatement, sensitivity, taste and swing — hallmarks for as long as he has been playing.

Pianist/composer Christian Sands’ cinematic approach to popular holiday classics takes center stage with Christmas Stories, his first album since his critically acclaimed, GRAMMY® nominated 2020 release Be Water. Having performed in-demand Christmas shows at Jazz at Lincoln Center and around the world, Sands offers such classics as “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Silent Night,” “Jingle Bells,” and “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” as well as a few surprises. Joining the NAACP Image Award nominee are vibraphonist Stefon Harris, saxophonist Jimmy Greene, guitarists Max Light and Marvin Sewell, bassist Yasushi Nakamura, percussionist Keita Ogawa, and drummer Ryan Sands.

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. 

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Flute-playing soul-jazz phenomenon Ragan Whiteside has become one of the genre’s most consistently dynamic and popular artists. Thanks to her incredible skill and creativity on her chosen instrument, as well as her charismatic presence on stage, Whiteside is at the top of her game. That was demonstrated in October 2022, when she became the first artist to win the competitive Best Contemporary Jazz Artist Award at the inaugural Jazz Music Awards, held at the Cobb Energy Centre in Atlanta. Whiteside is also a 2023 NAACP Image Award Nominee and four-time nominee for the Smooth Jazz Network’s Best Artist Award.

That distinction is well-deserved, as the Atlanta-based musician, songwriter, and vocalist has become one of very few women players to excel in the male-dominated instrumental sphere, garnering eight consecutive Top Ten Billboard airplay singles by 2022. And she’s done it as an independent artist, releasing projects on Randis Music, the label she founded with her husband, producer, and composer Dennis Johnson.

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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. 

WATCH
WEBSITE

Flute-playing soul-jazz phenomenon Ragan Whiteside has become one of the genre’s most consistently dynamic and popular artists. Thanks to her incredible skill and creativity on her chosen instrument, as well as her charismatic presence on stage, Whiteside is at the top of her game. That was demonstrated in October 2022, when she became the first artist to win the competitive Best Contemporary Jazz Artist Award at the inaugural Jazz Music Awards, held at the Cobb Energy Centre in Atlanta. Whiteside is also a 2023 NAACP Image Award Nominee and four-time nominee for the Smooth Jazz Network’s Best Artist Award.

That distinction is well-deserved, as the Atlanta-based musician, songwriter, and vocalist has become one of very few women players to excel in the male-dominated instrumental sphere, garnering eight consecutive Top Ten Billboard airplay singles by 2022. And she’s done it as an independent artist, releasing projects on Randis Music, the label she founded with her husband, producer, and composer Dennis Johnson.

Her most recent full-length project, 2022’s Thrill Ride, is her sixth career album to date and it lives up to its title, demonstrating Whiteside’s breathtaking virtuosity and melodic skills on a thrilling journey through a landscape of dynamic grooves. The project features eight songs, which are largely produced by her longtime collaborators Dennis Johnson and Bob Baldwin. Other producers include Chris “Big Dog” Davis on the sexy update of Stevie Wonder’s “Don’t You Worry Bout A Thing,” and James Lloyd of the veteran group Pieces Of A Dream, who contributes “A Toast At Sunset” as writer and keyboardist as well.



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Small plates and craft cocktails will be served starting at 5:00PM.

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

Small plates and craft cocktails will be served starting 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. 

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. 

MICHELLE RENEE

Michelle Renée’s sultry, smooth jazz style makes for a classy, upscale atmosphere. Paired with her unique ability to sing in 7 different languages, experience performing across the world and appearances on television, Michelle is an act who is difficult to match.

She is an international recording artist, having released successsful records all over Europe and in the United States. She has released her self titled album in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It was her original English record that she translated into German. She has toured all over the world performing with Peabo Bryson and the SOS band among others. 

MARK BLACK

R. Mark Black- Born and raised in Clover SC. Graduated Clover High
School and then studied saxophone at Appalachian State University.
Mark also studied briefly at the Union Institute and University of
Glasgow, Scotland.

After graduating from ASU, Mark taught school briefly while joining a
group from Charlotte entitled, The Fabulous Kays where he played
saxophone, keyboards and sang. In 1995, Mark joined the regional
Beach Music group; The EMBERS where he remained for almost 10
years. During that time period he was signed to two different recording
labels, the last being Bluewater Records of NY which was a subsidiary of
Universal Music at the time. One of Mark’s label mates at the time was
none other than the great George Benson. After leaving the Embers,
Mark decided to teach school again this time for three years in Conway
SC. He developed a revolutionary program there that intertwined
reading music, composing music and recording technology for student’s
Pre-K through Fifth grade. When Mark left the school, all children at
that school were reading music and composing their own music using
Workstations in the classroom. Mark also wrote and composed the
music score for all musical specials there at the school.

Since leaving the educational field, Mark has worked for the Jack
Tankersley Agency in Mt Pleasant. Mark is also the Musical Director for
Mt Pleasant SC’s Musical Ambassadors, The East Coast Party Band.
When not working with the ECPB, Mark also works with several other
regional groups including longtime Charlotte Powerhouse MO MONEY
BAND. 

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. 

5TH & YORK
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5th & York have emerged as one of the premier smooth jazz bands to come out of the Southeast. With influences ranging from the Yellow Jackets and Fourplay to the great funk bands of the 70s and 80s, 5th and York look to offer its audience a valuable experience they won’t soon forget.

The band has opened for national recording artists such as Earth Wind and Fire, Chicago, Anthony Hamilton, and Gerald Levert. When asked what makes this band different from other bands, Saxophonist D. Friday replied “We understand what working professionals want to hear because we are ourselves working professionals.” Their love for music has forged a musical experience with a high IQ and tons of energy that can be enjoyed by the smooth jazz listener as well as those who enjoy classic R&B.

With a setlist that covers the music of artists Grover Washington Jr, Kirk Whalum, Anita Baker, and more 5th and York promise to offer every audience member something they will enjoy.

The members of 5th and York are, Mike Baker on Keyboards, Derwin Friday on Saxophone, Dewarren Tate on Bass, Johnny Gilliard on Drums, Derrick Friday on Lead guitar, and Vocalist Tra Sauls-Mason. Individually these musicians have traveled the country to share their talents with music lovers everywhere and now they come together to form the distinctive sound of 5th and York.

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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. 

SATURDAY IN THE PARK: The Music of Chicago
They debuted as The Chicago Transit Authority, until the actual CTA forced them to change their name. Shortening it to simply Chicago, they have become a legacy of rock, horn and hits. A band that defined the 70’s and the 80’s, come catch classic tunes such as “Saturday in the Park” “25 or 6 to 4” “You’re the Inspiration” and “Colour My World”. Enjoy an evening of hits from one of the greatest horn bands in the history of rock and roll. 

NOEL FREIDLINE & MARIA HOWELL

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.

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. 

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. 

SATURDAY IN THE PARK: The Music of Chicago
They debuted as The Chicago Transit Authority, until the actual CTA forced them to change their name. Shortening it to simply Chicago, they have become a legacy of rock, horn and hits. A band that defined the 70’s and the 80’s, come catch classic tunes such as “Saturday in the Park” “25 or 6 to 4” “You’re the Inspiration” and “Colour My World”. Enjoy an evening of hits from one of the greatest horn bands in the history of rock and roll. 

NOEL FREIDLINE & MARIA HOWELL

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.

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. 

Small plates and craft cocktails will be served starting 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. 

MARCUS ANDERSON
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Small plates and craft cocktails will be served starting 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. 

MARCUS ANDERSON
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WATCH

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. 

GREGGIE AND THE JETS
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Greggie and The Jets is an Elton John tribute band, based out of Central Florida, touring the country. Our live shows recreate the music, the energy, and the feeling of being at a classic era Elton John concert. We bring you, note for note, all the elements of the Elton John albums from the singles you love to the deep cut tracks, live and in person.

Greg Vadimsky- Piano, Vocals


Johnny Lawson- Bass, Vocals

Johnny has performed with so many groups he has lost count, but his credits feature work with the Marshall Tucker Band and Gary Wright.

Patrick Green- Keyboard, Vocals

Patrick was trained at Florida State University's School of Music, and has performed with Disney Cruise Lines, and the popular band Heatwave

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. 

Alyssa Allgood makes her debut at Middle C Jazz Club in support of her exhilarating new album, “From Here.” Recorded with internationally acclaimed musicians John Patitucci, Kendrick Scott, Geoffrey Keezer and Greg Ward, the album features 10 original songs that showcase a modern approach to jazz singing with musical interaction and vocal freedom at its core.

ALYSSA ALLGOOD
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Allgood won the Inaugural Ella Fitzgerald Competition (2017) and the David Baker Memorial Scholarship (2022) through the Jazz Education Network. Named “Best Jazz Entertainer” in the Chicago Music Awards, Allgood has performed at many distinguished venues including Jazz at Lincoln Center in Shanghai, Shadboldt Centre for the Arts in British Columbia, Birdland Jazz Club in New York, the Chicago Jazz Festival, Green Mill and Jazz Showcase in Chicago, Noce Jazz Club in Des Moines and the Origins Jazz Series in Lexington. Allgood’s previous albums garnered praise for her lyrical expression, instrumental approach and accomplished scat and vocalese singing.

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. 

MO MONEY
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Mo Money is an exciting and sensational private event band whose professionalism and experience – combined with their pure joy while performing and dedication to detail – is a formula that has created unforgettable experiences for audiences at weddings, festivals, private parties, and corporate events across the country.

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. 

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. 

JOE GRANSDEN
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Joe performs the world over. Wherever he appears, there’s music—exciting and romantic music—the kind of music audiences love to hear and dance to.

Band leader Joe Gransden has performed worldwide and released 16 CDs under his own
name. Renowned first for the hard bop approach of his trumpet, Gransden’s singing
voice has been compared to that of Chet Baker and Frank Sinatra.
"When I first heard Joe nine years ago, I immediately thought of Chet," says Jazziz
magazine critic James Rozzi, “but lately his voice has taken on its own style with a
deeper resonance. His trumpet has always alternated lyricism with an aggressive,
angular approach. He has the ability to cover the gamut of emotions."
Joe is from just north of Manhattan, New York. Coming from a family full of musicians,
Joe’s introduction to music came early on through his father, a gifted singer and pianist.
His grandfather was a trumpeter of merit, playing professionally his whole life
throughout New York. On his mother’s side of the family was the piano virtuoso
Carmen Cavallero.

"Music has been a part of my life as far back as I can remember,” says the unassuming
Joe Gransden. “I can remember practicing with my father, and eventually him taking me
along to sit in at jam sessions. Early on I developed a respect for individuals like my
father whose lives revolved around music. While still in high school, I knew that music
was the life I would choose.”

Personnel:

Small plates and craft cocktails will be served starting 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. 

Small plates and craft cocktails will be served starting 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. 

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. 

ANTHONY GERACI
WEBSITE

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. 

JAZZ FUNK SOUL
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Smooth jazz supergroup Jazz Funk Soul started in the mid-2010s as a collaborative trio featuring Jeff Lorber, Chuck Loeb, and Everette Harp. They released two albums with 2014's Grammy-nominated Jazz Funk Soul and 2016's More Serious Business. After Loeb's death in 2017, guitarist Paul Jackson, Jr. joined for 2019's Life and Times and 2022's Forecast, both of which honored Loeb and continued to showcase the trio's hooky, groove-oriented sound.