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Grammy Nominated Producer and Songwriter Rodney Shelton on keys, Eric Brice on guitar, and Brian Houze on drums featuring Gena Chambers!
Craft cocktails and small plates begin at 6:00 pm.
Seating includes the club & patio and is first-come at the door. Only Baby Grand Members qualify for preferred seating. Learn more about Middle C Jazz memberships.
Music Is His Gift. Rodney “Keys” Shelton is the quiet storm in the music industry. Rodney began his career at the tender age of 13. Deriving from humble beginnings as a native of Martinsville Virginia, Rodney started his own band and while performing at schools and local clubs, he landed his first gig opening for artists “Betty Wright and King Floyd”.
While pursing a degree at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina, Rodney continue to develop his gift of music. Unwearingly in his work ethic, the young Rodney Shelton started touring the east coast with the show band “Time Square” and only after a few years of touring, Rodney moved into his calling as a songwriter/producer creating hundreds of songs for signed artist.
In the early 90’s after meeting with the Legendary Music promoter/manager “Howard Rosen”, that Rosen encounter lead to another encounter with the Legendary producer Stewart Levine and Jolie Jones (daughter of Quincy Jones) in king a production deal.
With the legends at work, shopping “the demo” to top record labels, the band “Curio” signed a deal with Motown records. During the recording of their album, the band unique sound, the band performed in the HIT movie “Another 48 hours” featuring Eddie Murphy, doing three songs on the movie soundtrack.
While signed to Motown, Rodney met R&B singer “Keith Washington” and along with Marsha Jenkins wrote the NOW platinum record “Kissing You”, which after 20 years is still rocking the airwaves!
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Terence Young has earned the reputation of one of the most talented and electrifying Lead Guitarist in the world
Craft cocktails and small plates begin at 6:00 pm.
Seating includes the club & patio and is first-come at the door. Only Baby Grand Members qualify for preferred seating. Learn more about Middle C Jazz memberships.
Terence Young has earned the reputation of one of the most talented and electrifying Lead Guitarist in the world. He has released 10 cds to date, ranging from Smooth Jazz and R&B, to gospel, Christmas, instrumental rock, and his original guitar compositions.
Terence has shared the stage with countless renowned recording artists, including, The Temptations, Frankie Beverly and Maze, Patti Labelle, Gladys Knight, BabyFace, Charlie Wilson, Envogue, Morris Day and the Time, Al Jarreau, Roberta Flack, George Duke, Rachelle Ferrell, Gerald Albright, Clarence Carter and Joe Sample. In addition to performing with these top talents, Terence has also performed with and was Music Director for the Legendary Ashford and Simpson, Lenny Williams, Aaron Hall and Angie Stone, to name a few. Terence's talent can be heard on the Earth, Wind & Fire Tribute CD with R&B Queen, Angie Stone.
Terence has been called on to perform the National Anthem at the NBA and various college Games, and he was the featured artist at the NAMM, the National Association of Music Merchants. He has received several prestigious awards, including a Humanitarian Award.
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Terence Young has earned the reputation of one of the most talented and electrifying Lead Guitarist in the world
Seating includes the club & patio and is first-come at the door. Only Baby Grand Members qualify for preferred seating. Learn more about Middle C Jazz memberships.
Terence Young has earned the reputation of one of the most talented and electrifying Lead Guitarist in the world. He has released 10 cds to date, ranging from Smooth Jazz and R&B, to gospel, Christmas, instrumental rock, and his original guitar compositions.
Terence has shared the stage with countless renowned recording artists, including, The Temptations, Frankie Beverly and Maze, Patti Labelle, Gladys Knight, BabyFace, Charlie Wilson, Envogue, Morris Day and the Time, Al Jarreau, Roberta Flack, George Duke, Rachelle Ferrell, Gerald Albright, Clarence Carter and Joe Sample. In addition to performing with these top talents, Terence has also performed with and was Music Director for the Legendary Ashford and Simpson, Lenny Williams, Aaron Hall and Angie Stone, to name a few. Terence's talent can be heard on the Earth, Wind & Fire Tribute CD with R&B Queen, Angie Stone.
Terence has been called on to perform the National Anthem at the NBA and various college Games, and he was the featured artist at the NAMM, the National Association of Music Merchants. He has received several prestigious awards, including a Humanitarian Award.
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Terence Young has earned the reputation of one of the most talented and electrifying Lead Guitarist in the world
Craft cocktails and small plates begin at 6:00 pm.
Seating includes the club & patio and is first-come at the door. Only Baby Grand Members qualify for preferred seating. Learn more about Middle C Jazz memberships.
Terence Young has earned the reputation of one of the most talented and electrifying Lead Guitarist in the world. He has released 10 cds to date, ranging from Smooth Jazz and R&B, to gospel, Christmas, instrumental rock, and his original guitar compositions.
Terence has shared the stage with countless renowned recording artists, including, The Temptations, Frankie Beverly and Maze, Patti Labelle, Gladys Knight, BabyFace, Charlie Wilson, Envogue, Morris Day and the Time, Al Jarreau, Roberta Flack, George Duke, Rachelle Ferrell, Gerald Albright, Clarence Carter and Joe Sample. In addition to performing with these top talents, Terence has also performed with and was Music Director for the Legendary Ashford and Simpson, Lenny Williams, Aaron Hall and Angie Stone, to name a few. Terence's talent can be heard on the Earth, Wind & Fire Tribute CD with R&B Queen, Angie Stone.
Terence has been called on to perform the National Anthem at the NBA and various college Games, and he was the featured artist at the NAMM, the National Association of Music Merchants. He has received several prestigious awards, including a Humanitarian Award.
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Terence Young has earned the reputation of one of the most talented and electrifying Lead Guitarist in the world
Terence Young has earned the reputation of one of the most talented and electrifying Lead Guitarist in the world. He has released 10 cds to date, ranging from Smooth Jazz and R&B, to gospel, Christmas, instrumental rock, and his original guitar compositions.
Terence has shared the stage with countless renowned recording artists, including, The Temptations, Frankie Beverly and Maze, Patti Labelle, Gladys Knight, BabyFace, Charlie Wilson, Envogue, Morris Day and the Time, Al Jarreau, Roberta Flack, George Duke, Rachelle Ferrell, Gerald Albright, Clarence Carter and Joe Sample. In addition to performing with these top talents, Terence has also performed with and was Music Director for the Legendary Ashford and Simpson, Lenny Williams, Aaron Hall and Angie Stone, to name a few. Terence's talent can be heard on the Earth, Wind & Fire Tribute CD with R&B Queen, Angie Stone.
Terence has been called on to perform the National Anthem at the NBA and various college Games, and he was the featured artist at the NAMM, the National Association of Music Merchants. He has received several prestigious awards, including a Humanitarian Award.
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Born in Belo Horizonte ( which means ‘beautiful horizon’), the third largest city in Brazil, Reinaldo Brahn picked up the family guitar at age 12, curiously strummed its chords, and was hooked. He taught himself traditional Musica Mineira, the rhythms of his native state Minas Gerais. Gaining experience playing and singing at festivals, bars and restaurants, he worked with the renowned Brazilian vocal group Soul Makube before embarking on a solo career. Reinaldo's experiences and collaboration with other musicians created his signature style which infuses classic Brazilian rhythms - Samba & Bossa Nova - with Funk and Jazz.
Reinaldo toured his original music throughout Brazil, and then brought his artistry to the United States. Arriving in Charlotte, North Carolina, in October 2007, he quickly introduced his Brazilian roots to the local scene. He creatively applies robust Brazilian style to popular American music with a truly inspiring result. Reinaldo's specialties include singing and playing authentic Brazilian music, including Musica Popular Brasileira (MPB) and classic Sambas, as well as performing American pop songs with a strong Brazilian influence. Veteran percussionist and producer Jim Brock refers to Reinaldo Brahn as "the new voice of Brazil".
CD releases:
• “Web Brasil”, released in 2000
• "Ao Vivo no Tocos", a collaborative effort released in 2004
• "A Procura da Razao acoustic”, released in 2009
• "Brasileiro Soul" released with Reference Recording label in 2011, collaborating with some of the finest
American musicians
• Coming soon – 2019 – Reinaldo’s first all-original, English album called “Impossible Land”!
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Vocal stylist Kenya Templeton brings to the stage a highly soul revealing, conversational and interactive experience slipping effortlessly among music genres and influences while retaining her own distinct style of body percussion, scatting, and singing. If Ella Fitzgerald, Al Jarreau, Bobby McFerrin, and Rachelle Farrell had a niece, she would probably sing like Kenya Templeton.
Over recent years Kenya has graced small and large stages. Most recently she performed a Sarah Vaughan tribute as part of the Black American Music Series at the Hayti Cultural Center in Durham, NC. Audience member, Annice, was so moved to remark. “One of my favorite Sarah Vaughan albums is Sarah Sings Soulfully and when Kenya sang Send in the Clowns, it gave me the chills and reminded me of Sarah’s voice on that album.” Kenya has presented her jazz appreciation seminar, Jazz Vocal History: Singing Through Time, at the Long Live Arts Festival at the Levine Center for the Arts and Gantt After Dark at the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts and Culture. As the vocalist for Mo' Betta, a modern cabaret of jazz, stand-up comedy and improv poetry, Kenya sang jazz standards to the delight of the Boom Fringe Festival attendees. Creative Loafing raved, "Templeton floated beyond strict 4/4 time, sounding more like Betty Carter in an exemplary rendition of Afro Blue." She has been a regular performer for Dapper Street Productions' Color of Jazz concert series, sponsored by Arts and Science Council's Culture Blocks, including a tribute concert to Al Jarreau.
www.reverbnation.com/KenyaTempleton
www.indieonthemove.com/users/Kenya Templeton
YouTube: Kenya Templeton Performs
Instagram: @KenyaTempletonPerforms
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ktperforms
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Vocal stylist Kenya Templeton brings to the stage a highly soul revealing, conversational and interactive experience slipping effortlessly among music genres and influences while retaining her own distinct style of body percussion, scatting, and singing. If Ella Fitzgerald, Al Jarreau, Bobby McFerrin, and Rachelle Farrell had a niece, she would probably sing like Kenya Templeton.
Over recent years Kenya has graced small and large stages. Most recently she performed a Sarah Vaughan tribute as part of the Black American Music Series at the Hayti Cultural Center in Durham, NC. Audience member, Annice, was so moved to remark. “One of my favorite Sarah Vaughan albums is Sarah Sings Soulfully and when Kenya sang Send in the Clowns, it gave me the chills and reminded me of Sarah’s voice on that album.” Kenya has presented her jazz appreciation seminar, Jazz Vocal History: Singing Through Time, at the Long Live Arts Festival at the Levine Center for the Arts and Gantt After Dark at the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts and Culture. As the vocalist for Mo' Betta, a modern cabaret of jazz, stand-up comedy and improv poetry, Kenya sang jazz standards to the delight of the Boom Fringe Festival attendees. Creative Loafing raved, "Templeton floated beyond strict 4/4 time, sounding more like Betty Carter in an exemplary rendition of Afro Blue." She has been a regular performer for Dapper Street Productions' Color of Jazz concert series, sponsored by Arts and Science Council's Culture Blocks, including a tribute concert to Al Jarreau.
www.reverbnation.com/KenyaTempleton
www.indieonthemove.com/users/Kenya Templeton
YouTube: Kenya Templeton Performs
Instagram: @KenyaTempletonPerforms
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ktperforms
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Craft cocktails and small plates begin at 5:00 pm.
Seating includes the club & patio and is first-come at the door. Only Baby Grand Members qualify for preferred seating. Learn more about Middle C Jazz memberships.
Since 2014, this South Carolina based all-star tribute to Hall and Oates has been performing sharp, well rehearsed, and wildly fun sets of all your favorite hits from the best selling duo of all time. Comprised of vocalist Trey Francis, guitarist Dave Grimm, bassist Jesse Anderson, drummer Sean Bing, and multi-instrumentalists Alan Brisendine and Andy Greenberg, the band has earned praise from fans and critics since their first show together.
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Seating includes the club & patio and is first-come at the door. Only Baby Grand Members qualify for preferred seating. Learn more about Middle C Jazz memberships.
Since 2014, this South Carolina based all-star tribute to Hall and Oates has been performing sharp, well rehearsed, and wildly fun sets of all your favorite hits from the best selling duo of all time. Comprised of vocalist Trey Francis, guitarist Dave Grimm, bassist Jesse Anderson, drummer Sean Bing, and multi-instrumentalists Alan Brisendine and Andy Greenberg, the band has earned praise from fans and critics since their first show together.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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Craft cocktails and small plates begin at 5:00 pm.
Seating includes the club & patio and is first-come at the door. Only Baby Grand Members qualify for preferred seating. Learn more about Middle C Jazz memberships.
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.
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.
More Information
Seating includes the club & patio and is first-come at the door. Only Baby Grand Members qualify for preferred seating. Learn more about Middle C Jazz memberships.
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.
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.
More Information
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.
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.
More Information
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.
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.
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Seating includes the club & patio and is first-come at the door. Only Baby Grand Members qualify for preferred seating. Learn more about Middle C Jazz memberships.
Fat Thursday: a Belated Mardi Gras Party
Featuring Carolina’s own Soda City Brass Band
Join us for a Mardi Gras celebration like none other with sounds from the streets of New Orleans! The Soda City Brass Band presents the best of the Dirty Dozen, Soul Rebels, Rebirth, and Preservation Hall brass bands.
The musical love child of drummer Chris Church and trumpeter extraordinaire Mark Rapp, the Soda City Brass Band was born in the dead of winter in South Carolina's capital city. SCBB brings together modern and traditional sounds found on the streets of New Orleans from Preservation Hall Jazz Band to the Youngblood Brass Band. SCBB performs traditional to contemporary New Orleans' Brass Band music.
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"Listening to the bitter-sweet lyrics of new Cuban singer YUSA and the simple sophistication of her music one knows one is finally hearing 21st century Cuba. Her cutting-edge songs map the contemporary emotional lives of urban Havana. Fused inside her music are traces from further afield, from iconclastic jazz and rock to today's Brazil. Full of the vital energy of experimentation and the textures of musical exchange gained in intimate venues, Yusa offers a whole new way of hearing Cuba." –Jan Fairley
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"Listening to the bitter-sweet lyrics of new Cuban singer YUSA and the simple sophistication of her music one knows one is finally hearing 21st century Cuba. Her cutting-edge songs map the contemporary emotional lives of urban Havana. Fused inside her music are traces from further afield, from iconclastic jazz and rock to today's Brazil. Full of the vital energy of experimentation and the textures of musical exchange gained in intimate venues, Yusa offers a whole new way of hearing Cuba." –Jan Fairley
