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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.
For information regarding our Baby Grand Membership click here.
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Shelley Ruffin and Memphis Soul share more than a hometown. That Memphis Sound created at Stax and Hi Records, heard through Al Green and others, influenced her style and artistry. From the Middle C Jazz stage, Shelley will share her “Memphis Soul.”
PERSONNEL:
Shelley Ruffin - Vocals
Joe Lindsey - Guitar
John Dillard - Bass
Colby Dobbs - Keys
Donnie Marshall - Drums
Brad Wilcox - Trumpet
Tim Gordon - Saxophone
Shelley Ruffin
WEBSITE
Music runs through Shelley Ruffin’s life with all the depth and breadth of the mighty Mississippi coursing past her hometown. A southern girl steeped in delta soul, she’s carried a melody in her heart since her formative years, advancing an almost genetic predisposition to the art form.
Born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Shelley is the granddaughter of a ‘30s-era big band leader, guitar/banjo player and songwriter who regularly opened for Guy Lombardo. The rich musical landscape of Memphis focused on historic Beale Street--her maiden name, interestingly, is Beale—immersed Shelley in sounds and styles unconcerned with the demands and categories of commercial music. Shelley’s early years were influenced by musical greats like Al Green, Patsy Cline, Bonnie Rai[, Stevie Nicks, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Michael McDonald, Linda Rondstadt, Anita Baker and Elvis.
From an early age, singing and performing was a constant for Shelley, be it in church choir, competitive ensemble or just around the house with family back in Memphis. Music has always been present in Shelley’s life, from her Grandfather’s Big Band career to memories with her Dad singing soul/blues music with her as a child, to her step-dad singing with Opera Memphis, to her younger brother’s, Timmy Jones, current career as an award-winning studio and touring drummer. “Our home has forever been filled with music. It has always been there...there is always a song in my head.”
Through the years Shelley has had the privilege of working with many award winning artists, Hall of Fame musicians and hit songwriters including: The Memphis Horns, Barry Beckett, Alex Harvey, Mike Chapman, Audley Freed, Kirk “Jelly Roll” Johnson, Judy Rodman, Ricky Ray Rector, Brent Mason, Gordon Mote, Jimmy Mattingly, and Jim Brock
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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.
More Information
Middle C Jazz has General Admission seating available on a first-come basis. We also offer preferred seating for our Baby Grand members.
More Information
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.
More Information
Middle C Jazz has General Admission seating available on a first-come basis. We also offer preferred seating for our Baby Grand members.
More Information
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.
More Information
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.
More Information
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.
NOEL FREIDLINE
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
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.
More Information
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.
NOEL FREIDLINE
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
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.
More Information
Middle C Jazz has General Admission seating available on a first-come basis. We also offer preferred seating for our Baby Grand members.
NOEL FREIDLINE
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
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.
More Information
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.
NOEL FREIDLINE
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
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.
More Information
Middle C Jazz has General Admission seating available on a first-come basis. We also offer preferred seating for our Baby Grand members.
NOEL FREIDLINE
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
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.
More Information
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.
Mike toured for nearly two years as part of the band for ‘Michael Jackson The IMMORTAL Tour’ by Cirque du Soleil. And music superstar Prince knew what audiences around the world know… when Mike Phillips puts his saxophone to his lips, magic is about to happen.
Prince once quoted “I was offstage, listening to Michael Phillips take his solo. I was thinking ‘Wow, listen to those people responding, and all he’s doing is playing a saxophone.’ They can feel that what he’s doing is real. So many shows now…they are so dead. But here’s one man breathing into an instrument, and the whole room feels alive. It made me want to rise up to that level when I came back onstage.” Prince, Rolling Stone, 5/27/04
Phillips is no stranger to the professional sports world, as his version of the National Anthem during the 2016 NFC Championship game sent shockwaves all over the NFL deemed one of the best anthems ever done instrumentally and now is known as the “SAXTHEM”.
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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.
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THURSDAY NIGHT JAZZ JAM & MARTINIS WITH RODNEY SHELTON & ERIC BRICE!
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.
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 pursuing a degree at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina, Rodney continues 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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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.
More Information
Middle C Jazz has General Admission seating available on a first-come basis. We also offer preferred seating for our Baby Grand members.
More Information
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.
Patrick Lamb
LISTEN
WATCH
WEBSITE
Billboard charting Patrick Lamb’s last three singles have been top five nationally on the US Billboard Charts. He was recently inducted as one of the youngest members into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame, and been given the Independent Spirit Award by the City of Portland, the Hero Award by Children’s Cancer Association, the Yolanda Denis King Award by JW Matt Hennessey and first Baptist Church, three Muddy Awards on three separate years by the Cascade Blues Association. He has also performed or shared the stage with many artists including two time Grammy Winning Diane Schuur, Tommy Thayer from KISS, Smokey Robinson, Alice Cooper, Bobby Caldwell, Jeff Lorber Fusion, Esperanza Spalding, Joey DeFrancesco, Don Felder of the Eagles, Danny Seraphine founder of Chicago, Richie Sambora, Orianthi, and many others . Patrick was invited to perform at the White House twice for the Peace on Earth Celebration and lighting of the Christmas tree, performed everywhere from the Kennedy Center to the Blue Notes worldwide keeping up a consistent schedule of over 150 dates a year. Patrick is currently and has been section leader for Gino Vannelli for the last ten years and part of a new PBS special “Live in LA” at the Saban Theatre.
"One of the best instrumentalists I've ever worked with.."
~Bobby Caldwell
Over the past few years Patrick has broken out as an entrepreneur, production company, and artist with Jazz at the Oxford in Bend Oregon where all of the shows have sold out. He completed six studio albums and produced an award winning show “Let The Good Times Roll, A Tribute To Ray Charles.” A Tribute To Ray Charles, debuted at the 2005 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival and the 15 piece big band All-star group released a CD produced by Lamb at the 2006 festival during the tributes encore performance. The tribute has received stellar reviews both regionally and nationally, and the show debuted as a successful Oregon Symphony Pops season.
"One of the best instrumentalists I've ever worked with.."
~Bobby Caldwell
"Patrick Lamb's playing and singing are simply fabulous!"
~Two–Time Grammy Winning Diane Schuur
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Middle C Jazz has General Admission seating available on a first-come basis. We also offer preferred seating for our Baby Grand members.
Patrick Lamb
LISTEN
WATCH
WEBSITE
Billboard charting Patrick Lamb’s last three singles have been top five nationally on the US Billboard Charts. He was recently inducted as one of the youngest members into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame, and been given the Independent Spirit Award by the City of Portland, the Hero Award by Children’s Cancer Association, the Yolanda Denis King Award by JW Matt Hennessey and first Baptist Church, three Muddy Awards on three separate years by the Cascade Blues Association. He has also performed or shared the stage with many artists including two time Grammy Winning Diane Schuur, Tommy Thayer from KISS, Smokey Robinson, Alice Cooper, Bobby Caldwell, Jeff Lorber Fusion, Esperanza Spalding, Joey DeFrancesco, Don Felder of the Eagles, Danny Seraphine founder of Chicago, Richie Sambora, Orianthi, and many others . Patrick was invited to perform at the White House twice for the Peace on Earth Celebration and lighting of the Christmas tree, performed everywhere from the Kennedy Center to the Blue Notes worldwide keeping up a consistent schedule of over 150 dates a year. Patrick is currently and has been section leader for Gino Vannelli for the last ten years and part of a new PBS special “Live in LA” at the Saban Theatre.
"One of the best instrumentalists I've ever worked with.."
~Bobby Caldwell
Over the past few years Patrick has broken out as an entrepreneur, production company, and artist with Jazz at the Oxford in Bend Oregon where all of the shows have sold out. He completed six studio albums and produced an award winning show “Let The Good Times Roll, A Tribute To Ray Charles.” A Tribute To Ray Charles, debuted at the 2005 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival and the 15 piece big band All-star group released a CD produced by Lamb at the 2006 festival during the tributes encore performance. The tribute has received stellar reviews both regionally and nationally, and the show debuted as a successful Oregon Symphony Pops season.
"One of the best instrumentalists I've ever worked with.."
~Bobby Caldwell
"Patrick Lamb's playing and singing are simply fabulous!"
~Two–Time Grammy Winning Diane Schuur
Facebook
More Information
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.
Born in Philadelphia but raised in Georgia, she considers herself a northerner with a southern heart! Dawn attributes her versatility and skill to sing other genres to her classical training. Singing everything from classical to jazz, and musical theater to gospel—she thrives on challenging herself to grow as a musician, and making connections with others beyond the words and notes on the page.
In February of 2018, Dawn completed her first children's book entitled “The Gift Way Up in the Closet.” In July of 2019, she partnered with S. Kristi Douglas for the musical adaptation of her children's book, “The Gift Way Up in the Closet: The Musical.” The works are to encourage children to seek their gifts and talents. The production took “Best Short Play” honors at the 2020 Atlanta Black Theatre Festival.
Dawn was honored to pay tribute to Ella Fitzgerald and Nancy Wilson for JazzArts Charlotte's Jazz Room series and serves as a music educator for her own organization, DNAMuzic.
