Happy to report that I was the 2013 winner among several folks nominated to the VEER Magazine Local Music Awards in the jazz category for my recording, "When Trees Speak". In 2024 Veer Magazine was also kind enough to bestow upon me a Lifetime Achievement Award.

 

While we have not had an official jazz club in this area since the fall of 2013, there is none the less a lot of jazz being performed in the area these days. Cafe Stella in Norfolk acquired a beautiful baby grand piano and now features duos with pianist John Toomey and me every other Friday, 7:30-9:30pm. In addition to this gig, I host jazz at Toast, 24th & Colonial in Ghent every other Thursday from 7-9:30 with saxophonist Eddie Williams.

​

Over the last 18 month, The Roads Bistro on Princess Anne Road in Va Beach has really become a scene for jazz players in the area. They present music 6 nights a week, and much of it is jazz. Michael Baldwin and the staff are incredibly supportive of the music and musicians. They host a weekly Jazz Jam Session each Tuesday and offer opportunities for many of us to perform there. Kudos to The Roads Bistro.

 

The Attucks Jazz Series sponsored by the City of Norfolk & The Virginia Arts Festival has 6 shows, September through March...skipping December, and they feature some fairly big names. All of these shows sell out routinely, which is both encouraging and speaks to the fact that there is an audience that supports jazz. Check the VA Arts Festival schedule for more information about this Attucks Jazz Series.

​

There is also the TowneBank Jazz Series, held in the Miller Studio Theater at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts. The series has expanded to 6 shows, through the generosity of two jazz lovers who have endowed the series for three special shows each season that will feature jazz vocalists. These shows are held on Thursday nights and feature some outstanding vocalists on the scene today. Three os the shows are also themed programs. 

​

And two new additions to the area jazz series schedules are The Governor's Magnet School for the Arts Jazz Series, hosted by pianist and teacher Justin Kauflin, and a new series at The Wells Theater.