Eric Darius to perform at Downtown Jazz Presented by the Winston-Salem Federal Credit Union this Friday night

Eric Darius

"Winston-Salem, N.C. – The Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership (DWSP) has united with Post Entertainment to present the 2016 Downtown Summer Jazz Series. The featured artist will be smooth jazz Saxophonist Eric Darius.

Eric Darius is one of the true rising stars of Smooth/Urban Jazz. Adored and treasured by his growing legion of fans. Eric tours constantly with such superstars as Maxwell, Joe, Mary J. Blige, and many others. Additionally Eric is a mainstay of Smooth Jazz radio, having already had 8 Top 10 hits in his young career.

Eric s first single from Retro Forward, a remake of Pharrell’s Happy is already climbing up the Smooth Jazz radio charts, and promises to be Top 5 at the time of the album s release.

Superstar producers Tony Dixon(Babyface, Beyonce) and Bluetooth (Chris Brown, Jordin Sparks) ensure that Retro Forward is brimming with today s hit sounds while still retaining a firm footing in the world of Jazz. Highlights include Eric s hit single Happy, the heartfelt ballad Never, the funky title track Retro Forward, and much more.

The opening act will be Sandra Crenshaw. The concert will be held on Friday July 8, 2016 at Corpening Plaza.  Start time is 6:00pm.  This is a free event. The Triad is welcome to come out and enjoy this national smooth jazz act. For more information about the concert series go to www.postjazz.com or www.downtownws.org/music/ "

- A Press Release

Downtown Summer Jazz Series 2016 continues this Friday with Matt Marshak

"Winston-Salem, N.C. – The Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership (DWSP) has united with Post Entertainment to present the 2016 Downtown Summer Jazz Series. The featured artist will be smooth jazz Guitarist Matt Marshak.

Matt Marshak infuses new energy into the golden era of contemporary jazz and R&B of the late 1970s and 1980s. Lifestyle, the guitarist’s strongest release, mixes the old school robust sounds of George Benson, Larry Carlton, James Brown, David Sanborn, Prince and BB King with Matt’s modern style.  And the result is a CD rooted in the grandest tradition of jazz and groove music.

“To me, the 70s and 80s were the golden era of instrumental music,” said Marshak. “These natural recordings remain timeless. The energy and soul they captured were something so special, and I hope is to revisit the formula used on a lot of those older records.”

The opening act will be Titus Gant. The concert will be held on Fri., June 24 at Corpening Plaza.  Start time is 6:00pm.  This is a free event. The Triad is welcome to come out and enjoy this national smooth jazz act. For more information about the concert series go to www.postjazz.com or www.downtownws.com/music/ . "

- A Press Release

Downtown Jazz kicks off 19th Season on June 10, 2016 in Corpening Plaza from 6pm to 9pm

"The 19^th Season of Downtown Jazz Presented by the Winston-Salem Federal Credit Union kicks off on June 10, 2016 in Corpening Plaza at 237 W. First Street in downtown Winston-Salem.  Downtown Jazz is a production of the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership in collaboration with Carl Denerson of Post Entertainment.  Mr. Denerson, a jazz aficionado and promoter from Georgia, has strong ties to national artists within the smooth jazz genre and has grown the jazz music scene in Winston-Salem and the Triad Area. We are looking forward to another great summer of COOL JAZZ!

The first schedule event date is June 10^th and will feature two nationally known headliners with a local Opening Act.  The performers are listed below with a bio (photos attached): 

ELAN TROTMAN

• Brian Simpson (Headliner) - Keyboardist and composer Brian Simpson is a sought-after studio musician and musical director who has regularly crossed from jazz to pop and R&B. Raised in Gurnee, Illinois, Simpson grew up in a musical family and eventually earned his music degree from Northern Illinois University. After graduating, he relocated to Los Angeles, where he found work performing with such artists as Boney James, Norman Brown, and Everette Harp. This led to stints touring with a variety of pop artists, including Janet Jackson and Teena Marie. In 1991, Simpson garnered more attention after co-writing Surface's number one hit R&B single "The First Time." As a studio musician, Simpson has worked with such artists as Stanley Clarke, Kirk Whalum, and George Duke. Since the late '90s, he has acted as musical director for saxophonist Dave Koz. Simpson has released several albums as a solo artist, including 1995's Closer Still and 2005's It's All Good. Two years later, Simpson delivered the album “Above the Clouds”. In 2013, Simpson released his fifth solo album, “Just What You Need”, and in 2015, his sixth album, “Out of a Dream”.
• Elan Trotman (Headliner) - Saxophonist Elan Trotman, has quickly become one of jazz’s most thrilling and emotive performers as he continues to stand out and push boundaries as a composer, performer, teacher and recording artist. Trotman’s playing, though inspired by Grover Washington, Jr., Kirk Whalum and Arturo Tappin (Elan’s childhood mentor), displays his own fresh ideas and distinctive tone. So much so that the New England Urban Music Awards, and The Barbados Music Awards both named him Jazz Artist of The Year on multiple occasions. Trotman is also the founder and host of the Barbados Jazz Excursion, a weekend of jazz in his homeland every Columbus Day Weekend which has featured artists like Jeff Lorber, Gerald Veasley, Peter White and Jeffrey Osborne.Born and raised in Barbados, the native island of pop star Rihanna, and educated at the world-renowned Berklee College Of Music in Boston, Trotman approaches jazz in his own way. Blending Caribbean rhythms from his roots with skillful horn textures, his playing is full of surprises.
• Reggie Buie Trio (Opening Act) - Rapidly becoming one of the Triad's premiere jazz groups, the Reggie Buie Trio started as weekly performers in a local coffee shop in 2004, Reggie Buie and his trio have made their presence known by performances at local and regional jazz festivals, in fine dining establishments, in jazz venues, formal banquets, political fund raisers, wedding receptions, and other performances for any occasion. Their success has been largely due to the group's versatility and their ability to move effortlessly between playing soft background music, performing jazz standards, music for dancing, or delivering passionate jazz performances and improvisation during live concerts. The RBT released its debut CD in early 2006. "The First Time" has received many great reviews and numerous accolades from the groups many fans. 

Remaining Downtown Jazz Performances in 2016

June 24:  Matt Marshak
Opening performer – Titus Gant
July 8: Eric Darius
Opening performer – Saundra Crenshaw
July 22: Urban Jazz Coalition & Will Donoto
Opening performer – Will Donato
August 12:  Dee Lucas
Opening performer – Vince Crenshaw 
August 26:  Joey Sommerville
Opening performer – Galvin Crisp"

- A Press Release

Althea Rene' performing Aug. 14 for Downtown Jazz event.

"Downtown Jazz, presented by the Winston-Salem Federal Credit Union is proud to have  artist Althea Rene' performing on Aug.14 as our headline performer.  Downtown Jazz takes place from 6-9pm in Corpening Plaza in downtown Winston-Salem at 237 W. First Street.  Link to Althea Rene’ Website –

http://www.althearene.com/Home.aspx

Althea Rene’ Biography

She was born December 25th in Detroit, Michigan and began her musical journey at the tender age four. She studied classical music while attending Howard University in Washington D.C. and later gained further musical inspiration from the accomplishments of Yusef Lateef, Ian Anderson, and her father, one of Motown's original Funk Brothers, Dezie McCullers. She has since developed her own creative style.

In May 2013, she released her fifth project "InThe Flow". Collaborating with Grammy award winning producer Michael Broening, (producer for legendary icons George Benson and Paul McCartney) she co-wrote the title track. That single became her biggest hit and reached number one ranking on both the Billboard Chart and the Smooth Jazz Chart. Althea Rene made history by becoming the first flute player in the history of Billboard Chart to reach the number one spot.

In April 2015, Althea Rene recorded her first live project. She and her rhythm section annihilated the stage of the beautiful Detroit Public Library with a free concert. Music fans from all over Michigan enjoyed a scorching hot performance. A compilation of some of her greatest hits, “Live in Detroit” is arguably her strongest work to date.

Opening Act

The opening act will be, Saundra Crenshaw - https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Saundra-Crenshaw-Band/124258594280775?pnref=lhc

About Downtown Jazz

Downtown Jazz is free to the public.  Beer, wine, food and other vendors are on-site.  No outside alcohol is allowed.  We encourage people to bring their own chair. 

In 1998, the Summer Music Series program was created by the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership in an effort to support revitalization efforts in Downtown Winston-Salem. This is the 18th season. This effort has been instrumental in the resurgence of our downtown. The popular free concerts bring live music to downtown on Friday and Saturday nights from June through August. They have become a vital part of the fabric of the city, last year bringing people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds together in a spirit of celebration. Setting the concerts in the streets and parks of downtown has provided a relaxed and safe atmosphere, and the locations also serve to showcase the architecture, shops, restaurants and galleries that are unique to Downtown Winston-Salem.

Please visit the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership website for more information on Downtown Winston-Salem."

- A Press Release

Winston's Downtown Jazz offers Jeanete Harris July 24

"Downtown Jazz, presented by the Winston-Salem Federal Credit Union is proud to have saxophone artist Jeanete Harris performing on July 24^th as our headline performer.  Downtown Jazz takes place from 6pm to 9pm in Corpening Plaza in downtown Winston-Salem at 237 W. First Street.  Link to Jeanette Harris Website - http://www.jeanetteharrisband.com/

Jeanette Harris Bio

Jeanette Harris is the scintillating saxtress of smooth jazz. This lady understands that energetic and captivating performances matched with uplifting and inspiring vibrations in the music are the solid platinum recipe for success. Fans already recognize her for her wonderful cover of Stevie Wonder’s “All I Do,” which hit Billboard’s smooth jazz singles chart from her previous album, Saxified. Classically trained in both sax and piano, a graduate of Boston’s famed Berklee College of Music, and the saxophonist for the late, great Teena Marie’s final year of touring, Jeanette has weathered the fiercest challenges to bring the world her own brand of soulful healing vibes. That baptism awaits in her fourth CD, Summer Rain, on which Jeanette had a hand in writing all of the selections except her lovely cover of the Luther Vandross classic “Here and Now.” Its 11 sunny songs wrap the listener in the glow of fun love grooves and sweet romance.

“The music of Summer Rain is all about a positive vibe,” Jeanette states. “It’s about staying in love…never falling out of love, feeling good, being faithful and always following a positive route. Great things have happened for me in the last year. I’ve learned what’s really important in life – my family and my music.”

The most special person to come along in the course of Ms. Harris’ career thus far was singer/songwriter Marie, who hired her unheard/unseen in a destiny-streaked leap of faith totally befitting Jeanette’s life and beliefs.

Opening Act

The opening act will be local performer, Vincent Crenshaw - https://www.facebook.com/vincent.crenshaw.18

About Downtown Jazz

Downtown Jazz is free to the public.  Beer, wine, food and other vendors are on-site.  No outside alcohol is allowed.  We encourage people to bring their own chair. 

In 1998, the Summer Music Series program was created by the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership in an effort to support revitalization efforts in Downtown Winston-Salem. This is the 18th season. This effort has been instrumental in the resurgence of our downtown. The popular free concerts bring live music to downtown on Friday and Saturday nights from June through August. They have become a vital part of the fabric of the city, last year bringing people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds together in a spirit of celebration. Setting the concerts in the streets and parks of downtown has provided a relaxed and safe atmosphere, and the locations also serve to showcase the architecture, shops, restaurants and galleries that are unique to Downtown Winston-Salem.

Please visit the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership website for more information on Downtown Winston-Salem."

- A Press Release

Summer Music Series Kicks Off in June

"Winston-Salem, NC (May 18, 2015) – The Summer Music Series, one of the highlights of summer in Winston-Salem, returns next month. The events attract crowds of people to the downtown area to enjoy the wide variety of music presented and to sample the many types of food available.

The series, entering its 18^th season, is produced by the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership, with help from local music promoters Jill Martin-Byers (Summer on Trade) and Carl Dennerson (Downtown Jazz). The Downtown Jazz events, presented by Winston-Salem Federal Credit Union, are held every second and fourth Friday from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. in Corpening Plaza. The first concert will be held June 12 and will feature Jackiem Joyner and Reggie Buie. The Summer on Trade series, presented by Truliant Federal Credit Union, is held on Saturdays in the Downtown Arts District at the intersection of 6^th and Trade Streets from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. The first concert will be held June 20 and will feature Groove 8. (See schedule below for full details.)

The popular series is privately funded by sponsors. “We are so proud to be producing the 18^th season of the Summer Music Series for the benefit of the community,” said Jason Thiel, president of the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership. “It would not be possible without the tremendous support of our sponsors.” 

The sponsors for the Summer Music Series are:

Winston-Salem Federal Credit Union
Truliant Federal Credit Union
The Winston-Salem Millennium Fund
Reynolds American Inc.
Foothills Brewing Company
Volvo of the Triad 
ShapiroWalker Design
Winston-Salem Journal
Winston-Salem Chronicle
YES! Weekly
Triad City Beat
outsourceIT
90.5 WSNC
Smitty’s Notes
88.5 WFDD
City of Winston-Salem
Camel City Dispatch"

- A Press Release

SUMMER MUSIC SERIES SCHEDULE

Summer on Trade 2015 Presented by Truliant Federal Credit Union

Saturday nights from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the Downtown Arts District at 6^th & Trade

(Style of music is in parentheses)

June 20                                    GROOVE 8                                                                  (FUNK SOUL)       

June 27                                    CAMPFIRES & CONSTELLATIONS                  (AMERICANA)     

July 4                       BO STEVENS                                           (HONKY TONK)    

July 11                    WEST END MAMBO                       (LATIN)

July 18                    THE BROADCAST                      (ROCK)    

July 25                    ENVISION                                   (JAZZ R&B BLUES)              

Aug 1                        THE SPECIAL OCCASION BAND                       (BEACH) 

Aug 8                        BIG RON HUNTER                                                    (BLUES)  

Aug 15           MIKE BENNETT & THE B STRING ALLSTARS   (GUITAR BLUES ROCK)     

Aug 22                     VAGABOND SAINTS SOCIETY TRIBUTE TO BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN                

Aug 29                     THE MIGHTY ELIMINATORS           (OLD SCHOOL/VARIETY)  

Sept 5                      DON FLEMMONS TRIO                    (AMERICAN SONGSTER) 

               

                                

Downtown Jazz 2015 Presented by Winston-Salem Federal Credit Union

Six Friday Nights in Corpening Plaza from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

June 12                   Jackiem Joyner, opening act - Reggie Buie           

June 26                   Willie Bradley, opening act - TBD                            

July 10                    Four80 East, opening act - Vincent Crenshaw                     

July 24                    Jeanette Harris, opening act - John Dillard                           

Aug 14                   Althea Rene’, opening act - Saundra Crenshaw 

Aug 28                 Paul Brown, opening act - Urban Standard    

Public works committee to hear recommendations about operational changes in sanitation department

Sanitation laborer Todd Samuels

Staff from the Winston-Salem Sanitation Department will present recommendations for addressing operational concerns raised by employees at a meeting of the public works committee of city council at 5 p.m. today.

The committee is chaired by West Ward Councilman Robert Clark. Other members include East Ward Councilman Derwin Montgomery, North Ward Councilwoman Denise D. Adams and Southwest Ward Councilman Dan Besse.

The committee also plans to review measures recommended by the Citizens' Organizational Efficiency Review Committee to save the city money. Relevant to concerns raised by sanitation drivers and laborers about friction with residential customers, the committee recommends introducing more stringent requirements for qualifying for backyard garbage collection, saving the city an estimated $114,000.

The committee is also considering a recommendation to raise fees for parking violations from $10 to $25. The proposal has caught the attention of the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership. Downtown business owners have voiced concerns that the fee increase would negatively affect downtown activity, at the urging of Jason Thiel, the partnership president.

Raising the fine amount would bring in an additional $210,000 in revenue, the city estimates. Should council approve the increase, Winston-Salem's minimum fines would be equal to Charlotte's and higher than Greensboro, Raleigh and Durham, which are respectively set at $15, $20 and $10.

The city is looking at ways to reduce costs in its brush collection program. City staff estimated that eliminating the program altogether could save the city $2 million, according to a memo by Budget & Evaluation Director Ben Rowe. The city estimates that converting brush collection to an on-call, fee-based service could save up to $991,000. Brush collection is currently offered to residents free of charge. The organizational efficiency review committee found that reducing frequency of pickup from once every two weeks to once a month would save the city $1.3 million and result in a reduction of 23 full-time equivalent positions. 

Other recommendations include

• Increasing fees for Dumpster garbage collection to break even on the program, at a savings of $122,000;

• Increasing annual fees to residential customers for yard cart service from $60 to $65 to generate $73,000 in additional revenue and cover the full cost of the program;

• Increasing fees for opening plots at New Evergreen Cemetery by 10 percent, from $700 to $770 for adults and from $600 to $660 for children, creating an additional $42,000 in revenue.