100 Miles: The Life & Music of Miles Davis - Saturday, August 22nd 8:30 pm
Jazz Legacy with Justin Varnes Quartet presents 100 Miles: the life and music of Miles Davis.
Come celebrate Miles Davis' 100th birthday as we guide you through his story and perform his iconic and innovative music. From Bebop and Cool to Fusion and beyond, Miles Davis changed the direction of American music 5 times. We chronicle his musical journey, while adding historical and musical context to his Herculean contributions to American music and culture.
JUSTIN VARNES - Drums and Narration
Born in Jacksonville, Florida, Justin Varnes studied drum set at the University of North Florida. After graduating with degrees in jazz studies and percussion, Justin relocated to New York City where he continued to study at the New School. Justin has performed with Mose Allison, Wesell Anderson, Kenny Barron, Ann HamptonCallaway, Victor Goines, Wycliffe Gordon, Vincent Herring, The Earl Klugh Trio, Oscar Perez, Marcus Printup, Bob Reynolds, Lew Soloff, David Sanchez, Annie Sellick, Phoebe Snow, Ira Sullivan, Christian Tamburr, and Doug Wamble.
Born in Jacksonville, Florida, Justin Varnes studied drum set at the University of North Florida. After graduating with degrees in jazz studies and percussion, Justin relocated to New York City where he continued to study at the New School. Justin has performed with Mose Allison, Wesell Anderson, Kenny Barron, Ann HamptonCallaway, Victor Goines, Wycliffe Gordon, Vincent Herring, The Earl Klugh Trio, Oscar Perez, Marcus Printup, Bob Reynolds, Lew Soloff, David Sanchez, Annie Sellick, Phoebe Snow, Ira Sullivan, Christian Tamburr, and Doug Wamble.
JOHN SANDFORT - Saxophone
Sandfort’s musical development includes time in Chicago. There is an obvious sense of musician enjoyment inthis recording as the players interact and expand the musical ideas. “When I play, if I can impart some of thefeeling I get when listening to a Gene Ammons recording, or a swinging Cannonball Adderley track, I will be ahappy guy”, says Sandfort. Sandfort lives in Atlanta, GA and currently plays with the Jazz Legacy Project, JoeGransden, and Cleveland Jones.
KEVIN SMITH - Bass
Kevin is from Mableton, Georgia, and is based in Atlanta. He toured with Freddie Cole, Russell Gunn, Sachal Vasandani, and Dionne Farris. He received a grammy for his contributions to the Outkast album The Love Below. Kevin also plays with the Jazz Legacy Project, Joe Alterman, Karla Harris, and Cleveland Jones. He also teaches at the Atlanta Music Project and the Lovett School.
NICK ROSEN - Piano
A pianist, composer, and educator, Nick Rosen began his musical journey at the age of five. As his skills and talents developed, he was hired by the University of Miami to teach on the jazz faculty. Nick has performed with Roy Ayers, Wallace Roney, Curtis Fuller, Etienne Charles, Jennifer Holiday, Jamison Ross, Nathan East and others. He has toured with Russell Gunn, Dionne Farris, Col. Bruce Hampton, The Shadowboxers, Sachal Vasandani, and Rich Robinson’s Magpie Salute.
A pianist, composer, and educator, Nick Rosen began his musical journey at the age of five. As his skills and talents developed, he was hired by the University of Miami to teach on the jazz faculty. Nick has performed with Roy Ayers, Wallace Roney, Curtis Fuller, Etienne Charles, Jennifer Holiday, Jamison Ross, Nathan East and others. He has toured with Russell Gunn, Dionne Farris, Col. Bruce Hampton, The Shadowboxers, Sachal Vasandani, and Rich Robinson’s Magpie Salute.
ABOUT THE JAZZ LEGACY PROJECT
Created in 2015 after an epiphany Justin Varnes had while teaching Jazz History at Georgia State University, the JLP has an ongoing residency at the Velvet Note jazz club in Atlanta, where they have been selling out their performances for 6 years and counting. Ditching a traditional textbook in favor of playing records and telling stories about the artists to college kids who knew little or nothing about jazz proved to be a big success. It turned out that performing the artist's music and telling their stories in between proved to be an even bigger success.
Created in 2015 after an epiphany Justin Varnes had while teaching Jazz History at Georgia State University, the JLP has an ongoing residency at the Velvet Note jazz club in Atlanta, where they have been selling out their performances for 6 years and counting. Ditching a traditional textbook in favor of playing records and telling stories about the artists to college kids who knew little or nothing about jazz proved to be a big success. It turned out that performing the artist's music and telling their stories in between proved to be an even bigger success.
Each ticket includes a three-course prix fixe dinner created by Chef Jason Trivette especially for The Downbeat. Wine and cocktails are for purchase.
This seating begins at 8:30 PM. Select your seats below to purchase tickets. Door open 30 minutes prior to the event.
