The Jazz Room: Premiere Thursdays

Overview

Queen City’s native son Adrian Crutchfield celebrates the smooth sounds of the legendary groove master, saxophonist Grover Washington Jr.  Crutchfield and his band will perform music from across Washington’s career, from his Grammy Award winning album Winelight to his popular 70’s classic Mister Magic.

More Variety. More Fun. More Jazz.

The Jazz Arts rolls out its new fall 2018 program expansion, Premiere Thursdays!

Premiere Thursdays presents a fresh and carefully curated kaleidoscope of exclusively themed programming for one-night only, or as a “premiere” to the popular JAZZ ROOM weekend shows.

Saxophonist and Charlotte native Adrian Crutchfield is known for his diverse musical abilities, pulling from a variety of genres in order to create a neo-soul sound all his own. After receiving his first saxophone at age 4 from Kenny G during a concert in Virginia, Adrian has gone on to become “one of his generation’s most prolific and successful professional musicians.” Having worked with a range of artists including Branford Marsalis, Lionel Richie, Ceelo Green and Bette Midler, Adrian toured and recorded with Prince and the New Power Generation as the leader of the band’s 11-piece horn section from 2012-2016. 

Known as one of the most influential saxophonists of his time, Grover Washington Jr. was a trail blazer in his field. First influenced by his father who also played the sax, Washington was performing in the New York club scene by age 12. Within his career, Grover was recorded on hits such as “Inner City Blues” and “Just the Two of Us” and with labels ranging from Motown Records to Columbia Records. Washington is known for his unique sound, giving his saxophone playing a full range of personal voices.