Past Events › The Green Room

Alice Hasen and Josh Threlkeld combine instrumental virtuosity, creative songwriting and a rainbow of tonal colors in Memphis’ newest duo act. From reinventions of old fiddle tunes to subversive and dynamic improvisation, the pair transports their audience to vibrant and unexpected soundscapes. Inspired by spontaneity, Alice and Josh assure that no one performance will ever resemble the next.

Sunny Side is a jazz band based out of New Orleans, Louisiana. They are heavily influenced by the music of Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet, Fats Waller, Cab Calloway, and many other early jazz legends, Sunny Side was formed in 2019, and is composed of musicians that have played together in various jazz projects around New Orleans since 2017. The name “Sunny Side” was influenced by the 1930 Fats Waller/Jimmy McHugh jazz standard “On the Sunny Side of the Street”.

Though still in the early stages of her blossoming career, 24-year-old vocalist, violinist and songwriter, Emmaline, has accomplished an impressive laundry list of achievements so far. From being featured in top music publications such as Rolling Stone and American Songwriter to performing as the opening act for 10-time-GRAMMY winner Chaka Khan on her first ever US tour, this Cincinnati based, independent artist captivates the hearts of all who hear her smoky, jazz-infused, genre-fluid voice.

Keia was born in San Antonio, TX but grew up all over the world in a military family. Keia listened to a wide range of artists. But it was the move to Memphis that helped her establish her sound and performance style. She has performed with some of the best talent Memphis has to offer, while also building relationships with notable national names like The Bar-Kays and David Porter of Stax Records.

Rissi Palmer describes her work as “Southern soul,” which is as deceptively simple as each of those words on its own. Pulling influences from country to jazz to folk to rock to pop, Rissi’s sound is a rich combination of cultures and perspectives. After releasing her debut album in 2008, she was featured in Ebony, Rolling Stone andThe Wall Street Journal and performing everywhere from the White House to the Grand Ole Opry. Her debut single, “Country Girl,” put an African-American woman at the top of Billboard’s Country chart for the first time in 20 years. Since that whirlwind beginning, Rissi has left Nashville and re-centered in North Carolina, writing and performing the songs that reflect her constant evolution. She has toured extensively across the country, sharing stages with Taylor Swift, The Eagles, Chris Young, Charley Crockett, and many more. 

Crosstown Arts presents pianist Pat Coil with the Ted Ludwig Trio in the Green Room.

Jazz guitarist Peter Bernstein has been a part of the jazz scene in New York and abroad since 1989. During that time he has participated in numerous recordings and performances with musicians from all generations. As a leader, Peter has released nine albums and a DVD. As a sideman Peter has appeared in groups led by Sonny Rollins, Bobby Hutcherson, George Coleman, Lou Donaldson, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Fathead Newman, Joshua Redman, Brad Mehldau, Diana Krall, Lee Konitz, Jimmy Cobb and many more. Current projects include his album, Monk, with Doug Weiss and Bill Stewart, a recently released solo record, Solo Guitar – Live at Smalls, and the highly acclaimed organ trio with organist Larry Goldings and drummer Bill Stewart.

Sofia Talvik is a rare artist and an avid storyteller with a voice comparable to giants like Joni Mitchell, or as the Folk/Americana Magazine NoDepression said it ”A singer/songwriter who is able to evoke the essence of Laurel Canyon circa the ‘60s as expressed in the work of Joni Mitchell, Judy Collins, Buffy Sainte-Marie and others who were able to paint beautiful tapestries from words and music.”.