Tag: Strictly Jazz Entertainment

The Music of Louis Hayes feat. Henry Conerway III

Strictly Jazz: The Music of Louis Hayes feat. Henry Conerway III

The Green Room at Crosstown Arts 

Sunday, June 21th, 2026 

Doors open at 5:30 PM | Show starts at 6:00 PM 

$25 in advance (plus fees) | $30 at the door

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Join us for June’s installment of the Strictly Jazz series curated by Dennis Adams, this time featuring Henry Conerway III as he pays homage to living legend Louis Hayes!

When Dennis asked him to be a feature on one of his Strictly Jazz tributes, Henry Conerway III informed him that celebrating living artists was important! Louis Hayes, a native of Conerway’s hometown Detroit, Michigan; and one of the first people he called when he moved to New York. His contributions to music are vast, however many may not be aware that they have heard him. His early work was with Horace Silver, he played on several of Cannonball Adderly’s most important works, he was a co-leader with Woody Shaw and has been consistent as a full-fledged bandleader, serving as a mentor to many in the generations to follow his own. Hayes is a living link to those who have passed and carries the torch even now, for “this wonderful artform,” as he calls his music. Mr. Hayes is thrilled to have learned of this performance, and we look forward to giving him his flowers as we tell his story through song.

Henry Conerway III has become a leading presence on the modern jazz scene since moving to New York City in 2015, collaborating with renowned artists including Freddy Cole, Marcus Printup of Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Jazzmeia Horn, and Grammy-nominated trumpeter Russell Gunn, while also participating in residencies with Jazz at Lincoln Center in Doha. A proud native of Detroit, Conerway began performing at the Detroit Jazz Festival while still in high school and studied under legendary trumpeter Marcus Belgrave as part of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s Civic Jazz Orchestra. A graduate of Morehouse College with a degree in Music Composition, he co-founded the Atlanta-based ensemble Jaspects, which became a staple of the city’s music scene and collaborated with artists including PJ Morton, Janelle Monáe, Tony Hightower, and Chantae Cann. His career has taken him to major festivals and venues such as the Atlanta Jazz Festival, Toronto Jazz Festival, and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, as well as iconic New York jazz clubs including Birdland Jazz Club, Smalls Jazz Club, Smoke Jazz & Supper Club, and Minton’s Playhouse. In addition to his work as a performer, Conerway has composed music for film and appeared in theatrical productions including the Tony-nominated Broadway show Shuffle Along, or, the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed.

Strictly Jazz: The Music of Mulgrew Miller ft. Keith Brown

Keith Brown
Crosstown Arts Presents Strictly Jazz: The Music of Mulgrew miller ft. Keith Brown
The Green Room at Crosstown Arts
Saturday, August 16, 2025
Doors open at 7 pm | Show begins at 7:30 PM
Tickets: $20 In Advance (plus Fees) | $25 at the Door
purchase TICKETS HERE
The Strictly Jazz Series, a joint presentation by Crosstown Arts and Strictly Jazz Entertainment, celebrates classic jazz music through contemporary interpretations by acclaimed musicians. This show will feature Keith Brown performing the jazz standards and compositions of Mulgrew Miller, Harold Mabern, James Williams, and Donald Brown.
KEITH BROWN
Keith L. Brown is a distinguished pianist, composer, and educator, widely regarded as one of the most sought-after musicians in contemporary jazz. Rooted in R&B, Funk, Classical, Jazz, and Hip-Hop, his compositions and piano style seamlessly blend these influences, showcasing both deep tradition and modern innovation. With an exceptional command of jazz’s rich language, Brown transitions effortlessly between hard swing, funk, and free improvisation—all while maintaining a distinctive artistic voice.
Born in Memphis, TN, and raised in Knoxville, TN, Brown began playing piano seriously at 18 and quickly established himself as a formidable force in jazz. He currently tours as the pianist for Grammy-nominated saxophonist and 2023 NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship recipient Kenny Garrett. His extensive collaborations include performances with Stefon Harris, Jazzmeia Horn, George Coleman, Greg Tardy, Camille Thurman, Terreon Gully, Willie Jones III, Endea Owens, Charles Tolliver, Buster Williams, Lenny White, Steve Turre, John Clayton, and many more—captivating audiences worldwide.
“I am sure that is one that will make a tremendous contribution to the continuum of jazz and particularly jazz piano.” – Mulgrew Miller
“Keith Brown is a phenomenal player! He has a great grasp on the language of the jazz piano masters and an ability to come from many directions; from hard swing to funk to free”. –Greg Tardy

The Music of Sonny Rollins

Jazz tribute to American jazz tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins featuring Bryant Lockhart (tenor sax), Alvie Givhan (piano), Sylvester Sample (bass), and Mike Assad (drums).

Tickets: $15
Doors at 6:30 pm | performance at 7 pm
Location: Crosstown Arts East Atrium

The Crosstown Jazz Series, presented by Strictly Jazz Entertainment in collaboration with Crosstown Arts, is designed to salute classic jazz music as contemporary musicians perform the work of the legends.

About Bryant Lockhart:
Bryant Lockhart is a gospel and jazz saxophonist/arranger/composer from Memphis, TN. His sound and style is greatly influenced by the artistry of musicians like Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon, John Coltrane, Sonny Stitt, Charlie Parker, and Joshua Redman to name a few. Yet the core of his music is deeply rooted in the spiritual from his upbringing in the church. Bryant splits his time as an educator at Southwest TN Community College tutoring in math and science, a private music instructor at Christian Brothers High School, and touring with jazz legend Dee Dee Bridgewater.

Music is a passion and a release for Bryant. He has been part of a number of ensembles over the years as a member and featured soloist. These ensembles include The University of Memphis Southern Comfort Jazz Ensemble, The New Memphis Hepcats, The Sanctuary Jazz Orchestra, Revelation Instrumental Band, The Underground Band, The Charles Pender Quartet, the Northern Mississippi Jurisdictional Orchestra, and the J.O. Patterson Fine Arts Orchestra of the Church of God in Christ. He has been featured on several CD projects and has worked with numerous local artists such as Billy Gibson, Bryant Swearingen, Reginald Harris, and Candice Ivory.

About Strictly Jazz:
Strictly Jazz Entertainment is committed to cultivating a growing community in the knowledge and appreciation of jazz. We facilitate dialogue and collaboration between the devoted supporters of jazz and the brand new constituents – those new to the genre – for the furthering of the jazz community. We provide a bridge between leading artists and a community that typically does not embrace jazz by promoting concerts in various venues to generate an atmosphere that is viable for the absorption of pure jazz.

The Music of Charlie Parker

Jazz tribute to Charlie Parker featuring John Lux (alto sax), Charlton Johnson (guitar), Sylvester Sample (acoustic bass) , Alvie Givhan (piano), and Nygel Yancey (drums).

The Crosstown Jazz Series, presented by Strictly Jazz Entertainment in collaboration with Crosstown Arts, is designed to salute classic jazz music as contemporary musicians perform the work of the legends.

Tickets: $15 (purchase on Eventbrite)
Doors at 6:30 pm | performance at 7 pm

About Strictly Jazz Entertainment:
Strictly Jazz Entertainment is committed to cultivating a growing community in the knowledge and appreciation of jazz. We facilitate dialogue and collaboration between the devoted supporters of jazz and the brand new constituents – those new to the genre – for the furthering of the jazz community. We provide a bridge between leading artists and a community that typically does not embrace jazz by promoting concerts in various venues to generate an atmosphere that is viable for the absorption of pure jazz.

The Music of Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers: The Early Years

THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT. Please check back soon for details on the next Crosstown Jazz Series performance

Jazz performance featuring Stephen Lee (piano), Sal Crocker (tenor saxophone), Johnny Yancey (trumpet), John Birdsong (acoustic bass), and Renardo Ward (drums).

The Crosstown Jazz Series, presented by Strictly Jazz Entertainment in collaboration with Crosstown Arts, is designed to salute classic jazz music as contemporary musicians perform the work of the legends.

The Jazz Messengers were an influential jazz combo that existed for over thirty-five years beginning in the early 1950s as a collective, and ending when long-time leader and founding drummer Art Blakey died in 1990. Blakey led or co-led the group from the outset.  “Art Blakey” and “Jazz Messengers” became synonymous over the years, though Blakey did lead non-Messenger recording sessions and played as a sideman for other groups throughout his career.

Doors at 6:30 pm | performance at 7 pm
Complimentary beverages

The Music of Sarah Vaughan: Sassy’s Return

Tickets – $15 (purchase on Eventbrite)
Doors at 6:30 pm | performance at 7 pm

Jazz performance featuring Jamille Hunter (vocals), Keenan Shotwell (piano), Vince Oglesby (bass), Isaac Daniels (saxophone), and Chris Pat (drums) performing the works of jazz legend Sarah Vaughan.

The Crosstown Jazz Series, presented by Strictly Jazz Entertainment in collaboration with Crosstown Arts, is designed to salute classic jazz music as contemporary musicians perform the work of the legends.

About Jamille Hunter:
Jamille JAM Hunter and Mood Swing is a Memphis-based jazz band led by Jamille Hunter and Keenan Shotwell. Jam is a dynamic vocalist who is making her mark on the jazz scene with her mesmerizing vocals and contemporary approach to classic and modern jazz. The group was formed in 2010 and recently released their third music project on June 17, 2017 titled “Sassy’s Return — The SV Project.”

“Sassy’s Return” is already in rotation on several radio stations. The two previous releases contained original music written by Jamille JAM Hunter. Mood Swing has performed at the River Arts Fest, On Location: International Film and Music Festival, The Black Arts Fest, and the Memphis International Jazz Festival, in addition to numerous clubs and other venues.  

About Strictly Jazz Entertainment:
Strictly Jazz Entertainment is committed to cultivating a growing community in the knowledge and appreciation of jazz. We facilitate dialogue and collaboration between the devoted supporters of jazz and the brand new constituents – those new to the genre – for the furthering of the jazz community. We provide a bridge between leading artists and a community that typically does not embrace jazz by promoting concerts in various venues to generate an atmosphere that is viable for the absorption of pure jazz.