A Jazzy Christmas Show featuring #1 Billboard charting and Tidewater native - saxophonist Jackiem Joyner and saxophonist Paul Taylor, with our local favorites Stephanie Sanders and the Fuzz Band.
This show will electrify you and is sure to put you in the holiday groove. Come ready to jam to Jackiem's and Paul's classics and crank up the holiday season!
Jackiem Joyner
Few artists have scaled the heights of success and artistic range as Jackiem Joyner over the past two decades. As he steps into the remarkable milestone of his 20th year as a performing artist, Jackiem stands as a testimony to perseverance and passion. Notably, his recent single "Missing You" soared to the number one position on the Billboard charts in the summer of 2023, holding its position for two consecutive weeks, exemplifying his continuous magnetic force in the industry.
Born in Norfolk, VA, Jackiem showcased restless creativity from an early age, a trait that later forged the cornerstone of his expansive career. Despite humble beginnings, the saxophone he acquired as a child swiftly became his faithful companion. Jackiem debuted with 'Babysoul' in 2007, marking the emergence of a gifted instrumentalist and paving the way for a prolific recording journey punctuated with Grammy nominations and hit singles. His career trajectory includes critically acclaimed albums like 2019's 'Touch' and the recent 'Journey Of Passion', conceived and recorded exclusively during the Covid quarantine.
In the current phase of his career, Jackiem is enchanting global audiences with a grand world tour, featuring performances in Spain, Mexico, Egypt, Greece, and various U.S. cities, cementing his status as a global ambassador of contemporary jazz.
Paul Taylor
Over 25 years into a stellar, multi-faceted career that’s found him continually pushing the sonic boundaries of what’s possible in contemporary urban jazz, saxophonist Paul Taylor brings us his highly-anticipated new recording AND NOW THIS on Peak Records.
AND NOW THIS, fully created via the exchange of digital files between the Las Vegas-based Taylor and his longtime musical compadre, collaborator, co-writer, and producer Dino Esposito, features the saxman’s ongoing exploration of an expansive range of dynamic danceable grooves and intricate pop/electronica vibes. The ten tracks fully reflect the way Taylor began moving forward in his personal and creative life, as if to say, in his words, “We’re coming out of the pandemic, this is what I’ve been creating, we’re kicking it back into high gear and we are more open-minded in our approach to music than ever.”
Among Taylor’s chief musical influences in recent years have been globally popular, cutting edge DJ/producer/artists like the late Avicii, Tiesto, and Regard. Complementing the new album’s nine inspiring originals, Taylor and Esposito have a blast bringing a vibrant, freewheeling new energy to a re-imagining of “Ride It,” Regard’s global 2019 hit remix of Jay Sean’s 2008 #1 UK R&B hit that started as a viral sensation on TikTok. Taylor’s infectious twist features the smooth, soulful vocals and fast-paced phrasing of Jamie Jones of the GRAMMY-winning group All-4-One.
Stephanie Sanders
Stephanie recently released her debut CD, labeled, “I’m Done” in August and it is a smashing success.
She is receiving rave reviews. Besides her many talents, she is an Assistant Professor of Music, and the Associate Director of the very popular Spartan Legion Band and the Norfolk State Jazz Ensemble. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in music education from Jackson State University and her master’s degree in music performance on the Bassoon from the University of Houston.
She belongs to numerous organizations/groups including, but not limited to, the AKA Sorority, Tau Beta Sigma, Tidewater Wind Symphony, and the RaJazz Band.
