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About the Show
Under the artistic direction of producer Tony Clarke, in collaboration with the Gaillard Center’s artistic team, the festival returns with a stellar lineup of award-winning jazz singers and musicians Dave Koz & Friends, Gregory Porter, Avery*Sunshine, and Jonathan Butler.
This year, the finest smooth jazz combined with bluesy soul will create a relevant sound that resonates with the region’s discerning music audiences young and old. Charleston, South Carolina played an important role in the early development of jazz. It was a thriving center of African American music in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and was home to many of the first jazz musicians and bands. The city was also a major port, which helped to spread jazz music to other parts of the country and the world. The weekend celebrates these genres in the heart of downtown Charleston, allowing attendees to experience this vibrant cultural city with a fitting soundtrack.
The Festival is welcoming back the soulful sounds of jazz legend Dave Koz, the renowned saxophonist who delivers an unforgettable performance every time he takes the stage, and adding headliner GRAMMY award-winning artist Gregory Porter, whose cross-pollinated brand combines jazz, soul, and gospel. Inspirational singer-songwriter and guitarist Jonathan Butler and vibrant, soulful singer, pianist, and composer Avery*Sunshine will open.
The Gaillard is cementing its role as a leading non-profit performing arts center in the Southeast dedicated to commissioning and presenting ambitious cultural programming and popular performances that engage audiences, foster community, and prompt essential dialogue. Central to this is the Labor Day weekend, which sees the Lowcountry Jazz Festival take over the building.
In addition to annually bringing together jazz fans from across the Southeast, the Festival is the primary fundraiser for Closing the Gap in Health Care, Inc.
DAY 1 – SOLD OUT
Saturday, September 2
Opener: Jonathan Butler
Headliner: Gregory Porter
DAY 2
Sunday, September 3
Opener: Avery*Sunshine
Headliner: Dave Koz Summer Horns
with Candy Dulfer, Eric Darius, & Maysa Leak
VIP Add-On*: The Lowcountry Jazz Festival White Linen Cocktail Party
SOLD OUT
September 1 at 7:00PM | Tickets are $125 (Plus Applicable Fees)
This Year at the International African American Museum
Hosted by Will & Maggie Shares
The Charleston Gaillard Center and Closing the Gap in Health Care are pleased to announce the return of The Lowcountry Jazz Festival White Linen Cocktail Party on Friday, September 1. Show off your style and join us for the kickoff to South Carolina’s premier annual smooth jazz festival. Dress in your best white attire for an evening of endless entertainment. Tickets* include open bar, hor d’oeuvres, performance by Nathan Mitchell, silent disco, and a private tour of the South’s newest museum on one of America’s most sacred sites.
The Gaillard is cementing its role as a leading non-profit performing arts center in the Southeast dedicated to commissioning and presenting ambitious cultural programming and popular performances that engage audiences, foster community, and prompt essential dialogue. Central to this is the Labor Day weekend, which sees the Lowcountry Jazz Festival take over the building and spill out to our neighbors and partners at the IAAM.
In addition to annually bringing together jazz fans from across the Southeast, the Festival is the primary fundraiser for Closing the Gap in Health Care, Inc.
*You must have a ticket to the Saturday or Sunday performance in order to purchase tickets to this VIP event. Limited availability.
ABOUT NATHAN MITCHELL
Nathan Mitchell, an accomplished American contemporary jazz/soul (composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist) music educator and humanitarian. A Grammy-nominated, 3x NAACP Image Award nominated and BILLBOARD-charting artist with 10 top 30 BILLBOARD hits including three #1 BILLBOARD songs has become of the most respected “musical storytellers” in the contemporary jazz industry. This award-nominated and winning artist is known best for his electric showmanship, unique talents, and enthusiastic energy.
Masterclass with Nathan Mitchell | Presented by the Lowcountry Jazz Festival, Charleston Gaillard Center, and Charleston Jazz Academy
Open Soundcheck | Saturday, September 2, 2023 | 4PM-5PM
Charleston Gaillard Center, Martha & John M. Rivers Performance Hall
Masterclass | Saturday, September 2, 2023 | 5PM-6PM
Charleston Gaillard Center, Salon I
Lowcountry Jazz Festival Performance with Jonathan Butler and Gregory Porter | Saturday, September 2, 2023 | 7:30PM
Charleston Gaillard Center, Martha & John M. Rivers Performance Hall
High School & College Students of All Instrumentations (including voice)
Please join Lowcountry Jazz Festival and the Charleston Gaillard Center for a masterclass with American contemporary jazz/soul composer, producer and multi- instrumentalist Nathan Mitchell.
Mr. Mitchell welcomes high school and college students of all instrumentations (including voice) for a 60 minute masterclass focusing on craft, composing and producing. Class will include an open conversation on creative next steps and a focus on vision for your artistic future. The masterclass is followed by the observation of an open sound check for the evening performance and a ticket to see Jonathan Butler and Gregory Porter. Attendees are welcome to bring their instruments for the class, but it is not required.
About Closing the Gap in Health Care
The Lowcountry Jazz Festival is the primary fundraiser for Closing the Gap in Health Care, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose primary mission is decreasing health disparities and increasing health literacy, especially for African Americans and the underserved in our community, South Carolina, and the nation.
The organization airs radio and television health tips, publishes a weekly e-newsletter, and provides information on social media to improve health literacy. Lectures, seminars, and youth and community activities are also provided by Closing the Gap in Health Care, Inc.
Proceeds from the Festival support the mission of Closing the Gap in Health Care, Inc. and the Thaddeus John Bell, M.D. Endowment Fund. This scholarship fund was created conjointly with the Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina to assist students who pursue a health science degree and graduate from the Medical University of South Carolina. This will facilitate an increase in the number of African American health providers in the state.
The Lowcountry Jazz Festival and Closing the Gap in Health Care, Inc. have made contributions, exceeding $250,000, to the Thaddeus John Bell, M.D. Endowment Fund!
About the Artists
Dave Koz Summer Horns with Candy Dulfer, Eric Darius, & Maysa Leak
Dave Koz & Friends will return in 2023 with a fresh incarnation of the Summer Horns tour, which will find the chart-topping saxophonist teaming up with two other sax greats – Candy Dulfer and Eric Darius. Acclaimed vocalist Maysa will join the powerhouse lineup on July 16, August 19, 25, 26 and 27 and September 2 and 3.
The high-octane, feel-good summer show will feature songs from each artist’s catalog plus material from 2013’s Dave Koz and Friends Summer Horns and 2018’s Summer Horns II From A To Z. Both albums debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Current Contemporary Jazz Albums chart. Over the course of his career, Koz has amassed a loyal audience that turns out for performances on land and sea. He’ll be visiting Spain, Morocco and Portugal with three sold-out, back-to-back cruises in May 2023 and two sold-out cruises to Greece, Turkey, Israel, and Egypt in 2024.
As Koz’s fanbase continues to grow, he’s found some unexpected supporters. In this article for Esquire, writer Jeff Gordinier chronicled his own journey from cynic to fan and observed, “The person who embraces the musicianship of the likes of Dave Koz is one who has found peace and has zero f*cks to give.”
Koz recently shared his new single, “Wrapped Up in Your Smile.” He wrote the soulful romantic ballad with Philippe Saisse, who produced it. View the official video HERE. The pair also collaborated on Koz’s 2020 album, A New Day, and 2022’s Christmas Ballads.
Dave Koz has racked up an astoundingly impressive array of honors and achievements: nine GRAMMY® nominations, 12 No. 1 albums on Billboard’s Current Contemporary Jazz Albums chart, numerous world tours, performances for multiple U.S. presidents, a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and more. A Platinum-selling artist, the California native is also known as a humanitarian, entrepreneur, radio host and instrumental music advocate. His 2020 album, A New Day, reached the No. 1 position on numerous jazz charts, including iTunes and Amazon, and delivered an unprecedented four back-to-back No. 1 hits on Billboard’s Smooth Jazz Airplay chart – “Side By Side” ft. David Sanborn, “Dr. Norm” ft. Paul Jackson, Jr., “The Closer We Get” and “Summertime in NYC.” Koz broke new ground with his 2021 release, The Golden Hour. Recorded live in the studio with a large jazz ensemble, the album marked his first full-length collaboration with guitarist/producer/internet sensation Cory Wong. In 2022, Koz celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Dave Koz and Friends Christmas tour with the release of his seventh and most intimate holiday album to date, Christmas Ballads, and a new all-star, 25-date tour.
Candy Dulfer rose to fame with high-profile collaborations with Dave Stewart (the worldwide No. 1 smash “Lily Was Here”) and the legendary Prince, whose tongue-in-cheek recommendation (“When I want sax, I call Candy”) in the “Partyman” video made the world sit up and notice the talented sax player at his side. Their collaboration continued over the years with many studio sessions, TV show appearances, award show performances (including the GRAMMY Awards®) and global concert tours. Candy joined Prince’s NPG band as a permanent member for his record-shattering Musicology tour and album. Her first solo album Saxuality earned her a GRAMMY Award nomination. The combined world-wide sales of her solo albums top 2.5 million copies, and she has had several No. 1 hits in the U.S. Candy’s new album, We Never Stop, includes the hit “Jammin’ Tonight” Ft. Nile Rodgers. Candy has been fortunate to work – both in the studio and on stage – with some of the biggest names in music, including Van Morrison, Maceo Parker, Sheila E., Mavis Staples, Lionel Richie, Beyoncé, Pink Floyd, Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin and many others.
Eric Darius, internationally known as an elite Jazz/R&B/Pop saxophonist, songwriter, producer, and performer, recently dropped, “L.O.V.E Feat. Brian Culbertson” the third single from his seventh studio album, Breakin’ Thru, which debuted at #2 on the iTunes Top 40 Jazz Albums Chart. This project is an extra special milestone for Darius as it is his first release via his own independent label, SagiDarius Music. The title track and debut single for Breakin’ Thru has been a staple on Contemporary Jazz radio, reaching #1 on the Mediabase Smooth Jazz chart, as well as his second single, “Dare 2 Dream.” Breakin’ Thru features 10 original songs with co-production by Darius, Rodney Jones, Jr. (Chris Brown, Mary Mary, Mary J. Blige) and Butta N’ Bizkit (John Legend, Ne-Yo, Miguel, Ledisi).
Maysa is blessed with an instantly identifiable honey-toned mezzo-soprano and an undeniably brilliant and magnetic stage presence. Having collaborated with everyone from Stevie Wonder to Incognito, Angela Bofill, Will Downing and Jonathan Butler, Phil Perry and more, Maysa can hang with the best. It is no wonder she was the recipient of many awards for her work, including Soul Train’s first Centric Award in 2009, and her first GRAMMY nomination for Best Traditional R&B Performance for her remake of Nancy Wilson’s “Quiet Fire” in 2014. The Baltimore native is the owner/founder of her own record label, Blue Velvet Soul Records. To celebrate her first record printing, Maysa designed a commemorative blue velvet box set with four singles – “You Are Not Alone,” “It’s Gonna Be Alright, “Lovin’ You Is Easy” and “Soft Words” – as an EP called The Fab First Four in January of 2021. Maysa will release her 14th solo studio album entitled Music For Your Soul soon.
Avery*Sunshine
Avery*Sunshine takes no detours in creating melodious music for the masses. She makes the kind of music that undeniably satisfies the soul. Her sound is uplifting, vibrant, and exactly as her namesake suggests, full of sunshine. She brings people together through her riveting stage performances, candid and often humorous stage banter, and optimistic anthems about love and life. Born Denise White in Chester, Pennsylvania, her roots are firmly grounded in the church. Avery, along with her Grammy award winning, creative life partner, Dana “BigDane” Johnson; the singer, pianist and composer has created a remarkable and unforgettable sound.
The Atlanta based singer’s no holds barred signature soulful R&B appeal has garnered praise from the iconic musical figure, The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, who raved, “I love Avery*Sunshine!” She has also received praiseworthy acclimation from luminaries such as Patti LaBelle, Berry Gordy and Boy George, who proclaimed on Twitter “@averysunshine love this woman’s voice.”
Most known for the #1 Billboard chart hit single “Call My Name” from her critically heralded sophomore project: The Sunroom, Avery and Dana were awarded ASCAP’s Rhythm and Soul Song of the Year Award. Amongst Avery’s award acknowledgements are nominations for both the Soul Train Award and BET Centric Award. From numerous sold-out shows and career milestones that include a UK tour opening for the late B.B. King, a performance on The Jools Holland Show and four Hot Adult R&B top 20 Billboard hits, as an endorsed artist with the Yamaha Entertainment family, she was invited multiple times to perform for and by the late Ms. Aretha Franklin.
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Our current times have not escaped Avery’s heart or soul. During the spring and summer of 2020, Avery, Dana and their youngest son performed several free “LIVE FROM THE CRIB” shows for several hundred thousand people helping to uplift spirits during the pandemic. Additionally, as part of Avery’s recognition of much of 2020’s global concerns, she debuted the single “How Will You Remember Me” in June giving respect to those who fell victim to the pandemic and also to honor their loved ones as simultaneously the country was dealing with racial and social injustice. Avery continues to set herself apart as not just an artist, but a person who is filled with compassion and one who is aware of her own human frailty.
Avery’s determination to keep shining bright led her to successfully create and launch her own makeup line LOU*MACK BEAUTY in late 2020. She and her husband also developed the “HEY SUNSHINE SHOW”, her own performance platform producing monthly live shows to share with her fans from the comfort of her own home
Whether Avery is onstage in Asia, Africa, Australia, the UK or even on the virtual stage from her living room sofa with a tiny keyboard and her family, she is always striving to fill the space that she was created to fill. She prays that the small space that she occupies in this world reminds everyone to shine as brightly as they can – no matter what.
Please note that for this performance online purchases have a limit of eight (8) tickets per customer. To purchase additional tickets or to inquire about group sales, please contact the ticket office directly at (843) 242-3099.