Blues on the Corner: McCoy Tyner Legacy Band

April 10, 2026 By Craig OConnell

Blues on the Corner: McCoy Tyner Legacy Band

Friday, Apr 10 from 8 pm to 10:30 pm at The Side Door

85 Lyme St, Old Lyme, CT 06371

Join us for a special night of jazz with the McCoy Tyner Legacy Band!

Francisco Mela – Drums and bandleader

Nat Reeves – Bass

Benito Gonzalez – Piano

George Garzone (special guest) – Tenor Saxophone

Blues on the Corner: McCoy Tyner Legacy BandDon’t miss world-renowned drummer and former McCoy Tyner sideman Francisco Mela as he leads this all-star tribute to his legendary mentor and former bandleader.Joining him is Venezuelan-American pianist Benito Gonzalez, widely hailed as the torchbearer for McCoy’s hard-driving yet lyrical style. Acclaimed bassist and Hartt School Professor Nat Reeves anchors the rhythm section. Tenor saxophone titan George Garzone will be a featured guest, heard here like never before.Produced by New England Jazz Collaborative, whose work has been featured on NPR’s Morning Edition and in The Boston Globe.“[Francisco] Mela is just a fantastic player. He has his own style and his own sound, which is what I look for in a drummer.”— McCoy Tyner“Fans and critics of pianist Benito Gonzalez agree: He’s a Latin McCoy Tyner.”— Michael J. West, JazzTimes“I’m not the master of the sax, George Garzone is.”— Michael Brecker

Michelle Walker Quartet

April 4, 2026 By Craig OConnell

Michelle Walker Quartet

Saturday, Apr 4 from 8 pm to 10:30 pm at The Side Door

85 Lyme St, Old Lyme, CT 06371

The Side Door Jazz Club

Join us for a special night of jazz with Vocalist Michelle Walker and her Quartet!

Armed with a provocative, whiskey-soaked tone, jazz vocalist Michelle Walker is a charismatic singer that uses an artful blend of blues, bebop, swing and soul with playful rhythmic expressiveness. Based in New York City, she bends the lines and pushes the boundaries of jazz vocal art. With rich colors and adventurous flexibility, she moves easily from a dark, deep tone to a mid-range, swinging lilt. Michelle is very versatile and blessed with a beautifully distinctive voice. Her artful arrangements are garnishing her critical praise. In her upcoming release, Love Misery, Michelle brings together a collection of jazz standards, original songs and her arrangements of pop tunes that thematically chronicles a love affair. This latest recording project features Joel Frahm on sax, Ron Affif on guitar, Toru Dodo on piano, Michael O’Brien on bass and Willard Dyson on drums. Additional highlights of her career include multiple tours in Europe, performing in the Lincoln Center Women in Jazz Festival, touring with jazz vocal legend Mark Murphy and performing at the White House for the lighting of the National Christmas Tree. Dave Nathan at AllAboutJazz.com says, “Walker demonstrates an extraordinary degree of musicality…” Michelle is often compared to Cassandra Wilson, Nina Simone and Betty Carter in style and tone but has develop her own unique sound and singular voice.

It is easy to see why this is looking to become a breakout year for Walker. In early 2016, she performed at the JAVA JAZZ FESTIVAL in Jakarta, Indonesia headlining the festival with Kurt Elling, Monty Alexander, Patti Austin, Chris Botti, Sting, Robin Thicke and more. She then went on to tour in Asia which included performing debut concerts in Kazakhstan and Thailand. Michelle has also headlined the Belarus International Jazz Festival in the city of Minsk on the same bill as Vocal group TAKE 6, The Silver Spring Jazz Festival with Wynton Marsalis and Spyro Gyro, The Lincoln Center Women in Jazz Festival and the Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival which featured George Benson. Throughout 2015 & 2016, she completed a 30 city extraordinary tour in Russia performing at many Philharmonic Concert Halls around the country. The uniqueness of Walker is found her shifting, rhythmic, lyrical phrasing and her revived, unexpected arrangements of standard songs. Mike Joyce of the Washington Post says, “[Walker]…has a soul-comforting allure.” Michelle has performed in concert with noted jazz musicians Joel Frahm, Ron Affif, Dan Tepfer, Robert Rodriguez, Benito Gonzales, Matt Wilson, Klaus Mueller, Boris Kozlov, E.J. Strickland, Helen Sung, Ben Monder and Yotam Silberstein.

Michelle studied classical voice at the University of Maryland and also studied at the Amsterdam Music Conservatory in Holland and the Stanford Jazz in Palo Alto, CA. Michelle was the first vocalist asked to perform at the “Hot Jazz” Concert Series which featured jazz veterans Kenny Werner, Eric Alexander, Peter Bernstein, David Hazeltine and Jimmy Greene. Walker has performed throughout US, Canada, Russia, Israel England, Holland and most recently at Blues Alley and The Black Rock Performing Arts Center outside Washington, DC where she helped kick off the jazz concert season which has featured Russell Malone, Cyrus Chestnut and Ravi Coltrane.

Her debut recording, Slow Down, was released with critical acclaim. The recording received a Washington Area Musician Association (WAMA) Award nomination for Best Jazz and Debut Album of the year and also a national nomination for Best Independent Jazz Vocal album of the year. Walker spent the first years of her career working as a full-time vocalist in the Washington, DC area before she moved to New York City, where she currently resides and performs. While living in the DC area, the Washington Post placed her several times on its Top Ten Area Performers to see perform live. Michelle served on the 2003-2005 Executive Board for the DC Chapter of the International Association of Jazz Educators (IAJE).

Greg Abate Quartet

March 28, 2026 By Craig OConnell

Greg Abate Quartet

Saturday, Mar 28 from 8 pm to 10:30 pm at the Side Door Jazz Club, 85 Lyme St, Old Lyme, CT 06371

Join us for a special night of jazz with Saxophonist Greg Abate and his Quartet!

Greg Abate – Saxophone

Chuck Lamb – Piano

John Lockwood – Bass

Gary Johnson – Drums

Greg Abate jazz saxophonist, flutist, composer continues as an International Jazz/Recording Artist with 225 days a year touring the globe.

In the mid 70’s after finishing a four year program at Berklee College Of Music, Greg played lead alto for the Ray Charles Orchestra for 2 years.

In 1978 Greg formed his group Channel One which was a favorite in the New England area and from there had the opportunity to play tenor sax with the revived Artie Shaw Orchestra under leadership of Dick Johnson from 1986 to ’87.

Following this experience Greg ventured out as post hard bop soloist playing Jazz Festivals, Jazz Societies and Jazz Clubs throughout the U.S. Canada and abroad, including most of Europe, UK, and Moscow and Georgia Russia.

Greg’s newest release Gratitude, with the Tim Ray Trio has received glowing reviews and a lot of international airplay. Also, check out Greg’s other recordings including special guests Phil Woods and other notable artists.

Greg is currently a Whaling City Sound recording artist.

Greg recorded his first CD Live At Birdland NYC in 1991 on the Candid Jazz Label with the trio of James Williams, Rufus Reid and Kenny Washington.

To this date Greg has recorded over 17 other recordings as leader.

Greg is also an adjunct professor of Jazz Studies at Rhode Island College and is also a very active jazz clinician with co. sponsorship from the Conn-Selmer Instrument Co., conducting workshops and master classes through the U.S and abroad.

Greg has been inducted into the RI MUSIC HALL OF FAME 2016

Amina Figarova Sextet

March 27, 2026 By Craig OConnell

Join us for a special night of jazz with Pianist Amina Figarova and her Sextet!

Amina Figarova – Piano

Charlie Porter – Trumpet

Bart Platteau – Flutes

Wayne Escoffery– Tenor sax

Luques Curtis – Bass

Donald Edwards – Drums

Amina Figarova was born in Baku, Azerbaijan, and as a child studied to be a classical concert pianist. Graduated from the Baku Conservatory as classical concert pianist. In 1990, she entered Rotterdam Conservatory (where she met Bart Platteau, a fellow student from Belgium) to pursue jazz, coming to the United States in 1992 to complete her formal education at Boston’s Berklee College of Music. In 1998 she was invited to the Thelonious Monk Institute’s summer jazz colony in Aspen, and after more than a decade of bookings in major U.S. jazz clubs, concert halls and festivals, the couple gained legal immigrant status in 2013, and became US citizen in 2020. They currently live in Harlem, NY and tour constantly.

“Among the most important composers to come into jazz in the new millennium” – JazzTime

Hailing from Azerbaijan, the New York-based Amina Figarova is an internationally influenced—and recognized—composer, pianist, and bandleader. Those three roles come to the forefront in Figarova’s sextets, bands with a remarkable chemistry that brings her detailed arrangements to life. Every member of the group stands out as a first-rate individual, but their dedication to Figarova’s eclectic and powerful compositions gives this group its depth of feeling and elite status. The Amina Figarova Sextet has been a hit at major festivals like the Newport Jazz Festival and New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival

Suite for Africa is Amina’s 18th album, all with original compositions by Amina. Other compositions for Symphonic orchestra, Musical Diana, a ballad book for Trio Del Norte, brass ensemble, flute duo and quartet, and many more.

The Side Door

85 Lyme St

Old Lyme, CT 06371

Chembo Corniel Quintet

March 21, 2026 By Craig OConnell

Chembo Corniel Quintet

ByThe Side Door Jazz Club

The Side Door Old Lyme, CT

Saturday, Mar 21 from 8 pm to 10:30 pm EDT

Join us for a special night of jazz with Conga Player Chembo Corniel and his Quintet!

Evan Francis – Saxophone/Flute

Gabriel Chakarji – Piano

Carlos Mena – Bass

Joel E. Mateo – Drums

Chembo Corniel – Tumbadoras

Wilson “Chembo” Corniel, Jr. Born in Manhattan on November 22, 1953 of proud Puerto Rican parents, Chembo was raised in the humble streets of Red Hook, Brooklyn. It was during these years, as a quick-witted youngster, that he had the privilege and honor to study with such percussion luminaries as, Tommy Lopez Sr., “Little Ray” Romero, Louie Bauza, and Cachete Maldonado. Chembo honed his skills at The Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts in New York, and also at the prestigious La Escuela Nacional de Arte in Havana, Cuba under the direction of the great Chucho Valdés. His intense studies with such legends noted above channeled his energy onto a path where Wilson “Chembo” Corniel has now created a reputation for himself among musicians and the public.

Today, he is considered as one of the best hard-hitting, versatile percussionists around. Chembo teaches percussion to students at the SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music a also at The Collective and leads numerous clinics throughout the United States where he brings awareness to others of the rich Afro-Caribbean traditions. Among his credits, Chembo was chosen to create his own instructional DVD called, “An Introduction to Hand Percussion: Volume I—Congas”. It was released in December of 2000 and with distribution by Warner Brothers it has been a success.

He’s been a vital endorser of Latin Percussion instruments since 1982 as he is currently for Remo drum heads, Vic Firth sticks and Sabian cymbals. His touring credits are as long as his performing credits.

Chembo has toured with many major artists throughout Europe, Asia, North & South America, and the Caribbean. Television credits include an appearance on the “Bill Cosby Show” and a recurring recording gig on Nickelodeon’s children show, “Dora the Explorer”. Chembo continues to perform and/or record with many artists of different genres. He is currently concentrating on leading his own Latin Jazz quintet, “Chembo & Grupo Chaworó”. This is a well-balanced Latin Jazz group that incorporates many rich traditions, such as writer Aurora Flores states: “a sprinkling of be-bop, a touch of swing with a dollop of bomba, rumba, tango and danzón topped with ‘un chin’ de charanga.

Location

The Side Door

85 Lyme St

Old Lyme, CT 06371

Matt Dwonszyk Quintet Album Release Celebration

March 14, 2026 By Craig OConnell

Matt Dwonszyk Quintet Album Release Celebration

ByThe Side Door Jazz Club

The Side Door Old Lyme, CT

Saturday, Mar 14 from 8 pm to 10:30 pm EDT

Join us for a special night of jazz with Bassist Matt Dwonszyk and his Quintet, to celebrate the release of his new album!

Matt Dwonszyk is a Connecticut-born, New York-based, bassist, composer, arranger, bandleader and educator.

He can regularly be found with drummer Jonathan Barber’s Vision Ahead, trios by pianist Jon Davis Trio and saxophonist Julieta Eugenio, and saxophonist Sarah Hanahan’s quartet. He also leads his namesake ensemble, the Dwonztet.

Dwonszyk began playing the electric bass at age eleven. At the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts High School, he switched to upright bass.

Dwonszyk then continued his studies at the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz at the University of Hartford. There, Dwonszyk developed a profound rapport with trombonist Steve Davis and bassist Nat Reeves, whose insight led to a career as a top-call bassist in his native Connecticut.

After graduating with a Bachelor’s of Music in Jazz Studies from UHart, Dwonszyk obtained a Master’s of Music at SUNY Purchase College in New York. He soon was performing at legendary jazz venues like Smalls, Smoke, Minton’s, Zinc Bar, Birdland, and the Jazz Standard.

In 2018 — the year he released his debut album, Wonderful World, — Dwonszyk toured Russia as part of the Rainy Days Jazz Festival. In 2019, he toured through Canada with the Oleg Butman Trio and in 2020 with Jonathan Barber and Vision Ahead through the West Coast.

In 2022, he released A Year and a Day, recorded with his versatile, namesake ensemble, the Dwonztet. That year, with the Julieta Eugenio Trio, Dwonszyk won the 2022 DC JazzPrix Competition at the Washington, DC Jazz Festival.

In 2023, the Dwonztet performed at the Hartford Baby Grand Jazz Series, The Northampton Jazz Strut, Smalls Jazz Club, The Side Door Jazz Club, and the Poli Club. The following year, they performed at the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival, Hartford Jazz Festival, and Springfield Jazz and Roots Festival.

True to his roots, Dwonszyk’s latest album was 2024’s Donny Time: The Music of Don DePalma, an album-length tribute to Hartford’s late, great pianist — with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the DePalma Roy Scholarship.

Since 2020, he has taught jazz bass at Manchester Community College and Central Connecticut State College; at the latter, Dwonszyk also teaches jazz history. In 2024 Dwonszyk he taught jazz bass at the University of Hartford and in 2025 at UMass Amherst. He also teaches privately.

This year Dwonszyk’s performed and recorded in Buenos Aires, Argentina; His next album “Live at the Side Door” is scheduled to release in the fall of 2025.

Location

The Side Door

85 Lyme St

Old Lyme, CT 06371

Matt Parker Quartet

March 13, 2026 By Craig OConnell

Matt Parker Quartet

Friday, Mar 13 from 8 pm to 10:30 pm

The Side Door Jazz Club

85 Lyme St, Old Lyme, CT 06371

Join us for a special night of jazz with Saxophonist Matt Parker and his Quartet!

Matt Parker – Saxophones

Chris Cheek – Saxophones

Matt Dwonszyk – Acoustic Bass

Dan Pugach – Drums and Cymbals

Matt Parker is a tenor and soprano saxophone player, born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. After seeing trumpeter Maynard Ferguson in concert, he fell in love with jazz and was mentored by the legendary South Florida saxophonist Jimmy Cavallo. Parker played professionally as a teenager in New Orleans before moving to New York to study with Jane Ira Bloom, Barry Harris, and Junior Mance. Later, Parker would go on to play in Maynard’s band Big Bop Nouveau for two years and is on the album “MF Horn VI: Live At Ronnie’s” (2006).

Parker’s career has been wildly eclectic, showcasing his tireless explorative spirit and chameleon-like style. He has paid tribute to both avant-garde players and straight-ahead stalwarts on his albums “Worlds Put Together” (2014) and “Present Time” (2016), and has collaborated with a wide range of musicians, including Reggie Watkins, Ariana Grande, Orrin Evans, Hess is More, and the Mingus Big Band. He is also a member of the viral ensemble Postmodern Jukebox and has made appearances (both musical and on-screen) in the hit action film “John Wick”. The Dorrance Dance company features Parker in “45th and 8th” premiering nationally (2022-23). He is also a featured performer with comedian, and renowned entertainer Murray Hill and Bridget Everrett (“Somebody, Somewhere”). Parker’s experience with the Cape Town Youth Choir, where he learned the importance of blending and the beauty of collaboration, has had a profound impact on his music.

Charles Mingus’ previously unrecorded “Song To Keki” makes its first appearance on Parker’s album, which the Ottawa Citizen called “a warmly swinging showcase for his breathy, Ben Webster-esque flow.” The same publication noted that Parker’s playing on the tune builds momentum until his tenor seems like it will come apart in his hands. The Ottawa Citizen also described the album as having an overall compositional and improvisational contrast that catches the listener by surprise.

DownBeat Magazine praised Parker’s “own tireless explorative spirit,” while JAZZIZ Magazine described Parker as someone who “welcomes listeners with warmth and wit.” Hot House noted that Parker’s playing can recall the gruff-yet-sensuous lines of Ben Webster, while Outside-Inside-Out said, “Parker can do anything…he swings his ass off.” Something Else Reviews called Parker “restlessly inventive” and “showed off his resourcefulness and playfulness,” while The Village Voice praised him as a “Tenor and soprano sax whiz.” All About Jazz said Parker “can’t be pigeonholed into just one tradition” and that “he has arrived on the creative music scene a fully formed artist – one with his own unique voice and singular vision.”

Parker is also a prolific composer and musical director. He has written music for various ensembles, including big bands, small groups, and studio orchestras for film. Parker’s compositions often blend elements of woodwind instrumentation with more adventurous, avant-garde approaches. Complex harmonies, intricate rhythms, and bold, imaginative melodies characterize his music.

Parker has featured his compositions on several albums, including “Worlds Put Together” (2014), “One for Miles, One for Maynard” (2014), and “Present Time” (2016). He has also composed for the Immersive theater show “MidSummer – A Shakespearience” (Variety Life Productions), the original audio drama series “Brother, Mine” (Hand Forged Fiction 2020) and the immersive sound walk experience “Kierkbride” (Hand Forged Fiction 2022). Critics have praised his music for its originality, energy, and emotional depth.

In addition to his work as a saxophonist, composer, and musical director, Matt Parker is also a passionate educator. He teaches saxophone, composition, and improvisation at several universities and music schools, inspiring young musicians to develop their own unique voices.

New Years Eve with Michelle Lordi/Matthew Parrish Quartet

December 31, 2025 By Craig OConnell

New Years Eve with Michelle Lordi/Matthew Parrish Quartet

By The Side Door Jazz Club

2 sets, each set is 1.3 hours long: 8:30pm and 10:45pm, $89.93 per set

Celebrate New Years Eve with an amazing Jazz Quartet featuring Vocalist Michelle Lordi and Bassist Matthew Parrish!

This show will have a 1 drink minimum per person

Michelle Lordi – Vocals

Matthew Parrish – Bass

Vincent Bourgeyx – Piano

Byron Landham – Drums

Jazz bassist, Matthew Parrish, has ‘come into his own’ as a sought after performer, arranger, composer, producer and instructor. Matthew brings skills and s wing as he puts his heart into every note he plays. He has a genuine warmth and loyalty to the music that transcends into every note, every tune, and every interaction with his fellow musicians.Born in central California to hard-working, music-loving parents of four children, Matthew is the youngest to his next sibling by eleven years. With a variety of jazz, rock, and classical music being played around him since birth, whether live or recorded, and a father who played acoustic bass early in his military career, Matt was destined for a life dedicated to music. Although he started on trumpet in middle school, he switched from that instrument for the acoustic bass in a last minute decision of the heart right before his Rutgers Mason Gross School of the Arts music program audition. He was accepted as an acoustic bass student in jazz studies and he has never stopped learning his craft.

Matt’s young bass career is grounded in Philadelphia, PA. He had the blessing, in his late teens and early twenties, of performing with Shirley Scott, Mickey Roker, Bobby Durham, Cecil Payne, Johnny Coles, Harry ‘Sweets’ Edison, Sylvia Simms, Danny Turner, and fellow young musicians, Orrin Evans and Byron Landham. Matthew went on to have the unforgettable experience of touring with legendary trombonist, Al Grey. This era also included performing with Clark Terry, Marion McPartland, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Lou Donaldson, Joe Cohn, Savion Glover, and Bill Charlap.

After the sad passing of Al, an important mentor and friend, Matthew continued to tour with the bands of Greg Osby, Jon Jang, James Newton, Stefon Harris, and Regina Carter. Matt came to be relied upon as a gifted composer and arranger in addition to his steady performing. His own works, as played by Matt on bass, are on his debut CD, ‘Circles’ (Hipnotic Records), as well as on recordings from Regina Carter and Dave Leonhardt, Denise Montana, and Ben Schachter.

Matthew also has recorded with musicians such as Wynton Marsalis, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Paquito D’Rivera, Clark Terry, Etta Jones, James Williams, Harry ‘Sweets’ Edison, James Newton, Miri Ben-Ari, Gary Thomas, Vana Gierig, Orrin Evans, and Houston Person

Vocalist Michelle Lordi has received international accolades and heavy rotation on jazz radio stations in the US and abroad for her recording projects, “Drive” (2015) and “Dream A Little Dream” ( 2017),“Break Up With The Sound“(2019) and “ Two Moons” ( 2023)

Whether she’s performing with bebop jazz legends, exploring experimental soundscapes in her original music or delivering her taut, mesmerizing jazz interpretations of pop ballads, Lordi’s profound love of the music she chooses to sing and the musicians she creates with is evident in every note of her vividly expressive and elegantly communicative voice.

Michelle has performed in performance venues, jazz clubs and festivals across the US such as the Mann Music Center, The Kimmel Center, The Deer Head Inn, Chris’ Jazz Café, Philadelphia Museum of Art, South, Zlock Performing Arts Center (PA), 55 Bar, Birdland, Cornelia Street Café, Jazz Forum, Maureen’s, Mezzrow, Minton’s, SMOKE Jazz & Supper Club, Smalls,(NY), DazzleJazz (CO) , BluJazz, Bop Stop (OH) The Drake (MA) Cliff Bell’s, Dirty Dog Jazz Café, (MI) The Jazz Cruise (FL) & Le Duc Des Lombards (France)

In 2019 Michelle Lordi was nominated in three categories ( Best Band, Rising Star & Female Jazz Vocalist) in the Hot House New York City Readers Jazz Awards. She has performed and/or recorded with musical luminaries such as Orrin Evans, Sumi Tonooka, Eric Wortham II, JD Allen, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Larry McKenna, Greg Osby, Houston Person, Matthew Parrish, Buster Williams, Eric Revis, Ben Wolfe, Matt Davis, Nir Felder, Steve Cardenas, Ian Macaulay, Tim Motzer, Miles Okazaki, Sonny Troy, Nasheet Waits, Gene Jackson, Jerome Jennings, Donald Edwards, Wayne Smith, Jr. EJ Strickland, Rudy Royston and many others. Lordi has also collaborated with producer/guitarist Warren Defever ( His Name Is Alive).

Nat Reeves Trio with Jordan Williams and Jeff “Tain” Watts

December 27, 2025 By Craig OConnell

Nat Reeves Trio with Jordan Williams and Jeff “Tain” Watts

By The Side Door Jazz Club

Dec 27 from 8pm to 10:30pm EST

Join us for a special night of jazz with Bassist Nat Reeves and his Trio!

Nat Reeves – Bass

Jordan Williams – Piano

Jeff “Tain” Watts – Drums

For over 40 years, Nat Reeves has been one of the top bassists in jazz. His supportive and stimulating playing has uplifted a countless number of sessions and recording dates (most notably with the great altoists Jackie McLean and Kenny Garrett). He has lead his own CDs State of Emergency and Blue Ridge. Both as a performer and an educator, he has made a strong impact on the jazz world.

Nat Reeves was born and raised in Lynchburg, Virginia. “My grandfather played the banjo, mandolin and guitar. One day I picked up his guitar and started playing the bass part. He noticed and, for my 16th birthday, he bought me an electric bass.” Nat had grown up hearing bluegrass, rock and soul records but did not get an opportunity to listen to jazz until he was already a bassist. “As a teenager, I listened closely to the radio, learning everything by ear. Originally I gravitated towards soul artists such as Marvin Gaye and the music of the time. In high school, I worked for a time with a band called the Dynatones. We learned all of the top 40 songs as soon as they came out. Whenever a new hit record was released, we would purchase the recording, go in the basement, put it on the turntable, and learn the song. Quite often the same day we would play the song for dances.”

Nat admired Stanley Clarke, Jaco Pastorius and all of the top electric bassists of the time, being interested in all of the styles. “As a bassist it is my function to concentrate on the foundation of the band and make everybody else sound good. To become a better bass player and learn more about the instrument, I started listening to jazz. In jazz there is much more freedom to create one’s own bass part and to develop my own bass sound. It is my job to always learn and not merely play the bass but be a bass player, projecting more than just my notes and always sounding fresh and alive.”

When he was 22 and living in Richmond, Virginia, Nat joined a band led by trumpeter Tom Mitchell and guitarist Randy Johnston. Johnny Coles, trumpeter for Ray Charles who frequently sat in with the band, convinced Nat to switch to acoustic bass. Without taking a lesson, Nat taught himself the new instrument and quickly developed his own individual voice.

In 1979, Nat Reeves moved to New York City. “I listened, played on the streets, listened some more, and learned. It was at the same time that Kenny Garrett, Mulgrew Miller, Tony Reedus and James Williams also came to New York. We were all friends and played together.” He first toured with Sonny Stitt in 1982 during what would be the great saxophonist’s last tour. That year he met Jackie McLean, who became his mentor.

Duke Robillard Quartet

December 26, 2025 By Craig OConnell

Duke Robillard Quartet

By The Side Door Jazz Club

Dec 26 from 8pm to 10:30pm EST

Join us for a special night of jazz with Guitarist Duke Robbilard and his Quartet!

Duke Robillard – Guitar

Doug James – Saxophone

TBD – Bass

TBD – Drums

Michael John “Duke” Robillard is a distinguished American blues guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, producer, and educator, renowned for his versatility across blues, jazz, swing, and R&B. Born on October 4, 1948, in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, he co-founded the influential band Roomful of Blues in 1967, which played a pivotal role in reviving jump blues and R&B.

Robillard’s career spans over five decades, during which he has released numerous solo albums, collaborated with iconic artists, and earned multiple accolades.

His Grammy nominations include Best Contemporary Blues Album for Guitar Groove-a-Rama (2007) and Best Traditional Blues Album for Stomp! The Blues Tonight (2010).

He has been honored with the W.C. Handy Award (now Blues Music Award) for Best Blues Guitarist in 2000, 2001, 2003, and 2004, and received the Keeping the Blues Alive Award for Producer of the Year in 2004.

Robillard’s collaborations are extensive and diverse. He has recorded and performed with legends such as Bob Dylan (appearing on Time Out of Mind), Tom Waits, Ruth Brown, Jay McShann, Pinetop Perkins, and Jimmy Witherspoon.

Additionally, he has worked with Maria Muldaur, John Hammond, and produced albums for artists like Joe Louis Walker, Billy Boy Arnold, and Otis Clay.

In 1990, Robillard replaced Jimmie Vaughan in The Fabulous Thunderbirds, further showcasing his adaptability and skill. He has also been a member of The Legendary Blues Band, which included former members of Muddy Waters’ bands, and has led his own group, The Duke Robillard Band, later known as The Pleasure Kings.

Beyond performing, Robillard is a respected producer and educator. He has produced albums for various artists and has been involved in music education, sharing his knowledge and passion for blues and jazz.

Robillard’s contributions to music have been recognized with multiple awards, including Grammy nominations and Blues Music Awards. His influence continues to resonate in the blues community, and he remains an active performer and recording artist.

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