15th Annual
Blues & Jazz Festival
OCTOBER 3 - 4, 2019
Produced by Bobby Plair, Jr.
Celebrate the roots of modern music with infectious rhythms, soulful sounds, and high energy performances at the Arts Council of York County’s 15th Annual Blues & Jazz Festival.
RAIN OR SHINE
THURSDAY | OCTOBER 3
KICKOFF IN BAXTER VILLAGE | FREE
Springmaid Park | 980-990 Market Street | Fort Mill, SC | MAP IT
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KICKOFF IN CLOVER AT THE LARNE BUILDING | $10
103 North Main Street | Clover, SC | MAP IT
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FRIDAY | OCTOBER 4
OLD TOWN RESTAURANT CRAWL | $10 WRISTBAND
East Main & Caldwell Streets | Rock Hill, SC | MAP IT
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Thursday, October 3
BAXTER VILLAGE | FORT MILL, SC
SPRINGMAID PARK | 980 - 990 MARKET STREET
7 - 10 PM | FREE
Sponsored by
Fish Market • grapevine Wine Shop | Wine Bar
OTS Media: WRHI 100.1 • Interstate 107 • 104.1 - The Bridge
LETRON BRANTLEY
LeTron “LTrain” Brantley is a native of South Carolina who has been playing the saxophone since he was 12 years old. In his younger years, he was heavily influenced by jazz, gospel, and R&B music. Studying music in college allowed him to hone his craft as well as perform with various jazz, soul, and funk groups. LeTron has the performed with many great musicians such as jazz recording artist Bob Mintzer, saxophonist Lenny Picket of the Saturday Night Live band, and gospel recording artist Donnie McClurkin - to name a few. Currently LeTron serves as the musical director for a local jazz orchestra as well as band leader for the regional jazz and dance band Jazz Revolution. LeTron is an active music community supporter and clinician dedicated to the mission of embracing and encouraging musicians like himself to be persistent in their craft and always strive for excellence.
Thursday, October 3
Sponsored by
Town of Clover / Gallery 120
GROOVE MASTERS BAND
Keeping the Groove alive with funk, neo soul and smooth jazz!
"Closing in on 10 years as a contemporary jazz and gospel mainstay in their hometown of Charlotte, NC, Groove Masters, winner of the coveted “Best Jazz Band in the Carolinas” Award, lives up to their cool moniker on their 3rd album release, KEEPING THE GROOVE ALIVE with funk, neo soul and Smooth Jazz. Known for their lively performances, Groove Masters have toured with a wide variety of noteworthy artists, from Hip Hop legend, Doug E. Fresh to Gospel star Twinkie Clark. These super heroes of groove, are bringing audiences to their feet around the globe… be on the look out for Groove Masters at your favorite jazz fest!" ~JONATHAN WIDRAN & SANDY SHORE (SmoothJazz.com Global) | more info
Friday, October 4
RESTAURANT CRAWL | ROCK HILL, SC
OLD TOWN ROCK HILL | EAST MAIN STREET & CALDWELL STREET
7 - 11 PM | $10*
QUICK LINKS
The Flipside Restaurant | Gettys Art Center Courtroom | Jimmy John's
McHale's Irish Pub | Millstone Pizza + Taphouse | Player 1 Up | Thi's on Main
Google Map of the 15th Annual Blues & Jazz Festival
122 E. MAIN STREET | ROCK HILL, SC
Sponsored by Old Town Association
Based out of Rock Hill, SC, Weekends plays a little bit of everything - from Frank Sinatra to Frank Zappa. | more info
147 E. MAIN STREET | ROCK HILL, SC
Black & White Alley, behind Jimmy John's
Sponsored by City of Rock Hill PRT
In 2019, Mellogroove were recognized as a Historical Rock Hill Musical Group by the City of Rock Hill Community Relations Council. That distinct honor is the result of over fifteen years of captivating audiences in Rock Hill and throughout the Carolinas with their blend of classic Soul, R&B, Pop, and Hip-Hop. Four Winthrop University alumni - Brandon Stevens, Jerry Hardison II, Timothy Williams and Vincent Stevens - make up the group, along with Steve Suber. In addition to sharing the stage with R&B icons Calvin Richardson and Christopher Williams, Mellogroove have been headline performers at Rock Hill’s Juneteenth Celebration, the Come-See-Me Festival Parade, and Rock Hill’s first-ever Race Equality Week. | more info
140 E. MAIN ST. | ROCK HILL, SC
7 - 10 PM
Sponsored by Comporium Communications
121 CALDWELL STREET | SUITE 103 | ROCK HILL, SC
Sponsored by Williams & Fudge
The Derek McCoy Trio project brings together diverse tastes into one interesting new style of instrumental music. | more info
129 CALDWELL STREET | ROCK HILL, SC
7 - 10 PM
Sponsored by Founders Federal Credit Union
Born in Florence SC, Eric’s love for music started early on. In a fourth grade recital in Florence, South Carolina, he played the recorder and instantly connected to his ability to create music for others. He then became a student of the sax and viola. He eventually put all of his focus into the saxophone, and from there music became “his thing.” He practiced, played, listened, and learned. He earned seats in state level concert and jazz bands, but desired to become even better. He played on the Swing Shift jazz band at the University of SC and joined in with several other small local bands. He also had the chance to play the National Anthem at the Time Warner Cable Arena for the (then) Charlotte Bobcats. Since then, he’s been playing lots of weddings, private events, and as a member of the Garvin Dean Project of Charlotte, NC. Eric is playing more and more these days, so keep an eye…or ear out for him. | more info
Gettys Art Center Courtroom | Plair
with opening act | Judith Porter Jazz
201 E. MAIN STREET | ROCK HILL, SC
2nd Floor
Sponsored by The Pump House Restaurant
PLAIR | Ain't no party like a Plair band party! Led by B.S. Plair, a former public school music instructor who spent more than 30 years in teaching and performing, Plair is a family affair. Bobby Jr. began performing with his dad at the age of 10 playing trumpet, and son Victor joined the group at about age 9 playing trombone. Vocalist Wade Witherspoon completes the group. Plair has performed all over the southeast playing clubs and colleges, opening for such artists as Lionel Richie/Commodores, Mother's Finest, Kool and the Gang, and The Ellington Orchestra. | more info
JUDITH PORTER JAZZ | Judith Porter started exploring jazz as performer a few years ago when one of the students in her Intro to Jazz class suggested she learn to play it since she enjoys the music so much. While Porter admires the likes of Hampton Hawes, Renee Rosnes and Wynton Kelly, it's the pianist/vocalists like Andy Bey and the late Shirley Horn and Nat Cole that she idolizes.
And so the journey has begun. Let's see where it goes! | more info
Thi's Place on Main | Midnight Blue
210 E. MAIN STREET | ROCK HILL, SC
Midnight Blue is a jazz, blues, and everything else band! | more info
FEATURING
PJ Brunson
Mitchell Kearney
Jessie Lynn
Alfred Ward
Special Thanks to Our Sponsors
SILVER
City of Rock Hill • Comporium/CN2 • Founders Federal Credit Union
Old Town Association • The Pump House • Williams & Fudge
CONTRIBUTOR
Rock Hill Coca-Cola Bottling Company • York County Natural Gas • York Technical College
BAXTER VILLAGE KICKOFF
Fish Market • grapevine Wine Shop | Wine Bar
CLOVER KICKOFF
Gallery 120 • Town of Clover
