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Next Jazz Session: This Wednesday (May 20) Featuring: Quite often, the most surprising (and inspiring) moments in jazz come from improvisation, and in that spirit, we present to you a "spur of the moment" jazz session THIS Wednesday at Fusion Coffeehouse featuring pianist/organist WILL THOMPSON and drummer/percussionist BRUCE GOLDEN and of course, bassist/host RAPHAEL SEMMES. This jazzy happy hour is from 4 til 6 PM and is the perfect "wind down the week-after school/after work" scenario to chill with your favorite beverage and some remarkable live jazz.WILL's work as a keyboardist and composer is well documented on National Public Radio as well as live with his group "DOT.ORG" and others. BRUCE began his journey into the "avant-garde" with the 80's experimental jazz group "RAMESES LUKAS" right on through his work with "ZERO POP" and GEORGE CARTWRIGHT and "CURLEW" not to mention his regular performances with the MISSISSIPPI SYMPHONY. Both perform with the aforementioned "DOT.ORG" as well as with RHONDA RICHMOND. RAPHAEL is featured in the May music issue of PORTICO magazine (along with CASSANDRA WILSON and FRED KNOBLOCH) and can be seen in jazz venues around the Metro including the upcoming "RENAISSANCE FINE ARTS FESTIVAL". This is the first session on the heels of our recent (and very successful) "TOWNSHIP JAZZ FESTIVAL" and it promises to be a creative and informative 2 hours on "the JAZZ SPOT".Don't miss it...and please bring a friend! Sign up for Fusion event updates by sending us your address...
The 2nd Annual Township Jazz Festival was another big success! Many thanks to all of you that braved the rain and enjoyed an afternoon of live jazz. And special thanks to Kerioth Corp. for providing the roof over our heads so nobody got wet. Here are some recordings from the festival:
EVENT ARCHIVES:
We were excited to welcome San Diego guitarist and vocalist Jocelyn Celaya on her national tour. There was a good crowd on hand to hear her uniqe blend of "radical classical" styles (she brought four different guitars and wowed the crowd with some of her amazing playing styles). Many thanks to Jocelyn for finding us on the web and stopping by our shop on her big tour (it was by far the smallest venue she will play this spring).
We finished out our holiday series in style with the soulful Lisa Palmer. We even got a bonus when Rufus Mapp showed up to play percussion!
It was a packed house for most of the session, as Swing de Paris brought their unique gypsy jazz flavor to some classics and some Christmas tunes. They are quickly becoming a Fusion Coffeehouse favorite!
Jessie and Nate joined Raphael on the Jazz Spot for some smooth, soulful renditions of holiday classics.
The Fusion Coffeehouse All-Stars kicked off our 2008 Holiday Jazz Series in style. A great crowd was on hand to enjoy these three favorites as they mixed solo performances with tremendous ensemble numbers. You can't go wrong with Raphael, EB, and Barry!
Our fall 2008 series ushered in the cool days of autumn with cool jazz performances by Raphael Semmes, Jerry Puckett, Todd Bobo, Knight Bruce, and crowd favorite Swing de Paris.
The Fusion Coffeehouse All-Stars The Doctrine Trio Lisa Palmer and the Knight Bruce Group The Vamps The Jazz Festival is the brainchild of Raphael Semmes (a mainstay in the metro music scene for decades) and Tripp Douglas (owner of Fusion Coffeehouse). After three years of hosting top-notch live jazz sessions inside Fusion Coffeehouse, the crowds were easily overwhelming the small venue. So the logical next step was to take it "outside the box." It took more than two years to get the event off the ground, but the big break came when Kerioth Corp. (developer of The Township at Colony Park) threw their weight behind it. And the event couldn't have happened without the support of more than a dozen sponsors (see sponsor list on the right). Everyone involved was delighted with the response from the community. Said Lisa Palmer, who performed at the event, "I was pleasantly surprised to see such a great turnout for a first year event. It's going to be great to see it grow!" We are already planning next year's event, which will be bigger and better. And, of course, we are going to continue hosting smaller jazz sessions inside the cozy confines of Fusion Coffeehouse. Make sure to sign up for our email list so you'll be "in the know." Also, please let us know if you are interested in sponsoring one of these great events. See you soon! Sign up for Fusion event updates by sending us your address...
Our December 27th session featured: Raphael Semmes Scott Johnson Sergio Fernandez Our "Holiday Hangover" session was a big hit. Raphael, Scott, and Sergio put together one of the best sets of the year. And to make things even better, Rufus Mapp stopped by and sat in on percussion. What a great way to end 2007! Unfortunately there will be no podcast available for this session.
Our
December 23rd session featured: \A special encore performance of our Fusion "Wall of Famers." We just couldn't resist having three of our favorites back for more holiday-themed jazz.
Our
December 15th session featured: The Fusion "Wall of Famers" put on a great show (as always)! The mid-day Saturday crowd braved some pretty nasty weather to get here, but their dedication was rewarded with fresh panini sandwiches and some incredible live jazz!
By:
Wow! These guys brought their A-game for sure! This particular session was highly anticipated, both because of the impressive talent and experience of the ensemble as well as the richness of the subject matter. A true "standing-room only" crowd was on hand to take in some of the highest quality jazz you'll hear anywhere. From Alvin's amazing drum solos to Will's versatile piano to London's bass (and soaring trumpet), this session is what it's all about. If you missed it, you can check out some of the audio clips below (but I doubt the recording will do proper justice to the way these guys sounded live). And make sure you don't miss another session like this! Sign up for jazz updates by sending us your address.
 Sponsored by our friends at MorganWhite Group. Need insurance for yourself or your business? These are the people to talk to!
We had a great turnout on June 24 – and rightfully so! Raphael was joined by two of the area's busiest musicians. Rufus laid down the beat on percussion while Kevin Lewis grooved with his alto sax, and of course Raphael pulled it all together with his upright bass, electric bass, and even some keyboards! Check out the recordings below for a taste of what you missed, and make sure to be here next time! This session was sponsored by our friends at MorganWhite Group.
A somewhat lighter crowd was on hand for Dr. Branch and Terry Miller. But the people who were in attendance will tell you: it was worth the effort to get out on such a hot day! Most agreed that the highlight of the performance was the number where Dr. Branch sung – many people don't realize he's got a voice as smooth as Terry Miller's trumpet. And the two of them together was sublime! This session was sponsored by our friends at MorganWhite Group.
The lovely and talented Rhonda Richmond performed standards as well as some original music from her next album due out in June. She was accompanied by Chris Alford on the guitar, Bruce Golden on percussion, and of course Raphael on bass. Rhonda is a great jewel in the crown of metro area jazz, and it's always a pleasure to have her at Fusion. We hope she will return for a special even when her album is released!
Despite missing some of our "regulars" due to Spring Break vacations, we had another packed house on March 11 (including lots of new faces – the word is spreading!). Raphael, Jerry, and Charile did not disappoint the expectant crowd. From Charlie's classic "dixie-land" jazz to Jerry's beautiful rendition of "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square," we were treated to an intriguing and truly diverse performance. Listen for yourself (and make sure to be at the next performance!)...
On February 11, Fusion hosted its first live jazz session of 2007 with a special tribute to traditional New Orleans-style jazz (in honor of Mardis Gras, of course). Though Rufus Mapp couldn't make it, Raphael, Todd, and Sergio picked up the slack (and then some!). The packed house thoroughly enjoyed a great Sunday afternoon of live jazz and coffee.
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Our
April 8 special session featured: 
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December 20 session featured: 
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December 13 session featured: 
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December 6 session featured: 
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November 28th session featured: 
The first annual Township Jazz Festival was held Saturday,
May 31, 2008, on the grounds of the Township at Colony Park (the mixed
use development where Fusion Coffeehouse is located). Hundreds of people
braved the hot sun to support a stellar lineup of local jazz greats.
Here is the lineup that played: 
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July 29 session featured:
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June 24 session featured:
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June 10 session featured:
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April session featured:
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March session featured:
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February session featured: 