The Township Jazz Festival was a HUGE success. Many thanks to hundreds of people who showed up to support local jazz!!!

Here is a brief video review of the First Annual Township Jazz Festival...

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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:

The Fusion Coffeehouse All-Stars
Featuring Raphael Semmes, eZra Brown, and Barry Leach

The Doctrine Trio
Featuring international jazz artist Alvin Fielder, London Branch, and Will Thompson

Lisa Palmer and the Knight Bruce Group

The Vamps
The metro area's favorite "soul jazz" ensemble

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!

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EVENT ARCHIVES:


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.


Sponsored by our friends at MorganWhite Group.
Need insurance for yourself or your business? These are the people to talk to!


Our December 23rd session featured:
Raphael
Barry Leach
eZra Brown

\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.

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Download the first half of the Dec. 23rd session:

Download MP3 (53 MB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Our December 15th session featured:
Raphael Semmes
Barry Leach
eZra Brown

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!

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Download the first half of the Dec. 15th session:

Download MP3 (48 MB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Our July 29 session featured:
A Tribute to the Music of Thelonius Monk

By:
Alvin Fielder
Will Thompson 
London Branch
with
Raphael Semmes

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.

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Download some samples of what you missed (recorded live on July 29):

Part 1 (48 MB, mp3 file)

Part 2 (13 MB, mp3 file)

 

 


Sponsored by our friends at MorganWhite Group.
Need insurance for yourself or your business? These are the people to talk to!

 


 

Our June 24 session featured:
Rufus Mapp Kevin Lewis Raphael Semmes

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.

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Download some samples of what you missed
(recorded live on June 24):

Part 1 (26 MB, mp3 file)

Part 2 (25 MB, mp3 file)

 

 

 


 

Our June 10 session featured:
London Branch Raphael Semmes Terry Miller

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.

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Download some samples of what you missed
(recorded live on June 10):

Part 1 (31 MB, mp3 file)

Part 2 (29 MB, mp3 file)

 

 

 


 

Our April session featured:
Rhonda Richmond Raphael Semmes • Chris Alford • Bruce Golden

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!

 

 

 


Our March session featured:
Raphael Semmes Jerry Puckett Charlie Wicker
(a.k.a. "Combeaux")

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!)...

 


 


Our February session featured:
Raphael Semmes Todd Bobo Sergio Fernandez

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.

 


 

 

 

 

Gold Sponsors
BancorpSouth
Insurance Risk & Managers
OffiSource

Silver Sponsors
Community Bank
Harper, Rains, Knight & Co.
Heritage Banking Group
Metropolitan Bank
Southern Farm Bureau
Life Insurance Company

Bronze Sponsors
BankFirst Financial Services
Bank of Forest
The Club
Café Maddi
Embassy Suites
Kosmos Hair Salon
M&F Bank
Regions Bank
Trustmark National Bank
Burns Cooley Dennis, Inc.
MS Tobacco-Free Coalition of Madison and Yazoo Counties

 

Artist Bio's:

Raphael Semmes

Larry Addison
Todd Bobo

London Branch
eZra Brown
Knight Bruce
Sergio Fernandez

Alvin Fielder
Colin Hogan
The Holly Brothers
Jimmy Jarratt
Scott Johnson
Barry Leach
Kevin Lewis
Rufus Mapp

Charlie Miller
Terry Miller
Lisa Palmer
Joanne Parks
Jerry Puckett

Rhonda Richmond
Tucker Rountree

Cynthia Speer
Dr. Russell Thomas, Jr.
Will Thompson
Russell Welch
Charlie Wicker

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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