11.02.2023

Special EFX Allstars featuring Chieli Minucci, Karen Briggs, Lao Tizer, Dave Livolsi & Joel Rosenblatt with Guest Maria Howell

Guitarist, composer, producer, and arranger, Chieli Minucci is longtime leader of the Grammy-nominated jazz-fusion group SPECIAL EFX featuring Chieli Minucci, a major force on the jazz and world music scene for 40 years. This incredible combo band returns to Middle C for two shows on Thursday, November 2 at 7pm and 9:15pm!

Featured Artist of the Week: Noel and Maria

NOEL FREIDLINE
Pianist, vocalist, writer, arranger and educator, doesn’t come close to all things Noel Freidline! As a Magna Cum Laude graduate of the University of North Florida, with a BA in Music, Noel has been the bandleader of The Noel Freidline Quintet for over 26 years. He has numerous recordings to his credit, and has performed at jazz festivals from the Jacksonville Jazz Festival (FL)…to the Montreux Jazz Festival (Switzerland)…not to mention, a 3-year stint at the world famous Bellagio in Las Vegas, as the house band, leading his NFQ, where he performed for actress Julia Robert’s surprise 35th birthday party.

Noel was named Best Jazz Musician by Charlotte Magazine in 2006 and in 2009 and was named “Best Musical Director”, by the Metrolina Theatre Association of the Carolinas. In 2011 Freidline was chosen for the Blumenthal Performing Arts Association – Center Stage Award (Charlotte, NC), in recognition of his excellence in service to the arts. And in May, 2015, Noel Freidline was inducted into the Jacksonville Jazz Hall of Fame.

MARIA HOWELL
For over 35 years, this petite NC native, who splits her time between both the east coast and the west coast, has developed her career as a singer, actor, and voiceover artist. Her debut acting role was the choir soloist in the Oscar Nominated film, “The Color Purple”. She has gone on to appear in hit TV shows as Lifetime’s “Army Wives”, NBC’s “Revolution”, and CBS’s “Criminal Minds”. Feature films…“The Blind Side”, “Hidden Figures”, and “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire”. As a song stylist, Maria has shared the musical stage with legendary artists as, Nancy Wilson, George Benson, Ray Charles, Earl Klugh, brothers Ronnie and Hubert Laws, and veteran actor/singer, Keith David.

11.03-04.2023

A Jazz Celebration of Stevie Wonder featuring Special Guest Adam McKnight presented by Noel Freidline & Maria Howell

Join us this fall on Friday, November 3 at 7pm and 9:15pm and Saturday, November 4 at 6pm and 8:45pm for our four year anniversary with music, giveaways, and more!

Our fabulous entertainment this weekend includes pianist Noel Freidine and vocalist Maria Howell performing a jazz celebration of their most popular Middle C shows featuring the music of Stevie Wonder! This year, they will be joined by a special guest vocalist, Adam McKnight!

11.05.2023

Brubeck Brothers Quartet

Chris and Dan Brubeck have been making music together practically all their lives with their father, jazz giant Dave Brubeck, and with their own Brubeck Brothers Quartet. They perform at concert series, colleges, and jazz festivals across North America and Europe including the Newport, Detroit, Montreal, Playboy/Hollywood Bowl, and Monterey Jazz Festivals. The Quartet’s last cd, LifeTimes was a hit on the Jazz Week radio chart where it made the Top Ten list as one of the most played jazz recordings of the year. They return on Sunday, November 5 at 6pm!

11.07.2023

Laura Reed/Krista Wilson Middle C Jazz Fundraiser

We hope you are able to join us for an Evening of Music at Middle C Jazz to benefit Dancing with the Stars of Charlotte ~ Dancing for a Cause!

For the last seven years, Dancing with the Stars of Charlotte ~ Dancing for a Cause has been steadfast in supporting individuals and their families who have been affected by breast cancer in our community. This year, we are excited to expand our mission to include a focus on the mental health of teenagers through the Katie Blessing Foundation.

Attire is smart casual. A pink festive flare is encouraged.

11.08.2023

Gulf Coast Records’ Blues Music Award Winner Albert Castiglia

Miami-raised Albert Castiglia has embarked on a solo career that’s yielded many critically-acclaimed albums and consist kudos for his exceptional instrumental prowess, his searing vocals, and live performances that have dazzled audiences from coast to coast. After the highly successful and critically acclaimed release of Masterpiece on Gulf Coast Records, Castiglia was nominated for two Blues Music Awards in the categories of Blues Rock Album of the Year and Blues Rock Artist of the Year. He makes his Middle C debut on Wednesday, November 8 at 7pm!

11.09.2023

Rodney Shelton & Eric Brice present Brandon Steven’s Favorites: Michael Jackson, KEM, Maxwell, and More

Join us on Thursday, November 9 at 7pm for Jazz Jam! This week’s show will feature Rodney Shelton and Eric Brice presenting Brandon Stevens and will be a celebration of the music of Michael Jackson, KEM, Maxwell and More!

11.10.2023

AN EVENING WITH GUITARIST JONATHAN BUTLER

Both shows with Jonathan Butler on Friday, November 10 at 7pm and 9:15pm have SOLD OUT!

11.11.2023

A night with Brian Simpson

Join us at Middle C Jazz for a night with keyboardist, composer, and studio musician Brian Simpson! n 1990 Simpson received a call from George Duke that led to a decade of touring and production work with the late jazz legend. It was his tenure with George that led to working with a variety of artists, from James Ingram and Anita Baker to Dave Koz and Wayman Tisdale. The popularity of his music worldwide has kept Mr. Simpson on a seemingly endless world tour which in 2019 included Japan, Australia, Korea, Indonesia, Philippines, Spain, United Kingdom, Portugal, and South Africa. He returns on Saturday, November 11 at 6:15pm and 8:45pm!

11.12.2023

The Jazz Legacy Project Presents- Dave Brubeck: Time Out featuring Pianist Noel Freidline

Dave Brubeck, designated a “Living Legend” by the Library of Congress, was one of the most active and popular musicians in both the jazz and classical worlds. With a career that spanned over six decades, his experiments in odd time signatures, improvised counterpoint, polyrhythm and polytonality remain hallmarks of innovation. Join Noel Freidline and the Jazz Legacy Project for “Dave Brubeck: Time Out” on Sunday, November 12 at 6pm!