Events In Town

Jump to events list.

The Charlottesville Jazz Society and WTJU Present
Skullcap in Concert at Belmont Arts Collaborative, June 20th at 7:30 pm.

The band Skullcap takes its name from an herb used in indigenous medicine that is used to ease depression or anxiety. Their debut album, Snakes of Albequerque on Cuneiform Records, combines jazz, rock, and free improv to form a memorably tuneful kind of road movie soundtrack. The music navigates wildly different terrain from Tennessee to Monterey to New Mexico. The group is a trio led by the husband and wife team of guitarist Anthony Pirog and cellist Janel Leppin, who have been making music together for over 20 years. Anthony is well known for his work with jazz/rock group The Mezzthetics, and Janel has released several duo and solo albums, as well as two recordings with her group Ensemble Volcanic Ash. They met drummer Mike Kuhl about 15 years ago in their home town of Baltimore.

At a time the band members view as an incredibly stressful moment for many Americans, Leppin says “We have something to fight for. We can’t abandon this place or the people living here for all its conflicts and challenges. This record is a way to step into our power as we meet this serious moment full on. We’ll need to access joy and courage moving forward and the music speaks to that.”

The way the band writes holds a major key to figuring out Skullcap. Mike Kuhl says “There are no lead sheets or scores. We write together, bringing in basic ideas – not much information is given. I bring in some sort of groove or vibe, and then I let Anthony and Janel do what they do. All of our material is composed together – there is 100% trust within this group.”

Tickets to see Skullcap at Belmont Arts Collaborative on Carlton Road are available online. The cost is $22 General Admission, $18 for paid supporters of The Charlottesville Jazz Society.

All seats at the door will be $25. For more information visit Cvillejazz.org or call 434-249-6191. Listen for Skullcap’s music on WTJU jazz programs.

The CJS is looking for volunteers to help with our live concerts, and to help plan for a future Charlottesville jazz festival.  Duties for concerts involve arriving 30-45 minutes prior to shows to greet folks and help sell tickets, and staying about 30 minutes after for cleanup, etc. Benefits include free admission and the chance to interact with some great musicians. Our jazz festival planning committee meets twice a month, usually on Friday afternoons. We need help with fundraising, artist lineup, and  other areas.  If interested, please email Gary at info@cvillejazz.org


Upcoming events: (can also be viewed at the CJS website)

Please check our Facebook page for updates and more events!

Note: Consider calling ahead before traveling as events can sometimes be canceled or postponed last-minute.

  • Saturday May 17: Cville Jazz Congregation, Southwest Mountains Vineyards, 1-4pm
  • Saturday May 17: The Michael Elswick Gathering, Michael/saxes, Bill Edmonds/guitar&vocals, Eric Franzen/keyboard&vocals, David Drubin/drums, Glass House Winery, 5-8pm
  • Saturday May 17: K Mac Trio, Kevin MacConnell/Bass, Toni Meceli/Vibraphone, Doug Hilinger/Percussion, Possum’s Store, 6:30-8:30pm [tickets]
  • Sunday May 18: Peter Richardson and Marty Metcalf, Vitae Spirits Downtown, 6pm
  • Saturday May 24: Robert Jospé Trio with Justin Nelson and Joseph Nichols, Glass House Winery, 5-8pm
  • Sunday May 25: Robert Jospé Trio with Justin Nelson and Jimmy Trussell, C’ville Arts Festival at IX Art Park, 1-2:30pm
  • Sunday May 25: vocalist Paulien, with Bill Edmonds/guitar, Joseph Nichols/bass, Gérard Brikkenaar van Dijk/keys, Merrie Mill Farm & Vineyard, 1-4pm
  • Sunday May 25: Sentimental Journey Big Band with Michael Elswick, Ducard Vineyards, 2-5pm
  • Sunday May 25: Charlottesville Jazz Society Local Jazz Spotlight: vocalist Tina Hashemi, Miller’s Downtown, 6-9pm, free
  • Thursday May 29: Robert Jospé Trio with Justin Nelson and Jimmy Trussell, Stinson Vineyards, 6-9pm
  • Saturday May 31: Liz Barnes/Barbara Martin Quartet, Liz Barnes/piano, Barbara Martin/vocals, Tom Harbeck/bass, Jim Howe/drums, Glass House Winery, 5-8pm
  • Saturday June 7: GootGenuG (“goot genook”) Pablo DeLaLoza/keys, Jeff Young/winds, Hartwell Gary/bass, Norbert Leitinger/guitar, Ethan Walker/drums, Crozet Mudhouse – opening night of an exhibit of artwork by Karen Collins, 6-8pm
  • Sunday June 8: Cville Jazz Congregation, Kardinal Hall, 6–8pm
  • Friday June 20: Skull Cap, featuring Janel Lepin/cello, Anthony Pirog/guitar and Mike Kuhl/drums, Belmont Arts Collaborative, 7:30 pm, details above
  • Saturday June 21: GootGenuG (“goot genook”) Pablo DeLaLoza/keys, Jeff Young/winds, Hartwell Gary/bass, Norbert Leitinger/guitar, Drex Weaver/drums, Knight’s Gambit Vineyard, 5-8pm
  • Sunday June 22: vocalist Paulien, with Bill Edmonds/guitar, Jeff Massanari/bass, Michael Elswick/sax, Merrie Mill Farm & Vineyard, 1-4pm
  • Thursday June 26: Cville Jazz Congregation, Stinson Vineyards, 6–9pm
  • Sunday June 29: vocalist Paulien, with Bill Edmonds/guitar, Jeff Massanari/bass, Kardinal Hall, 5-7pm
  • Sunday June 29: The Hard Modes, Greg Weaver/sax; Brandon Walsh/trumpet; Michael McNulty/guitar; Gabe Planas/keys; Andre La Velle/bass; Pat Hayes/drums, Miller’s Downtown, 6–9pm
  • Saturday July 5: GootGenuG (“goot genook”) David Sun/keys, Jeff Young/winds, Hartwell Gary/bass, Norbert Leitinger/guitar, Ethan Walker/drums, Crozet Mudhouse – opening night of an exhibit of artwork by Adam Reinhard, 6-8pm
  • Thursday July 10: Jazz in the Park Concert Series – Vosbein Magee Big Band, Gypsy Hill Park, Staunton, 7pm
  • Sunday July 13: The Hard Modes, Greg Weaver/sax; Brandon Walsh/trumpet; Michael McNulty/guitar; Gabe Planas/keys; Andre La Velle/bass; Pat Hayes/drums, Kardinal Hall, 6–8pm
  • Thursday July 17: Jazz in the Park Concert Series – Charles Owens Quartet, Gypsy Hill Park, Staunton, 7pm
  • Saturday July 19: The Charles Owens Trio & R4nd4zzo Big B4nd, DJ Harrison/drums, R4nd4zzo/bass, The Southern Café & Music Hall, 7:30pm
  • Thursday July 24: Jazz in the Park Concert Series – Johnny’s Blue Locomotive, Gypsy Hill Park, Staunton, 7pm
  • Thursday July 24: vocalist and songwriter Jen Chapin, accompanied by Grammy nominated bassist Stephan Crump and “impeccable melodist” (New York Times) Jamie Fox on electric guitar, Belmont Arts Collaborative, sponsored by Charlottesville Jazz Society and WTJU, 7:30pm
  • Sunday July 27: vocalist Paulien with Bill Edmonds/guitar, Joseph Nichols/bass and Trevor Williams/vibes, Merrie Mill Farm & Vineyard, 1-4pm
  • Thursday July 31: Jazz in the Park Concert Series – Jay Ware Quartet, Gypsy Hill Park, Staunton, 7pm
  • Friday August 1: GootGenuG (“goot genook”) Pablo DeLaLoza/keys, Jeff Young/winds, Hartwell Gary/bass, Norbert Leitinger/guitar, David Drubin/drums, Crozet Mudhouse – opening night of an exhibit of artwork by Vicktoryia, 6-8pm
  • Thursday August 7: Jazz in the Park Concert Series – Courtney Nero Quartet, Gypsy Hill Park, Staunton, 7pm
  • Thursday August 14: Jazz in the Park Concert Series – Rob Maletick Band, Gypsy Hill Park, Staunton, 7pm
  • Thursday August 21: Jazz in the Park Concert Series – Steve Kessler & Universal Mind, Gypsy Hill Park, Staunton, 7pm
  • Friday August 22: GootGenuG (“goot genook”) Pablo DeLaLoza/keys, Jeff Young/winds, Hartwell Gary/bass, Norbert Leitinger/guitar, David Drubin/drums, Stable Craft Brewing, 6:30-9:30pm
  • Thursday August 28: Jazz in the Park Concert Series – Quatro Na Bossa, Gypsy Hill Park, Staunton, 7pm
  • Thursday September 4: Jazz in the Park Concert Series – Kurt Crandall & True Story, Gypsy Hill Park, Staunton, 7pm
  • Friday September 5: GootGenuG (“goot genook”) Pablo DeLaLoza/keys, Jeff Young/winds, Hartwell Gary/bass, Norbert Leitinger/guitar, David Drubin/drums, Crozet Mudhouse – opening night of an exhibit of artwork by Esther King, 6-8pm
  • Saturday September 6: GootGenuG (“goot genook”) Pablo DeLaLoza/keys, Jeff Young/winds, Hartwell Gary/bass, Norbert Leitinger/guitar, Ethan Walker/drums, Batesville Market, $5 in advance, $10 at the door [tickets] 7-9:30pm
  • Friday October 3: GootGenuG (“goot genook”) Pablo DeLaLoza/keys, Jeff Young/winds, Hartwell Gary/bass, Norbert Leitinger/guitar, Dan Barrale/drums, Crozet Mudhouse – opening night of an exhibit of artwork by Susan Haberly, 6-8pm
  • Saturday November 29: GootGenuG (“goot genook”) Pablo DeLaLoza/keys, Jeff Young/winds, Hartwell Gary/bass, Norbert Leitinger/guitar, Ethan Walker/drums, Starr Hill Crozet, 6-9pm

The Charlottesville Jazz Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

The Charlottesville Jazz Society, Inc.
1004 Grove St| Charlottesville, VA 22903 | 434.249.6191
info@cvillejazz.org | www.cvillejazz.org