Events

VAJAZZ Sunday: Family Day

Join the Richmond Jazz Society at the Valentine to celebrate the artists featured in the “Virginia Jazz: The Early Years” exhibition!
 
The special guest will be distinguished performer and storyteller Ms. Cecelia Calloway. Ms. Calloway is the daughter of famed bandleader Cab Calloway. Music will be provided by the Richmond Jazz Society. Admission is free, but reservations are required! Call 804-643-1972 or email info@vajazz.org!

 

VAJAZZ Sunday: Douglas J. Richards

Douglas J. Richards, professor of music and founder of the Jazz Department at Virginia Commonwealth University, will discuss author and Jazz critic Martin Williams. Music will be provided by the Richmond Jazz Ensemble. Admission is free, but reservations are required. Call 804-643-1972.

VAJAZZ Sunday: Dr. John Edward Hasse

Dr. John Edward Hasse, curator of the Ella Fitzgerald at 100 exhibition at the Smithsonian Institution, will give a presentation on Ella and hold a book signing. Music will be provided by the Richmond Jazz Ensemble. Admission is free, but reservations are required. Call 804-643-1972.

VAJAZZ Sunday: Mercedes Ellington

Richmond Jazz Society is proud to present Ms. Mercedes Ellington, granddaughter of legendary Duke Ellington for a talk about artists in the exhibition “VIRGINIA JAZZ: The Early Years”. Ms. Ellington is a ground-breaking dancer, choreographer and advocate for Jazz. She will also sign copies of her new book, Duke Ellington: An American Composer and Icon. The event is free but reservations are requested via info@vajazz.org or 804.643.1972.

VIRGINIA JAZZ: The Early Years Opening

Johnson’s Happy Pals, Courtesy of RJS Archives

Richmond Jazz Society and The Valentine present VIRGINIA JAZZ: The Early Years. 35 Virginia-based artists who made national and international contributions to the development of jazz from the early 1900s to the mid-1960s are featured in this multimedia exhibition.

Free opening day celebration activities include refreshments and live jazz from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Dominion Energy is the opening day sponsor. Other sponsors include the Cabell Foundation, Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, Virginia Commission for the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, Cultureworks Grant Program and the Valentine.