Jazz on the Vine - 2025

Jazz on the Vine, a three-day live music event centered around the appreciation for jazz.

Welcome to Jazz on the Vine, a three-day live music event centered around the appreciation for jazz. The intimate inside event space offers the unique chance to experience up-close and dynamic performances by world-renowned jazz musicians: Eric Darius, Peter White, Jonathan Butler, Rick Braun, Jason Grant, Ragan Whiteside, Jackiem Joyner + Nicholas Cole, Lin Roundtree, Lindsey Webster, and Marquel Jordan. Following the last performance each evening, there will be live music in the Concourse Restaurant. The core audience of our loyal jazz patrons and adventurous travelers creates a relaxed ambiance, where sitting back in your chair or letting your hair down to dance in the back are equally encouraged.

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Performance Lineup

Thursday, May 8, 2025

3:15 PM Wine Tasting Begins

4:45 PM Doors Open

5:15 PM Marquel Jordan

7:15 PM Lindsey Webster

9:15 PM Jonathan Butler

Friday, May 9, 2025

3:15 PM Wine Tasting Begins

4:45 PM Doors Open

5:15 PM Lin Roundtree

7:15 PM Jackiem Joyner + Nicholas Cole

9:15 PM Peter White

Saturday, May 10, 2025

12:15 PM Wine Tasting Begins

1:45 PM Doors Open

2:15 PM Ragan Whiteside

4:00 PM Jason Grant

6:00 PM Rick Braun

8:15 PM Eric Darius

Jonathan Butler

Jonathan Butler

In a time when artists of optimism are at a premium, Butler is a shining example of purposeful excellence. From recording local hits as a teenager growing up during the apartheid of South Africa, Butler went on to become a world-renowned singer, guitarist and songwriter delivering soulful salvos of R&B, gospel, jazz and pop. Touring professionally by age 7, Butler’s first single, “Please Stay,” was the first by a Black artist played on white radio in segregated South Africa and won a Sarie Award (the country’s equivalent to a Grammy). Committed to conveying stirring messages of freedom and unity through his music, Jonathan became a national icon. His music even provided solace to Nelson Mandela, who later met Butler and told him that listening to his music had helped him endure time in prison.

On his upcoming album Butler swings full circle back to his homeland, marinating in all the richness of its musical culture yet with a message for the brotherhood and sisterhood of humanity around the globe.

Butler defines Ubuntu as, “A philosophy based in South Africa and spread by Archbishop Desmond Tutu which states, ‘I am me because of you. You are you because of me. We are not separate. We are connected.’”

Ubuntu is comprised of both emotionally moving instrumentals such as the title track (a harmonic convergence of ostinatos) and the tenderly gorgeous “Peace in Shelter” co-composed with Yellowjackets keyboardist Russell Ferrante (one of three featuring Butler’s wife Nadira Kimberly Scruggs on violin) and vocals that include the message songs “Rainbow Nation” (about the ongoing battle of Equalizers vs. Dividers), “Our Voices Matter” (‘If we look within, we won’t go without’) and “When Love Comes In” featuring blues singer Keb’Mo’. The instant attention grabber is a cover of Stevie Wonder’s classic “Superwoman” with Wonder on harmonica.

Jonathan Butler sees himself as a messenger more than ever before despite a past that has found him balancing pop hits like “Lies” and “Sarah Sarah” with gospel gems and jazz mood music. During America’s soul-numbing days of the COVID pandemic, Black Lives Matter, a too close for comfort presidential race and an economy on the ropes, a shut-in Butler was restless. “The death of George Floyd polarized or awakened musicians I know,” he states. “Some spoke out, others did not, claiming, ‘I’m an artist not a politician!’ My song ‘Our Voices Matter’ came out of that. You’re either silent and complicit or you speak out.”

Through Ubuntu his messages of love, peace and unity ring strong and true because they emanate from the heart of a man who has witnessed and experienced the most glowing of good triumphs over the darkest of evils. Like the philosophy of Ubuntu he shares on his latest album, and the great men Tutu, Mandela and Wonder before him, Butler has a vision to do even more to attain peace and collaboration among all people to change the world.

Peter White

Although he has never had a guitar lesson in his life, Peter White has become known as one of the jazz industry’s greatest icons. For over forty
years, he has worked with many music greats, recorded eighteen solo and collaboration albums, performed before countless audiences, and most
recently, created a special collection of songs for STARLUX Airlines.

Mindi Abair

“She’ll Move You” – Keb’ Mo’. “Forget You, Who’s Your Sax Player? – Steven Tyler on American Idol

“21st Century Sophistication, A Gritty, Raucous Spirit, And Exceptional Creative Imagination” – Allmusic.Com

One of the most recognized and sought-after saxophonists, two-time GRAMMY nominee Mindi Abair has been electrifying audiences with her dynamic live performances and sax prowess since her debut album in 1999. No one since Junior Walker has brought saxophone and vocals in one package to the forefront of modern music. In 2014, Mindi received her first GRAMMY nomination in the Best Pop Instrumental Album category, followed by a 2015 GRAMMY nomination for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album for her solo LP Wild Heart featuring the late Gregg Allman, Joe Perry, Trombone Shorty, Booker T. Jones, Keb’ Mo’, and Max Weinberg. You might know her as the featured saxophonist on American Idol, sitting in with Paul Shaffer on The Late Show with David Letterman and The Roots on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, or as the first solo saxophonist touring with Aerosmith since 1973. She has garnered twelve #1 radio hits in the jazz and blues world, two #1 spots on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Album Chart and two #3 spots on the Billboard Blues Album Chart. In 2018, Mindi Abair and The Boneshakers won 8 Independent Blues Awards including Artist of the Year and Best Blues Song fan award for the Independent Music Awards for “Pretty Good For A Girl” featuring Joe Bonamassa. In 2019, Mindi was nominated by the Blues Music Awards as the Best Instrumentalist: Horn and won the LA Critics Award for Best Holiday Album for All I Got For Christmas Is The Blues.

As creator, designer and owner, Mindi successfully launched Reserve Tastings Wine Company in 2019 as a lifestyle concept that brings together the worlds of wine + music through members-only exclusive wines paired with personally curated music playlists, label art and branded wine + music festivals. www.reservetastings.com

Mindi wrote the book “How To Play Madison Square Garden – A Guide To Stage Performance,” created the website http://www.prettygoodforagirl.net to celebrate women, and has served almost 10 years as an LA Chapter Governor, President and National Trustee for The Recording Academy. Mindi has toured and/or recorded with: Aerosmith, Joe Bonamassa, Smokey Robinson, Joe Perry, Trombone Shorty, Booker T. Jones, Gregg Allman, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Fantastic Negrito, Waddy Wachtel, Bobby Rush, Keb’ Mo’, Teena Marie, Lee Ritenour, Adam Sandler, Duran Duran, Bill Champlin, Richard Elliott, Jimmy Webb, Max Weinberg, Dave Koz, Peter White, Gerald Albright, Mandy Moore, Lalah Hathaway and the Backstreet Boys.

Eric Darius

The Billboard chart topping, American saxophonist, songwriter, producer, and performer shines in a vibrant new light as he reinvents himself through ‘Unleashed’, an expansive and ambitious genre-spanning album brimming with passion and purpose, soul and sweat, charisma and charm.

Eric Darius

With a trademark jump and crowd-captivating energy throughout his live show, Eric Darius is breaking the mold of modern jazz.

“It's called Unleashed because I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone on this project and truly unleash my full musical potential in a live studio setting,” Eric shares. “This album is an honest reflection of myself and my growth both musically and personally over the past several years, and it really takes the listeners on a musical journey from start to finish! This album feels like it’s the first time I’ve truly expressed myself in every single way in a musical sense and I’m unleashed like never before.

Unleashed is a long time coming for Eric Darius, and without a doubt his proudest work to date. He credits part of that achievement to the creative freedom he’s gained as an independent artist; Unleashed is Eric’s second album released through his own label SagiDarius Music, following 2018’s Breakin’ Thru.

Raised in a musical household in Tampa, Florida, Eric has been making music for as long as he can remember. His Haitian father (a bass player) and Jamaican mother (a singer and piano player) instilled Caribbean influences and a passion for music on Eric and his siblings.

Eric’s energetic saxophone tones can be heard loud, cool, and clear throughout Unleashed, alongside a smorgasbord of traditional and unconventional jazz instruments and collaborations from Eric Roberson, Paul Jackson, Jr., Justin Lee Schultz, Mononeon, Metropole Orkest and many more.

Produced by GRAMMY® Award winning musician Philip Lassiter (Prince, Kirk Franklin, Ariana Grande) and recorded live in studio, Unleashed transcends the world of contemporary jazz. Inspired by everyone from John Coltrane and Miles Davis to Earth, Wind & Fire, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, and Bob Marley, Eric embraces elements of R&B, hip-hop, gospel, trap, funk, neo-soul, and more in his art. All of these styles coalesce on an organic and deeply expressive record full of searing grooves and soaring sounds.

“The beautiful thing about all these artists is their music is 100% timeless,” Eric reflects. “It’s just as fresh today as it was 20, 40 years ago. That’s what I’ve always strived to do, too. My goal is to continue to evolve musically: I’m an old soul in a lot of ways, living in today’s generation, so I see both sides and I try to bring both of those sides together musically and bridge the gap.”

Wherever you look on this album, Eric Darius is there breaking the mold. Unleashed is authentic, fresh, and energetic, and Eric invites the world to join in his unbridled, unfiltered musical celebration.

With eight highly acclaimed albums to his name, Eric continues to be a singular force in his world. To date, he has racked up five No. 1 Hit Singles and 17 Top 10 Radio Hits on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Chart. He was Smooth Jazz News Magazine’s Debut Artist of the Year in 2004 and SESAC’s Top 10 Jazz Artist of the Year in 2015, and in 2017 he received the 1st Annual Citril Starz Awards’ Best Jazz, Saxophonist, Composer, Producer & Musician of the Year Award. Recently, Eric was awarded the Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival Artist of the Year for 2022, which he received this past October while headlining the festival.

Eric has made TV appearances on Fox’s The X-Factor and TNT’s Mob City, and has shared the stage with such acclaimed and Grammy Award winning artists as Prince, Mary J. Blige, David Foster, Carlos Santana, Jamie Foxx, Babyface, George Benson, Marcus Miller, Wyclef Jean, Lalah Hathaway, and many others. He founded his label, SagiDarius Music, in 2017.

When he’s not wowing crowds with his music or in the studio recording new tracks, Eric works to make a positive difference in communities with "On A Mission in the Schools," a national campaign he created to partner with schools and colleges nationwide.

“I started my ‘On A Mission in the Schools’ campaign a few years ago to spread the importance of music education, expose students to jazz, and inspire them to follow their dreams musically. One of my life missions with my music is to make a difference in the younger generation,” he explains. “I always want to bridge the gap musically from one generation to the next, and I want to expose the younger generation to jazz by making music that’s accessible to all generations, all age demographics, and all walks of life.”

“At the end of the day I just want to uplift people with my music, and I want people to feel where I come from – feel my heart and soul from my music. My story is hard work, passion, perseverance, persistence, patience, prayer.”

Lindsey Webster

Lindsey Webster is an American jazz, R&B, and pop singer. Her first single, "Fool Me Once", reached number one on the Smooth Jazz chart at Billboard magazine (2016), making her the first vocalist since Sade's 2010 "Soldier of Love" to have a #1 vocally-driven song in the primarily instrumental format. Since then Webster has scored six Top 5 hits

Jackiem Joyner

Contemporary saxophonist, author, and music producer Jackiem Joyner has set the bar high in his nearly two-decade-long career as a performer. With a number one jazz album, numerous Billboard chart-topping hits, and a series of critically acclaimed books to his name, Joyner has proven himself a rare artist capable of transcending his instrument and captivating mainstream audiences.

Classic Noir

Classic Noir is a live show experience that will transform any venue into a gala of glitz and glamour, reminiscent of the golden days of Hollywood while maintaining a modern edge.

Marqueal Jordan

A Los Angeles native who spent his teen years in Kansas City, KS, Marqueal has been based in the music-rich city of Chicago since 1995. Moving to the Windy City after earning a Business Administration degree at the University of Kansas, Marqueal began paying dues by playing gigs
in every musical style imaginable. In those early years, he earned his reputation as a seasoned and magnetic performer.

Marqueal Jordan

A Los Angeles native who spent his teen years in Kansas City, KS, Marqueal has been based in the music-rich city of Chicago since 1995. Moving to the Windy City after earning a Business Administration degree at the University of Kansas, Marqueal began paying dues by playing gigs
in every musical style imaginable. In those early years, he earned his reputation as a seasoned and magnetic performer. Marqueal was the front man for the critically acclaimed local original band, Fat Time, and a member of the spin-off band, Starcandy. By the early 2000’s, he was
highly in demand to perform with the top musicians and bands in the city.

In 2008, Marqueal met Smooth Jazz star Brian Culbertson. Impressed by his playing and singing, Brian offered Marqueal a spot in his touring band. Over the next 10 years, Marqueal traveled the world with Brian, appeared in two DVDs, and was featured on four albums. The exposure gave him the confidence and desire to become a solo artist.
Marqueal’s solo debut album, Catalyst, was released in October 2013. It helped to establish him as an emerging artist in Smooth & Contemporary Jazz. After leaving Brian Culbertson’s band in the summer of 2018 to focus on his solo career, he recorded his second project, Intention &
Purpose. Released in February 2019, the album is a musical journey through Contemporary Jazz, Soul/R&B and Hip Hop, and it showcases his growing skills as a songwriter, arranger and producer. The album yielded two Top 20 hits on the Billboard Smooth Jazz Singles Chart, “If You
Only Knew” and “The Edge”. Currently, Marqueal is putting the finishing touches on his third solo album, All We Have Are Moments. After several delays, the album will be released in early 2022. The album’s lead single, “Last Call”, was released in March 2021 and was well received
by SiriusXM Watercolors and Smooth Jazz Radio. To support the album, Marqueal will be rejoining Brian Culbertson on tour as a featured Special Guest in 2022, as well as touring on his own.
In addition to leading and touring with his own band, Marqueal occasionally tours with The Legendary Isley Brothers and the prodigious Guitarist/Vocalist Isaiah Sharkey. He has also shared the stage with some of the greats in music, performing with legends such as: Gerald
Albright, Patti Austin, Peabo Bryson, Jonathan Butler, Will Downing, George Duke, Candy Dulfer, Floetry, Aretha Franklin, Larry Graham, Buddy Guy, Lalah Hathaway, Al Jarreau, Joe, KRS-One, Kenny Lattimore, Maysa, Frank McComb, Marcus Miller, Najee, Mike Phillips, Eric
Roberson, David Sanborn, Jill Scott, Sy Smith, and Kirk Whalum. In Chicago, he still performs locally with Brother John Kattke and Midnight Sun Band. Marqueal also collaborates with Chicago-based artist/producer DJ I.N.C., and has been featured on numerous projects of I.N.C.’s since 2000.

Marqueal was proud to be recognized by the Chicago Defender as a Man Of Excellence in 2014. Father, mentor and friend to many, Marqueal Jordan is a humble man who is focused on achieving greatness through his music and his deeds.

Marion Meadows

Meadows’ first RCA release “For Lovers Only” was a huge success and was followed by his groundbreaking “Keep it Right There” album. He became a staple of the contemporary jazz format with his subsequent recordings.

Marion Meadows

Marion was born in West Virginia and grew up in Stamford, Connecticut. He began playing the clarinet and studying classical music at the age of nine. He started playing tenor sax in high school, and then migrated to soprano sax. His passion for various types of music led him down an eclectic musical path. He was intrigued by the styles of jazz musicians, like Stanley Turrentine, Sidney Bichet, Johnny Hodges, John Coltrane, Sonny Stitt, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Dexter Gordon, Cannonball Adderley, Coleman Hawkins, Sonny Fortune, Joe Henderson, Grover Washington and many others. After studying jazz at Rippowam High School in Stamford, CT with Anthony Truglia, Meadows attended Berklee College of Music. There he majored in arranging and composition. He later went to the SUNY Purchase School for the Arts.

During his college years he played in a number of bands including disco, R&B and various jazz ensembles. I got a lot of sideman jobs in college, and I have always said I got my real graduate degree playing clubs, says Meadows, who perfected his craft studying with Sonny Fortune, Joe Henderson, Dave Liebman and Eddie Daniels. “Not long after I finished school, (drummer) Norman Connors recorded one of my songs, “Invitation” and then asked me to join his band. I later produced his Passion album with my colleague Jacques Burvick (Aquarium Dream). Things just fell into place. Meadows first hit the airwaves in 1991 with “For Lovers Only”, but his career really began one day in the late ‘80s at New York’s Grand Central Station. He had been a sideman with Connors for three years, with only vague notions of eventually going solo.

One day, while waiting for a train, he pulled out his horn and began playing under the huge dome. His sweet sound caught the attention of fellow traveler, producer and TV composer Jay Chattaway, who happened to be passing by on his way to the train. Chattaway was so impressed with Meadows’ sound that he hooked Meadows up with legendary keyboardist Bob James. Meadows and James collaborated on a recording that unfortunately went unreleased. The experience put him on the road to his eventual success. Meadows hooked up with numerous artists and musicians and became a well-known sideman in his own right, recording or performing over the years with Brook Benton, Eartha Kitt, Phyllis Hyman, Jean Carne, The Temptations, Michael Bolton, Angela Bofill, Will Downing, Bob Baldwin, Chuck Loeb, John Lee, among many others. In the late ‘80s, Meadows stretched his boundaries by becoming a member of a New York avant-garde band called the Aboriginal Music Society.

In 1990 Meadows submitted a solo project to Steve Backer at Novus/RCA and was signed to a recording contract, thus marking the beginning of his solo career. Meadows’ first RCA release “For Lovers Only” was a huge success and was followed by his groundbreaking “Keep it Right There” album. He became a staple of the contemporary jazz format with his subsequent recordings, which include Body Rhythm (1994) and Forbidden Fruit (1996), Passion (1997), Another Side Of Midnight (1999), Next To You (2000), In Deep (2002), Players Club (2004), Dressed To Chill (2006), Secrets (2009) Whisper (2013) and most recently Soul Traveler, the first installment of his Soul Trilogy which now showcases his current release, Soul City" on the New York-based Shanachie Label. Meadows is a semi-pro cyclist, graphic artist and designer. Marion received a doctorate from Wilberforce University in 2016.

Avery Sunshine

Avery Sunshine takes no detours in creating melodious music for the masses. She makes the kind of music that undeniably satisfies the soul leaving her audience full and invigorated.

Althea Rene

Althea René is the first soul-jazz flutist ever featured on theprestigious Dave Koz Jazz Cruise which sails between Morocco, Spain, and Portugal.

Althea Rene

Born on December 25th in Detroit, Michigan Althea René began her musical journey at the tender age of four years old. She studied classical music while attending Howard University. For more than 10 years she worked as a Wayne County Deputy Sheriff (in Detroit, Michigan) during the day and performed in jazz clubs at night. Today, she endorses renowned hand-sculpted Altus Flutes as a full-time performing and recording artist.

Althea René gained musical inspiration from her father Dezie McCullers (one of Motown's original Funk Brothers). She has since developed her creative style. Some regard her as a "master of her craft" and one of the world's most exciting solo improvisational soul-jazz flutists. The multiplatinum and Grammy-nominated saxophonist Najee playfully refers to her as the “Maceo of the flute”.

In May 2013, she released her hit project titled "In the Flow". Collaborating with Grammy award-winning producer Michael Broening, she co-wrote the title track that made history as the first flute featured single to be ranked “number one” on the Billboard and Smooth Jazz charts. This scorching hot single topped the charts for several weeks.

With a passionate mission to mentor women in the entertainment industry, Althea René authored an autobiography titled "Becoming Chocolate Barbie - a guide for professional women in the music business" in June 2018. The book was written in an interview format so that readers may easily use it as a reference resource. Everyone who aspires for a life in business can appreciate the insights that she shares.

Althea René is the proud recipient of the 2021 Presidential Volunteer Service Award which honors individuals whose service positively impacts communities and encourages those around them to take action. She is a co-founder of the non-profit arts organization Colors & Song. Althea René conducts flute masterclasses and workshops with various universities and music-based organizations. With a passion to educate, entertain, and inspire people with music and art, Colors & Song promotes academic excellence and social justice via a wide range of activities. The organization’s focus is to promote goodwill, civic, and social awareness in the community.

Her plans for 2023 are substantial. Althea René is the first soul-jazz flutist ever featured on the prestigious Dave Koz Jazz Cruise which sails between Morocco, Spain, and Portugal. Among her many performances scheduled throughout the year, Althea René is hosting her Third Annual Colors & Song Jazz Fest on Saturday, October 14th. Althea René, saxophonist Jazmin Ghent, keyboardist Demetrius Nabors, and vocalist Erin Stevenson will deliver an amazing evening of music from a historic military airplane hangar in beautiful San Antonio, Texas.