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Jazz n July 2007
Jazz 'n July returned to Powhatan on Saturday, July 21st, 5:30 p.m. at Hunters' Fare located at
4141 Maidens Road (Rt. 522). This year's featured performers are the Thompson D'earth Jazz Band.
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The Washington Post wrote that the jazz band's most recently released CD, "When the Serpent Flies", is an appropriate
description of the sounds that emanate from this group - soaring, flying, hot and gliding. Mike Joyce of the Post
describes the group's sound as "a strong frontline, brash and soulful by turns, tone-shifting guitar add[ing]
atmospheric touches, funk accents, and blues lyricism. Add seductive vocals and curious musings, and you have
a sound that swiftly stands apart from the competition." Joyce goes on to say that "...the Thompson D'earth Band
has something many contemporary jazz ensembles sorely lack: a personality."
This year's Jazz 'n July setting was the historic Hunter's Fare - idyllic, bucolic and pastoral - located in rural Powhatan County provides the perfect juxtaposition for the bands mysterious sounds which are full of surprises and punctuated by funk, rock and Latin beats.
Hunters' Fare, framed by two huge 350 year old white oaks, rests on a tract of land that is part of an original land grant given by the English Crown to the Michaux family in 1713. The main portion of this French Huguenot style home, noted for its side-by-side two front doors, was built in 1796 - 1797 by Major Jacob Michaux, a former Powhatan County Sheriff and member of the Virginia House of Delegates. The home is currently owned by Mike and Sara Corbett who have generously offered to host the second annual Jazz 'n July for the Performing Arts Foundation of Powhatan, Inc.
The Thompson D'earth Jazz Band is comprised of founders John D'Earth on trumpet and vocalist Dawn Thompson. D'earth composes for the group while Thompson is the songwriter. Joining D'earth and Thompson are Mike Kuhl on saxophone, Wells Hanley on piano, Jamal Millner and Jamal Millner on guitar, Pete Spaar on upright bass and Brian Caputo on drums/percussion.
No ingénue on the jazz scene, D'earth has played with the likes of quintessential greats Miles Davis and Quincy Jones, written for Dave Matthews, the Kronos String Quartet, and assorted symphony orchestras; all a testimony to the versatility and multi-talents of this musician.
This year's Jazz 'n July setting was the historic Hunter's Fare - idyllic, bucolic and pastoral - located in rural Powhatan County provides the perfect juxtaposition for the bands mysterious sounds which are full of surprises and punctuated by funk, rock and Latin beats.
Hunters' Fare, framed by two huge 350 year old white oaks, rests on a tract of land that is part of an original land grant given by the English Crown to the Michaux family in 1713. The main portion of this French Huguenot style home, noted for its side-by-side two front doors, was built in 1796 - 1797 by Major Jacob Michaux, a former Powhatan County Sheriff and member of the Virginia House of Delegates. The home is currently owned by Mike and Sara Corbett who have generously offered to host the second annual Jazz 'n July for the Performing Arts Foundation of Powhatan, Inc.
The Thompson D'earth Jazz Band is comprised of founders John D'Earth on trumpet and vocalist Dawn Thompson. D'earth composes for the group while Thompson is the songwriter. Joining D'earth and Thompson are Mike Kuhl on saxophone, Wells Hanley on piano, Jamal Millner and Jamal Millner on guitar, Pete Spaar on upright bass and Brian Caputo on drums/percussion.
No ingénue on the jazz scene, D'earth has played with the likes of quintessential greats Miles Davis and Quincy Jones, written for Dave Matthews, the Kronos String Quartet, and assorted symphony orchestras; all a testimony to the versatility and multi-talents of this musician.