Saxophonist JC Kuhl presents a series of unique performances that showcase a wide variety of musicians. This special addition spotlights the legendary John D'earth on trumpet.

J.C. Kuhl has been an adjunct professor of jazz saxophone at VCU since 2005. A native of Baltimore, MD, he plays saxophone, flute, and clarinet and studied at Towson State University, where he majored in jazz/commercial music. After working in clubs in the Baltimore/Washington, D.C. area, he moved to Richmond in 1995 and joined the eclectic rock band Agents of Good Roots, which fused many different styles including jazz, hip-hop, and classical. They toured incessantly for six years, playing more than 200 shows a year. After Agents, J.C. was a member of Devil’s Workshop Big Band, Modern Groove Syndicate, Bio Ritmo, and The Thompson/D’earth Band.

Kuhl has performed and/or shared the stage with Dave Matthews Band; John Scofield Uberjam Band and Quartet; Béla Fleck and the Flecktones; Bruce Hornsby; Blues Traveler; Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe; Medeski, Martin, and Wood; Big Head Todd and the Monsters; The Neville Brothers; The Temptations; Soulive; Pat McGee Band; Moe; and G Love and Special Sauce. He toured as part of the H.O.R.D.E. tour for two years with artists such as Lenny Kravitz, Me’shell Ndegeocello, Rusted Root, Neil Young and Crazy Horse, King Crimson, Ben Harper, and Blues Traveler and continues to perform extensively throughout the U.S. and Canada. He is currently a member of Mekong Express, Mike Davison’s Latin Jazz Messengers, John D’earth Group, Jones/Kuhl Duo, Brian Jones Group, Ombak, Old New Things, Three Sheets to the Wind, The Winn Brothers Band, and The Bachelor Boys Band.

John D’earth plays trumpet with a striking, original sound and a technique that he mobilizes for spitfire improvisation and gripping melodies. A consummate jazz artist, composer, and gifted educator, he draws inspiration from collaborators on the bandstand, from students, and from nature. Internationally known for his contributions in straight-ahead jazz (D’earth served as foil to guitarist Emily Remler, added brawn to the George Gruntz Big Band, and played on Bob Moses’ early recordings) he exhibits omnivorous musical tastes including free improvisation, mainstream rock, and modern classical music. Since he joined the musicians union at age fourteen this wildly eclectic musician has performed across the globe. He appears on over 100 recordings on vinyl, CDs, film, and video in a career that spans the analogue and digital eras. Despite a commanding musical presence he possesses an uncanny ability to bring out the best in musicians with whom he shares the bandstand. All of this is evident on his newly released album, Coin Of The Realm, (Cosmology Records 2023). This song cycle of originals, recorded with his long-standing quintet, reveals a musician who, in his seventies, is still evolving and very much in his creative prime.

D'earth’s recordings as a leader for Vanguard Records, ENJA Records, DoubleTime Jazz, and his own Cosmology label reflect an eclectic, searching nature, rooted in the entirety of the jazz tradition and a trumpet sensibility that owes as much to Louis Armstrong as to Lee Morgan and Miles Davis. The list of top-flight musicians he has played with presents its own syllabus of jazz genealogies; they include Buddy Rich, Lionel Hampton, Gunter Hampel’s Galaxie Dream Band, Miles Davis/Quincy Jones at Montreaux, Tito Puente, Emily Remler, Bennie Wallace, Eddie Gomez, The George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band (European and China tours), Bob Moses, Pat Metheny, Joe Henderson, Clark Terry, John Abercrombie, and John Scofield, as well as pop stars Bruce Hornsby, Bonnie Raitt, and Dave Matthews.

This performance includes: John D’earth (trumpet/flugelhorn); JC Kuhl (saxophone); Garen Dorsey (piano); Randall Pharr (bass); Devonne Harris (drums).

With only 100 seats, shows at Révéler are intimate and immersive. A romantic venue with exquisite sound and dreamy vibes, Révéler offers a unique selection of cocktails, wines, beers, bubbles, and non-alcoholic beverages. Our kitchen delivers small plates crafted with care.

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