An all-star quartet performs to benefit the Richmond Jazz Society.

Founded in 1979, the Richmond Jazz Society continues to build upon its initial success by adding innovative performance and educational programs each year. RJS has established a distinctive series of programs and events to serve performers, students, teachers and the existing Jazz audience and to expand that audience. In 2008, RJS was one of ten recipients of the prestigious Governor’s Award For The Arts.

James “Saxsmo” Gates is one of Richmond’s premier musicians. As a saxophonist, Saxsmo has a flaming passion that is evident in every note played. Undeniable passion along with his bell-like tone quality ignites a fire that is sure to light the hearts and souls of all true jazz enthusiasts. Saxsmo is a Richmond native and graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 1978. He attended Virginia State University and later transferred under a full scholarship to the prestigious Berklee College of Music. He received his Bachelor of Music degree from Berklee in 1984. Also with a full scholarship, he received his Masters in Jazz Studies at North Carolina Central University 2011. Saxsmo is the Founder/ Director/Coordinator of the Dr. Billy Taylor Jazz Studies Program at Virginia State University. Richmond Public Schools Education Foundation (Key To The City Award) Living Legacies 2015. Gates has played and traveled extensively in the United States and abroad in performing with such notable artists as Joe Kennedy, Jr., Art Blakey, and the Jazz Messengers, Dizzy Gillespie, Clark Terry, Walter Davis, Jr., Walter Bishop, Jr., The Temptations, Dianne Reeves, Jimmy Cobb, Hod O’Brien, Larry Willis, Roberta Flack, Marvin Gaye, Larry Carlton, Jeff Lorber, Alex Bugnon, Terrance Blanchard, Delfeayo Marsalis, Billy Kilson, Patrice Rushen, Steve Wilson, Lonnie Listen Smith, Steve Turreand The Main Ingredients.

Bassist Mike Hawkins has performed with jazz legends saxophonists Jimmy Heath, Eric Alexander, Gary Bartz, Donald Harrison; pianists Bruce Barth, Eric Reed, Mulgrew Miller, CyrusChestnut, John Hicks; vocalists Vanessa Rubin, Leon Thomas, Carla Cook; vibraharpist Stefon Harris; guitarist Mark Whitfield, Mark Elf and Russell Malone; drummers Carl Allen, Ralph Peterson, Cindy Blackmon; and the trombone and seashells of Steve Turre. Also toured abroad in Japan, Russia, Ukraine, China, Germany, Italy, Canada and Scandinavia.

A native of Richmond, Virginia, pianist Dr. Weldon Hill holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in music education from Virginia Union University (Richmond) and Master of Music and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from the Catholic University of America (Washington, DC). He completed post-graduate studies at Virginia Commonwealth University in jazz studies and served as Pep Band Director. He was selected as one of 33 National Endowment for the Humanities Fellows in 1986; was awarded 1994 Plan for Social Excellence Post-Doctoral Fellowship to complete the Harvard University Management Development Program; and was selected as one of the 29 American Council on Education Fellows (class of 2000-01). Dr. Hill began his academic career as an adjunct faculty member in VUU Department of Music in 1984, eventually serving the institution as Department Head, Dean, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Provost, and Chief Operating Officer. He later served Virginia State University (VSU) as Dean of the School of Liberal Arts and Education and, later as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. A musicologist and pianist, Dr. Hill is active as a performer, composer, and writer, he has shared the stage with artists such as Jon Faddis, Joe Williams, Carmen Bradford, Byron Stripling, Steve Wilson, Marleana Shaw, Benny Carter, Donald Harrison, Earnie Andrews, Andrew White, Herb Jeffries, and, Kristin Chenoweth, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, and Jimmy Heath, among others. He is most recently active with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra (VSO), VSO Jazz Orchestra, the US Air Force Heritage of America Rhythm in Blue Jazz Ensemble, Michael Hawkins and the Brotherhood, the Jae Sinnett Trio, and his own East-West Trio/Quartet.

Drummer Billy Williams, a native of Virginia Beach, Virginia, began playing drums at the age of ten at the Brotherly Love Church of God in Christ in Norfolk, VA under the leadership of his grandfather, Pastor Wilbert R. Miller. His mother, the church Minister of Music, watched him closely and nurtured his gift. The foundation of building a life that was Christ-centered shaped Billy’s outlook on the power of music. The life-long lessons of music MINISTRY, humility and professionalism learned during this time would also prove to be very vital to his career. A graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, Billy has had the opportunity to travel the world extensively as a performer and educator. Billy has worked professionally with many master musicians including: Larry Willis, Cyrus Chestnut, Steve Davis, Warren Wolf, Justin Kauflin, Raul Midon, Delfeayo and Ellis Marsalis, Tim Warfield, Benny Golson, Gary Bartz, Nat Reeves, and Jon Faddis amongst many others. As a recording artist, Billy has contributed to over 50 albums in addition to his most recent release as a leader, ".beedubyah". His talents have afforded him the chance to perform in prestigious venues such as: Carnegie Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and The Village Vanguard in New York City; New Morning in Paris, France; Bimhuis in Amsterdam, Netherlands; Singapore Jazz Festival in Singapore; Ronnie Scott's in London, England; Montreux Jazz Festival in Montreux, Switzerland; Jazzhus Montmartre in Copenhagen, Denmark; Blue Note Milano in Milan, Italy; Blue Note Tokyo in Tokyo, Japan; Umbria Jazz in Perugia, Italy; Porgy and Bess in Vienna, Austria; Jazz at Lincoln Center in Doha, Qatar; and the Jakarta Jazz Festival in Jakarta, Indonesia amongst many others.

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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