Charlotte’s Jazz Arts Initiative (JAI) celebrates Jazz Appreciation Month by kicking off Season 5 of its highly acclaimed monthly series – The Jazz Room @ The Stage Door Theater – on Thursday, April 30, 2015 with internationally renowned jazz master Delfeayo Marsalis playing the music of Duke Ellington. Due to the high demand for tickets, this special show will be presented at 7:30PM at The McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square, 345 North College St. in Uptown Charlotte. Fans will have the opportunity to “meet the artist” from 7:00-7:20PM.

The summer season continues on Friday, May 15, 2015 with Greg Jarrell performing the music of Gerry Mulligan at 6:00PM and 8:15PM at The Stage Door Theater, part of Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, at the corner of 5th and College in Uptown Charlotte. Other shows presented this season include: John Ellis performing the music of Sonny Rollins on Thursday, June 18; Ryan Hanseler performing the music of Thelonious Monk on Friday, July 17; Mitch Butler playing the music of J.J. Johnson on Friday, Aug. 21; and a special edition on Friday, Sept. 18 with Sasha Masakowski singing the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim and the music of Brazil.

“Season Five is going to be one of our best seasons yet,” said Lonnie Davis, President and CEO of JAI. “The caliber of the musicians and performances we are able to present here continues to excite and amaze our audiences.”

The Jazz Room @ The Stage Door Theater spotlights the Charlotte region’s most gifted musicians recreating the sounds of the greatest legends in jazz in a casual, intimate setting with cabaret tables and a full bar. Limited tickets are only $12 and can be purchased at www.carolinatix.org, by calling 704-372-1000, or $15 at the door if available. Jazz Room memberships and Season 5 bundle packages are also available. The public is advised to purchase tickets early as these shows tend to sell out quickly.

About Jazz Arts Initiative

Jazz Arts Initiative is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the promotion, education, preservation of jazz and related art forms. This organization is made up of arts patrons, educators, performing jazz artists, business leaders, and volunteers. Their mission focuses on three program development areas: Jazz Education, Performance, and Musician Support. These three elements were established to help nurture a future audience and preserve the tradition of this great American Art Form, Jazz. For more information, visit www.thejazzarts.org and follow Jazz Arts Initiative on Facebook and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/thejazzarts.