Jazz at Firehouse

Jones/Clarke/Pharr
Brian Jones (drums), Daniel Clarke (piano), and Randall Pharr (bass) are musicians based in Richmond, Virginia. They have been performing as a trio since 2003. Currently they have two recordings available at brianjones.bandcamp.com: Drug Piano and A.M. Thrift.

Doug Richards Quintet
Composer/Arranger Doug Richards is Professor Emeritus of the Department of Music, Virginia Commonwealth University. In 1997 he received the University’s Outstanding Teaching Award. His former students have performed and recorded with many of the world’s leading jazz organizations including the Count Basie Orchestra, the Ray Charles Orchestra, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, the Maria Schneider Orchestra, as well as with groups led by such major figures as Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis, Chick Corea, Dave Holland, Dave Douglas and many others. Richards joined the VCU faculty in 1979, founding its Jazz Studies program in 1980. He was also the founder and musical director of the Great American Music Ensemble, one of the leading professional repertory jazz orchestras in the nation. GAME performed at the Smithsonian Institution Jazz Festival, the International Duke Ellington Society Annual Convention, the National Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting Concert, the International Association for Jazz Education Conference, and on NPR and PBS. Between 1990 and 1997, GAME presented an annual concert series at the Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater, where it consistently performed to large, enthusiastic audiences and strong critical praise.
John Winn-woodwinds
J.C. Kuhl-woodwinds
Randall Pharr-bass
Adam Larrabee-guitar
Taylor Barnett-trumpet

Charles Owens Trio
Charles Owens is a master tenor saxophonist, composer, band leader, recording artist, and educator and has been performing, composing, and teaching for over 30 years. After attending the New School and working as a musician in New York City from 1992 to 2004, he is currently living in Richmond, VA. Charles is an integral part of the vibrant music scene there and in Charlottesville, VA. He also travels back to New York City several times a year to perform at venues such as Smalls, The Django, Fat Cat and others, with his trio. He has made 9 albums as a leader and appeared and continues to appear on a plethora of recordings as a hired soloist. He’s performed with such jazz luminaries as Brad Mehldau, Mark Turner, Omer Avital, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Brian Blade, Peter Bernstein, Larry Goldings, Ari Hoenig, Alexander Claffy, Jeff Watts, and Joel Frahm among many others. He has devoted his life to pursuing excellence in music and bringing peace and happiness to his fellow humans with his saxophone playing, performing, and composing. The Charles Owens Trio featuring Devonne Harris on drums and Andrew Randazzo on bass are celebrating 10 years as a trio. They just recorded a new album that revels in the unity and kinship that comes from sharing the stage for a decade.