The Best Jazz Musicians Come Through Sandy Springs

Venture out of the city for the sounds of jazz and you’re quickly reminded that Sandy Springs remains a hub the music genre.

From the recent Atlanta Jazz Festival at Piedmont Park to saxophonist Richard Elliott’s standing room show, Thursday night, at the Loew’s Hotel lounge in Midtown, top musicians performing alongside national artists often play right here in Sandy Springs.

Elliott was backed by Grammy Award-winning producer and keyboardist Phil Davis, guitarist Derek Scott, bass guitarist Sean Michael Ray and drummer Joey Williams.

They’re not famous names, but the artists they have performed with are very well known – Prince, Alex Bugnon, Al Jarreau, Cee Lo are only a short list.

“I’ve got to say I’m blown away,” said Elliott after jamming with the quartet. “We rehearsed just four hours ago.”

Metro Atlanta is indeed a hub for musicians who are called on to perform with Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey and others. They know Sandy Springs, particularly jazz club, is a place they can call home. And now Taboo 2 Bistro and Bar is becoming a jazz spot with its "Jazz Beat Sundays."

Last weekend, Scott played with jazz violinist Ken Ford at 290 following Ford's earlier show at Taboo. Last night he played with Atlanta trumpeter Joey Sommerville at Taboo.

“Derek has played with Peabo Bryson and Cee Lo, and has been on tour performing for Tyler Perry’s latest play, but whenever he’s in town, he’s playing guitar up here on Sunday night,” said John Scatena, owner of Café 290.

The club has an All-Star Jazz Jam on Sunday nights. It's likely that after their show, last night at Taboo, Sommerville, Scott and the other musicians stopped by Cafe 290 and took the stage.

Open 30 years, it’s the longest running jazz club in metro Atlanta. Back in the 1980s, when jazz clubs were in abundance, a local music group called Northside often performed at 290. Former band members - such as renowned bass player Sam Sims who has performed with Janet Jackson and Boney James; or Sonny Emory, a drummer for Earth Wind and Fire - have established music careers but they still return to play at the Sandy Springs club, Scatena said.

Just a few years ago, North Fulton birthed several jazz clubs. But Se Vauge in Roswell, Pisces Seafood and Jazz in Alpharetta and most recently Londzell’s Jazz and Blues Café on Holcomb Bridge Road have closed. Even longtime favorite Sambuca Jazz Café in Buckhead closed.

Somehow, Café 290 has remained a mainstay, continuing to survive. 

“It’s a great feeling to create an atmosphere that these great musicians love to play in,” Scatena said.

Monday at Cafe 290

Trumpeter Joe Gransden, whose “Close to the Heart” album was produced by Kenny G, performs with his 16-piece big band at 8:30 p.m. He often has special guests. Singer Freddy Cole appeared at the club last fall.

"We're all trying to do our best to keep the place successful because he has done so much for us and the community," said Gransden about John Scatena, in December.