John, Paul, George and Ringo. No last names needed. The Beatles were that iconic, innovative and influential. In less than ten years they redefined pop and rock and pointed the way as to how music would be created for the next 40 years. Not the least of their contributions may be a lexicon of songs that can stand up to reinterpretation and recasting into most any genre. Their masterful melodies and strong harmonic approach makes their music a perfect jumping off point for jazz musicians. The Noel Freidline Quartet with vocalist Maria Howell presents an evening of masterful re-imagining of some of the Fab Four’s most well known songs.

John, Paul, George and Ringo. No last names needed. The Beatles were that iconic, innovative and influential. In less than ten years they redefined pop and rock and pointed the way as to how music would be created for the next 40 years. Not the least of their contributions may be a lexicon of songs that can stand up to reinterpretation and recasting into most any genre. Their masterful melodies and strong harmonic approach makes their music a perfect jumping off point for jazz musicians. The Noel Freidline Quartet with vocalist Maria Howell presents an evening of masterful re-imagining of some of the Fab Four’s most well known songs.

For over thirty years, the Jacksonville Piano Competition presented by Keyboard Connection – The Piano Place has been a jazz fest tradition. The event continues to be one of the most exciting musical spectacles to be seen anywhere!

Five finalists representing the very best jazz pianists in the world are chosen by a blind panel of judges to compete for a cash prize and a chance to perform on the Swingin’ Stage at this year’s festival. This fierce competition has become an integral part of the festival and a favorite among many eager to witness some of the most incredible rising talents in the jazz world.

Past judges have included jazz legends such as Marcus Roberts, Brian Culbertson, Christian Sands, Jason Miles, Joey Calderazzo, Lynne Arriale, Dr. John, Per Danielsson, John Thomas, and other well-known jazz musicians.

The Jacksonville Jazz Festival Piano Competition presented by Keyboard Connection – The Piano Place has been a Jacksonville tradition for more than 30 years. The competition, hosted by the City of Jacksonville Division of Sports and Entertainment, will take place on Thursday, May 25, 2023 at The Florida Theatre, where five finalists, chosen through a “blind” judging process in March, will compete for the honor of this award. The winner will receive a monetary prize and will perform at the Jacksonville Jazz Festival.

Noel Freidline to emcee the event and perform with vocalist Maria Howell while judges deliberate.

The event is FREE and open to the public.

John, Paul, George and Ringo. No last names needed. The Beatles were that iconic, innovative and influential. In less than ten years they redefined pop and rock and pointed the way as to how music would be created for the next 40 years. Not the least of their contributions may be a lexicon of songs that can stand up to reinterpretation and recasting into most any genre. Their masterful melodies and strong harmonic approach makes their music a perfect jumping off point for jazz musicians. The Noel Freidline Quartet with vocalist Maria Howell presents an evening of masterful reimagining of some of the Fab Four’s most well known songs.

Dubbed "The First Lady of Song," Ella Fitzgerald was the most popular female jazz singer in the United States for more than half a century. In her lifetime, she won 13 Grammy awards and sold over 40 million albums.

She could sing sultry ballads, sweet jazz and imitate every instrument in an orchestra. She worked with all the jazz greats, from Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Louis Armstrong.

She performed at top venues all over the world, and packed them to the hilt. Her audiences were as diverse as her vocal range. They were rich and poor, made up of all races, all religions and all nationalities. In fact, many of them had just one binding factor in common - they all loved her.

Join Maria Howell and the Noel Freidline Quartet as they present the best of “Lady Ella” from the hit that launched her “A-Tisket, A-Tasket,” and “Someone to Watch Over Me,” to “Summertime” and her raucous rendition of “Mack the Knife.”

Grammy-nominated composer Chris Brubeck joins the Ziad Jazz Quartet for an evening of unforgettable music with an innovative performer and composer who is clearly tuned into the pulse of contemporary music. About Chris Brubeck

Chris Brubeck continues to distinguish himself as a multi-faceted performer and creative force. An award-winning writer, he is tuned into the pulse of contemporary music. The respected music critic for The Chicago Tribune, John von Rhein, calls Chris: “a composer with a real flair for lyrical melody--a 21st Century Lenny Bernstein.” Chris has created an impressive body of symphonic work while maintaining a demanding touring and recording schedule with his two groups: the Brubeck Brothers Quartet (with brother Dan on drums) and Triple Play, an acoustic trio featuring Chris on piano, bass, and trombone along with guitarist Joel Brown and harmonica player extraordinaire Peter Madcat Ruth. Additionally, Chris performs as a soloist playing his trombone concertos with orchestras and has served as Artist in Residence with orchestras and colleges in America, coaching, lecturing, and performing with students and faculty. Once a year, he tours England with the group Brubecks Play Brubeck along with brothers Darius (on piano) and Dan, as well as British saxophonist Dave O’Higgins. Chris had been a long-standing member of the Dave Brubeck Quartet, writing arrangements and touring and recording with his father’s group for over 20 years. Dave and Chris co-wrote the orchestral piece “Ansel Adams: America,” which has received dozens of performances and in 2013 was a Grammy finalist for Best Instrumental Composition.

Grammy-nominated composer Chris Brubeck joins the Ziad Jazz Quartet for an evening of unforgettable music with an innovative performer and composer who is clearly tuned into the pulse of contemporary music. About Chris Brubeck

Chris Brubeck continues to distinguish himself as a multi-faceted performer and creative force. An award-winning writer, he is tuned into the pulse of contemporary music. The respected music critic for The Chicago Tribune, John von Rhein, calls Chris: “a composer with a real flair for lyrical melody--a 21st Century Lenny Bernstein.” Chris has created an impressive body of symphonic work while maintaining a demanding touring and recording schedule with his two groups: the Brubeck Brothers Quartet (with brother Dan on drums) and Triple Play, an acoustic trio featuring Chris on piano, bass, and trombone along with guitarist Joel Brown and harmonica player extraordinaire Peter Madcat Ruth. Additionally, Chris performs as a soloist playing his trombone concertos with orchestras and has served as Artist in Residence with orchestras and colleges in America, coaching, lecturing, and performing with students and faculty. Once a year, he tours England with the group Brubecks Play Brubeck along with brothers Darius (on piano) and Dan, as well as British saxophonist Dave O’Higgins. Chris had been a long-standing member of the Dave Brubeck Quartet, writing arrangements and touring and recording with his father’s group for over 20 years. Dave and Chris co-wrote the orchestral piece “Ansel Adams: America,” which has received dozens of performances and in 2013 was a Grammy finalist for Best Instrumental Composition.

Join Noel Freidline, Maria Howell and their amazing band. Event is FREE and open to the public.

Join Noel & Maria as they bring their intimate duo show to the Charlotte SHOUT! Pianodrome! Event is FREE and open the public.

Signed, Sealed, Delivered: A Jazz Celebration of Stevie Wonder with the Noel Freidline Quintet with Maria Howell

We are sorry, but this show is already SOLD OUT.

Join Noel & Maria as they celebrate the month of LOVE with LOVE LETTERS from Middle C!

Join Noel & Maria as they celebrate the month of LOVE!

Join Noel Freidline & Maria Howell as they celebrate the season with their annual Christmas show “Noel & Maria: Home for the Holidays”. On the heels of their 2019 release “Merry Christmas My Dear”, Noel & Maria are joined by an all-star ensemble as they reinterpret Christmas classics as well as contemporary holiday favorites such as “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Sleigh Ride,” “Here We Come A’Wassailing,” and “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” (with a ‘Dave Brubeck’ twist!), and many many more!

Join Noel & Maria for their 3rd annual holiday show "Home for the Holidays 2022". On the heels of their 2019 release “Merry Christmas My Dear”, Noel & Maria reinterpret Christmas classics as well as contemporary holiday favorites in an intimate cabaret setting. Along with their all-star band Noel and Maria will be joined by special guest violinist Karen Briggs (Yanni, Spyro Gyra, SpecialFX). Tickets go on sale the middle of Oct. 2022.

It has become a Thanksgiving weekend tradition at the Jazz Corner! Pianists Noel Freidline & Martin Lesch put on a dazzling show of piano prowess.

Join Noel Freidline and his all-star band as they bring their interpretation of some of the greatest music of the 20th century: MOTOWN REIMAGINED. With vocalist/actress Maria Howell!

Join Noel & Maria and their all-star band as they celebrate the Middle C Jazz 3rd Anniversary!

Noel & Maria: The Very Best of Billy, Stevie, Elton and Ray with a twist of Motown, Chicago, Sam Cooke, Luther Vandross, Donny Hathaway, Peter Cetera, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, The Supremes, Martha Reeves & the Vandellas, The Four Tops, the Jackson 5, Gladys Knight, and more!,

Three-time Emmy winner Keith David performing live with Noel Freidline & Maria Howell at Middle C Jazz.

KEITH DAVID Keith David is a classically trained actor, winning 3 Emmys out of 6 nominations as well as being nominated for a Tony award. He starred in the recently concluded tv series "Greenleaf" for Oprah Winfrey's OWN network. He co-starred with Chadwick Boseman in "21 Bridges" which was in theaters last year. He will be in theaters this year in "Horizon Line" with Allison Williams ("Get Out"). “Black As Night,” an anthology series, features Keith and will be on Amazon sometime next year. In addition to his versatile acting and voiceover work, Keith is also a remarkable singer. Previous tour include, “Too Marvelous for Words”, a tribute to the legendary singer Nat King Cole, and a tribute to Joe Williams, “Here’s to Life.”