This excellent article by the Other Paper covers a new weekly Jazz and Hip-Hop night in Columbus at Barrio in downtown Columbus.
The Liquid Crystal Project will be performing every Thursday night starting tonight, February 18th at Barrio as part of a series called, “Blend Thursdays”. The band consists of deejay/producer J. Rawls, keyboard player Brandon “B-Jazz” Scott, drummer Rob Riley, and saxophonist Eddie Bayard and performs a unique mix of jazz and hip-hop, aptly dubbed “jazz hop”.
The Liquid Crystal project will be the house band each week but also feature a number of other guests including this week with Tia Stewart and Talisha Holmes. Other acts scheduled for subsequent Thursdays include Speak Williams (March 4); Hot Sax on a Platter, with Bayard and Steve Lomax (March 11); and a Talisha Holmes Birthday Celebration (March 18).
“I don’t think there’s a plan to turn it into a hip-hop dance party, but we’re not going to hate on anyone who feels like getting up and dancing a bit,” said owner of Barrio, Mathes. The music, however, probably will lend itself more to what Marbury calls the “head-nod element.” It’s that hip-hop, head-nod sound, she said. “But added in, there’s some serious jazz being played, too.”
Blend Thursdays, featuring the Liquid Crystal Project and guest artists, will take place from 9 p.m. to midnight Thursdays at Barrio Tapas & Lounge, 185 N. High St. 614-220-9141. No cover.