For those of you looking to celebrate Valentine’s Day with live jazz, options abound in the Columbus area this year. While February 14th falls on a Tuesday in 2017, there are plenty of holiday-themed concerts over the weekend to help with your scheduling needs. (NOTE: Some local Valentine’s events are already sold out – those we are aware of are not included here, and marked accordingly on our Columbus Jazz Calendar.) On Saturday, February 11th, the Live, Love, Laugh Valentine’s Brunch at Copious Restaurant (above Notes) featuring the jazz/R&B sounds of the William Brady Project Band and comedian Kim Vaughn runs from 11am to 2pm (more details and advance tickets available here). Urban contemporary powers NexLevel play the “My Sweet Love” Valentine’s Party at 1756 Brice Road starting at 7pm (for more information call 614-378-2779), which is also when New Orleans-styled vocalist Shane D. Wilson and her band Mojo’s Muse will delve into their varied collection of love songs at Java Central in Westerville. Finally, smooth jazz titans Urban Jazz Coalition hit the stage at Notes for “A Valentine’s Day Event” at 8:30pm – reserved seating is sold out, but limited general admission tickets are available here as of press time.
The romantically-inspired schedule on Sunday, February 12th starts when Columbus vocalist extraordinaire Dick Mackey will be joined by the Mark Rubinstein Trio and special guest Vaughn Wiester for some swingin’ Valentine’s fun at Bungalow Jazz at 5pm. The Rick Brunetto Big Band Valentines Dinner Dance starts at 6pm, featuring all three of their vocalists along with dinner and dancing (more info here). Also at 6pm, area resident and former lead singer of The Platters (1980 – 2004) Latif Shadi makes a timely appearance at the Bobby Floyd Showcase at Notes for some romantic crooning with Floyd’s trio (more info and tickets here). And at 6:30pm, the Cyndi Black Orchestra Valentine’s Dinner Dance kicks off at Clintonville Woman’s Club for an evening of great food and big band entertainment (more info here).
The jazz schedule on Valentine’s Day itself, Tuesday, February 14th, is bursting with great jazz dining and entertainment options. The party at the Franklin Park Conservatory will put the Zakk Jones Trio against its lush backdrop along with much more starting at 5:30pm (more info here). Richard Lopez will pair his soothing classic piano jazz with excellent cuisine at Barcelona starting at 6pm (reservations recommended). The smooth jazz/R&B of Luxury Brown Lite with vocalist Meridith Evans will fill the air at de-NOVO Bistro downtown, also starting at 6pm (more info and reservations available here). Two more 6pm options for great dining and jazz are available from the HP family of restaurants, as piano entertainer Simon Sweet plays Hyde Park Arlington and piano entertainer Dan Rowan plays Black Point. Brian Michael Smith provides Rat Pack-style ballads with his Trio at 8 State Bistro in Westerville at 7:30pm. Rick Brunetto Big Band brings festive swing sounds to Villa Milano with a free Valentines for Veterans event also at 7:30pm (more details here). Jazz Night returns to Coffee Underground on campus with the vibraphone and guitar sounds of the Dylan Bram and Gabe Koempel Duo at 8pm. Finally, also at 8pm, Black History Month at Natalie’s continues with a Valentine’s Day show by the Bobby Floyd Trio (more info and tickets here).
Have a fantastic Valentine’s Day!