LAVA Presents
Sunday, April 12, 2025 at The Annex
Dog’s Out The Cage Tour
Mountain Grass Unit
Doors 6pm // Music 7pm
ALL AGES
Arts and Entertainment
Guitarist Blake Aaron has taken the Contemporary Jazz world by storm recently with a total of FIVE #1 Billboard Singles. He launched his career as an L.A. studio musician/sideman and has recorded and/ or performed with artists such as Philip Bailey (Earth Wind and Fire), Sheila E., Frank Stallone, Bobby Womack and Carlos Santana (Womack-Save the Children), The Gap Band, Lakeside, Dynasty, Little Anthony, Ronnie Laws, Keiko Matsui, Najee, Warren Hill, Bill Champlin (Chicago), Ellis Hall (Tower of Power) and many others.
A first call TV & Film Session Guitarist, Aaron has worked for a laundry list of television shows such as 15 years with Fox’s “MAD TV,” Steven Seagal’s “Half Past Dead 2,” “Super Dave Osborne”, “The Next Best Thing” (ABC), “The Mother Love Show,” (FOX) and “The Ben Stiller Show” (FOX). Following in the footsteps of the smash album Color and Passion, which had THREE #1 Billboard singles and one #1 Song of the Year on the Radiowave charts for the year 2019, Blake Aaron’s album release, Love and Rhythm rocketed out of the gate with another THREE #1 Billboard singles, “Feels So Right,” and “Dreamland,” and She’s the One.”
Aaron was an immediate success as a solo artist, with three singles from his debut, With Every Touch, remaining in the Top 50 on the Gavin/Smoothjazz.com charts for at least eight weeks. He reached even higher ground with his second album, Bringin’ It Back, whose single “She’s So Fine” remained on the Radio & Records charts for eight consecutive weeks; two singles from this release reached the Top 100 of the year. After the well-received holiday set A Romantic Christmas, Aaron’s 15-track third album Desire spawned a variety of hit singles, including “Bumpin’ on the Wes Side”; Desire was in the Top 20 on Radio & Records for 15 weeks and #1 on the Indie Charts for 20 weeks. As an artist, Aaron has performed over the years at The Verizon Wireless Ampitheater, Houston, TX, The Taste of Laguna Niguel – Cobilled w/ Peter White, The Catalina Jazz Festival, KWJZ Jazz Festival, Seattle, WA – Cobilled w/ Chris Botti & Boney James, Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay, The Gas Lamp Jazz Festival, San Diego, CA, The Pasadena Jazz Festival, Jazz Alley Jazz Club, Seattle, WA, and many more.
In 2008, Aaron created and began hosting his syndicated Blake Aaron Radio Show (now called Blake Aaron Live with Tina Anderson). It’s syndicated on such stations as Smooth Jazz Florida, Smooth Jazz New York, Urban Soul Radio, and Smooth Groove Phoenix, as well as the show’s home website, BlakeAaronRadioShow.com
Nicholas Cole, a dynamic and soulful keyboardist who has been captivating audiences with his unique blend of smooth jazz, gospel, and R&B. Emerging onto the music scene in the 2010s, Nicholas quickly made a name for himself, charting number one singles on the Smooth Jazz Songs chart with his hits like “Snap” and “Soulmate.” These groundbreaking achievements showcase not only his remarkable talent but also his ability to connect deeply with listeners through his music. Known for his rich harmonic textures and melodic storytelling, Cole’s artistry is a treasure within the vinyl culture, with notable releases that vinyl collectors eagerly seek out. Join us as we explore the passion, talent, and contributions of Nicholas Cole to the world of music!
Born in Goldsboro, North Carolina, into a musically inclined family. From the tender age of four, he was immersed in the world of music, playing the piano and organ in his local church. This early exposure to music greatly shaped his artistic journey, instilling in him a love for melody and rhythm. Growing up, Nicholas studied privately with the esteemed pianist Jimmy Aycock from the Goldsboro area, who further fueled his passion and honed his skills. The rich tapestry of gospel music he experienced during his childhood would later permeate through his compositions and performances, creating a seamless connection to the vibrant world of vinyl records that celebrate these musical traditions.
Nicholas Cole drew inspiration from a wide array of influences. Artists like Kirk Whalum, Brian Culbertson, and Jonathan Butler played pivotal roles in shaping his distinctive sound. Their mastery of jazz and ability to fuse genres inspired Cole to explore deep harmonic structures while maintaining an emotive vocal quality.
Nicholas Cole’s music is deeply intertwined with his personal life. Influenced by his relationships and challenges, his lyrics often reflect themes of love, resilience, and spirituality. Cole’s commitment to philanthropy and social causes also plays a significant role in his music, as he often uses his platform to raise awareness on important issues. Although he has faced challenges publicly, such as navigating the pressures of fame, these experiences only deepen his empathy and connection to his audience, fostering a close bond that elevates his music. The special editions and artwork on his vinyl releases often reflect these personal narratives, making his records not only aural treasures but also meaningful artifacts of his journey.
