From Gershwin and Hoagy Carmichael, to Carole King and Bob Dylan, The Beatles and Stevie Wonder, this “First Friday” show with Joe Holt will have something for everyone! Vocalist Sharon Sable & guitarist E. Shawn Qaissaunee will join Joe to present a concert of The Great Songwriters of The Twentieth Century.

Sharon Sable, based in Wilmington DE, performs regularly with the region’s finest jazz musicians. Her repertoire includes both popular and lesser known gems of the Great American Songbook and other timeless music from the 20th century. Her newest album, recorded with pianist Joe Holt (“Once Upon a Summertime, the Music of Blossom Dearie) has been called “mesmerizing” and “exquisite” by regional music critics, and has received  generous airplay on local and national jazz radio programs.

E. Shawn Qaissaunee has been in demand as a multi-instrumentalist and composer/arranger in the Delmarva area for over thirty years. Sought out for his talents on guitar, bass, piano, percussion and the rubab and dutar (two instruments from his native Afghanistan), Shawn is known for his musical virtuosity, sensitivity, lyricism and spirited creative energy in the jazz tradition.

Based in Philadelphia, the James Fernando Trio masterfully presents a refreshing take on the piano trio format. It delivers fresh interpretations of jazz standards in the tradition of jazz legends such as Duke Ellington, Oscar Peterson, and Thelonious Monk, alongside compelling original compositions. With a balance of playfulness and technical mastery, the trio brings the jazz genre into the present day through inventive improvisation, clever arrangements, captivating rhythms, and “downright fun.”

James Fernando has been hailed by World Music Report as a “prodigiously gifted composer and virtuoso pianist,” by Jazz Sensibilities as “limitless in his ability to articulate his ideas,” and by Contemporary Fusion Reviews as “creating one of the most amazing musical experiences you’ve ever had.” The trio also features Eliot Seppa on bass and Kyon Williams on drums.

After building an impressive career with international performances, collaborations with GRAMMY Award-winning artists, and five album releases, James formed the trio in 2023. Despite being relatively new to the scene, the trio has already established itself as one of the finest jazz groups active today. They have been headliners nationwide at leading venues such as The Kennedy Center, The Philadelphia Museum of Art, and The Ravenscroft.