Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country | Founded 05-05-05

Melissa Reaves Hosts 5th Annual Jazz Show this Friday at Louisiana Purchase

Story by David Brewer

This Friday August 1, High Country singer-songwriter and guitarist Melissa Reaves will join forces with guitarist Andy Page, drummer Ryan Lassiter and keyboard player Mike Runyon for her 5th Annual Jazz Concert at Louisiana Purchase in Banner Elk. The show will start at 8:30 p.m. and the cover is $5.

According to Reaves, the requests have been rolling in and musical selections throughout the show will range from straight ahead jazz numbers to deep blues and funky, jazz-inflected soul songs. As with nearly all of Reaves’ annual shows, the night will feature multiple special guests in addition to the talented core band, led by Page.

Page currently teaches jazz guitar at ASU and is a graduate of the University of Tennessee’s master of jazz studies program. He has performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and on Japan’s Muroran Jazz Cruise. He was recently the featured artist at the Jazz Composers Forum in Asheville. Page performs regularly with the Todd Wright Quintet and as a duo with the sax player. He also plays with his band Bafoodus and is a member of the Swing Guitars.

“I love playing with Andy,” said Reaves, adding that the pair has worked together for several years. “He really pushes me to be a better musician just by being himself.” Reaves has spent the last several weeks on the road, including performances in Asheville and Charlotte, and has several shows on the horizon in Virginia, Georgia and North Carolina. Reaves will also participate in a Nashville reunion concert with the Tony Colton-led band Head Hands & Feet along with lauded Music City players Mike Noble (Allison Moorer, Vince Gill), Tyson Rogers (Tony Joe White) and Mike Chapman.

During her career, Reaves has also shared the stage with such luminaries as Robert Plant, Sarah MacLachlan, Leon Russell, Sheryl Crow, Cyndi Lauper, Sister Sledge, Gloria Gaynor, Kenny Wayne Sheppard, Doc Watson and Little Feat and has performed for numerous benefits and rallies.

Seating for the show is limited and reservations are recommended. For more info, call Louisiana Purchase at 828-963-5087 or click to www.myspace.com/melissareaves.

Want To Go?

Date: Friday, August 1
Time: 8:30 p.m.
Location: Louisiana Purchase
Cost: $5