The Jazz Legacy Project

Festival Hall Board Chairman Blayne May. LEIGH LOFGREN/Staff

Festival Hall Board Chairman Blayne May. LEIGH LOFGREN/Staff

JLP performs Porter at Festival Hall

Leigh Lofgren
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
The Jazz Legacy Project (JLP) returned to a sold-out Festival Hall Thursday, Aug. 9, to present “Cole Porter: Jazz in Technicolor,” celebrating the legendary American composer and songwriter.Led by drummer and event narrator Justin Varnes, JLP also features saxophonist John Sandfort, bassist Kevin...
The Jazz Legacy Project opens with “Bourbon Street Parade.” LEIGH LOFGREN/Staff

The Jazz Legacy Project opens with “Bourbon Street Parade.” LEIGH LOFGREN/Staff

Jazz Legacy Project presents music of Louis Armstrong

Leigh Lofgren
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
The Jazz Legacy Project (JLP) returned to Greensboro’s historic Festival Hall on May 14, with a tribute concert celebrating the music and life of jazz legend Louis Armstrong.Opening with “Bourbon Street Parade,” JLP featured guest vocalist, trumpeter, and composer Michael Cruse performing alongside...
All smiles as drummer Justin Varnes of The Jazz Legacy Project describes the music of Charlie Parker to Festival Hall patrons.

All smiles as drummer Justin Varnes of The Jazz Legacy Project describes the music of Charlie Parker to Festival Hall patrons.

Jazz Legacy Project plays Charlie Parker

Story And Photos By Leigh Lofgren
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
On Thursday evening, The Jazz Legacy Project brought Charlie Parker's music to an audience that filled Festival Hall in Greensboro.The talents of narrator and drummer Justin Varnes, saxophonist John Sandford, bass player Kevin Smith, and pianist Nathanial Smith combined to wow the audience as they...
Festival Hall’s popular Jazz Legacy series continues May 23 highlighting legendary pianist and vocalist Nat “King” Cole. CONTRIBUTED

Festival Hall’s popular Jazz Legacy series continues May 23 highlighting legendary pianist and vocalist Nat “King” Cole. CONTRIBUTED

Festival Hall premieres second show of 2024 Jazz Series

News Staff
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Festival Hall, Greensboro’s premier arts venue and cultural center, presents the second show of the 2024 Jazz Series, The Jazz Legacy Project: Nat “King” Cole, Unforgettable Thursday, May 23 at 7:30 p.m.After building a successful career as a pianist, Cole’s decision to sing a song on a gig – and...
The Jazz Legacy Series at Greensboro’s Festival Hall, hosted by drummer and bandleader Justin Varnes, presents stories about and interpretations of music by some of the biggest stars of American jazz. CONTRIBUTED

The Jazz Legacy Series at Greensboro’s Festival Hall, hosted by drummer and bandleader Justin Varnes, presents stories about and interpretations of music by some of the biggest stars of American jazz. CONTRIBUTED

Purchase complete Jazz Legacy Series tickets now

News Staff
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
Festival Hall in Greensboro is offering discounted rates for the three remaining shows of its Jazz Legacy Series this year, available as a package online at festivalhallga.com only until March 22.
LEIGH LOFGREN/Staff

LEIGH LOFGREN/Staff

Jazz Legacy: Thelonious Monk

News Staff
Thursday, November 2, 2023
The final performance for 2023 from The Jazz Legacy Project at Festival Hall in Greensboro, featured the life, times, and music of jazz pianist and composer Thelonious Monk, who was born in 1917 at Rocky Mount, N.C. With an improvisational style, Monk made many contributions to the standard jazz...
Nick Rosen on the piano and Kevin Smith on bass hit the right notes

Nick Rosen on the piano and Kevin Smith on bass hit the right notes

The music, life and times of Art Blakey

Leigh Lofgren
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
As part of its Jazz Legacy Project, Greensboro’s Festival Hall presented The Music of Art Blakey last Thursday night before an appreciative, sold-out audience.
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