Charleston Jazz Festival | Herlin Riley Quartet + Gullah Collective
Schedule
Sun, 19 Apr, 2026 at 05:00 pm
UTC-04:00Location
Charleston Music Hall | Charleston, SC
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Experience two extraordinary performances honoring the vibrant musical legacies of Charleston and New Orleans. The evening opens with the Gullah Collective, led by CL Baxter, celebrating the Gullah Geechee traditions of the Sea Islands through ancestral rhythms, soulful vocals, and powerful storytelling.The program continues with legendary drummer Herlin Riley and his Quartet—featuring Oscar Rossignoli on piano, Max Moran on bass, and Julian Lee on tenor and soprano saxophone—as they pay homage to the dynamic rhythms and improvisational spirit that define New Orleans jazz.
Together, these performances illuminate the deep connections between two iconic American jazz traditions, creating an immersive and uplifting celebration of rhythm, culture, and creativity.
The Herlin Riley performance and education programs are presented within “Jazz=Community,” an initiative inpartnership with Spoleto Festival USA. Education programs include an in-school performance, a masterclass at the Charleston Jazz Academy, and a public program (more information to be announced soon). The program is supported by the Donaldson Charitable Trust and Hilton C. Smith Jr., and in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the South Carolina Arts Commission.
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About The Herlin Riley-
Since coming of age in the nurturing environment of a very musical family and a distinguished bloodline of drummers, New Orleans native Herlin Riley emerged from that most creative era of all things rhythmic in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, to enliven the ensembles of such influential and demanding improvisers as pianist Ahmad Jamal and trumpeter Wynton Marsalis through his commanding yet elegant rhythmic presence.
His authoritative style of melodic percussion is deeply imbued in the fertile creative soil of the Crescent City, encompassing as it does the entire length and breadth of America’s ongoing musical journey.
Herlin Riley Quartet Musicians:
Herlin Riley – Drums
Oscar Rossignoli – Piano
Max Moran – Bass
Julian Lee – Tenor & Soprano Saxophone
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About Gullah Collective-
Gullah Collective is a musical project founded by CL Baxter, a drummer, percussionist, and producer, with a mission to preserve and promote the sounds of the Gullah Geechee culture. Drawing from the rich musical traditions of the Lowcountry, Gullah Collective blends jazz, roots, R&B, and gospel, all while honoring the deep historical connections to West African rhythms and storytelling that define the Gullah Geechee people.
CL Baxter envisioned the collective as a way to elevate the music and culture of the Gullah Geechee community, which has often remained underrepresented on the global stage. While sounds like New Orleans Brass Band music and the rhythms of Go-Go have become widely recognized, Baxter believes it is time for the world to experience the powerful and soulful sounds of the Lowcountry, a place where West African traditions have melded with African American cultural expressions for centuries.
Through their music, Gullah Collective celebrates the resilience, creativity, and rich heritage of the Gullah Geechee people. Their work serves as both a tribute to the past and a bold exploration of the future, blending the cultural rhythms of the Sea Islands with modern sounds to create a music that resonates with audiences worldwide.
Gullah Collective Musicians:
Calvin Baxter II – Drums
Javan Campbell – Hybrid Percussion
Donald Graham – Gullah Drums
Demetrius Doctor – Organ/Keyboard
Stephen Washington – Organ/Keyboard
Thomas Kenney – Guitar
LaVonta Green – Bass
Gavin Smith – Trombone
Steve Morley – Trumpet
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Where is it happening?
Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St, Charleston, SC 29403-6432, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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