Velvet & Satin: Charmin Michelle & Geoff Jones

Charmin Michelle and Geoff Jones bring the lush sounds of jazz touched with the warmth of velvet and the slick sheen of satin. Hear songs like "Moonray" and "Just The Two Of Us", with Rick Carlson on piano.

Charmin Michelle - vocals

Geoff Jones - vocals

Rick Carlson - piano

"Taste and understatement. Swing and savoir-faire. Grace and grooves. Intimacy and panache. Singer Charmin Michelle delivers all of the above and more." This is what the Minneapolis Star/Tribune had to say about this charismatic chanteuse whose conversational style recalls the late Billie Holiday and other legendary ladies of jazz. And, yet, her music is free of tiresome camp and easy nostalgia. She's a savvy songstress and, while putting her own imprint on a melody, is always respectful of those who first inhabited it.

Geoff Jones is a singer who blends jazz, soul, and gospel stylings, all wrapped in a engagingly warm baritone. As a veteran member of the Grammy Award-winning music ensemble Sounds of Blackness Geoff has crisscrossed the globe, performing at the Montreux Jazz Festival, the Olympic Games, the (Soccer) World Cup, The Tonight Show, Soul Train, Showtime at the Apollo, the NAACP Image Awards, and many other televised and live appearances. With the Sounds he has recorded on projects with and performed on stage with Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Elton John, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Bebe Winans, Joe Sample, Nnena Freelon, Jackie McLean, the Heath Brothers, and numerous others. In the area of voice work, Geoff lent his speaking voice to the title character in the acclaimed Disney animated short feature John Henry, part of their Tall Tales and Legends series. Geoff has graced the theatrical stage in featured roles in Black Nativity, Ain’t Misbehavin’ and Lost In The Stars (Penumbra Theatre), The Soul of Gershwin (Park Square Theatre and Fort Lauderdale Playhouse), Mishegoss (Women’s Club of Minneapolis Theatre and St. Cloud Theatre), Wild Swans (In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre), Amazing Grace (Illusion Theatre), and The Sounds of Blackness’ The Night Before Christmas (Guthrie, Fitzgerald, and State Theatres).

Rick Carlson taught himself to play the piano by studying the vast works of Count Basie and Duke Ellington and capitalizing on a long string of happy accidents. He has also perfected the art of “circular drinking”, whereby he can sip martinis uninterrupted while still playing a cohesive piano solo. He has been the pianist for the Wolverines Big Band since 1980. He has performed on concert stages in London and New York City, and has appeared with Count Basie drummer Butch Miles, horn stars Warren Vaché, Delfeayo Marsalis, Evan Christopher and Wycliffe Gordon. His credits as musical director, arranger and pianist include the Guthrie Theater presentation of “Coward’s Women”, the Capri Theater “Legends Series” and in various concert and cabaret presentations internationally. He opened for Rosemary Clooney, accompanied Kathryn Crosby in various cabaret shows, and counts Madeleine Peyroux among his many unwitting fans.

Host or Publisher Crooners Lounge & Supper Club