Black Notes Project

Prince, who would have turned 66 this year, had a strong connection to jazz. Both of his parents were jazz musicians and jazz was a big inspiration to him. According to Mayte Garcia, during her highly publicized marriage to Prince, he listened to Miles Davis' Kind of Blue album every single night for a very long period of time - to the point where she has declared “I can sing that entire album in my sleep!” Prince eventually befriended Miles Davis and started a collaboration with him in 1987.

Today, Mayte is engaged to Sir Niels Lan Doky, a renowned Danish jazz pianist who was knighted by Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark in 2010 for his contributions to jazz music.  He has been called “The best pianist of his generation” (Swing Journal, Japan) and “fresh and provocative” (New York Times), and his work has been praised for its originality and significance, with critics noting his ability to carry forward the great jazz tradition while developing his own unique voice.

Hence, a collaboration on a jazz celebration of Prince was a natural calling for Niels and Mayte.  So Mayte delved into Prince’s vast catalog of iconic timeless songs - many of which were written for or inspired by her - to select a concert’s worth of material for Niels to arrange and rework into jazz standards. During this show, Mayte will deliver compelling background stories and anecdotes about each song that Niels will perform with former Prince drummer David “Fingers” Haynes, the breathtaking French bass virtuoso François Moutin, and New York City’s hottest new jazz trumpet star, Wallace Roney Jr.

Join us at Booth Playhouse for a concert featuring an impressive display of young talent. Enjoy the harmonious sounds of the Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra led by Conductor Ian Passmore, featuring a soon-to-be announced special guest, as they play a jazz-inspired repertoire from a diverse array of composers and arrangers. Bring the whole family for an outing that will delight all ages! General Admission tickets for adults are $15. General Admission tickets for students are free.

Learn More About CSYO

Since their first show in 2016, under the direction of legendary Atlanta arranger music director Chris Moten, Trap Jazz has been able to perform its own signature brand of genre-bending Jazz alongside the likes of Terrace Martin, Christian Scott, GhostNotes, Quincy Jones, and many more. 

Founded by international sensation DJ Fannie Mae and Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer Dennis Reed, Sainted Trap Choir offers audiences an eclectic range of musical achievement. Paying homage to the Southern Black Church experience, Sainted highlights the spectrum of Black musical excellence throughout the decades and takes you on a journey that identifies Black church music as the bedrock of countless musical traditions–including Jazz.

Come see Trap Jazz and Sainted Trap Choir take the stage together at Knight Theater for a night to remember that will have you on your feet!