About the Artist:
Experience the timeless music of John Coltrane through the soulful artistry of Will Boyd. Soultrane celebrates the passion, innovation, and spiritual depth of one of jazz's greatest voices featuring classic Coltrane compositions as well as originals he inspired. Join Will and his band for an unforgettable evening of powerful melodies, swinging rhythms, and the enduring spirit of jazz. Boyd will be joined by Taber Gable on piano, David Becher on bass, and Micah Thomas on drums.
Will Boyd, a multi-reed instrumentalist, composer, and educator, embodies the soul sax tradition of legends like Eddie Harris, Hank Crawford, and Johnny Hodges. Originally from Orangeburg, SC, and Queens, NY, he now resides in Asheville, NC, where he serves on the music faculty at UNC Asheville and Warren Wilson College. A former member of the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra, Will has released three solo albums and co-leads a group with his wife, jazz vocalist and radio host Kelle Jolly. A South Carolina State University graduate and inductee into its Jazz Hall of Fame, Will has performed with a diverse array of artists, including Leslie Odom Jr., Wycliffe Gordon, and Regina Carter, and appeared at festivals like Big Ears and Peter Barakan's It's Magic in Tokyo. With Kelle, he has toured internationally, appeared on The Jazzy Vegetarian, and performed in musical theater productions, earning accolades such as the MLK Award for the Arts. Will also contributed to the PBS documentary and opera celebrating painter Beauford Delaney and remains an active force in Asheville’s jazz scene, directing the Contemporary Jazz Ensemble and performing weekly with various groups.
About the Space:
The Melroy is one of the best listening rooms in town. The environment, furniture, and decor create a refined space where the focus is on the music. It is easily the closest thing to a big city jazz club in our family of venues.
Who will be into this?
A better question is who won't be into this? John Coltrane is one of the most universally beloved voices in Jazz and we love Will Boyd so much that he has steadily been involved with Origins Jazz Series since 2018.