Home » Jazz Articles » In Pictures » Hampton Roads Jazz at the Ferguson Center for the Arts

Hampton Roads Jazz at the Ferguson Center for the Arts

By Mark Robbins
May 30, 2025
View read count

Hampton Roads Jazz (HR Jazz) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, promoting, and presenting jazz in both performance and educational settings. Based in the Hampton Roads (Norfollk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach), the organization aims to enrich the local cultural landscape by bringing world-class jazz musicians to perform, teach, and inspire aspiring artists.

Founded by

Jae Sinnett

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Jae Sinnett, a jazz drummer, educator, and radio host, Hampton Roads Jazz Inc. offers masterclasses, lectures, clinics, and showcases for student musicians. The organization also focuses on reaching underserved communities, fostering creativity, and providing inclusive educational programs for individuals of all backgrounds.

This year, HR Jazz Inc. hosted the 27th Ella Fitzgerald Festival with a series of concerts during the week of her birthday. Sinnett along with bassist Terry Burrell and pianist

Allen Farnham

piano
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">Allen Farnham accompanied San Francisco-based vocalist

Kenny Washington - Vocals

vocals
b.1957

" data-original-title="" title="">Kenny Washington - Vocals to a swinging 45 minute set of standards that ended with the 250 fans in attendance giving him an endless standing ovation. After a short intermission

Bob Mintzer

saxophone
b.1953

" data-original-title="" title="">Bob Mintzer,

Russell Ferrante

keyboards
b.1952

" data-original-title="" title="">Russell Ferrante,

Will Kennedy

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Will Kennedy and

Dane Alderson

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Dane Alderson, better known as the

Yellowjackets

band / ensemble / orchestra
b.1977

" data-original-title="" title="">Yellowjackets, took the stage. Presenting selections from their new album Fasten Up as well older songs the Yellowjackets proved why they have been a fan favorite for 43 years.

A few nights later, Sinnett was back on stage with Farnham and bassist Will Ledbetter this time backing

Vanessa Rubin

vocals
b.1957

" data-original-title="" title="">Vanessa Rubin,

Tierney Sutton

vocals
b.1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Tierney Sutton and

Rene Marie

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Rene Marie. The three vocalist each performed individual 30 minute sets then ended the show together on stage. Each singer showed off her vocal chops, singing and scatting, interpreting the Great American Songbook in their own style. The final song featured beautiful harmony.

Hopefully, this will be just the start of a long life for the HR Jazz.

The following are photos from the two evenings. View Slideshow

Will Kennedy

Terry Burrell

Allen Farnham, Will Ledbetter, Vanessa Rubin, Jae Sinnett

Russell Ferrante, Bob Mintzer, Will Kennedy, Dane Alderson

Jae Sinnett, Ren�� Marie

Allen Farnham, Ren�� Marie

Jae Sinnett, Vanessa Rubin

Russell Ferrante, Bob Mintzer, Will Kennedy, Dane Alderson

Allen Farnham, Kenny Washington, Jae Sinnett, Terry Burrell

Tierney Sutton

Dane Alderson

Tierney Sutton, Jae Sinnett