Bring the whole family and enjoy FREE jazz & blues musical performances from local and national artists to benefit youth education programming for the children of the future, presented by Open Tone Music! Featuring a performance by Akron's own funky soul band, The Admirables (8PM), fronted by saxophonist Nathan-Paul Davis!
Join us as we continue the 3rd Annual Rubber City Jazz & Blues Festival with a FREE performance by Akron’s own funky soul band, The Admirables, fronted by saxophonist Nathan-Paul Davis!
Bring the whole family downtown throughout the weekend and enjoy more FREE jazz & blues musical performances from local and national artists on several stages downtown (BLU Jazz+, Akron Art Museum, Akron Public Library, High St. Hop House, Lock 3, Maiden Lane, Musica, & Burning Bush Church) to benefit youth education programming for the children of the future.
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About The Admirables
The Admirables is a funky soul band based out of Akron, Ohio. Wielding their instruments alone, the raw, unrelenting energy of the Admirables is a force to be reckoned with! Frontman Nathan-Paul Davis engages the crowd with his vocals like a baptist preacher in a packed church of eager people, encouraging the crowd to get up and dance until they drop. “It’s a big soul party and everybody’s welcome to join, so come as you are!” Nathan-Paul says.
The Admirables got their start as a pick up band providing entertainment for a local soul singer’s birthday party. Nathan-Paul (Alto Saxophone) headed up the group that night and discovered his uncanny gift for getting the crowd pumped and dancing. The bass player (Matthew DeRubertis) realized they had something special and told Nathan “We should maybe keep this thing going.” There was no original intent on continuing past the band that night, but The Admirables had been formed, and they all knew they had to deliver for the people!!
Although they began with a repertoire mainly of obscure 60’s soul covers, The Admirables have built up an impressive array of original music. Their sound has drawn comparisons to artists such as Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, and James Brown, similarly drawing upon that fiery southern gospel church vibe where the lines between audience and performer become blurred.
Despite being an instrumental band, they offer their music instead of words to approach certain social issues. ”Its Gonna Be Alright” (written by tenor sax player Chris Coles) is one of those songs. It addresses the injustices towards Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, and all people continually affected by racial tensions. “For Mandela”, was written by Nathan-Paul to be a narrative of the great leader’s life. “Saint in the City” was dedicated to a murdered local bar owner that was known for his unending kindness. The band is currently in the studio working on their first full length album, set for a release date in August of 2015.
Members: Nathan-Paul Davis (alto sax), Chris Coles (tenor sax), Eli Hanley (keys), Matthew DeRubertis (bass), Dan Fernandez (drums), Patrick Graney (percussion).
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About Open Tone Music
In 2010, Open Tone Music began with the goal to:
- Make music accessible to the community
- Provide music education both inside and outside the classroom for youth and adults
- Offer music performance which are accessible to the public of all ages
- Offer opportunity for musicians in training to rehearse and perform with professionals
- Provide education and access in the business of making music
Since its creation, Open Tone Music has been able to serve thousands of youth in the Northern Ohio area with the help of fiscal agents, community partners and individual donors.