A portion of the proceeds will go to benefit Peter Paul RVA, a local nonprofit that serves Richmond youth and families. Show features saxophonist and songwriter Richard D'Abreu, Jr. and friends. Support is Jazz in the Spirit Tour. Saxophonist and songwriter Richard D’Abreu, Jr. is a specialist in a niche genre called gospel jazz, which blends the two styles in creative ways. Through this concert, he seeks to call greater attention to this genre in general and his signature sound in particular. For 20 years, the Brooklyn, NY native has lived and worked in the Richmond area as the highly regarded composer/bandleader of his group Jazz in the Spirit, a sought after church musical director/accompanist, a versatile wedding band keyboardist/saxophonist, busy freelance and session musician, first call sheet music transcriber, workshop clinician, nationally recognized songwriter, gospel jazz podcaster, musical mentor and private instructor. Now he brings all those skills together, backed by a 6 piece band and 15 voice choir in one unforgettable musical celebration of those 20 years, themed “To Richmond, with Love,” including a plan to donate a portion of the proceeds to Peter Paul RVA, a local nonprofit that helps educate and empower Richmond youth and families. Two Richmond organizations that Richard sought out immediately upon relocating, who welcomed him with open arms, and who will always be near and dear to his heart are the Richmond Jazz Society and the Richmond Chapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of America. It was in August of 2006 that D’Abreu first moved to the Richmond area. He had already been making a name for himself, trained at Brown University and Berklee College of Music, mentored by jazz icon Max Roach, and with 7 international concert tours under his belt as far away as New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Germany, France and Italy. On Juneteenth 2020, in the middle of the COVID19 pandemic, he released his long awaited seminal album “Jazz in the Spirit,” calling it “a release commemorating a release” to the press. He has released a everal digital singles since then including the New Orleans-styled “Celebrate” and a funky Christmas classic, “Joy to the World.” He also started an online performance/podcast during the pandemic called “Friday Night Inspiration,” to spread some joy and hope during those challenging times. Some audience instrumental favorites from the album like “By and By,” “Light of the World,” “Only Want to Serve You,” and “Count Your Blessings” will be featured at the concert. His gospel choir songs have been presented nationally over a 9 year period at the annual convention of the Gospel Workshop of America, founded by Rev. James Cleveland. Some of them, like “No, Not One” and “I Will Sing Praises,” as well as several vocal songs from the “Jazz in the Spirit” album will also be featured. Recently, his video rendition of the hymn “Because He Lives” by Bill Gaither from the 2013 national convention of the Hampton University Minister’s Conference surpassed 100k views. This concert is styled after a similar concert D’Abreu gave at the Family Arts Festival at the Theatre of the Riverside Church in Harlem before relocating. It takes the listener on a journey from a straight ahead acoustic jazz sound to a smooth electric sound (following the example of Chick Corea’s Akoustic Band and Elektric Band), followed by smooth vocal gospel jazz and finally a powerhouse gospel choir sound to close out the night. He will be joined by special guests from New York, Maryland and Florida, along with some of Richmond’s finest musicians and singers. With his eyes on the national and international stage as an ambassador for gospel jazz, carrying his vision of succeeding through helping others, D’Abreu will be forever grateful for the love and support he received as a transplanted Northerner during these 20 years. Cheers to RVA! One passage of scripture Richard quotes often is “To whom much is given, much is required,” which was also the motto of his middle school in Brooklyn. He says: “I firmly believe in giving back from what I’ve been given and hope and pray that this 20 year celebration will be a blessing to all who attend, to Peter Paul RVA and the children and families they serve, and to Richmond in general, my new home. Love y’all!”