Some of Charlotte’s best jazz musicians will inspire those at the first gathering of Jazz Church on Friday, February 10th, 7:00 pm in After Hours, a special event venue on the 2nd Level of the Cone Center on the UNC-Charlotte campus.

With twenty years experience as a professional drummer and percussionist, and instructor, Al Sergel performs for audiences worldwide. Having had the opportunity to work with a wide variety of artists, Sergel's creativity, style adaptability and musical sense contribute to his busy schedule.  Regardless of the musical style or the performance environment, Sergel is comfortable and ready to create.

Chad Lawson is just about the polar opposite of every other solo pianist out there.  He has toured the world with Julio Iglesias, is an official Kawai performing artist, a winner of the “Album of the Year” on Whisperings Solo Piano Radio and has scored several films.  His most recent film is Doughboys, featuring Louis Lombardi (The Sopranos, ‘Edgar’ from 24) and Vincent Pastore (The Sopranos).  Lawson also recently scored a TV pilot—details which, for now anyway—are under wraps.

Ziad Rabie is the eldest son of the late Palestinian American poet Diab Rabie.  He grew up in Charlotte and graduated from Wake Forest University with degrees in Philosophy and Political Science.  Following

Ron Brendle is a freelance bassist in the Charlotte area since 1981. He was the recipient of two North Carolina Arts Council Jazz Composer Fellowship Grants, and was awarded a Regional Artist Grant by the Charlotte Arts & Science Council, which helped produce his CD Here.  Other recently released recordings include Hypermobility,Autumn, Photograph, Big Octave, and Rhizome. 

Ron has performed and recorded with many notable jazz artists of international stature, including Nneena Freelon, Clark Terry, Andrew Hill, Charlie Byrd, Charlie Rouse, and Mose Allison. His latest recordings include projects with Loonis McGlohon, Mike Campbell, and Frank Kimbrough.

graduation he decided to follow his heart “because music and the saxophone were always my love and became my vocation.  He studied jazz improvisation with Jerry Coker at the Univ. of Tennessee-Knoxville.  His passion for jazz is unmistakable in every performance.