The Will Boyd Project isn't just a band—it's a spiritual reckoning delivered through reeds and rhythm, a sonic revival where the sacred traditions of the Black church collide with the revolutionary fire of jazz. Led by multi-instrumentalist and "mad sax man" Will Boyd, this ensemble transforms every performance into a joyful noise that honors the soul sax prophets—Eddie Harris, Hank Crawford, King Curtis—while pushing the movement forward with urgent, right-now energy.
From baritone sax sermons to bass clarinet benedictions, Boyd channels decades of soul tradition through every note, reimagining spirituals, hymns, and freedom songs with albums like Freedom Soul Jazz and Soulful Noise. This is music that's toured Japan, shared stages with Fred Wesley and Jeff Coffin, and graced PBS documentaries—yet still feels as intimate as a Sunday morning service in a Memphis sanctuary.
Joined by steady-grooving bassist Zack Page, thunderous drummer Micah Thomas, and the mountain magic of keyboardist Taylor Pierson, The Will Boyd Project proves that jazz has always been about liberation—musical, spiritual, and otherwise. Expect an evening where bebop meets the church pew, where virtuosity serves something bigger than technique, and where every song becomes a freedom song.
This isn't just a performance. It's a celebration. It's a sermon. It's proof that the future sounds like freedom.
Featuring
From the church pews of Orangeburg to the concert stages of Japan, Will Boyd carries the sacred fire of soul saxophone in his lungs and heart. This South Carolina State University alumnus didn't just study the tradition of Eddie Harris and Hank Crawford—he absorbed their DNA, then filtered it through his own musical genome to create something both reverent and revolutionary. Now splitting his time between the classrooms of UNC Asheville and Warren Wilson College, Will serves as both professor and prophet, teaching young musicians that technique without soul is just expensive noise. His EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument) doesn't replace his acoustic arsenal—it amplifies his voice across dimensions, while his wife Kelle Jolly's vocals provide the perfect harmonic counterpoint to his reed-driven narratives. Winner of the MLK Arts Award and inductee into South Carolina State's jazz hall of fame, Will transforms every stage into a sanctuary where the secular meets the spiritual, and the ancient language of the blues speaks directly to tomorrow's possibilities.
Some musicians chase the notes—Zack Page lets them chase him, which might explain how he's managed to average 275 gigs per year since the mid-1990s, turning bass lines into highways that stretch from Virginia backroads to Swiss jazz festivals to Asheville's intimate listening rooms. This rhythm section nomad carries dual citizenship in the worlds of heavy metal and jazz, a musical passport stamped by legendary drummer Billy Higgins and acclaimed clarinetist Eddie Daniels, earned through decades of wandering between Los Angeles studios, New York City sessions, and now the Blue Ridge Mountains. His four strings have held down the low end on cruise ship stages and gypsy jazz jams with equal authority, whether he's anchoring 'One Leg Up' in Asheville's Django-influenced underground or laying foundation stones for folk rock storytellers. From electric bass at eleven to acoustic mastery in college, Page embodies the restless spirit of American music itself—always moving, always grooving, always making everyone around him better. As fellow trumpeter Justin Ray observed, that's the hallmark of truly great musicians: they don't just play their part, they elevate everyone else's.
Micah Thomas is the heartbeat behind the kit, driving rhythms with the raw power and precision that echoes through Asheville's mountain valleys. With sticks in hand and an instinctive groove that won't quit, Micah commands the drums like a force of nature—equal parts thunder and finesse. Rooted in the diverse musical landscape of Western North Carolina, Micah's drumming spans genres with effortless versatility. From tight, pocket-driven grooves that anchor funk and soul to explosive rock fills and the intricate patterns of progressive beats, their playing is both technically masterful and deeply musical. Whether laying down a steady backbeat or unleashing creative polyrhythms, Micah knows exactly when to hold back and when to let loose. Drawing energy from Asheville's vibrant live music scene and the wild spirit of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Micah brings an infectious enthusiasm to every performance. Behind the drums, they don't just keep time—they create momentum, build anticipation, and turn every song into a journey worth taking.
Taylor Pierson brings the mountain magic of Asheville to life through cascading keys and soulful melodies. With fingers that dance across ivory and imagination, Taylor weaves together the eclectic spirit of Western North Carolina—where bluegrass roots meet indie innovation, and folk traditions blend seamlessly with modern soundscapes. Whether conjuring atmospheric textures on synths, laying down groovy Hammond organ riffs, or crafting delicate piano arrangements, Taylor's keyboard work is as diverse and vibrant as Asheville itself. Drawing inspiration from the Blue Ridge peaks and the city's thriving arts scene, their playing captures that perfect balance of mountain mystique and creative energy that defines the region. From intimate coffee house performances to festival stages, Taylor's keyboards add color, depth, and emotion to every musical moment—creating sonic landscapes as rich and textured as an Asheville sunset over the French Broad River.
Admission
FREE!