Forte Jazz Lounge's Upcoming Shows

Brett Belanger is a highly accomplished and sought after bassist. He leads this trio of A-list musicians, Abdiel Iriarte on Piano and Ron Wiltrout on Drums. They cover great American Jazz Standards as well as more contemporary material from the Bebop era. From time time, they include some of their own compositions. Come in for a relaxing night listening to great performances. Join us every Wednesday for an amazing jazz set performed by Charleston's best.

Forte Jazz Lounge presents an evening of vocal jazz from the Great American Song Book. Cole Porter, Harold Arlen, George and Ira Gershwin, Duke Ellington are just a few of the composers represented in this night dedicated to the the Great American Songbook and the Vocalists the brought them to life for the past 80+ years. Artists like Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Billie Holiday, Bobby Darrin, Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney, Sarah Vaughn are all celebrated on Thursday Nights. This evening a local favorite and accomplished Jazz vocalist, Alva Anderson will be entertaining you from 7pm-10pm.

The Forte Jazz Quartet backs up Joe Clarke as he performs from the vast collection of Sinatra Hits! This is one of Forte Jazz Lounge's most popular shows. You'll hear iconic songs made famous by Frank Sinatra like; Fly me to the Moon, I've Got you Under My Skin and Lady is a Tramp. Great Composers from that era will be on full display; Harold Arlen, Cole Porter Gershwin, Mancini to name a few. Join us for this fun and romantic evening full of great music. Abdiel Iriarte - Piano John Kennedy - Bass Josh Hoover - Drums Thomas Norris - Guitar.

Charles Grant leads this Vocal trio through the greatest R&B and Motown Hits of the 60's, 70's & 80's such as Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, Stylistics and More!

Brett Belanger is a highly accomplished and sought after bassist. He leads this trio of A-list musicians, Abdiel Iriarte on Piano and Ron Wiltrout on Drums. They cover great American Jazz Standards as well as more contemporary material from the Bebop era. From time time, they include some of their own compositions. Come in for a relaxing night listening to great performances. Join us every Wednesday for an amazing jazz set performed by Charleston's best.

Forte Jazz Lounge presents an evening of vocal jazz from the Great American Song Book. Cole Porter, Harold Arlen, George and Ira Gershwin, Duke Ellington are just a few of the composers represented in this night dedicated to the the Great American Songbook and the Vocalists that brought them to life for the past 80+ years. Artists like Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Billie Holiday, Bobby Darrin, Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney, Sarah Vaughn are all celebrated on Thursday Nights. This evening Forte's Owner and veteran Big Band vocalist, Joe Clarke will be entertaining you from 7pm-10pm.

Highly sought after Jazz bassist, Brett Belanger has new group that will perform all originals with pianist, Arshak, Drummer, Ron Wiltrout and Robert Lewis on Saxophone. Barrel Proof is a new band based in Charleston, SC that was born out of a weekly session in which Brett, Robert, Arshak, and Ron would play each other’s original compositions. Starting the very first day, it was discovered that the band also shared a mutual appreciation for whiskey which became an integral part of the weekly sessions. All four members of Barrel Proof contribute compositions that span a wide range of influences which makes for a performance with a vast sonic pallet. Robert Lewis: Based in Charleston, SC, saxophonist/composer/educator Robert Lewis is enjoying a growing presence in the jazz community of the South. Robert is in demand as an artist and clinician, both as a leader and as a sideman. He is the Director of Jazz Studies at the College of Charleston and is the Director of the acclaimed Charleston Jazz Orchestra. Brett Belanger: A native of Greenville, South Carolina, Brett Belanger developed an interest in music performance at the age of 11 when he began playing alto saxophone in middle school band. At age 12 he began playing electric bass and was influenced by artists such as Jaco Pastorius. His jazz education began at this time with multi-instrumentalist Charlie Parker. In high school Brett attended the Fine Art Center studying both saxophone and bass under guitarist Steve Watson while also taking lessons with saxophonist Matt Olson. During this time, he developed a strong foundation in jazz performance and theory while also winning a best-in-class award. Upon graduating, Brett auditioned at the College of Charleston for jazz bass where he earned his B.A. in Jazz Performance under the mentorship of Frank Duvall. He graduated Magna Cum Laude and received three music awards including "Outstanding Student" and "School of the Arts Scholar". After a short time at the college, Brett began studying double bass which he now plays professionally all over the Southeast at restaurants, listening rooms, hotels, and in music festivals. Brett is currently earning his Artist Certificate at the College of Charleston. Arshak Syriunin: Born and raised in the city of Yerevan, Armenia, by the age of seven, Arshak Sirunyan’s natural musical talent had already come to the attention of Sergey Kechek, Director of the A. Spendiarov School of Music; one of the leading musical academies in Armenia. Studying under unparalleled teacher and a music mentor Arkuhi Harutyunyan, Arshak continued his study of classical piano styles for the next 10 years, performing solo concerts and going so far as to receive the third-place award at the 1994 Armenian National J. S. Bach Concerto Competition. Later, he attended and graduated from Komitas State Conservatory, where he concentrated on Composition and Piano Performance under the tutelage of Stephan Rostomyan and Georgy Kasabyan. In the fallowing years Arshak has composed classical and contemporary compositions for vocal, piano, clarinet, string quartet and symphonic orchestra. In 2002, the Armenian Komitas String Quartet performed a work composed by Arshak Sirunyan that was dedicated to the victims of the earthquake that struck Armenia fourteen years earlier. In the year of 2002, after releasing his first album “Armenian Folk Melodies” with his friend Artur Yeghiazaryan, Arshak was granted the great opportunity to come to the United States of America. In 2008 Arshak found and produced a band by name “Double Sharp“with his two childhood friends Levon Mikaelian and Nune Vartanyan, which also includes two veterans of American jazz scene Tony Bunn and Wes Crawford. This gave a birth to the album “With a Song in My Heart“. The same year he began working on his trio album “Journal“[Released in 2010] and Tony’s project “Small World“ [Released in 2009] with Dennis Chambers on drums. In May 2010, “Twitching Eye“from the album “ ” Honorable Mention” from the 2010 International Songwriting Competition. In late 2012 Arshak began working on his “Hoodman’s Blind” project collaborating with multi Grammy Award winning & nominated musicians from all over the world. Featuring Mike Stern, Omar Hakim, Eric Marienthal, Chieli Minucci, Bob Franceschini, Raul Pineda, Cheikh NDoye, John Lamkin III, Arto Tuncboyaciyan, Artyom Manukyan, Artur Yeghiazaryan, Vardanyan String Quartet & more.. Ron Wiltrout is a percussionist based in Charleston, SC. He performs regularly in the Southeast with ensembles whose styles range from jazz and salsa to free improvisation to avant-garde and contemporary classical music. As a performer of new music, he has premiered pieces by Ted Hearne, Michael Pisaro, Sam Sfirri, KCM Walker, Andy Akiho, Sean Friar, Philip White, and Nathan Koci. His work with Ted Hearne has earned him a Grammy Nomination (for Place released 2020.) Wiltrout is devoted to exploring the use of unconventional percussion and extended techniques and integrating the drum set into any musical scenario. He co-leads multiple jazz groups and is the leader and originator of the band Rad Western. Wiltrout has performed with The Charleston Jazz Orchestra, Barrel Proof, Garage Cuban Band, Harry Allen, Lee Barbour, Tommy Gill, Asphalt Orchestra, Gino Castillo and the Cuban Cowboys, Duda Lucena, Conor Donohue, Lindsay Holler, Matadero, Katrina Ballads, Your Bad Self, and the Opposite of a Train.

Charles Grant is a premier vocalist with a band composed of the finest musicians playing the very best Classic Soul, R&B, Smooth Jazz and Motown hits from the 60's, 70's & 80's.

Brett Belanger is a highly accomplished and sought after bassist. He leads this trio of A-list musicians, Abdiel Iriarte on Piano and Ron Wiltrout on Drums. They cover great American Jazz Standards as well as more contemporary material from the Bebop era. From time time, they include some of their own compositions. Come in for a relaxing night listening to great performances. Join us every Wednesday for an amazing jazz set performed by Charleston's best.

Forte Jazz Lounge presents an evening of vocal jazz from the Great American Song Book. Cole Porter, Harold Arlen, George and Ira Gershwin, Duke Ellington are just a few of the composers represented in this night dedicated to the the Great American Songbook and the Vocalists the brought them to life for the past 80+ years. Artists like Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Billie Holiday, Bobby Darrin, Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney, Sarah Vaughn are all celebrated on Thursday Nights. This evening a local favorite and accomplished Jazz vocalist, Alva Anderson will be entertaining you from 7pm-10pm.

Experience the magic of Billy Joel and Elton John as Forte Jazz Lounge owner, Joe Clarke, takes center stage. Backed by the powerhouse Forte Show Band—complete with blaring horns and soulful backup singers—Clarke delivers the greatest hits of two piano legends with unmatched passion. From the catchy strut of "Honky Cat" and the heartfelt melody of "Your Song" to the epic storytelling of "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" and the timeless anthem "Piano Man," this is more than a tribute—it's a musical spectacular. Don't miss Joe Clarke and the Forte Show Band bringing the Rocket Man and the Piano Man to life at Forte Jazz Lounge! Joe Clarke - Piano/Vocals Abdiel Iriarte – Music Direction/Keys Josh Hoover – Drums Thomas Norris -Guitar John Kennedy – Bass Jon Phillips - Sax Brian Bohannon - Trumpet Carrie Bates - Trombone Jenna Bohannon - Back up vocals Jerome Griffin - Back up vocals

Brett Belanger is a highly accomplished and sought after bassist. He leads this trio of A-list musicians, Abdiel Iriarte on Piano and Ron Wiltrout on Drums. They cover great American Jazz Standards as well as more contemporary material from the Bebop era. From time time, they include some of their own compositions. Come in for a relaxing night listening to great performances. Join us every Wednesday for an amazing jazz set performed by Charleston's best.

Forte Jazz Lounge presents an evening of vocal jazz from the Great American Song Book. Cole Porter, Harold Arlen, George and Ira Gershwin, Duke Ellington are just a few of the composers represented in this night dedicated to the the Great American Songbook and the Vocalists that brought them to life for the past 80+ years. Artists like Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Billie Holiday, Bobby Darrin, Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney, Sarah Vaughn are all celebrated on Thursday Nights. This evening Forte's Owner and veteran Big Band vocalist, Joe Clarke will be entertaining you from 7pm-10pm.

Musical Director and Pianist Abdiel Iriarte produces this First Friday series exploring Latin Jazz and the Latin Artists that have entertained the world with their infectious rhythms and unique flair for the genre. Featuring the music of Giants of the Latin Jazz like Jesus “Chucho” Valdés, Arturo Sandoval, Tito Puente, Michel Camilo and Original Compositions by Abdiel Iriarte.

The Forte Big Band under the direction of Frank Duvall performs with Joe Clarke who will be singing all the great Sinatra Hits; Fly Me to the Moon, The Way You Look Tonight and My Way to name a few. Joe Clarke is the owner of Forte and has been entertaining for over 30 years. You are going to have a great night. This is a very popular show so get your tickets today!

Brett Belanger is a highly accomplished and sought after bassist. He leads this trio of A-list musicians, Abdiel Iriarte on Piano and Ron Wiltrout on Drums. They cover great American Jazz Standards as well as more contemporary material from the Bebop era. From time time, they include some of their own compositions. Come in for a relaxing night listening to great performances. Join us every Wednesday for an amazing jazz set performed by Charleston's best.

Forte Jazz Lounge presents an evening of vocal jazz from the Great American Song Book. Cole Porter, Harold Arlen, George and Ira Gershwin, Duke Ellington are just a few of the composers represented in this night dedicated to the the Great American Songbook and the Vocalists that brought them to life for the past 80+ years. Artists like Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Billie Holiday, Bobby Darrin, Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney, Sarah Vaughn are all celebrated on Thursday Nights. This evening Forte's Owner and veteran Big Band vocalist, Joe Clarke will be entertaining you from 7pm-10pm.

Prepare to be swept away by the smooth and captivating sounds of contemporary jazz as we welcome you to an unforgettable evening of musical brilliance. We are thrilled to present a specially curated performance that will celebrate the timeless artistry of some of the most iconic smooth jazz performers from the 80s, 90s, and beyond. Featuring the incomparable music of David Sanborn, Grover Washington Jr., Jeff Lorber, Bob James, Pat Metheny, Spyro Gyra and more, this extraordinary concert will take you on a journey through the golden age of contemporary and smooth jazz. Backed by a world-class ensemble of virtuosic musicians, you'll be mesmerized by the rich harmonies, infectious grooves, and masterful improvisations that define this beloved genre. Whether you're a longtime devotee of contemporary jazz or discovering these legendary artists for the first time, this concert promises to be an evening of pure musical bliss. From the silky smooth sax lines of David Sanborn to the shimmering electric piano of Bob James, each performance will leave you transported, igniting your senses and stirring your soul. Don't miss your chance to experience the timeless magic of contemporary and smooth jazz live on stage. Get your tickets now for this unforgettable evening and get ready to be swept away by the musical mastery of these revered jazz titans. Jon Phillips - Sax Thomas Norris - Electric Guitar John F. Kennedy - Electric Bass Josh Hoover - Drums