Results for "John Toomey"

John Toomey

Professor John Toomey has been recognized for excellence in teaching several times, including his designation as University Professor for Excellence in Teaching, an honorary title awarded to less then 2 percent of the faculty at the university. Other honors include TELETECHNET Professor of the Year, and winner of the prestigious SCHEV Award for Excellence in Teaching. In 1991, Professor Toomey was designated a cultural specialist in Jazz by the United States Information Agency, and was sent to Botswana, Africa in this capacity to both teach and perform.In the area of research, Professor Toomey serves as both director and performer for the Attucks Jazz Series under the umbrella of the Virginia Arts Festival, performs often on the Diehn Concert Series with various jazz artists, and served as performer and Music Director for Havana Nights, a state of the art jazz club in the Tidewater region

Peter Bernstein with the Jimmy Masters Trio at The Sandler Center

by Mark Robbins
October 5, 2026

Jazz musicians often  have a musical conversation onstage. One musician introduces an idea, another responds, and the music develops through that back and forth. They listen closely to one another, picking up on rhythms, melodies, and small changes in the moment. The result can feel spontaneous and personal, as if the musicians are speaking to one ...

The Jimmy Masters Trio with guests Laura Ann Singh and Nanny Assis at the Sandler Center

by Mark Robbins
July 30, 2026

"Hot Nights in Brazil" brought the vibrant rhythms and energy of Brazil to a warm summer evening at Virginia Beach's Sandler Center for the Arts. The Jimmy Masters Trio welcomed vocalist Laura Ann Singh and world-renowned Brazilian singer, guitarist, percussionist, and composer Nanny Assis for an electrifying performance celebrating Brazilian jazz, samba, and bossa nova.

Anaïs Reno with the John Toomey Trio at the Attucks Jazz Club

by Mark Robbins
April 12, 2026

Anais Reno's song interpretation belies her 23 years. Her performance at the Attucks Jazz Club brought to mind an older, more experienced vocalist, not the young singer performing in front of a sold-out venue. Her voice has been described as “timeless," in the stylings of Carmen McRae or Ella Fitzgerald. Where many of today's young vocalists ...

Corey Fonville R&B Organ Trio at The Annex in Norfolk, VA

by Mark Robbins
March 2, 2026

The first time I heard Corey Fonville was in March 2013 at the now defunct Havana Nights Jazz Club in Virginia Beach, Va. He was playing with John Toomey on piano, Jimmy Masters on bass and Joe Locke on vibes. Since then Fonville has been a member of the Nicholas Payton Trio, Christian Scott Atunde Adjuah's ...

Joel Ross with John Toomey Trio at the Attucks Jazz Club

by Mark Robbins
November 14, 2025

Joel Ross is a man of few words. Actually, he was a man of no words until the end of the first set when he told the sold-out audience that the group would be back after a break. Then no more words until the end of the second set when he thanked everyone for coming and ...

Lena Seikaly and the Jimmy Masters' Trio at The Sandler Center for the Arts

by Mark Robbins
June 11, 2025

Washington D.C. vocalist Lena Seikaly made a return visit to the Tidewater area to perform with the Jimmy Masters' Trio (Masters on bass, John Toomey on piano and drummer Frank Russo. Singing to a nearly sold out room it was evident from the audience reaction she would be welcomed back as often as she liked.

Stephanie Nakasian at the Attucks Jazz Club and Congregation Beth El

by Mark Robbins
March 29, 2025

Stephanie Nakasian did not start out as a vocalist. Majoring in economics at Northwestern University, she received her BA and MBA, then entered the world of financial consulting for major banks in New York City and Chicago. Growing more and more dissatisfied with her career, she decided in 1981 to leap into the world of music, ...

The Attucks Jazz Club: Fall 2024

by Mark Robbins
February 23, 2025

In 2008, under the auspices of the Virginia Arts Festival and the leadership of professor/pianist John Toomey, the Attucks Jazz Series was born in the historic Attucks Theater. Before becoming a full-time jazz professor at Old Dominion University, Toomey spent time on the road with jazz trumpeter Maynard Ferguson, singers Mark Murphy, Rene Marie, and others. ...

Nate Najar and Daniela Soledade with the Jimmy Masters Trio at the Sandler Center

by Mark Robbins
January 13, 2025

Since the introduction of Brazilian music to the United States in 1962 by Charlie Byrd, artists such as Antônio Carlos Jobim, Jõao Gilberto, Gal Costa, Astrud Gilberto, Gilberto Gil, Claudia Acuña, to name a few, have continued to have a great influence on the American audience. Add to that roster guitarist Nate Naja and vocalist (also ...