Acclaimed saxophonist Elan Trotman brought soulful grooves, smooth jazz favorites and an electrifying tribute to Grover Washington Jr. to the unofficial opening of Jazz Urbane Café in Boston’s Nubian Square. Sheryl Aronson reflects on a memorable evening of music, food and community at an exciting new addition to Roxbury’s cultural scene.
In this Chic Compass conversation, Suzanne Chabre, vice president and chief experience officer for The Smith Center for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas, reflects on the vision, partnerships and community commitment that helped shape one of Southern Nevada's most important cultural institutions. From world-class performances to meaningful arts education, her insights reveal how The Smith Center became far more than a venue — it became a home for the arts.
Kevin Lepine has built a career around a simple idea: entertainment should leave people feeling good. Best known as the star of "Hypnosis Unleashed" at the Four Queens Hotel & Casino in downtown Las Vegas, Lepine has become one of the city’s most recognizable comedy hypnotists by combining quick wit, audience participation and a style that makes volunteers feel comfortable instead of turning them into the joke.
The Canyon, also known as the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills, California, was transformed into a celebration of funk, soul and musical history on Saturday, April 4, 2026, as Larry Dunn, a Grammy-winning original member of Earth, Wind & Fire, brought his "Anthology of Earth, Wind & Fire" to a sold-out and electrified crowd.
From her early days as a self-taught musician to becoming a celebrated television host and producer, Laura McKenzie has left an indelible mark on the travel television genre and the cultural fabric of Hollywood. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated creativity, adaptability and a deep commitment to giving back — both on screen and in her community.
John Parenti's story begins in New Jersey, where a childhood encounter with music set the course for his life. At 4 years old, he walked in on his older brother's band and something ignited within him. "I saw the drummer in particular, and I knew I was going to do music for the rest of my life," Parenti remembers. Encouraged by his family, he received his first snare drum and later a drum set. The young boy practiced diligently and immersed himself in learning music.
From the moment I picked up Bryan Thompson years ago from his hotel in San Diego, I knew he was meant for stardom. It seemed to illuminate around him. He had moved from Indianapolis to Southern California, eager to make his name in the contemporary jazz community, and I had been asked, as a music journalist, to take this talented sax player under my wing.
A.J. Croce brought his unique artistry to The Town Hall in Times Square on Oct. 24, 2025, blending his humor, warmth and storytelling with the legacy of his father, Jim Croce. Through a thoughtfully crafted narrative and a mix of original songs and his father’s classics, A.J. guided the audience on an intimate journey through generational musical history, highlighting both the connections and distinctions between father and son.
Tucked away in the woods of Redding, Connecticut, is Studio Unicorn, a magical hideaway where four-time Grammy winner Paul Avgerinos daily alchemizes his diverse forms of musical composition. While his passion and focus center on composing and playing New Age music, his talent is expansive: a multi-instrumentalist, engineer and producer composing and licensing music for film and TV, with a catalog of more than 9,000 tracks and over 300 million streaming listeners.
David Benoit's creative spirit burst forth as he composed "The Three-Finger Waltz" at age 6 and, at 11, wrote a composition for bassoon and harpsichord. Music seemed to flow through Benoit's veins because his father, Robert Bryan Benoit, played jazz guitar and exposed his son to jazz music.
