JT’s Electrik Blackout
Jan. 16, 2025

Join us at Happy Days Lodge to enjoy an evening of smooth jazz and funk with JT’s Electrik Blackout featuring Saxophonist Justin Tibbs.

About Justin Tibbs

Saxophonist Justin Tibbs is a versatile performer from Akron, Ohio. Justin participated in the visual and performing arts program at Firestone High School. Justin attended The University of Akron after graduating from Firestone High School in 2006, where he studied and earned a bachelor’s degree in Mass Media Communications Radio & TV, Public Relations, and Jazz Saxophone Studies.

In addition to performing with Angie Haze, Tommy Lehman, Smokeface, Free Black!, The SpeedBumps, Bethany Joy, Ryan Humbert, Mr. Chair, and Acid Cats. Justin has also performed with The Canton Symphony Orchestra and The Akron Symphony Orchestra members.

He is the leader of JT’s Spark Trio and JT’s Electrik Blackout. JT’s Electrik Blackout released their first EP, ‘JT’s Electrik Blackout EarthQuaker Devices Live Session’ in 2021 and then their self-titled album. ‘JT’s Electrik Blackout’ in 2022.

Additionally, Justin has appeared at The Rubber City Jazz and Blues Fest, Porch Rokr, Hello Akron concert, John Brown House Sweet Sounds of Equality Concert, Canton Symphony Divergent Series, The Summit’s 330 Day, EarthQuaker Devices Sessions, EarthQuaker Day, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Lock 3, The Knight Center Zenithawards. NBC’s Channel 3: Good Company Morning Program, PBS’ Idealstream, Summit FM Studio C Sessions, WKSU’s Shuffle, and Fox 8 in the Morning

Doors open at 7:00PM | Music begins at 7:30PM

TICKETS

Conservancy Members: $20 | General Admission: $25

Ed Caner and David Mayfield
Jan. 26, 2025

Join us at Happy Days Lodge on Jan. 26, 2025, for a lively afternoon with Ed Caner and David Mayfield to enjoy extraordinary fiddling skills, folk music and more.

Doors open at 4:00PM | Music begins at 4:30PM

TICKETS

Conservancy Members: $20 | General Admission: $25

Theron Brown
Feb. 6, 2025

Join us at Happy Days Lodge for an evening with Theron Brown, a master of the piano. His music transcends genres, creating a tapestry of sound that resonates with audiences from New York to Tokyo. He blends gospel and jazz influences, seeking to touch hearts worldwide with his message of love.

About Theron Brown

Born in Zanesville, Ohio, emerged from a musical family rooted in the vibrant rhythms of church. Discovering his love for music under the guidance of his pastor father and the organ melodies at Greater Apostolic Church of Christ, Theron began his musical journey with drums, quickly followed by the piano and viola. His passion for jazz was ignited by the genius of Thelonious Monk, leading Theron to pursue jazz studies at the University of Akron.

Renowned for his versatile performances, Theron has shared stages with celebrated artists across various genres, from The Cleveland Orchestra to Snarky Puppy. His global presence, from the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. to the Tokyo Kokusai Forum Hall in Japan, speaks to his expansive influence.

A pivotal moment came with his portrayal of young Herbie Hancock in the film ‘Miles Ahead,’ directed by Don Cheadle, which not only showcased his musical prowess but also his budding acting talent. Residing in Akron, Ohio, Theron dedicates himself to the local arts scene as the artist coordinator for I Promise School, a board member of several cultural organizations, and founder of the Rubber City Jazz & Blues Festival.

His teaching extends from Firefly Music School to Kent State University, enriching the lives of students with his profound musical insights. With recordings like ‘No Concepts’ and upcoming projects like ‘Spirit Fruit,’ Theron continues to blend gospel and jazz influences, seeking to touch hearts worldwide with his message of love.

Doors open at 7:00PM | Music begins at 7:30PM

TICKETS

Conservancy Members: $20 | General Admission: $25

Ed Caner and Friends
Feb. 23, 2025

Join us at Happy Days Lodge on Feb. 23, 2025, for a lively afternoon with Ed Caner and friends to enjoy extraordinary fiddling skills, folk music and more. Additional musician(s) to be named soon.

Doors open at 4:00PM | Music begins at 4:30PM

TICKETS

Conservancy Members: $20 | General Admission: $25

Austin Walkin’ Cane
March 13, 2025

Join us at Happy Days Lodge to immerse yourself in the blues with Austin Walkin’ Cane, singer, songwriter and slide guitarist.

About Austin Walkin’ Cane

Damn Fine Blues! Original & classic delta blues featuring slide guitar and soulful vocals. A blues gumbo repertoire that can conjure up the ghosts of highway 61 & the delta blues experience. Austin Walkin’ Cane is a blues singer, songwriter and slide guitarist that performs acoustic solo, duo & electric band sets. Austin Walkin’ Cane has toured Australia, Nepal, Colombia, France, Germany, England, Wales, and the US, from New Orleans, Louisiana to Juneau, Alaska with only a guitar & suitcase in hand.

Austin walked for ten years with a cane due to an arterial venous malformation at birth. While performing on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, a homeless man called out “Hey Walkin’ Cane got some spare change for a brother?!” Austin took the jibe as his nickname. In 1996, after years of battling the inevitable, his left leg was amputated below the knee. A year after the surgery, he returned to the music scene stronger & without need of a cane.

AWC’s 2008 cd, Murder of a Blues Singer, was inspired by an after hour diner conversation with blues legend Robert Jr. Lockwood. “The stories were flowing like the grease off our plates”, subsequently the album is saturated in classic delta blues, as were the tales of Lockwood’s stepfather, Robert Johnson. Mr. Lockwood had agreed to perform on the record, but fate had changed that path. The Walkin’ Cane Band captured the perfect “live in the studio” feeling that Austin & co-writer Chris Allen had envisioned for these songs. The band is a well-oiled machine. Special guests on Murder of a Blues Singer include Colin Dussault, Eroc Sosinski and one of Cleveland’s finest gospel groups, the Prayer Warriors. Murder of a Blues Singer was re-released on Germany’s Hoboville Records in 2023.

In 2011, an acoustic cd, A World Of Blues, was released. The Allen/Charanghat original songs were recorded live at the Brothers Lounge as a testament to Walkin’ Cane living on the road. The album uses excerpts of Austin’s world travels in addition to the show recorded in the heart of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame city.

During the summer of 2014, One Heart Walkin‘ was recorded in two days at the historic G.A.R. Hall in Peninsula, OH. Built in 1850, the former schoolhouse & Civil War Veteran’s hangout, set the perfect mood for this album. Listening to Cane’s most recent album is like being a passenger on the old Illinois Central Railroad. These “Damn Fine Blues”, take the listener from the south side of Chicago, through the deep south of the Mississippi Delta. You’ll stop in Memphis, Clarksdale & Bentonia, and ride to the end of the line of New Orleans, Louisiana.

All of the songs on One Heart Walkin‘ were co-written with songwriter and grade school friend, Chris Allen. The album of Allen/Charanghat originals came to life with the help of legendary producer & bassist Don Dixon, harmonica extraordinaire Dave Morrison, Allen on acoustic guitar, Freddie Perez-Stable on drums & members of the Revolution Brass Band, bringing in the sound of New Orleans.

Doors open at 7:00PM | Music begins at 7:30PM

TICKETS

Conservancy Members: $20 | General Admission: $25

Ed Caner and Friends
March 23, 2025

Join us at Happy Days Lodge on March 23, 2025, for a lively afternoon with Ed Caner and friends to enjoy extraordinary fiddling skills, folk music and more. Additional musician(s) to be named soon.

Doors open at 4:00PM | Music begins at 4:30PM

TICKETS

Conservancy Members: $20 | General Admission: $25

Dan Wilson
April 16, 2025

Join us at Happy Days Lodge to enjoy an evening with Dan Wilson, a distinguished jazz guitarist, celebrated for his soulful tone and masterful blending of jazz and blues.

About Dan Wilson

Growing up in Akron, Ohio, Dan Wilson spent the majority of his youth within the church community, where his musical path began.

Traces of his major guitar influences – including Wes Montgomery, Charlie Christian, Joe Pass, and George Benson to name a few – can be discerned through his playing, but his musical identity has been shaped by everything from gospel and blues to traditional jazz, hip-hop and horn players like Sonny Rollins and Joe Henderson.

After graduating from Hiram College, Wilson made his recording debut with pianist Joe McBride and performed to worldwide acclaim with Joey DeFrancesco and Christian McBride’s Tip City, eventually recording his debut as a leader To Whom It May Concern.

Wilson has had the honor of sharing the stage with jazz greats including Eric Marienthal, Russell Malone, Les McCann, René Marie, Jeff Hamilton, David Sanborn and Dave Stryker. He also teaches jazz guitar and music theory through private lessons.

Wilson’s career took him on an exploratory journey into foundations laid down by the guitar/organ tradition, eventually leading to an invitation to perform with jazz great Joey DeFrancesco’s trio quartet, with which Wilson went on to earn a GRAMMY® Award nomination with for DeFrancesco’s Project Freedom album (Mack Avenue Records, 2017).

This collaboration allowed the guitarist to insert his own dialect into the musical prowess and respect that DeFrancesco had earned throughout his journey.

Wilson had been playing with DeFrancesco for a few years when he met bassist, composer, arranger, Christian McBride. From there, Wilson went on to tour with McBride’s trio Tip City, eventually leading McBride to serve as producer on “Vessels of Wood and Earth” and release the album on his newly formed imprint Brother Mister Productions through Mack Avenue Music Group.

Doors open at 7:00PM | Music begins at 7:30PM

TICKETS

Conservancy Members: $20 | General Admission: $25