The community is invited to enjoy a jazz club atmosphere Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Robert Russa Moton Museum.

“The Southside Jazz Quintet (SSJQ) has offered the best in mainstream jazz to audiences in Central Virginia since 1994,” officials said in a press release. “The group has performed at numerous local venues, and appears regularly at a number of annual events, including the Heart of Virginia Festival in Farmville and the Spring Open House at the MacCallum More Museum & Gardens in Chase City.”

Members of the quintet are Charles Kinzer, saxophone; Rick Neller, trumpet; Stan Smith, piano; Pat Lawrence, bass; and Gordon Smith, drums. 

“The band’s style reflects the entire gamut of jazz, from the dance hits of the swing era to the energized jazz-funk fusion of recent years. For the concert at the Moton Museum, the SSJQ will be joined by two special guests: Greg Robey, trombone, and Joel Worford, guitar.”

Offered in observance of Black History Month, the evening of live jazz will include a special performance of song and poetry by Dr. Lisa Edwards-Burrs, assistant professor of music at Longwood, who will be accompanied on piano by Teri Kidd. 

The event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Cash bar will be available.

The concert is sponsored by the Moton Museum and the Longwood University Department of Music. The Moton Museum is located at 900 Griffin Blvd., Farmville. Free parking is available behind the museum. For more information, call (434) 315-8775.