Tue Jul 14
Marshall Keys feat Phillip Manuel - Recording Release
9:30PM / $30 | $7 Fees Get Tickets
Marshall Keys
“Unusual Suspects Recording Release”
Marshall Keys
Marshall Keys is one of the most versatile saxophonists to ever come out of Washington, DC. He began his training in the DC Youth Orchestra Program and continued it in the Jazz Studies Program at Howard University. He cut his teeth playing in local bands before gaining his first professional experience with The Blackbyrds and a long association with the great blues organist Jimmy McGriff with whom he recorded the album “Countdown”. Marshall has worked with many of the world’s greatest jazz and blues musicians including: Lionel Hampton, Jimmy Heath, Clark Terry, Jimmy Witherspoon, Groove Holmes, Big Joe Turner and Hank Jones. He has worked with Branford Marsalis and Steve Allen, swung with Keter Betts and Al Grey, recorded with Cyrus Chestnut and Vinny Valentino, and jammed with Sonny Stitt and Stevie Wonder.
Phillip Manuel
“A local treasure,” says Eric Paulsen, anchor of WWL TV’s top rated morning show in New Orleans. “Phillip is in a class by himself,” this from Richard Bourcier of Jazz at a Glance. After a sold out performance with Trumpeter Terence Blanchard at Yoshi’s in Oakland, California, The San Francisco Chronicle wrote, “Manuel sang the wordless melody as if it were a prayer. His ethereal high tones suggested Bobby McFerrin, his sensuous low ones, Billy Eckstine.” From New York to Los Angeles; from Portugal to Paris, Phillip Manuel has graced the worlds’ stages with some of the biggest stars in jazz. His voice has been described as dramatic, warm and full of soul. One critic said his voice charms and seduces and his range sounds effortless.
Phillip’s musical career began at age 11 when he took his first paying gig with a local band. At 16, he was discovered by a local producer who wrote and produced Phillip’s first record, Will you marry me girl. This would introduce him to Allen Toussaint and Sea-Saint studios where Phillip would become an on call background vocalist for some of Toussaint’s artists including Patti Labelle and Chicago blues man, James Cotton. During this time Phillip would also record with Fats Domino, the Meters and Aaron Neville to name a few. In fact, Manuel lived across the street from Neville as a boy and in a twist of fate the two would marry sisters.
Phillip sang with trumpeter and film composer Terence Blanchard on world tours in support of two of Blanchard’s Sony releases including The Heart Speaks, a record of songs by Brazilian composer Ivan Linns. Manuel would sing the entire tour in Portugese. Phillip has performed with symphony orchestras in New Orleans, Tulsa Oklahoma, Mobile Alabama and the Baton Rouge, Louisiana Orchestra. In one of his most memorable performances Phillip sang Duke Ellington’s rarely performed Sacred Mass at St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans. He is a regular at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage festival. Phillip’s discography includes, A Time For Love, AFO Records; Heart to Heart…Live at the Columns, Turnipseed Records; Swingin’ In the Holidays, Gladman Records; Love Happened To Me, for the MAXJAZZ label; Cane River, The soundtrack for the motion picture; and PM, II Fire Records. He is also a featured guest on compilations, and CDs with a variety of other artists. In February, 2026, Phillip and drummer/producer, Adonis Rose released a joint project called The Unusual Suspects. An accomplished lyricist, Phillip penned lyrics for four songs by jazz composer, Gregg Hill. Phillip performed the songs live in Ascona, Switzerland in 2025. The live CD is scheduled for release this year.
9:30PM / $30 | $7 Fees Get Tickets
1. Final sale, no refunds, not transferable.
2. $15 food/beverage minimum per person not included in ticket price.
3. Seating first come at the door. Doors open 6 PM & 8:45 PM respectively Monday thru Saturday, and 4:30 PM & 7:15 PM Sundays.
4. No Photography or Recording of any kind during the performance.
5. Keep conversation to a minimum during the performance.