Papa J Sez rocks a funky stew of new r&b and contemporary blues, with down-home-inspired originals and a fresh take on the soul and jazz classics. The Party is led by the flamboyant Papa J (aka Joey Sommerville) and features...Sacred Steel Hall of Famer, Dante Harmon - steel guitar Col. Bruce Hampton alumni, Tyler Neal - slide guitar, Dr. Derek Scott - guitar, West Byrd - keys, Tres Gilbert - bass, Louis “Styx” Newsom - drums, plus The Macadocious Horns!

You are hereby put on notice: wear comfortable shoes because you WILL be on your feet!

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Papa J’s musical essence lies in the Baptist church. “When I was a teenager, I would judge the caliber of my playing by the number of people in the congregation who ‘got happy.’ If you aren’t touching the listener’s soul, then you aren’t playing real music. Soul communication is the key.” Fast forward to today, when as the band leader of Papa J Sez, he crafts a unique mélange of new millennium jazz with funk, gospel and blues influences with infectious pop sensibilities. It’s this intoxicating brew coupled with his humor, warmth and showmanship that drives crowds crazy, creating a flourishing, almost cult-like following. And rightly so.

TYPES OF TICKETS

GENERAL ADMISSION

There are no bad views of our stage at The Vista, even if you are standing!  Often these are the best tickets if you want to be up close and personal with your favorite artist.  Be aware that holders of Standing Room -  Main Floor tickets have not purchased a seat and are not guaranteed a seat. This means that for sold out shows, holders of these tickets will likely be standing. If you want to assure the exclusivity and comfort of a reserved table at a show that is likely to sell out, we recommend purchasing a Reserved Table.  However, at most shows, we only allow up to half the tables to be saved as reserved and the remaining will be available for General Admission ticket holders.  Any reserved tables not purchased will be available for General Admission.  

RESERVED TABLES

Don’t like standing or bumping elbows, or maybe you want to take the worry out of fighting traffic to be early to get a table? Exclusivity may be for you! Reserved Table tickets provide ticket holders the option to have a table saved for you. When the doors open to our venue, your reserved table will be waiting for you. Please note, Reserved Table tickets must be purchased in groups of 4 or 6, as there are 4 or 6 seats per table. 

Food menu and full bar service available.  Outside food and drink may not be brought into the Vista Room.  

Please call us at 404-321-5000 for any questions before the show.

On a cold night way back in 2015, an iconic contemporary­jazz trumpet player named Joey Sommerville started to peel back yet another layer of his Being and Artistry. Never one to abandon his musical vision and integrity, Joey was hearing another kind of music in his head.

This was New Music. It was informed in part by his years of performing with blues legends and jam band superstars. It was ahomecoming, as the years spent with B.B. King protoge Big Joe Burrell and working with the mega­band Phish mingled with the contemporary jazz years, while always including the early influences of Rock, R&B, Gospel, and Classic Blues. It was time to say something Bigger, something New, something authentic to the moment. Out of this creative primordial soup, Papa J was born.

Musically ready to tell it like it is, he’s speaking his mind. Ready to entertain, stir you to action, make you dance, cry, laugh, or just nod your head, he’s here. REALLY here.