Nic Pressley to present ‘A Night of Miles & Roy’ in downtown Macon

Nic Pressley fell in love with jazz as a kid riding in the back seat of his parent’s car.

Well, he heard jazz and gospel music around the house all the time but Pressley remembers listening in that back seat plenty of times and it was there he recalls thinking, “That’s what I want to do.”

Now at 28, Pressley is an accomplished trumpeter, has two music-related degrees and tonight his Pressley Collective is presenting “A Night of Miles & Roy” at A Brooke Haven Lounge, 401 Cherry St., Suite 101.

That’s Miles Davis and Roy Hargrove, heroes to Pressley and virtually everyone else who loves jazz.

“I definitely don’t profess to be Miles Davis or his impersonator,” Pressley said. “I mean, that man is a treat and marvel and one of the greatest musicians who ever existed. But I’ve listened to jazz and loved it and Miles Davis and Roy Hargrove all my life and I’ve played trumpet since I was eight and this is my take on their music. I think it’s a program people will enjoy, something different.”

And its difference is what might catch the eye when looking for an evening out. In the great music Macon offers – the local working musicians in many genres, traveling stars coming through, welcomed tribute bands and great jazz and superb classical offerings – having a night of Miles Davis music playing at a club down the street says something positive.

A Brooke Haven Lounge is a natural for an evening featuring the music of two of jazz’s greatest artists. Billed as a relaxing, upscale spot to have a signature cocktail with friends, delectable appetizers and sweets, and, if desired, maybe a premium cigar outdoors on the patio, A Brooke Haven Lounge fulfills a “classy and intimate” niche not just through the week but through its live weekend musical fare of jazz performers, smooth tunes and the occasional poetry and open mic night.

As for Pressley, he’s currently based in Columbus but has lived in Atlanta and Macon. As a resourceful freelance trumpet player – he’s actually a multi-instrumentalist but trumpet comes first – he’s worked with many other artists, bands and groups in the southeast and led and collaborated in numerous productions, live events and recordings.

As a writer/producer/musician, he works in many genres including Pop, R&B, Soul, Straight Ahead Jazz, Funk and Indie to name a few. As a teacher and trumpet-slinger for hire, he not only offers his playing skills but said his perspective and honest opinion on musical projects is available also.

But writing and performing jazz is the thing. Tonight is not only the premier of “A Night of Miles & Roy” and the first performance of this iteration of The Pressley Collective, but it’s also the release party of Pressley’s new single, “I Just Can’t Find the Thyme,” on all streaming platforms and via cdbaby.com.

“I love jazz and love jazz played well,” Pressley said. “I want people to understand jazz is more accessible than they may think and a lot more about heart and feeling than some think. You can speak your voice and express your true self through jazz. As far as listening to Miles, there are so many technical things you can say about his playing and virtuosity but there’s so much about his playing that’s so understated and haunting. I don’t expect to be Miles at this gig but it’s about what I fell in love with. A lot of it is the slow ballads, the harmonies, the blending and doing things with western harmony and African rhythms. Jazz done well gives you the best feeling in the world.”

Pressley said Hargrove’s work fits right in.

“Anything he played sounds so meaningful and sounds like he’s just playing his life,” he said. “It’s not just the notes played but the feeling and mood they build. Roy was so good at putting culture in there and putting together great bands. He also explored a lot with (electric musical effects) pedals on the trumpet. I really looked up to him and put him and Miles right up there next to each other.”

The show starts at 9 p.m. and, as always, dress at A Brooke Haven Lounge is ‘business casual (minimum) to snazzy.” Keep up with the lounge at www.abrookehavenlounge.com or www.facebook.com/abrookehavenlounge and with Pressley at www.facebook.com/nicpressleymusic.

Contact writer Michael W. Pannell at mwpannell@gmail.com.