The Charles
Ellis Trio
Saturday, May 23, 7:30 PM
Ashe Arts Center
Tickets: $15 Adult, $7.50 Student
About
, Join us for a special evening of music honoring Memorial Day with the Charlie Ellis Trio, featuring Charlie Ellis on piano, alongside Dave Braun on guitar and John Chapman. The trio will be joined by special guests Don Miller and Captain & Connie Oliver.
A beloved figure in the High Country music scene, Charlie Ellis has been sharing his signature jazz stylings with audiences for decades. He began playing piano at a young age and went on to build a rich musical career across the region, including longtime performances in Blowing Rock and beyond. He has appeared in concert with Ramsey Lewis and Herbie Mann, performed at the Historic Green Park Inn for fifteen years, Chetola Resort for twelve years, and founded the renowned Jazz Parlour in Blowing Rock. Charlie is known for his smooth, expressive playing and warm stage presence.
Guitarist Dave Braun brings a wealth of experience to the trio. After performing in Los Angeles, he continued his career in Miami, where he played in the city’s vibrant big band scene, including with the Sammy Spears Orchestra on the Jackie Gleason Show. He also appeared as a solo performer in many of Miami Beach’s top hotels. For the past seven years, he has performed regularly with Charlie Ellis at the Green Park Inn in Blowing Rock.
John Chapman, on trumpet, flugelhorn, and harmonica, adds dynamic range to the group. During his military service, he spent more than three years performing with the 82nd Airborne Division Band. His versatile style spans jazz, rock, blues, and show tunes, and his playing has been a familiar sound at the Green Park Inn alongside Charlie Ellis and Dave Braun.
Special guest CAPT Herndon “Ollie” Oliver, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and a retired Navy captain, spent 30 years in active duty, commanding both the nuclear submarine USS John Marshall and the submarine tender USS Proteus. A lifelong pianist, he frequently performed during his military career and has continued sharing his music in the High Country, including regular appearances in Blowing Rock.
Connie Oliver grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio and spent her career in Human Resources and Labor Law. She was President and Owner of a labor consulting firm in Dayton, Ohio. She and her husband purchased a log cabin in Blowing Rock in 2018 and moved there permanently in 2023. She spent the last 7 years singing every weekend with Charlie Ellis and Dave Braun at the Green Park Inn.
Together, these musicians offer an evening of timeless jazz.
