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Kool Breeze featuring Jim Richter 8/30

30 August 2025

Join this favorite in Ellijay for The Playhouse 8th Anniversary performance.

TICKETS HERE  https://app.opendate.io/e/kool-breeze-featuring-jim-richter-august-30-2025-605830

Kool Breeze Band featuring Jim Richter was formed in the late summer of 2019 in Ellijay, GA. On the heels of his chart-topping smooth jazz album “Breezy Day”, Jim Richter was finishing writing the songs for his next album, the smooth jazz hit “Mr. Kool”. Because of the success of “Breezy Day”, Jim, bassist John Rathbone, and producer Michael Cornett decided to put together a band to live perform Jim’s songs. By early 2020 the band was formed, rehearsed and ready to perform with the release of “Mr. Kool”.  “Mr. Kool” album started to take off on the streaming platforms worldwide. Songs were being played in Europe on jazz stations. By the end of 2020, Spotify added “Mr. Kool” to their playlist. By late 2021 it crossed 1 million streams, and by late 2022 it reached 2 million! It’s still going strong with 3.6 million+!

Jim Richter, Keyboard; composer and recording artist, he is a multi-instrumental soloist on keyboards and guitar. He has played both instruments since childhood and performed professionally with name bands and artists. A practicing attorney career in Atlanta ended when he moved to Fannin County GA and got back to writing music and performing. Jim and producer Michael Cornett have released 6 albums since 2014.

John Rathbone, Electric Bass; multi-instrumentalist, masters degree in music performance, toured nationally and internationally with name bands and ensembles. He taught percussion for a time at the college level. Founded a successful music and pro audio products business in Atlanta in mid 1980s. He has done volunteer work for the non-profit Gilmer Arts for 25 years and is a past president.

Markham White, Electric Guitar; he has been a guitar soloist for many name artists and bands and toured extensively throughout the southeast for decades. Markham enjoyed a successful business career in Atlanta and is the owner/engineer of After Dark Designs recording studio in Ellijay, Ga.

Bill Craig, Percussion; he has been playing drums and percussion since childhood and has performed with many name artists and groups. He was a standout on the drum line of the UGA Redcoat Marching Band, and is the owner/operator of a successful jewelry business in Ellijay, Ga.

Nolan Walker, Trumpet; a native of Ellijay, Ga., he has his masters degree in trumpet and is the trumpet instructor at Young Harris College. Nolan and his wife are the owners/operators of a private music school teaching lessons, ensemble performance and concerts for students of all ages.

Chris Otts, Saxophone; composer and educator he has been active in the Atlanta music scene since moving to the area in 2010. Chris is currently Artist Affiliate in Jazz Saxophone at Georgia State University. In addition to his teaching, he is an award-winning performer, composer, arranger, and producer for many groups.  Recently Chris was recognized as a BMI Future Jazz Master for the compositions on his debut album “Layers”.

Dr. Tony McCutchen, Drum Set: Tony taught percussion at the University of Georgia (30 years) and Jacksonville State University (12 years). He is active as a performer on a multitude of percussion instruments, especially drum set, steelpan, and vibraphone. Tony has performed and/or conducted clinics and master classes in 18 states and 7 foreign countries.

Gary Wilder, Keyboard +; a multi-instrumentalist on guitar, keyboard and bass, Gary has performed in bands since childhood. A teacher in Gilmer County GA schools, Gary is also a luthier, having built acoustic and electric guitars. He continues to perform on vocals and guitar as a soloist or in a duo all over the N. GA area.

Michael Cornett; Audio Engineer; Michael has decades of experience and success mixing for studio and live performances throughout the US and in S. America.

 

Kool Breeze Band featuring Jim Richter, we have been students, teachers, producers, managers, engineers, performers, writers, and music publishers, and because of our collective experiences, we bring our friends and fans a great music concert enjoyable for all ages. Come see us.

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Details

Date:
August 30
Time:
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Event Categories:
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Event Tags:

Venue

Gilmer Arts Playhouse
135 Dalton St
Ellijay,GA30540United States
+ Google Map
Phone
706-635-5626
View Venue Website

Organizer

Gilmer Arts
Phone
706-635-5605
Email
gallery@gilmerarts.org
View Organizer Website

Make a Donation

Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help fund the arts in Gilmer County. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization we rely on the generosity of sponsors and donors like you to keep the ship running. Please give today, every bit helps!

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