Jazz & Soul Sessions

A celebration of legacy, love, and live music.

Every fourth Friday and Saturday, the historic YMI Cultural Center pulses with the vibrant rhythms of jazz, soul, and cultural memory. The Jazz & Soul Sessions, part of the Banjul-Banjo Music Series, are immersive experiences that honor the deep roots of African American music and its transatlantic heritage.

At the heart of these sessions are vocalist Kelle Jolly and saxophonist Will Boyd, a husband-and-wife duo whose musical synergy is as rich as the traditions they represent. With a dynamic five-piece house band, they transform the YMI into a sanctuary of sound, storytelling, and soul.

A Legacy in Every Note

The Banjul-Banjo Music Series draws its name from Banjul, the capital of The Gambia, and the banjo—an instrument with West African origins that became a cornerstone of Southern musical traditions. This series bridges continents and centuries, celebrating the enduring connections between West Africa and the Blue Ridge Mountains through genres like jazz, hip hop, folk, and neo-soul.

Hosted in a building that has long been a cultural beacon on The Block, the sessions are a living tribute to the YMI’s mission: to uplift African American heritage through the arts, education, and community engagement.

The Artists Behind the Magic

Kelle Jolly and Will Boyd are not just performers—they are educators, cultural ambassadors, and storytellers. Based in Asheville and teaching at UNC-Asheville (with Will also on faculty at Warren Wilson College), they bring decades of experience and a deep reverence for jazz tradition to every performance.

Kelle, a celebrated vocalist and radio host, is the founder of the Women in Jazz Jam Festival and holds a master’s in Communications and Storytelling Studies. Her voice carries the warmth of Southern gospel, the improvisational spirit of jazz, and the clarity of a seasoned educator.

Will, a multi-reed instrumentalist with roots in soul saxophone traditions, has performed with legends across genres—from Fred Wesley and William Bell to Leslie Odom Jr. and Regina Carter. His album Freedom, Soul, Jazz pays homage to the Civil Rights Movement and features original compositions alongside collaborations with artists like Bobby Lyle and Greg Tardy.

Their performances are marked by a rare blend of technical mastery and emotional depth, inviting audiences into a shared space of reflection, joy, and cultural pride.

The Jazz & Soul Sessions are more than concerts, they are gatherings of community, memory, and celebration.

Performances take place on Fridays from 7-9 p.m. and Saturdays from 3-5 p.m. on the following dates:

• November 28-29, 2025
• December 26-27, 2025
• February 27-28, 2026
• March 27-28, 2026
• April 24-25, 2026

Whether you’re a longtime jazz lover or a newcomer drawn by the groove, each session offers a chance to connect with Asheville’s rich cultural tapestry and the global legacy of Black music.

For more details, and to purchase tickets, visit www.ymiculturalcenter.org/events.