Saxophonist Darryl Reeves celebrates the release of Mercury

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There’s been a lot of good-ass music going down at the Southwest Arts Performance Theatre lately. And that’s due, in part, to the hard work and vision of longtime hometown soul scenester Kemi Bennings and her event Soul Poetic.

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Last week, Bennings’ event showcased the talents of acclaimed Atlanta vocalist Alex Lattimore and Tennessee-based soul singer Valencia Robinson (and a few choice others) on the SAPT stage. And this Friday (April 20), the trend continues when Soul Poetic returns to play host to the release party for Darryl Reeves’ new album, Mercury.

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For the uninitiated, Reeves is a Miami-born and ATL-based jazz saxophonist and producer who has toured and recorded with artists like Roy Ayers, Julie Dexter, Jill Scott, Russell Gunn, Angie Stone, Janelle Monae, Phonte and B.O.B., among many others.

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“By day” he works as a senior faculty member at the Art Institute of Atlanta - and “by night” he drops experimental jazz-funk albums like Diary of Bandstand, which was released in 2004.

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His latest, Mercury, features collaborations with artists like local superstar Carmen Rodgers, the previously mentioned Valencia Robinson and more.

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Do your ears a favor and head on over to the SAPT tomorrow to catch Reeves in action.

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For a taste of what you’re in store for, check out this vibe-licious track - “Dark Matter” - from Mercury, featuring Rodgers on the vocals: