According to Clint Eastwood, our next guest “is a young man with an old soul and a classic voice. He is a great new talent with a wonderful sense of humor to boot. And don’t forget, he plays a hell of a trumpet!” We’re talking to none other than Atlanta jazz staple, Joe Gransden!
Trumpeter, vocalist, and bandleader Joe Gransden has performed worldwide and released 19 acclaimed CDs. Known for his dynamic hard bop style and smooth vocals reminiscent of Chet Baker and Frank Sinatra, Gransden has carved out a sound uniquely his own. Born into a family of musicians, Joe’s early career included touring with the big bands of Tommy Dorsey and Glenn Miller, and playing alongside legends like Aretha Franklin, Kenny Rogers, and The Temptations.
His 16-piece Big Band, formed in 2009, is now one of the busiest in jazz, with their album It’s A Beautiful Thing receiving global airplay. A regular performer at top venues like The Blue Note and Jazz at Lincoln Center, Joe also leads a popular monthly Jazz Jam Session in Atlanta. In 2016, he received the Jazz Journalists Association’s Jazz Hero Award for his contributions to the Atlanta jazz scene and his dedication to music education.
Hosted by: Solana Ramirez-Garcia, Partner Resource Manager
Produced by: Loren Bray, Marketing Specialist
16 Jul 2025
CREATE: O.V. Brantley of the Atlanta Quilt Festival
We’re only two weeks away from the annual Atlanta Quilt Festival, and we’re checking
in with co-founder O.V. Brantley! She shares the history of the festival as well as their
new book Good Trouble Quilts, which celebrates the legacy of Congressman John
Lewis.
The Atlanta Quilt Festival is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of African
American quilting and other textile art. It showcases some of the finest examples of
African American quilts, dolls and other fiber art across the spectrum of all genres
including traditional, art, modern and African American Heritage styles. At the same
time, the Atlanta Quilt Festival provides a welcoming environment for beginners to
introduce their work to the world.
O.V. Brantley is a self-taught quilter who began quilting in 1999 to reduce stress. She
has since created over 300 quilts, many gifted or sold to collectors. A founding member
of the Brown Sugar Stitchers Quilt Guild, her award-winning work has appeared in
exhibitions, publications, and the book Georgia Quilts: Piecing Together a History. Her
quilts have shown at the International Quilt Festival and featured in Raising Dion on
Netflix. She was commissioned by the UNCF to create a quilt for Oprah Winfrey. Ms.
Brantley is also the former County Attorney for Fulton and DeKalb and a member of
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated.
Hosted by: Solana Ramirez Garcia, Individual Partner Resource Manager
Produced by: Loren Bray, Marketing Specialist
2 Jul 2025
CREATE: Madison Rengli of Anthologies Short Play Festival
Madison Rengli discusses the Anthologies Short Play Festival, offering insights into the festival's workings and entry process in this interview episode.
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