Sunset Jazz on Nov. 5 will feature vocalist Sheryl Renee, trumpeter Paul January (pictured), bassist Dave Graber and drummer Howie Rentzer. PHOTO BY BRUCE FORRESTER.

LAHAINA — Jazz Maui announces a new season of the weekly Sunset Jazz concert series featuring world-class live jazz music and chocolate/beverage pairings beginning on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023.

Featured artists are vocalist Sheryl Renee, trumpeter Paul January, bassist Dave Graber, and drummer Howie Rentzer.

Sunset Jazz is held from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Maui Ku’ia Estate Chocolate Factory at 78 Ulupono St. in Lahaina. Sunset Jazz concert attendees must be 21 or older and have a valid photo ID.

Seating is limited and often sold out, so advance ticket purchase is required at www.JazzMaui.org or https://mauichocolate.com/pages/sunset-jazz.

“Sunset Jazz at the Chocolate Factory began a year ago, and we are so appreciative of the support the concerts have received during the past year,” said Bryant Neal, executive director of Jazz Maui. “The superb musicians, the sold-out attendance and the wonderful location have made this series a success.”

Held in the upstairs open-air pavilion, Sunset Jazz offers great live jazz music and sunset views. During the concerts, the Chocolate Factory features a carefully curated wine, spirits and beer list along with three flights of chocolate and beverage pairings for purchase. Chocolate Sommeliers are on hand to assist with pairings or imbibers can create their own.

Maui Ku’ia Estate Chocolate, through its Chocolate Laulima Program, supports local nonprofit organizations such as Arts Education for Children Group/Jazz Maui. Proceeds from concert ticket sales benefit Jazz Maui’s music education programs.

Vocalist Sheryl Renee, an audience favorite, moves effortlessly between music genres, artistic avenues and her entrepreneurial pursuits. She is a vocalist, actress, entertainer and producer. Known as the “Lady with a Golden Voice,” she has shared the stage with some of the best talent in the world, including Candi Staton, Larry Dunn, Freda Payne, String Cheese Incident, The Contribution, and the Colorado Symphony Orchestra conducted by the late Marvin Hamlisch. She performed the National Anthem for President Barack Obama, and her vocals have been featured on countless recordings and commercials.

Trumpet player Paul January got his first paying gig when he was 11 years old, playing piano for a children’s fashion show in Denver, Colorado. By 1972, he was attending music school, teaching piano and trumpet, and working every weekend. He spent the next 46 years playing in various spots around Reno and Tahoe, as a single performer playing jazz, standards and pop, or with groups as large as 17 playing everything from funk to big band jazz. He has had the privilege of working with some of the biggest names ever to grace the stages of Reno and Las Vegas, and has made many friends along the way.

Bassist Dave Graber was awarded the Edmonton Jazz Society Scholarship and graduated from Grant MacEwan College with a diploma in Jazz Studies in 1991. He graduated with distinction from the University of Calgary in Jazz Studies/Performance, where he received the Margaret Locke Scholarship for strings. He has studied privately with Gary Willis of Tribal Tech and Charlie Banacos of the New England Conservatory of Music and Berklee College of Music. He has also taught the National Guitar Workshop in both Seattle and San Francisco.

Drummer Howie Rentzer has played in lots of top 40 bands in Boston, Los Angeles and in Honolulu, where he played with Jimmy Borges, Carol Kai, Maria Muldaur and Bobby Enriques. On Maui, he has performed with Henry Allen, George Benson, Mose Allison and Greg Karukas. Rentzer has opened for Kenny Loggins and was in the band for Howie Mandel’s comedy show.

Maui Ku’ia Estate Chocolate, through its Chocolate Laulima program, supports local nonprofit organizations such as Arts Education for Children Group/Jazz Maui. Proceeds from concert ticket sales benefit Jazz Maui’s music education programs.

Jazz Maui, a branch of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Arts Education for Children Group (www.aecg.org), provides opportunities for participation in high quality jazz music education and performances. Throughout the year, Jazz Maui presents jazz concerts, jazz education and jazz outreach programs, maintaining and preserving the heritage of jazz by presenting the music that celebrates its evolution over the past 100 years.

Selected performances presented by Jazz Maui are live-streamed on the organization’s website at www.JazzMaui.org.

For tickets, visit https:// mauichocolate.com/pages/sunset-jazz or JazzMaui.org, and for more information, text (808) 283-3576 or e-mail info @aecg.org.