Fonville x Fribush, the brainchild of organ virtuoso Sam Fribush and Butcher Brown drummer Corey Fonville, brings the heat to Rivanna Roots Saturday, May 16th. Doors open at 5:30 PM and C'ville funk outfit Choose Your Own Adventure starts the party at 6:30 PM. As if that wasn't already exciting enough, legendary guitarist and bandleader Charlie Hunter, a longtime Fribush collaborator, rounds out the organ trio on this bill. Don't miss Fonville x Fribush as they gear up for Newport Jazz Fest later this summer!

This show is made possible with additional support from WarHen Records, an independent Charlottesville-based record company that recently released the debut Fonville x Fribush LP, What Day Is It, and support from the Charlottesville Jazz Society. CJS presents the first annual Charlottesville Jazz Festival June 4-7, featuring concerts at multiple venues around downtown Charlottesville, including The Front Porch.

Fonville x Fribush

Keyboardist Sam Fribush is on the front lines of the Hammond organ revival. Hailing from Greensboro, NC, his 2021 debut Sam Fribush Trio, Vol. 1: Riverboat was produced by Charlie Hunter and recorded in North Carolina. Sam went on to establish himself as one of the Atlantic Coast’s freshest young bandleaders and collaborators, sharing the voice of his incredible instrument – an authentic 1958 Hammond C3 organ – with audiences and studios across the country.

Fonville x Fribush, Sam’s collaboration with Butcher Brown drummer Corey Fonville, carries the authenticity of soul-jazz giants – Ronnie Foster, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Larry Young – within the pantheon of funkateers like Sly Stone and the Meters. Tour dates and details at samfribush.com. 

Sam and Corey are joined on this bill by legendary guitarist, composer, and bandleader Charlie Hunter. Known for playing custom seven- and eight-string guitars, which allow him to play basslines, chords, and melodies simultaneously, Hunter established his place as a jazz guitar pioneer in the 1990s and continues to dazzle audiences around the world. He is widely recognized for his contributions to D'Angelo's critically acclaimed album Voodoo (2000).

“My intention is to take this music into the future. I’m trying to expand the rules about what organ trio music is.” – Sam Fribush

Choose Your Own Adventure 

Choose Your Own Adventure is a live-composed funk collective from Central Virginia made up of jazz musicians who love funk, hip hop and R&B. They build tunes on stage from the drums up, creating a constantly evolving and exciting live experience. CYOA wants to make sure that no matter what, the groove is the golden standard. Featuring Gina Sobel on flute/sax/vocals, Garen Dorsey on keys, Andrew Hollifield on bass and Pay Hayes on drums

Food Vendors

Twisted Provisions and Arepas on Wheels

Sponsors

It takes a village to make these magical concerts possible! A huge thank you to our sponsors:  Sun Tribe, Martin Horn, The Nature Conservancy of Virginia, Piedmont Paint & Finish, NOLA Builds, Alloy Architecture & Construction, Bottle House, Woodard Properties, Mountaintop Montessori, WNRN, and C-ville Weekly.

We'd also like to extend special thanks to Random Row Brewing Company, Potter’s Craft Cider, and Eastwood Farm and Winery, our exclusive beverage partners, and Hogwaller Brewing,  our artist hospitality sponsor. Please support these local businesses – they’re passionate about our community, and we’re grateful to feature them at Rivanna Roots 2026!

This event is a part of the Rivanna Roots 2026 Concert Series, presented by The Front Porch and Rivanna River Company. Doors open at 5:30 pm and music runs from 6:30-9:30 pm. This is an outdoor show and all concerts are rain or shine. For more information about what to bring, parking, and policies, check out our FAQs!