Conversations About Jazz & Other Distractions

Conversations About Jazz Celebrates LOVE 

in Pre-Valentine’s Show on February 11

Hammonds House Digital invites you and your Valentine to join us for Conversations About Jazz & Other Distractions hosted by former jazz radio host and founder of Notorious Jazz, Carl Anthony. On Thursday, February 11 at 7:30 pm (EST), Carl and his guests: Sweet Lu Olutosin, Nicole Henry, and Tony Hightower will discuss and share music around the theme of celebrating love. It’s sure to be a lively and romantic evening! Conversations About Jazz comes out twice a month – on the second and fourth Thursdays. The program is free and will stream on Hammonds House  Museum’s Facebook and YouTube channels. For more information about upcoming virtual events visit hammondshouse.org.

Atlanta-based internationally acclaimed Jazz vocalist and recording artist Sweet Lu Olutosin’s music consistently displays a unique and energetic creativity. As a youngster Sweet Lu’s goal was to be an uninhibited singer using a mix of jazz, blues, and gospel to make music with the message of soulful, spiritual healing. This goal remains as he channels everything from Al Jarreau, Joe Williams, Lou Rawls, Eddie Jefferson, and John Lee Hooker in his performances creating his own unique vocal style. Sweet Lu’s latest Grammy-contending release, “Meet me at the Crossroads,” debuted at number four on the Billboard Jazz Albums Charts, just behind Gregory Porter and Norah Jones. During its next three weeks, it rose to number one on the Billboard Traditional Jazz Albums Charts. For more information: sweetlumusic.com.

Since her debut in 2004, Nicole Henry has established herself as one of the jazz world’s most esteemed performers, possessing a potent combination of dynamic vocal abilities, impeccable phrasing, and emotional resonance. Her passionate, soulful voice has earned her a Soul Train Award for Best Traditional Jazz Performance and three Top 10 U.S. Billboard and HMV Japan jazz albums. Heralded by The New York Times, The Japan Times, Jazz Times, Essence and more, she tells real stories through unparalleled interpretations of repertoire from the American Songbook, classic and contemporary jazz, popular standards, blues, and originals. She has recorded with some of today’s musical greats including Kirk Whalum, Julian Lage, Gerald Clayton and Gil Goldstein. In 2019, Ms. Henry returned to the theatrical stage and garnered critical praise in the musical The Bodyguard. For more information:  nicolehenry.com.

The art of cool has been wayward since artists like Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Mel Tormé, Miles Davis and John Coltrane left the scene. As represented by these legends of jazz, cool is a state of mind, an attitude of confidence in one’s craft. Jazz artist Tony Hightower encompasses a new age of cool that is part homage and part regeneration. He emulates the timelessness of the classics without the kitsch and injects his own interpretations. His Grammy-nominated release, “The New Standard,” is a nod to the sounds of big band and vocal jazz, a sonic bridge between contemporary and purist forms. Working with The HC3 and The Good Times Brass Band on the album, he maintained the deep, historical roots, neat vocal styling, multipiece instrumentation, scat, and swing elements of jazz.  For more information: tonyhightowerstandard.com.

Hammonds House Museum is generously supported by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, Fulton County Arts and Culture, the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, The National Performance Network, AT&T and WarnerMedia.

Hammonds House Museum’s mission is to celebrate and share the cultural diversity and important legacy of artists of African descent. The museum is the former residence of the late Dr. Otis Thrash Hammonds, a prominent Atlanta physician and a passionate arts patron. A 501(c)3 organization which opened in 1988, Hammonds House Museum boasts a permanent collection of more than 450 works including art by Romare Bearden, Robert S. Duncanson, Benny Andrews, Elizabeth Catlett, Jacob Lawrence, Hale Woodruff, Amalia Amaki, Radcliffe Bailey and Kojo Griffin. In addition to featuring art from their collection, the museum offers new exhibitions, artist talks, workshops, concerts, poetry readings, arts education programs, and other cultural events throughout the year.

Located in a beautiful Victorian home in Atlanta’s historic West End, Hammonds House Museum is a cultural treasure and a unique venue. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they continue to observe CDC guidelines, but look forward to welcoming in-person visitors soon!  For more information about upcoming virtual events, and to see how you can support their mission and programming, visit their website: hammondshouse.org.

MEDIA: For more information, contact Karen Hatchett at Hatchett PR, karen@hatchettpr.com

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