KARLA HARRIS AND THE JOE ALTERMAN TRIO
The Moon To Gold Show
Karla Harris ~ vocals | Joe Alterman ~ piano | Kevin Smith ~ bass | Justin Chesarek ~ drums
Jazz vocalist Karla Harris has made a career within the art form she loves for more than three decades, captivating audiences from Portland to Provence. While in college, Karla began singing with the St. Louis Jazz Quartet, a group featuring highly regarded regional jazz vocalist Jeanne Trevor, an early mentor. In the early 2000s, she was lead vocalist in combos led by internationally acclaimed bassist Tom Kennedy, whose credits include such greats as Rosemary Clooney, Freddie Hubbard, Mike Stern, Lee Ritenour, Ben Vereen, Dave Weckl.
In Portland, Karla began working with players such as Randy Porter (Diane Schuur, Gino Vanelli), Bobby Torres (Joe Cocker, Etta James, Tom Jones), Steve Christofferson, and more in that nurturing environment. When asked, she quickly describes her influences as Nancy Wilson, Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin, and the Fifth Dimension.
Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Joe Alterman moved to New York in the fall of 2007 to study music at New York University, where he earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Music. While there, he had the opportunity to study with greats including Don Friedman, Joe Lovano and John Scofield. Alterman continues to perform at many world-renowned venues including the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Birdland and New York’s Blue Note, where Alterman has opened, many times, for Ramsey Lewis. Les McCann said of the young Alterman “tiny, but only in stature. As a man and a musician. he is already a giant.” Joe says that his influences and heroes are: Ramsey Lewis, Les McCann, and Houston Person.
“Joe has a great sense of what is most meaningful in the history and tradition of our music, and a real solid musical vision of where he wants to take it.”— Houston Person
Showtimes: 7:00pm | 9:15pm
More Posts: adventure,club,genius,jazz,music,preserving,travel,vocal
NICOLE HENRY
The New York Times, Miami Herald, and Jazz Times Magazine have compared powerhouse jazz vocalist Nicole Henry to Whitney Houston and Natalie Cole for her dynamic range, impeccable phrasing, and bluesy gospel style. Whether burning through a swing tune or gently caressing a ballad she returns to Middle C after four hugely successful shows, truly makes each song uniquely her own and “aims right for the emotional center.” (Billboard)
Celebrating a 20-year career and 8 critically acclaimed chart-topping CDs, Nicole is the recipient of a Soul Train Award for “Best Traditional Jazz Performance,” and has garnered four Top-10 jazz albums on the U.S. Billboard; JazzWeek; HMV Japan and U.K. Sweet Rhythms charts.
The New York Times raved, “Every gesture and inflection conveyed confidence and mastery…I had the sense of being in the presence of a pop-soul superwoman.” Broadway World says,“So powerful is her charisma, so unique is her personality, so rich is her music, so abandoned is her joy that you can’t watch her without being drawn in.”
Her latest chart-topping album, “Time to Love Again” features reimagined versions of jazz standards as well as soul, pop, and folk songs by masters like Anthony Newly, Stevie Wonder, Joan Armatrading, James Taylor, Rodger & Hart and Buffy St. Marie. Ms. Henry will tell real stories through peerless interpretations of songs from that CD release as well as music from her vast catalogue and repertoire. Expect to be transported and thoroughly entertained…
More Posts: adventure,club,genius,jazz,music,preserving,travel,vocal
JOE GRANSDEN
At 50 Years old, Joe Gransden has already performed worldwide and released 17 CDs under his own name. Renowned first for the hard bop approach of his trumpet, Gransden’s singing voice has been compared to that of Chet Baker and Frank Sinatra. Joe is from just north of Manhattan, New York. Coming from a family full of musicians, Joe’s introduction to music came early on through his father, a gifted singer and pianist. His grandfather was a trumpeter of merit, playing professionally his whole life throughout New York. On his mother’s side of the family was the piano virtuoso Carmen Cavallero.
A widening schedule has found Joe performing the 1st and 3rd Mondays of every month at Café 290 in Atlanta w/his 16 Piece Big Band , The Blue Note in New York City, The Jazz Corner in Hilton Head SC, The Ritz-Carlton at Reynolds Plantation W/Michael Fienstein, The Museum of Art and Design in midtown Manhattan, Spivey Hall in Atlanta, Ga and Tehema Golf Club in Carmel, California (where Joe plays occasional events for Clint Eastwood). Joe also released his cd “Close To My Heart” produced by Saxophone great Kenny G. The cd is a collection of smooth jazz covers and originals written by Joe and Kenny. His project entitled “Songs of Sinatra & Friends” features Joe w/his 16 piece Big Band & Strings Celebrating the music of Frank Sinatra! The CD and has been getting great reviews and lots of airplay around the country.
More Posts: adventure,club,genius,jazz,music,preserving,travel,trumpet
ANDROMEDA TURRE
Andromeda Turre is a consummate performer and composer who has honed her craft over a lifetime immersed in music. Born into a family of jazz musicians, she was fortunate to glean from the greats, including Dizzy Gillespie, Max Roach, Wynton Marsalis as well as her parents Steve Turre and Akua Dixon.
Formally trained at The Boston Conservatory, where she studied theater, and at Berklee College of Music, where she focused on vocal performance, her talents have taken her around the world, from touring with Ray Charles, to reigning as the “Queen of the Blues,” at Tokyo Disney and headlining festivals with her own music in 17 countries worldwide. Turre’s artistic practice is rooted in providing her audience with an immersive experience, inviting them into new depths of perspective and self discovery.
In addition to her vocal talents, Andromeda is an accomplished composer whose original works have been featured in film, television, and video games. Her music is deeply influenced by her life’s experiences, and often addresses themes of social justice, spirituality and self-discovery. She composed the score and 13 original songs for Lena: Lessons from a Lady, a musical about the life of Lena Horne, and has been highly sought after as a curator of bespoke music experiences for corporate events. Andromeda’s work as an Artistic Director for Central Park’s premier 2022 Juneteenth Celebration and Music Supervisor for Aquila Theater’s adaptation of The Great Gatsby, demonstrates her ability to create unforgettable experiences that leave a lasting impact. She is currently working on a highly engaging experience for Central Park’s 2023 Juneteenth Celebration.
More Posts: adventure,club,genius,jazz,music,preserving,travel,vocal
DAVE STRYKER QUARTET
When Dave Stryker was ten years old, he was inspired by the Beatles to start playing guitar. His interest was rock and roll until he heard the albums My Favorite Things by John Coltrane and Beyond the Blue Horizon by George Benson. By seventeen, he was a jazz guitarist in Omaha. In 1978 he moved to Los Angeles where he took lessons from another Omaha native, Billy Rogers, and met organist Jack McDuff. After moving to New York City, he toured with McDuff in 1984–5, then spent ten years with saxophonist Stanley Turrentine.
Stryker formed a band with Steve Slagle and a trio with Jared Gold and Tony Reedus (later McClenty Hunter and Billy Hart). He worked with the late Kevin Mahogany as sideman, composer, and arranger, appeared with him at Carnegie Hall, and toured with him in Europe and Japan. He has also worked with Eliane Elias, Javon Jackson, and Andy LaVerne.
He teaches jazz guitar at Indiana University and Montclair State University and at the Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshop, the Litchfield Jazz Camp, and the Veneto/New School Workshop in Italy.
In 2018 Stryker began teaching jazz guitar online through the ArtistWorks music education website.
More Posts: adventure,club,genius,guitar,jazz,music,preserving,travel