Daily Dose Of Jazz…
George Ewing Lee was born April 28, 1896 in Boonville, Missouri, and was the older brother of pianist and singer Julia Lee. They performed with their father’s string trio at neighborhood house parties and church socials. He played in a band while serving in the Army in 1917, and following this period, he sang in a vocal quartet.
In 1920 he formed and led George E. Lee Novelty Singing Orchestra and with his sister as one of the group’s members, he was a regular performer at Lyric Hall in Kansas City, Missouri through much of the 1920s.
Though he played many instruments, singing was his forte and he had a powerful voice and a penchant for ballads and novelty songs. Through the 1920s no group in Kansas City could compete vocally with the Lee Orchestra.
In 1927 they recorded as an octet with Jesse Stone on piano, for Meritt Records. Among the tunes was Down Home Syncopated Blues, and was the earliest recording of Julia Lee’s voice. They recorded six tunes for Brunswick in 1929.
In 1933, his group was absorbed into the Bennie Moten Orchestra. By 1935 he continued to perform with smaller ensembles through the decade. In 1937, at a resort in the Ozarks, Lee fronted a small group that included 17 year-old saxophonist Charlie Parker. Two years later he struck out on his own again, moved to Jackson, Michigan in 1940 and retired from music in 1941. He began
By the 1940s, he moved to San Diego, California. Vocalist and bandleader George E. Lee, who was sometimes billed as the Cab Calloway of the Middle West, died on October 2, 1958.
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STITH BROTHERS
The Atlanta Jazz Festival presents the Stith Brothers and the KSU Jazz Combo as part of their Neighborhood Jazz Series.
The captivating world of The Stith Brothers is where timeless melodies and soulful harmonies reign supreme. Since 1989, twin brothers Marc & Mike Stith have enchanted audiences with their velvety smooth baritone vocals and their unmistakable charm. Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, they have crooned their way through jazz festivals, nightclubs, and private engagements, leaving a trail of melody from their hometown roots to the cool vibes of Montreal, Canada.
Under the tutelage of the legendary Bill Brannen and alongside luminaries like Johnny O’Neal, Marc & Mike have honed their craft with dedication and artistry, interpreting the greatest compositions from jazz and the Great American Songbook with an undeniable flair. Their journey is a rich tapestry of musical dedication and cultural resonance, culminating in their tribute album “High Standards,” honoring the iconic legacies of Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra.
Now, as they prepare to embark on the next chapter of their musical odyssey, The Stith Bros. are thrilled to invite you into their world of jazz. With their new website, they offer fans an immersive experience where you can explore their storied career, upcoming projects, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content. From their captivating performances to their upcoming releases, The Stith Bros. promise an experience that soothes the soul and moves the spirit.
Free to the public.
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JULIE DEXTER
The world renowned, award winning, British singer, songwriter and producer is considered by many to be one of the most influential female vocalists of our generation. Having shared the spotlight with a host of cutting-edge artists, including Mint Condition, Caron Wheeler, Jill Scott, Lalah Hathaway, Omar, Ledisi, Doug Carn, Third World and Maxi Priest to name a few, Julie not only holds up her own with them but has been praised and respected by them too.
Influenced by legends such as Nancy Wilson, Abbey Lincoln, and Bob Marley, as well as popular icons Omar and Sade, Julie takes classic soul to the heart of Artistry. Fans and critics across the globe have followed her journey through the circles of Jazz, Broken-Beat, Bossa-Nova, Reggae, Afro-Beat and Soul and she was recently honored at the Black Women in Jazz Awards with the Afro Caribbean Soul of Jazz Award.
It was in 1999 that Julie took a leap of faith and moved to Atlanta, Georgia where she now resides. She launched her own label, Ketch A Vibe Records and in 2000 released the critically acclaimed EP Peace of Mind, followed by Dexterity (2002) ,Conscious (2005) and New Again (2011). Moon Bossa, a collaboration with Khari Simmons was released in 2007 and her single “Ketch A Vibe” was featured in national radio ads for Democratic Presidential Candidate Senator Barack Obama. Her latest release Deja Vu is an eclectic blend of Jazz, Soul and Reggae.
Tickets: $33 per person | $3.95 Processing Fee
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KATHLEEN BERTRAND
The three-octave vocal artist has been an invited performer at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland on three occasions and has made multiple appearances at the Atlanta Jazz Festival, including that of headliner in 2012, as part of the Nina Simone Tribute Ensemble in 2015, and most recently as 2017 producer of “Celebrating Sarah, Honoring the Music of SarahVaughan” featuring Bertrand and 6 other vocalists.
She has opened for many of America’s finest jazz artists, including Ray Charles, Will Downing, Rachelle Ferrell, Najee, Roy Ayers, and Kenny G. Her fan base includes radio and internet listeners across the USA as well as in England, Japan, Finland, Switzerland, Germany, Norway, New Zealand, France, the Netherlands, and Brazil among others.
Tickets: $25.00
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MONTY ALEXANDER
The Real Deal Monty Alexander is a Kingston, Jamaica born jazz pianist whose playing has a Caribbean influence and bright swinging feeling, with a strong vocabulary of bebop jazz and blues rooted melodies. He was influenced by Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Erroll Garner, Nat King Cole, Oscar Peterson, Ahmad Jamal, Les McCann, and Frank Sinatra.
Alexander also sings and plays the melodica. He is known for his surprising musical twists, bright rhythmic sense, and intense dramatic musical climaxes. His recording career has covered many of the well-known American songbook standards, jazz standards, pop hits, and Jamaican songs from his original homeland. He performs frequently throughout the world at jazz festivals and clubs.
The Band: Monty Alexander ~ piano | Luke Sellick ~ bass | Jason Brown ~ drums
Tickets: $41.74~$53.38
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